Everyone wanting to start a new master's or doctoral degree must apply for admission. This includes
You must apply for admission if you previously applied for admission to a master's or doctoral degree, your application was approved, but you did not register for the qualification.
You must apply for admission if you are a previously registered master's or doctoral student, but did not register for the 2024 academic year and now wish to continue with master's or doctoral studies in 2025. This excludes students who applied for and were granted a formal deferment.
Please note: If you only apply for a student number, but do not apply for admission and submit your compulsory supporting documents, you will not be considered for the 2025 academic year. Only complete applications will be considered.
Applications for admission to master's and doctoral qualifications for the 2025 academic year to be open from 2 September to 22 November 2024.
Applications for the following qualifications will, however, remain open until the end of June 2025:
No. You will use the same Unisa formal student number for life. You can proceed to apply online for admission and upload your supporting documents using your current Unisa student number.
Please note, however, that student numbers issued for short learning programmes (usually start with a "7") are not formal Unisa student numbers. If you have a student number issued by the Graduate School of Business Leadership, please ensure that you apply for a formal Unisa student number during the application process.
No. Student numbers issued for short learning programmes (usually start with a "7") are not formal Unisa student numbers. Please apply for a formal Unisa student number and pay the once-off, non-refundable application fee of R140:
Please note: If you only apply for a student number, but do not apply for admission and submit your compulsory supporting documents, you will not be considered for the 2025 academic year. Only complete applications will be considered.
You may only apply for the qualifications listed on the master's and doctoral application website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualificationsMD/
If a qualification does not appear on the application website, it means that it is not on offer for the 2025 academic year. If a qualification is listed on the website, but is not listed on the online application platform, no spaces are available for that particular qualification. You will need to apply for the qualification during the next application period. You may also send an e-mail of enquiry to MandD@unisa.ac.za. The MandD@unisa.ac.za e-mail account is not managed by a specific person, but is a mailbox that is accessed by staff in the Master's and Doctoral Administrative department.
No. It is therefore important to ensure that you meet the minimum admission requirements for your qualification of choice. Should you submit a second application, please note that it will replace your first application.
Make sure that you meet the minimum admission requirements for the qualification for which you are applying.
All applicants (except for the MBA, MBL, coursework LLM qualifications and coursework MCom in Industrial Psychology) must upload a research outline for their intended qualification as part of the online application process. Click here for the different college research focus areas.
Please refer to the research focus areas for master's and doctoral studies, and prepare a research outline based on the guidelines before completing the online application process.
You must indicate the selected focus areas and provide a preliminary (working) title for your projected research during the online application process.
Important:
If you obtained your qualifications outside the borders of South Africa, please take note of the following: (i) The qualification that will give you admission to your qualification of choice must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); (ii) You may apply for admission without a SAQA certificate of evaluation; (iii) If you application for admission is accepted, you may register, but you will need to submit the SAQA certificate of evaluation before re-registering for the next academic year; and (iv) You can apply for the SAQA certificate of evaluation here: https://www.saqa.org.za
Students applying for admission to the MBA, MBL, coursework LLM qualifications and coursework MCom in Industrial Psychology do not need to submit a research outline as part of the online application process.
All other students must prepare a brief research outline (2 - 5 pages) as part of their application. Please ensure that you refer to the college research focus areas. Click here for guidelines on how to prepare a research outline.
Plagiarism of any form is unacceptable. Please take note of Unisa's Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism.
It is very important that you upload the compulsory supporting documents (displayed in red on the upload platform) as part of your online application process. If you obtained your qualifications outside the borders of South Africa, please take note of the following: (i) The qualification that will give you admission to your qualification of choice must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); (ii) You may apply for admission without a SAQA certificate of evaluation; (iii) If you application for admission is accepted, you may register, but you will need to submit the SAQA certificate of evaluation before re-registering for the next academic year; and (iv) You can apply for the SAQA certificate of evaluation here: https://www.saqa.org.za
Supporting documents must be scanned and saved as specific document types and uploaded separately (eg ID or CV), and not as one combined file. E-mailed documents will not be accepted.
