University of South Africa Phd

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Unisa - University of south africa

University of South Africa Phd

1. Application for a student number

Who must apply for a Unisa student number?

  • You must obtain a Unisa student number if you have never before studied towards a formal qualification at Unisa. Student numbers issued for Unisa’s short learning programmes are not valid for formal qualifications.
  • No application or registration will be processed without a valid student number.
  • You do not need re-apply for a student number if you already have a student number for a formal qualification.

How to apply for a Unisa student number

  • Apply online for a student number and pay the non-refundable application fee of R100* (online payment by credit card is available when applying online).
  • Your application for a student number will only be finalised upon receipt of the application fee. Please note the application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to your qualification of choice.
  • Upload certified copies of ID/Passport document.

* Some exceptions may apply.

Pay application fee

Pay the online application fee of R100,00 (online payment by credit card is available). This fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa. Unisa does not accept cash at any of its offices. You may deposit cash into the university’s Standard Bank account:

  • Payment information for students living in South Africa
  • Payment information for international students
    • International students must pay fees via SWIFT payment:
      • Beneficiary: Unisa student deposits;
      • Standard Bank;
      • Account number: 011554622;
      • Branch code: 010645;
      • SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ

Please e-mail proof of SWIFT payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za.

2. Application for admission

Who should apply for admission?

  • First-time applicants for master’s or doctoral qualification, including final year Honours or Master’s students (whether studying through Unisa or another institution).
  • If you previously applied for admission to a master’s or doctoral qualification and did not register (for whatever reason), you must re-apply for admission to the qualification.
  • If you are a previously registered Unisa student who did not register in 2015 but want to study in 2016.
  • If you were previously registered for a qualification, applied for a formal deferment and received formal approval, you do not need to re-apply for admission.

 

Check your documents & confirm that you are ready to apply

I am sure that

  • I have a valid Unisa student number for a formal qualification.
  • I have chosen the correct Unisa qualification.
  • I have prepared a research outline in line with the departmental focus area requirements (applicable to all qualifications except for coursework LLM qualifications). A research outline – this document describes your intended research and comprises a two to five page expression of interest essay describing the following:
    • Topic
    • Short literature review
    • Potential contribution of the study
    • Potential unit of analysis
    • Access to the research context t (include the method you plan on using)
    • Personal motivation to pursue studies on this topic
    • List of references (using the Harvard referencing method OR in the case of the Department of Psychology “APA”)
    • CV and any additional documents as indicated in the admission requirements for the specific qualification under the departmental focus area requirements.
  • I meet the statutory and college admission requirements for my qualification.
  • I have a valid e-mail address and I accept that Unisa will communicate with me during the application process using this e-mail address.
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I have the following certified documents scanned

You must upload all the necessary supporting documents as part of the online application process. E-mailed documents will not be accepted. You will have 10 working days from when you apply to upload your supporting documents. The 10 days do not apply after the closing date for applications:

  • Certified copies of all official academic records stating all papers passed and percentages obtained, including the ledger.
  • Certified copy of your ID or Passport.
  • A research outline, CV and any additional documents as indicated in the admission requirements for the specific qualification under the departmental focus area requirements.

I am sure that certified documents are scanned according to the rules

  • Each document must be uploaded as a separate file.
  • Maximum number of files allowed: 5.
  • Files are not larger than 2MB (2048KB) each.
  • Only black and white documents may be submitted.
  • Only the following file types are allowed: PDF (Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format file), DOC (Word document file) or TIF (image file)

How to apply for admission

  • Complete and submit your application online.
  • You must upload all the necessary supporting documents as as indicated above.
  • Please note that academic departments have different dates on which selection for master’s and doctoral qualifications will take place.
  • No late or incomplete applications will be considered.

What will Unisa do upon receiving your application?

Unisa will assess your application to ensure that you meet the necessary admission requirements and that all required supporting documents have been uploaded online and received.

Your application will then be referred to the relevant academic department, where a selection process will take place. Please note that this selection process will only take place after the closing date for applications, during December 2015 and January 2016. The master’s and doctoral administrative section will inform applicants during February 2016 of the outcome of their application.

What happens next?

  • Successful application – Unisa will confirm this via e-mail and will also provide you with the contact details of a specific member of staff, normally your supervisor, within the relevant academic department – please ensure that you make contact with this person after registration.
  • Unsuccessful application – Unisa will inform you of this via e-mail.

You must register online for your approved qualification during the prescribed registration period. If you want to change the qualification for which you have applied and received confirmation, you will need to re-apply for admission during the next academic year.

University of South Africa Phd

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  • Doctor of Philosophy Life Sciences Education (90030 – LIF)
  • Doctor of Philosophy Mathematics Education (90030 – MAT)
  • Doctor of Philosophy Physics Education (90030 – PHY)
  • Doctor of Philosophy Science Education (90030 – SCE)
  • Doctor of Philosophy Statistics Education (90030 – STA)
  • Doctor of Philosophy Technology Education (90030 – TEC)
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  • Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (98974)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (98976)
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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.

📌 What is NSFAS?

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:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ 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:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 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.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
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🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. 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.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ 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
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • 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:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

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:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 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.

 

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