UNISA College of Economic & Management Sciences Entry Requirements
Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the minimum admission requirements for your chosen qualification and college. Meeting these minimum requirements does not, however, mean that your application will automatically be accepted, as each application will be considered individually.
If you don’t meet the minimum admission requirements…
If you don’t meet the minimum admission requirements for your qualification of choice, you might want to consider starting with a relevant lower-level qualification (eg a higher certificate or diploma) and then continuing with the degree on completion of your lower-level qualification. Work through the admission requirements for each level of qualification (eg degree, diploma and higher certificate) to determine whether you will be able to apply for a lower-level qualification related to your interests. Remember to keep in mind your career vision and goals, and how any qualification will contribute to these.
Extended bachelor degrees (4-year programme)
(360-credit curriculum that includes 5 compulsory foundation modules in the first year. This degree can be completed in 4 years. This curriculum is extended with 5 modules that will improve your chances to success significantly.)
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT | MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with degree endorsement | 50% in the language of teaching and learning | 40% in Mathematics | Applicants who do not meet the Mathematics requirement of the 3-year programme, but who have achieved between 50% and 59%, will be placed in this extended 4-year programme. The programme will require students to complete the following modules before they can commence with a 3-year programme:ENG1513 – Foundations in English for University StudyFAC1500 – Basic AccountingFBN1501 – Business Numerical Skills AFBN1502 – Business Numerical Skills BFEC1501 – Understanding the Economy |
| An appropriate higher certificate | |||
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission to the 4-year bachelor degree curriculum should consider applying for a lower-level qualification, such as a higher certificate or diploma, for which they meet the statutory and additional requirements. |
Bachelor degrees (3-year programme)
(360-credit curriculum that can be completed in 3 years)
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT | MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with degree endorsement | 50% in the language of teaching and learning | 50% in Mathematics | Applicants who do not meet this requirement, but who have achieved between 40% and 49%, will be placed in the extended 4-year programme (see above) |
| or | |||
| An appropriate diploma | |||
| or | |||
| An appropriate higher certificate | |||
| Applicants who do not meet the minimum Mathematics requirement indicated above, but who a mark of between 50% and 59% (D symbol on HG), should still apply for this bachelor degree. Once you have applied, you will be redirected through the selection process to the extended bachelor degree curriculum (4 years) listed below. Alternatively, you may consider applying for a lower-level qualification, such as a diploma or higher certificate. |
Diplomas
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT | MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma endorsement | 50% in the language of teaching and learning | 40% in Mathematics | Or at least 70% in Maths Literacy |
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission to the diploma should consider applying for any of the higher certificates offered by the college. |
Diploma in Tourism Management
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT | MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma endorsement | 50% in the language of teaching and learning | ||
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission to the diploma should consider applying for any of the higher certificates offered by the college. |
Higher Certificates in Economic and Management Sciences, Banking, Marketing, Insurance, Retailing & Tourism Management
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT | MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) | 30% in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission to the Higher Certificates in Banking, Marekting, Insurance or Retail should consider applying for the Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences. |
Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management
| MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT | MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) | 30% in the language of teaching and learning | 30% in Mathematics | Or at least 70% in Maths Literacy |
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission to the Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management should consider applying for the Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences. |
Identifying other study options if you don’t meet the admission requirements for your qualification of choice
It may be that you do not meet the admission requirements for any qualification at Unisa. You now need to explore options to help you meet the admission requirements for your chosen qualification, or you could reconsider your career goals and how you will plan your career.
Applying for credits from other higher education institutions
Unisa may recognise previous learning from previous formal education. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Not all credits achieved at other institutions will count towards a Unisa qualification. Your request for exemption(s) will only be considered once we have received your completed DSAR04 form and a certified copy of an official academic record, a conduct certificate and, in some cases, the syllabus. In the case of international qualifications, SAQA evaluation and the syllabus are required. NB: No exemptions will be finalised on an academic record during the application period.
You must meet the admission requirements for the qualification for which you are applying for credits and/or exemptions. A maximum of 50% of the prescribed credits may be awarded in the form of credits and exemptions. No exemptions will be granted for Unisa’s signature modules. Unisa reserves the right to grant and/or decline applications for exemptions or credit transfers.
I wrote matric before 2009. Do I qualify?
If you do NOT hold a Senior Certificate with an endorsement indicating that you have been exempted from the matriculation requirement, please refer to the documents below to ascertain whether or not you are eligible to apply for admission to undergraduate degree studies (not applicable to students who wrote the National Senior Certificate examinations from 2008):
Need Information or Confused about Something ?
Ask a Question- I have Senior Certificate, National Certificate Vocational or Foreign Certificate Equivalent tables of National Senior Certificate (from 2009) against Senior Certificate, National Certificate Vocational and Foreign Certificates (PDF)
- I don’t have a Senior Certificate with matric endorsement. Can I apply for bachelor degree studies? Admission to the bachelor degree (excluding the BTech, diploma & higher certificate) (PDF)
- I have a National Certificate Vocational (NCV), level 4. What can I apply for? Admission in 2018 for holders of the National Certificate Vocational (NCV), level 4 (PDF)
Related Resources
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
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✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
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📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
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📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
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- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
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Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
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Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
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Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
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Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
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Upload Required Documents
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Submit Your Application
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Track Your Application
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🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
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- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
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You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
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📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
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📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.