Please note: If you do not upload the compulsory supporting documents within 10 days of submitting your application for admission, (excluding the SAQA certificate of evaluation), your application will be declined. The 10 days do not apply after the closing date for applications. You will then need to re-apply for admission and upload the necessary supporting documents before the closing date for applications should you wish to be considered for admission to the 2025 academic year. If the application period is closed, you will need to wait for the next application period to apply for admission. No supporting documents will be accepted after the closing date for applications.
Your application will be assessed according to the academic admission requirements for your qualification of choice, an evaluation of the supporting documents uploaded as part of the online application process and the availability of supervisory capacity in the respective department (there is limited research capacity available in departments).
Applicants who wish to apply for admission to the Master of Business Administration (90070), the Master of Business Leadership (90086) or the Doctor of Business Leadership (90071) qualifications, offered by the Graduate School of Business Leadership (GSBL), must apply online for admission.
Please note:
All enquiries with regard to GSBL qualifications or about the status of your application must be directed to the GSBL (MBA - SBLMBA@unisa.ac.za; MBL - SBLMBL@unisa.ac.za; sbl@unisa.ac.za; DBL - SBLDBL@unisa.ac.za). Please do not use the general master's and doctoral e-mail address (MandD@unisa.ac.za) for GSBL enquiries.
Apply online for admission (some exceptions apply).
If you do not have a student number, first apply online for a Unisa student number during Unisa's application period. Pay the application fee of R140.
You will receive notification via SMS and e-mail that your application for a student number was successful.
Once you receive your student number, you must apply online for admission to the 2025 academic year. Upload the required supporting documents, which will display in red on the online application platform. In most cases, this will be a copy of your ID/passport, complete academic records (if not Unisa qualifications), the ledger and SAQA certificate of evaluation (in the case of foreign qualifications), and the research outline (except for the MBA, MBL, coursework LLM qualifications and coursework MCom in Industrial Psychology).
All the steps must be completed for your application for admission to the 2025 academic year to be considered. We will not accept any applications and / or documents submitted via e-mail.
Please note:
Please note:
Your application will be assessed according to
A limited number of applications are accepted each year for selection degrees. Applicants apply directly to the relevant department unless otherwise stated.
Please note:
The following documents must be uploaded as part of the online application process before your application for admission will be considered. The compulsory documents will display in red in the upload your document tool:
The following documents are specific to qualifications:
Plagiarism of any form is unacceptable. Please take note of Unisa's Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism.
Selection will take place during January and February 2025. Applicants will be informed towards the beginning of March 2025. If you have not received confirmation by 15 March 2025, please contact the Master’s and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za). Registrations will close at the end of March 2025, but students whose applications are approved after this date will be assisted to register. Courework students will only be assisted until the end of April due to assignment dates.
Important:
No. Accepting or declining an offer is only valid for undergraduate, honours and postgraduate diploma applicants. If your application for admission is approved, please proceed to register online when registration opens for the academic year.
Yes. You must apply for admission during the relevant application period. If your application for admission is successful, you will register under the rules/curriculum of the new qualification. Credits obtained under the phased-out qualification will not necessarily be retained and/or transferred to the new qualification.
Yes. You must apply for admission during the prescribed application period and upload all the compulsory supporting documents. These documents will display in red on the online document upload platform. If you obtained your qualifications outside the borders of South Africa, please take note of the following: (i) The qualification that will give you admission to your qualification of choice must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); (ii) You may apply for admission without a SAQA certificate of evaluation; (iii) If you application for admission is accepted, you may register, but you will need to submit the SAQA certificate of evaluation before re-registering for the next academic year; and (iv) You can apply for the SAQA certificate of evaluation here: https://www.saqa.org.za
You may still apply for admission, although it is unlikely that you will be selected if you do not meet the 60% requirement, as there are limited spaces available for master's and doctoral qualifications. Some departments will not consider applications with less than 60%. The Master’s and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za) will inform you accordingly.
You may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if your application for admission is declined based on you not meeting the admission requirements. This may delay the processing of your application for admission to the next application period. You will be required to provide the RPL office with your "decline" letter.
