The University of South Africa (UNISA) structures its academic offerings by dividing qualifications into multi-level National Qualifications Framework (NQF) tiers and breaking those qualifications down into individual semester or year-long modules. Curricula are managed across specific academic colleges, ranging from higher certificates to doctoral degrees.
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa, offering over 3,500 module offerings across undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Whether you want to study accounting, law, education, science, or social work, UNISA has a programme aligned to your goals.
UNISA Colleges
UNISA is organised into the following colleges:
- College of Accounting Sciences
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Education
- College of Human Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Science, Engineering and Technology
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
College of Accounting Sciences
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences (98201)
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting (98302)
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Taxation (98318)
Postgraduate Programmes:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences (98231) — also referred to as CTA1
College of Business and Economics
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management (98310)
- Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management (98307)
- Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management (98306)
- Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management
- Bachelor of Commerce in Economics
- Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management
- Diploma in Human Resource Management (98211)
- Diploma in Tourism Management (98223)
- Diploma in Policing (98220)
- Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice (90006)
College of Education
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Higher Certificate in Education (90093)
- Diploma in Grade R Teaching
- Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
- Bachelor of Education — Foundation Phase Teaching (90102)
- Bachelor of Education — Intermediate Phase Teaching (90103)
- Bachelor of Education — Senior Phase and FET Teaching (90104)
Postgraduate Programmes:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) — various subject specialisations (90148)
The Funza Lushaka bursary is available to qualifying BEd students.
College of Human Sciences
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Bachelor of Arts — General (99311)
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science (98051)
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology (98681)
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work (90011)
College of Law
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Higher Certificate in Law (98751)
- Diploma in Law (98750)
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Bachelor of Arts in Law
College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics (90129)
- Bachelor of Science (General)
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Diploma in Information Technology (98806)
- Diploma in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical specialisations)
Note: Some programmes in this college require a letter of permission from the department before application.
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Undergraduate Programmes:
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension
- Diploma in Agriculture
- Diploma in Nature Conservation
Postgraduate Programmes Across All Colleges
| Level | Examples |
|---|---|
| Honours | Honours in Economics, African Languages, Psychology, Criminology, and more |
| Master’s | MA, MSc, MCom, MEd across all faculties |
| Doctoral | PhD across all research disciplines |
Qualification Levels Explained
| NQF Level | Qualification | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NQF 5 | Higher Certificate | 1 year |
| NQF 6 | Diploma | 3 years |
| NQF 7 | Bachelor’s Degree | 3 to 4 years |
| NQF 8 | Honours / Postgraduate Diploma | 1 year |
| NQF 9 | Master’s Degree | 1 to 2 years |
| NQF 10 | Doctoral Degree | 2 to 5 years |
How to Choose the Right Programme
- Your matric results — Do you meet the APS and subject requirements?
- Your career goals — Work backwards from the job you want
- Duration — How many years are you prepared to study?
- Funding — Is your chosen programme covered by NSFAS?
- Subject match — Does your matric subject combination align with the programme requirements?
Short Learning Programmes at UNISA
In addition to formal qualifications, UNISA offers short learning programmes in areas such as:
- Project Management
- HIV/AIDS Management
- Labour Law
- Financial Planning
- Computer and ICT skills
These are suitable for working professionals who want to upskill without committing to a full degree.
Finding Your Qualification
To check the exact curriculum structure for a specific programme, including the full list of required modules and their sequence, you can use the official UNISA Qualification Finder on the UNISA website. The tool allows you to browse by qualification level or by college, making it straightforward to find the right programme for your goals.
If you are unsure which qualification to pursue, UNISA’s student advisors are available to help you make an informed decision based on your academic background and career interests.