Unisa College of Human Sciences Qualification

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:

  • A police clearance for criminal conviction checks aligned with the definition of a “fit and proper person” by the SACSSP.
  • Applicants must include, together with their documentation, a receipt or affidavit from SAPS indicating that they have applied for a police clearance certificate. Successful applicants must submit this clearance certificate at the time or registration or before with start of their second year of studies (NQF Level 6 modules).
  • Two testimonials from credible sources, such as a school leader, a religious leader or a community leader.

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:

  • A police clearance for criminal conviction checks aligned with the definition of a “fit and proper person” by the SACSSP.
  • Applicants must include, together with their documentation, a receipt or affidavit from SAPS indicating that they have applied for a police clearance certificate. Successful applicants must submit this clearance certificate at the time or registration or before with start of their second year of studies (NQF Level 6 modules).
  • Two testimonials from credible sources, such as a school leader, a religious leader or a community leader.

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:

  • Criminal conviction checks as mandated by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP).
    or
    A police clearance for criminal conviction checks aligned with the definition of a “fit and proper person” by the SACSSP.
  • Two testimonials from credible sources, such as a school leader, a religious leader or a community leader.

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:

  • Criminal conviction checks as mandated by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP).
    or
    A police clearance for criminal conviction checks aligned with the definition of a “fit and proper person” by the SACSSP.
  • Two testimonials from credible sources, such as a school leader, a religious leader or a community leader.

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

 Last modified: 2025/2026/07/25


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