Please note:
Visit the SBL website for more information regarding study schools: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl
The majority of master’s qualifications are full research qualifications, where the curriculum comprises a full dissertation. The dissertation includes a research proposal which must be completed and accepted in the first year of study.
In some instances, a coursework option exists, with a combination of modules (for which you will write examinations), a research proposal module and a smaller research component (mini-dissertation) for your master’s qualification. Each qualification clearly indicates whether it is a research or coursework degree. Students who register for a coursework master's degree must first pass at least two modules before they may register for the research proposal module, unless otherwise stated. Students can only register for the mini-dissertation after completion of the research proposal module. Students must ensure that they submit the research proposal module in time in order for the official result to be released before registration for the mini-dissertation closes for the academic year.
It is the responsibility of both the student and the supervisor to ensure that the qualification is completed within the prescribed period of time.
You may send an e-mail to MandD@unisa.ac.za with the relevant supporting documents after consulting the Procedures for Master's and Doctoral degrees.
Abstract from the procedures: "An appeal against non-admission on academic grounds may be addressed to the College of Graduate Studies: Master and Doctoral Administration Support section which section will refer it to the Executive Dean of the relevant College, or to his or her nominee. If the appeal is rejected, such rejection must be substantiated and submitted to the Intercollege Postgraduate Studies Committee for consideration. The Committee considers the matter and informs the College of Graduate Studies: Master and Doctoral Administration Support section of the outcome. This section communicates the outcome to the applicant, the Executive Dean and the academic department."
Unisa’s RPL programme allows you to gain recognition and credit for skills and learning acquired through means other than formal learning programmes. Your skill and knowledge will be evaluated. If it is found to be relevant, you may be granted appropriate credits. RPL may thus make it possible for you to either gain access to or earn credits towards a Unisa qualification based on prior non-formal learning, thereby reducing your study time. No qualification will be issued based on a successful RPL application. You must apply for the qualification for which you want to be considered. Once you receive the "decline letter" stating that you do not meet the minimum academic requirements, you may apply for RPL.
If you are interested in RPL, please contact their office via e-mail at rpl@unisa.ac.za. Please include the "decline letter" you received. Also note that some departments do not allow RPL for direct admission to some qualifications.
You can apply for direct admission via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, but you must also apply for a Unisa student number, apply for admission, upload your compulsory supporting documents (and the RPL approval letter, if already available) and indicate in your online application that you are applying for admission via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Please note that even if you are approved for admission via RPL, your application will still be considered as part of the selection process to the qualification based on the uploaded research outline and the available supervisory capacity in the department.
If you apply for admission via RPL, you must also apply online for the specific master's or doctoral qualification during the application period. You have to indicate on the online application platform that you applied for admission via RPL. You must still provide the supporting documents (eg research outline, if applicable). If you have an RPL approval letter, please upload it when you apply for admission.
Remember to upload your RPL letter as soon as you receive it.
Contact the RPL office at rpl@unisa.ac.za as soon as possible after applying for admission and after you have received your official decline letter.
You may register online from 9 January to 31 March 2025 for the 2025 academic year. MCompt, MBA, MBL and DBL students must register by the end of January 2025. Please note that these dates are subject to change.
Register online and pay the prescribed fees during the registration period (normally January to March). No late registrations will be allowed. If you are a bursary holder or your company is paying for your studies, we strongly recommend that you personally make payment before the relevant closing date and claim the fees back from your employer/bursary scheme.
Yes. You must re-register and pay your fees every year until you complete your studies. Please remember to register online and pay the prescribed fees during the registration period of 9 January to 31 March 2025 (with the exception of the MCompt, MBA, MBL and DBL degrees, which close on 31 January 2025). Please note that these dates are subject to change.
The registration dates for Unisa's master's and doctoral degrees are 9 January to 31 March 2025 (with the exception of the MCompt, MBA, MBL and DBL degrees which close on 31 January 2025). Please note that these dates are subject to change.
If you did not apply for a formal deferment, you will have to apply again for admission. Spaces are not kept for students who did not formally defer their studies and there are limited spaces for each year.
This could mean that the qualification for which you were previously registered has been phased out and is no longer available - refer to the application website for more information.
