How to Register at Unisa: Step-by-Step Guide for Students

Registering at the University of South Africa (Unisa) is a fully online process. Once you have applied and accepted an offer of placement, you register through the official Unisa student portal. Unisa has not yet published its 2027 registration dates, so the 2026 dates below show you what to expect.

This guide explains who can register, important dates, what you need before registering, and the full step-by-step registration process.

Who Can Register at Unisa

You can register if:

You applied to Unisa and received an offer of placement.
You accepted your offer online.
You have your student number and login details.
You register within the official registration period for your qualification.

You cannot register if you have not applied, if your application was unsuccessful, or if you did not accept your offer.

Unisa Registration Dates (2026 as a guide)

For the 2026 academic year, Unisa opened online registration on 7 January 2026.

Undergraduate Qualifications

Semester modules: 7 January 2026 to 20 February 2026
Year modules: 7 January 2026 to 20 March 2026

Honours Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas

Semester modules: 7 January 2026 to 20 February 2026
Year modules: 7 January 2026 to 31 March 2026

Master’s and Doctoral Qualifications

7 January 2026 to 30 April 2026
Exceptions may apply depending on the qualification.

Registration for second-semester modules ran from 29 June to 23 July 2026. Always check your specific qualification closing date on the Unisa website before the deadline.

What You Need Before You Register

Before starting your registration, make sure you have the following:

An accepted offer of placement from Unisa.
Your Unisa student number.
Your myUnisa login details.
A stable internet connection.
Google Chrome browser installed.
Your personal, contact, and postal details ready.
A list of modules you want to register for, including prerequisites.
Money available to pay the minimum registration fee.

Registration will not be final until payment is made.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register at Unisa

Step 1: Go to the Unisa Registration Portal

Visit the official Unisa website and click the registration link for your academic year.
Only use the official Unisa portal and avoid third-party websites.

Step 2: Select Your Qualification Level

Choose the correct qualification level:

Undergraduate
Honours
Postgraduate Diploma
Master’s
Doctoral

Click “Go” to continue.

Step 3: Log In

Enter your student number, surname, and date of birth.

New students must first claim their myUnisa login details before registering.

Step 4: Verify and Update Your Details

Check and update:

Personal information
Contact details
Email address
Postal address

Make sure everything is correct because Unisa uses this information for communication and study material delivery.

Step 5: Choose Your Modules

Select the modules you want to register for.

Make sure that:

You meet the prerequisites.
There are no timetable or exam clashes.
You are choosing the correct semester or year modules.
Your workload matches your capacity.

Step 6: Review and Confirm

Review your registration summary.

Confirm:

Your qualification
Your module selection
Your personal details

Tick the terms and conditions box and click “Submit”.

Step 7: Make Payment

After submitting, Unisa creates a temporary registration.

You must pay the minimum registration fee to finalise it.

You can pay via:

Online banking
Bank deposit
Credit or debit card
EFT

Once payment is received, your registration becomes official.

After You Register

After registration:

You will receive an SMS or email confirmation.
You can log back into the portal to check your registration status.
You may change or add modules before the registration closing date.

Keep proof of payment and your confirmation message.

Important Tips

Always use the official Unisa website and myUnisa portal.
Do not share your login details with anyone.
Register early to avoid system delays and payment issues.
Do not wait until the last day to register.
Check your emails regularly for updates from Unisa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register if I have not applied?

No. You must apply and receive an offer before you can register.

Can I register without paying?

No. Payment is required to finalise your registration.

Can I change my modules after registering?

Yes, you can change or add modules before the closing date.

What if I miss the registration deadline?

Unisa does not accept late registrations or payments for any reason. You will have to wait for the next registration period. If you accepted an offer for semester 1 and did not register, you must apply again.

Registering at Unisa is straightforward if you follow the correct process and meet the deadlines. Accept your offer, prepare your documents, choose your modules carefully and pay on time.

This will ensure your place is secured and you can start your studies without problems.