Purpose statement
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Honours BA graduates with systematic knowledge, specialized skills and theoretical competence focusing on or within a particular discipline or within an interdisciplinary framework to prepare them for specialist training at an advanced level. A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates who have in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and define complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within unfamiliar contexts. A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can demonstrate thorough familiarity with a particular discipline or interdisciplinary framework and have the ability to perform independently as intellectual leaders in their society.
| Qualification code: | 98682 |
| NQF level: | 8 |
| Total credits: | 120 |
| SAQA ID: | 101046 |
| APS/AS: | 60 |
| Maximum time to complete this qualification: | 3 years |
Please note:
An appropriate NQF 7 qualification from an accredited provider of higher education with a minimum of 60% for the major(s),
or
applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) must be at least 23 years old; grade 12; and have at least 10 years' relevant work experience (of which 3 years should be at management level) in the study field in which they would like to apply for admission to a qualification. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl applicants may submit an appeal on the application portal at https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Apply-for-admission-to-study:-application-tool and will be required to provide a motivation for special admission.
The motivation must incorporate the following:
* academic motivation offering evidence of your ability to study a postgraduate qualification,
* work experience relevant to the qualification and courses completed since graduating with a Bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma.
These appeals will only be considered if the enrolment target of the qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available.
Pay the application fee of R160 once you've received your student number.
Please note:
Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.
Apply for an honours degree or postgraduate diploma between 17 August and 9 October 2026.
Please note:
Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2027 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register