Please send an e-mail to the Master's and Doctoral Administrative Unit (MandD@unisa.ac.za) to apply to re-register (as an exceptional case) or to find out to which qualification you can transfer your studies. You should re-apply for admission to the new qualification during the relevant application period. In many instances, students are automatically transferred to the new qualification and will just continue to re-register for the new qualification.
It is possible that you may apply for your qualification of choice outside of the prescribed application dates. If it is not the case, you will unfortunately have to apply for admission during the next application period. A limited number of qualifications remain open after the official application period has closed. Please do not apply for such a qualification just because it is still open for applications. You must meet the minimum admission requirements, otherwise your application will be declined.
Unisa provides all registered students with a free myLife e-mail address. It is your responsibility to activate your myLife e-mail account as soon as your registration is finalised. Your myLife e-mail account will be the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence to and from the university, including your supervisor(s) and will remain the official primary e-mail address on record at Unisa. It is in your best interest to use the official communication platform to ensure that you do not miss valuable information.
Your myLife/myUnisa password must contain at least
Click here for some tips on how to create a strong password, as well as some examples of complex passwords. Remember, the more complex your password, the more difficult it is for others to crack it.
Unisa is enhancing the security of its digital services to protect you online. Starting from 13 July 2024, Unisa will be upgrading all students' myLife e-mail accounts. You may experience a three-hour once-off downtime while your myLife e-mail account is being upgraded. From 16 July 2024, you will have to create a new password for myUnisa and your myLife e-mail account whenever you use the "Forgotten Unisa password" function.
Update your myUnisa/myLife password regularly!
You can do this via the Microsoft Online Password Reset link, which forms part of our Multi-Factor Authentication. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access to myUnisa/myLife, even if your password has been compromised. Click here for more information on securing your access to Unisa's digital services.
For myUnisa enquiries, contact the Student Communication Service Centre (SCSC) on 080 000 1870 or send an e-mail to MyUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za
When sending an e-mail, please include your student number, a full description of your challenge(s), the module code of the module(s) you are enquiring about (where applicable) and a screenshot (where applicable).
Master's and doctoral students and supervisors have access to the Master's and Doctoral Dashboard. The dashboard contains tasks allocated to you by your supervisor, notices from your supervisor and information about where you can request extensions if you cannot complete a task on time. Click here for the student training video to familiarise yourself with the Master's and Doctoral Dashboard.
It is important that you meet with your supervisor (either in person or virtually) as early as possible in the academic year and sign a supervision agreement which will govern the code of conduct and manage both you and your supervisor’s expectations. Click here for the agreement. Should you experience problems in this regard, please contact the Master's and Doctoral Administration section on MandD@unisa.ac.za for assistance.
The Library will contact you soon after you have registered. In the meantime, you can watch the YouTube video for an overview of the services offered by the Unisa Library.
Yes, but you have to be registered on myUnisa, Unisa’s student platform. GSBL students should make use of the GSBL Moodle platform. Please refer to the Unisa Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism.
Previously registered master's and doctoral students had to pay their full fees at the point of registration. From 2024, student are permitted to pay the minimum fee at the point of registration. The full fees must be paid by 15 August of each year.
The fees for the 2025 academic year will only be available towards the end of 2024. The following fees for the 2023 academic year should be used as an estimate: The fee for a research master’s degree is R17 965. Doctoral students pay approximately R21 155. Remember that you have to register and pay every year until you have completed your studies.
International students outside the borders of Africa are required to pay a foreign levy of approximately R11 300 for master's degree students and R12 225 for doctoral students.
GSBL (MBA, MBL and DBL) students should contact the GSBL (sblfinance@unisa.ac.za) as the GSBL makes use of a different fee structure.
All correspondence is e-mailed to your myLife e-mail address. Unisa will not send e-mails to your personal e-mail address. Academics will also correspond with you via your myLife e-mail address and use myUnisa to make important announcements. If you do not claim your myLife e-mail address and register on myUnisa, you will not receive any correspondence from Unisa. You may also send an e-mail to the Master's and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za).
Remember to always state your student number in the subject line of your e-mails to Unisa.
