{"id":266,"date":"2024-04-17T18:34:22","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T18:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/?page_id=266"},"modified":"2026-09-17T13:47:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:47:42","slug":"how-to-apply-for-unisa-as-a-returning-student","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/how-to-apply-for-unisa-as-a-returning-student\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Apply For Unisa As A Returning Student?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re a South African looking to resume your studies at the University of South Africa, this guide is here to help you through the application process for a returning student. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unisa offers a flexible and accessible learning environment that is perfect for those seeking to further their education while managing other commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between applying as a new student and a returning student at Unisa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve previously registered at Unisa and have a student number, you qualify as a returning student.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The application process for returning students is generally simpler compared to new applicants.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New applicants will need to provide additional documents such as their school qualifications, while returning students may only need to update their contact information and select their desired modules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When can I apply for Unisa as a returning student?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Application dates vary depending on the qualification level. These are the various application means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Undergraduate Qualifications: Applications for 2027 are open from 17 August to 9 October 2026. There can also be a short second-semester window, which ran from 14 April to 9 May in 2025. Check the Unisa website<\/a> for specific dates each year.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Honours Degrees & Postgraduate Diplomas: Applications for 2027 honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas are open from 17 August to 9 October 2026. Again, confirm the exact dates on the Unisa website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Master’s & Doctoral Degrees: Applications for 2027 master’s and doctoral studies are open from 1 September to 20 November 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Do I need to submit new documents if I’m a returning student?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    For returning students, the required documents are generally less compared to new applicants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You likely won’t need to resubmit your original school qualifications (e.g., Matric certificate) unless there have been significant changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, you may be required to provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Proof of previous registration at Unisa (your student number serves as proof).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Updated contact information: Ensure your address, phone number, and email address are current to receive important updates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Academic record (if applicable): If you’ve completed studies at another institution since your last Unisa registration, you may need to submit official transcripts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Always refer to the specific application requirements for your chosen program on the Unisa website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What if I forgot my student number?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Your student number is needed for the application and registration process. If you’ve forgotten it, don’t worry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You can retrieve it by contacting the Unisa Contact Centre at 0800 00 1870 or sending an email to study-info@unisa.ac.za. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Be prepared to provide your full name, ID\/passport number, and any other relevant details to assist them in locating your student record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How much does it cost to apply to Unisa as a returning student?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Returning students who already have a formal Unisa student number do not pay the application fee again. The R160 application fee is a once-off fee for first-time Unisa applicants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you do have to pay it, pay once you receive your student number and before the application closing date. It is linked to your online application<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Unisa will provide clear instructions on completing the payment process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Remember, there may be additional fees associated with registration, such as tuition and module costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Can I apply for a completely new qualification as a returning student?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Yes. Unisa offers a wide range of qualifications, and returning students have the flexibility to pursue a completely new program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The application process remains the same, though you’ll need to ensure you meet the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      If you’re a South African looking to resume your studies at the University of South Africa, this guide is here […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_ba_keyfacts":"","_ba_provider_contact":"","_ba_provider_name":"","_ba_provider_type":"","_ba_provider_cat":"","_ba_writer":"pieter-van-der-merwe","_ba_reviewer":"naledi-khumalo","iawp_total_views":248,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-266","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=266"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1116,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/266\/revisions\/1116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/unisa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}