College of Human Sciences
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. Click Here to Apply Now
Bachelor degrees
| Minimum requirements | Language requirement | Mathematics requirement | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with degree endorsement | At least 50% in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
| A Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption from the Matriculation Board | At least a D symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission should consider applying for a lower-level qualification for which they meet the statutory and additional requirements. Click Here to Apply Now | |||
Bachelor of Social Work degree
| Minimum requirements | Language requirement | Mathematics requirement | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with degree endorsement | At least 60% in the language of teaching and learning and a further FOUR content subjects in Matric | None | Applicants who do not meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work degree will be considered if they have completed a Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work at NQF Level 4 with one year of professional practice as a registered Social Auxiliary Worker or a higher certificate at NQF LEvel 5.
Furthermore, applicants should note that this is a selection qualification, in which they will be assessed to ascertain suitability for the profession. In addition to the above requirement, applicants will also be subject to the following:
Students must be registered with the SACSSP at the start of their studies. The Department of Social Work at Unisa will facilitate registration with the Council. |
| A Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption or qualify for the exemption from the Matriculation Board | At least a C symbol on HG or a B symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning & a further FOUR matric subjects | None | Applicants who do not meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work degree will be considered if they have completed a Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work at NQF Level 4 with one year of professional practice as a registered Social Auxiliary Worker or a higher certificate at NQF LEvel 5.
Furthermore, applicants should note that this is a selection qualification, in which they will be assessed to ascertain suitability for the profession. In addition to the above requirement, applicants will also be subject to the following:
Students must be registered with the SACSSP at the start of their studies. The Department of Social Work at Unisa will facilitate registration with the Council. |
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements for admission should consider applying for a lower-level qualification for which they meet the statutory and additional requirements. Click Here to Apply Now | |||
Diplomas
| Minimum requirements | Language requirement | Mathematics requirement | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with diploma endorsement | At least 50% in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
| A Senior Certificate (SC) | At least a D symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
| Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements should consider applying for a lower-level qualification for which they meet the statutory and additional requirements. Click Here to Apply Now | |||
Higher certificates
| Minimum requirements | Language requirement | Mathematics requirement | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) | At least 30% in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
| A Senior Certificate (SC) | At least an F symbol on HG in the language of teaching and learning | None | None |
Higher Certificate in Social Auxilary Work
| Minimum requirements | Language requirement | Mathematics requirement | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A National Senior Certificate (NSC) | At least 30% in the language of teaching and learning | None | Applicants for Social Auxilary Work should take note that this is a selection qualification in which they will be assessed to ascertain suitability for the profession. In addition to the above requirements, applicants will also be subject to the following:
Students must be registered with the SACSSP at the start of their studies. The Department of Social Work at Unisa will facilitate registration with the Council. |
| A Senior Certificate (SC) | At least an F symbol on HG or an E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning | None | Applicants for Social Auxilary Work should take note that this is a selection qualification in which they will be assessed to ascertain suitability for the profession. In addition to the above requirements, applicants will also be subject to the following:
Students must be registered with the SACSSP at the start of their studies. The Department of Social Work at Unisa will facilitate registration with the Council. |
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. Read more…
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. Click Here to Apply Now
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): Click Here to Apply Now
- 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 2025/2026 for holders of the National Certificate Vocational (NCV), level 4 (PDF)
Last modified: 2025/2026/07/25
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Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
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These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.