The fees for 2025 will only be available towards the end of 2024. After this date, use the fee quotation link on the Unisa website to obtain a total fee quotation for the cost of the modules that you have selected. Alternatively, contact the Master's and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za) for a quotation.
Send a request to finan@unisa.ac.za for assistance. Please include your sponsor's details in your e-mail.
You can pay online via the secure link: https://www.unisa.ac.za/feepayment
International students are advised to use the Flywire payment option.
Please use the correct reference to ensure that fees paid are allocated timeously to your student account.
You will have received notification of who your supervisor/contact person is when you received feedback on your application. All correspondence from the university will be sent to your Unisa myLife e-mail address. It is your responsibility to claim your myLife e-mail account as soon as you have registered. After registration, you may contact the appointed supervisor for guidance. If you do not receive your postgraduate letter, which includes your title and the contact details of your supervisor/contact person, please send an e-mail to the Master's and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za). Remember to register for the compulsory African Academy Student Development Programme.
Master’s and doctoral study material (if applicable) is only available online. Once you are registered, you must register on myUnisa, Unisa’s student platform, to access your study material online.
Important announcements are made on myUnisa and all e-mail correspondence will be sent to your myLife e-mail account. GSBL (MBA and MBL) students must also register on the myUnisa Moodle platform platform to access their study material.
Only students who write examinations will receive data for the month in which they write the examination. Please ensure that Unisa has your correct cellphone number. Please verify your cellphone number on myUnisa.
You can only request credits for coursework modules if Unisa offers the specific qualification by coursework. Students may not be granted credits from study units obtained on grounds of a completed qualification. Credits will only be considered for study units of incomplete qualifications at master’s degree level. No credits are considered for research master’s or doctoral qualifications.
You may apply for credits on the basis of courses passed at another university. Note, however, that you may not be granted more than 50% of the modules for the qualification concerned. You may apply for credits after registering during the prescribed application period.
Yes, but it is highly unlikely as certain pre-requisites are set for each qualification, for example: The research proposal must be accepted before you can register for the research component. In the College of Law, for example, all students must pass two modules in their first year before they may register for the research proposal module, which makes it impossible to complete the coursework master's degree in one academic year.
Yes. Please note that a student registered for a master’s degree must complete it within three years.
No. A doctoral student must be registered for at least two academic years before submitting the thesis for examination. Please note that a student registered for a doctoral degree must complete it within six years.
In most departments, you will be allocated a supervisor once your application for admission has been accepted. If not, you will be provided with a contact person. You may discuss the possibility of an external supervisor with the contact person. An extensive CV of the proposed external supervisor will have to be submitted if it is agreed that you may provide the information for consideration. If the supervisor is accepted, Unisa will contract the supervisor and pay for his or her service.
Supervisors are allocated to students registering for full research qualifications in their first year of study. In the case of coursework qualifications, the supervisor is only allocated once the student registers for the research proposal module or the research component (mini-dissertation).
Your supervisor is integral to your studies and will assist you in planning your academic year, ensuring that you are aware of all critical milestones, and detailing both your and their responsibilities during the course of your studies. Both you and your supervisor will sign a Code of Conduct that governs the conditions of your relationship. The support and guidance of your supervisor will be invaluable during the course of your studies. Please familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures for master's and doctoral students. It is both your responsibility and that of your supervisor to ensure that you complete your studies in the allocated time period.
You must receive a formal letter / e-mail from the Master’s and Doctoral Administrative department informing you of the outcome of your research proposal module before you proceed with the online registration of your mini-dissertation (if the registration period is still open or during the next registration period) or request an academic record that states that you completed the module. If you do not receive confirmation within two weeks of your supervisor informing you of the outcome, please contact the Master’s and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za). Remember to indicate your student number in the subject line AND make use of your myLife e-mail address when communicating with the university.
If the registration period is closed when you complete your research proposal module, please note that you may continue to use the Library and receive supervision until the next registration period or you may opt to add the research component to the current academic year by sending an e-mail to MandD@unisa.ac.za
You will be advised of the date by which the payment must be made to activate your registration.
Yes, you may cancel your modules or studies. Normal rules apply when you cancel modules. You are advised to inform your supervisor, if one has already been appointed, of your decision to cancel your studies. You will be able to re-register for the qualification in the next academic year.
If you are registered for the research proposal module or the research component, you will not be required to write exams. You must, however, select the "not applicable (only thesis)" examination centre.
Unisa accepts candidates from other universities, except if the candidate was excluded/suspended from another higher education institution on grounds of misconduct. If you are applying to transfer from another university, please provide Unisa with a declaration from the previous institution that you did not submit your master’s/doctoral dissertation/thesis for examination at that institution. You must still apply for a formal Unisa student number (if applicable), apply for admission and upload the relevant supporting documents during the prescribed application period.
You can only be registered at one South African university for a formal qualification. If you want to study simultaneously, you will have to register for a formal degree at one university and for non-degree purposes at the other university. Unisa will only accept you for non-degree purposes on condition that you have written permission from the other university allowing concurrent registration. You will be required to upload the written permission from the other university as part of your application for admission. Please note that you may not register research modules for non-degree purposes (NDP). You will have to apply for admission to NDP at Unisa during the undergraduate / honours application period if you wish to register for undergraduate or honours modules for NDP.
No. Concurrent registration of formal qualifications is not allowed.
Request an academic record via myUnisa or complete and submit the Application for academic record or credit certificate form (CGS08 - available under forms & codes on the registration website). The form must be submitted via e-mail to MandD@unisa.ac.za
Please include your student number and the name of the form (CGS08) in the subject line of the e-mail. Also send a copy of your ID/passport when you apply for an academic record.
The academic record will be sent to your myLife e-mail account, unless you stipulate otherwise. Please use your ID number/valid passport number as the password when accessing the academic record.
An academic record can also be generated via myUnisa, under "myAdmin" and "Student Admin".
If you are registered for a master’s degree, you may also register in the same academic year for two undergraduate modules or for one honours paper or the corresponding number of modules on the same level for non-degree purposes (NDP). You will have to apply for admission to NDP at Unisa during the undergraduate / honours application period if you wish to register for undergraduate or honours modules for NDP.
If you are registered for a doctoral qualification, you may also register in the same academic year for two undergraduate modules or for one honours paper or one master’s paper or the corresponding number of modules on the same level for non-degree purposes (NDP).
You will only be allowed to register for an honours or a master’s paper / module(s) if you comply with the prescribed admission requirements for the honours or master’s qualification concerned. An application for concurrent registration must be uploaded online on the prescribed form at least three weeks before the closing date for registration for the NDP paper / module(s).
Students may not register for the research proposal module for non-degree purposes (NDP).
Please note:
If you wish to defer your studies to the next academic year, please complete and submit the request for deferment form directly to your supervisor or to the Chair of Department before the relevant closing date for re-registrations. Deferments are only granted for a year at a time and for a maximum of two years during the course of study for a particular qualification. One further year will be considered in exceptional cases. You may not apply for deferment in your first year of study. If you are unable to register or decide to cancel your studies in your first year of study, you will be required to re-apply for admission. Your supervisor will make a recommendation that must be approved by the chair of the academic department. Once the chair approves the recommendation, your application to defer your studies will be considered by the College Research Office before the final decision will be sent to the Master's and Doctoral Section for processing. You will receive a formal decision from the Master's & Doctoral Section once all the approvals are in place.
It is very important that you re-register online for the next academic year and pay your fees before the closing date for registrations. You will not receive a reminder from Unisa.
Please note: No deferments will be considered once your registration for an academic year has been finalised. Any requests for deferments after your registration has been finalised will be treated as a request for cancellation.
Students who cancel their registration after 10 working days will forfeit a portion of the fees paid. In exceptional cases, the Executive Dean or his or her nominee may recommend cancellation with or without full refund.
No. You must apply for admission and provide written approval from the other university that you may continue with your studies at Unisa using the same research topic and proposal. The fact that your proposal was accepted at another university does not mean that Unisa will accept the proposal. You also have to comply with the rules regarding ethical clearance. Your supervisor will guide you on this matter.
If you receive your result before the closing date for registrations, you can add the mini dissertation to your current registration. If registrations have already closed, you may opt to wait for the next registration period (normally from January to March). You will have full access to the library and to your supervisor until registrations re-open for the next academic year. You may, however, request the Master's and Doctoral Administration department to add the mini-dissertation to your registration for the year. If you experience problems at the library or want to add the mini-dissertation, please send an e-mail to the Master's and Doctoral Administrative department (MandD@unisa.ac.za).
Unisa’s Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) will assist and support students with disabilities. If you require assistance, please indicate the nature of your disability on the online registration form and contact ARCSWiD as soon as possible after registration. This will enable ARCSWiD to plan the measures necessary to support your needs.
You must be registered for the research component (ie dissertation, thesis, mini-thesis) in the current academic year to be able to submit your research for examination. Doctoral candidates must be registered for at least two academic years before submitting a thesis for examination. When the research component nears completion, the candidate must complete the intention to submit form to inform the university of the intention to submit for examination. Please discuss your intention with your supervisors before you submit the form to the university.
The form must be completed and e-mailed to Resexcoord@unisa.ac.za.
Students are advised to submit the intention to submit form at least 12 weeks prior to submitting the copies for examination (normally 15 September for the Autumn graduation ceremony period of the next year; the proposed date is 15 April for the Spring graduation period).
Please refer to Turnitin for possible solutions to your challenges. If you are still struggling, please send an e-mail to turnitin@unisa.ac.za
If you submit your dissertation / thesis by 15 June and are successful, you will probably receive your qualification at a Spring graduation ceremony (September / October). If you submit your thesis by 15 November and are successful, you will probably receive your qualification at an Autumn graduation ceremony (April / May) of the following year. If submission takes place after the end of January, you can expect to graduate in September of the same year and will have to re-register and pay the full tuition fees.
Doctoral students who registered for the first time from 2022 are required to submit two manuscripts for publication to a peer reviewed accredited journal as part of their curriculums (some exceptions apply). Proof of the submission for both manuscripts must accompany the submission of the examination copy. However, doctoral students who registered for the first time from 2022 will also be required to deliver an oral defence (viva voce) of their thesis.
Please note: The graduation timeframes listed above are estimates, since you may be required to make substantial corrections before the result is formally approved / released. Also note that the submission dates are for the actual submission of your dissertation/theses and not the submission of the intention to submit.
If you submit by 28 February 2026, you do not have to re-register and pay for 2026. If you submit after this date, however, you have to re-register online and pay before the closing date for the 2026 academic year.
You will be provided with a link and access to upload an electronic PDF copy of your research component. No printed examination copies are accepted. The link will only be provided after permission to submit has been granted by the supervisor and examiners have been appointed.
Please ensure that your research component was submitted online to Turnitin (for originality checking) and download the one-page digital receipt (not the full report) to be included with your examination copy. For any enquiries about Turnitin, please send an e-mail to turnitin@unisa.ac.za. Also refer to the FAQs on Turnitin.
If you have permission from your supervisor, you may submit your research component at any time provided that you are registered for the current academic year. If submission takes place after the end of February, you will have to re-register and pay the full tuition fees for the next academic year.
Please do not send multiple e-mails or an e-mail to more than one e-mail address. Do not send e-mails to the Offices of the Principal or Vice-Principals, as this may result in a delay in your problem being resolved. Follow the steps as indicated above.
There are a limited number of bursaries available for master’s and doctoral students who have completed the research proposal module of the specific master’s or doctoral qualification.
Important:
The 2025 Unisa postgraduate bursary application period will open from 1 November 2024 to 31 January 2025.
Enquiries:
The Master's and Doctoral Administrative department handles administration matters related to applications, admissions, registrations, cancellations, deferments and research proposal results. They can be contacted via e-mail address MandD@unisa.ac.za
Please note that this e-mail account is administered by all staff in the Master's and Doctoral Administrative department, and not by one specific individual (the e-mail address stands for "Master's and Doctoral" and is not a person). Please do not send e-mails to multiple e-mail addresses, as this may cause unnecessary backlogs and delays in your e-mail being answered.
They can be contacted via e-mail address resexcood@unisa.ac.za.
Join Unisa's Master's and Doctoral Facebook page.
Last modified: 2024/07/29