UNISA master’s and doctoral applications for the 2027 academic year are open from 1 September 2026 and close on 20 November 2026, according to the university’s own master’s and doctoral admission page. Selection degrees and a few other qualifications follow different dates, and applications can close earlier than the published date if the available places fill up. Applying early is therefore the safer choice.
This guide explains who can apply, the documents UNISA asks for, the application fee, the file rules for uploads, how to apply for a UNISA master’s degree or PhD online step by step, and what happens after you submit. It also covers the research outline, which is the most important part of a postgraduate application.
UNISA Master’s and Doctoral Application Dates 2027
The general application period for 2027 master’s and doctoral qualifications is the following.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening date | 1 September 2026 |
| General closing date | 20 November 2026 |
| Applies to | Master’s and doctoral qualifications for the 2027 academic year |
| Exceptions | Selection degrees and some other qualifications have their own dates |
Several websites list slightly different dates, such as 11, 21 or 22 November. These differences usually come from copied or outdated information. Use the date on the UNISA website for your specific qualification, and check the list of exceptions on the official master’s and doctoral admission page before you rely on any date.
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Who Can Apply for a Master’s or Doctoral Degree at UNISA?
You can apply if you meet the statutory requirements and the college admission requirements for the qualification you choose. For a master’s degree this normally means a relevant honours degree or a qualification recognised as equivalent. For a doctoral degree it normally means a relevant master’s degree. The exact entry requirement for each programme appears on its qualification page, and it differs between colleges and departments.
Meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission. UNISA assesses whether your intended research is suitable and viable, whether the department has the supervisory capacity and research expertise to guide it, and whether a place is available. Admission follows an approved selection procedure.
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One application only
You may apply for only one master’s or doctoral qualification in an application cycle. If you submit a second application, it replaces the first. Choose the qualification and the research area carefully before you apply.
How to Apply for a UNISA Master’s or PhD Online Step by Step
All applications are submitted online. Incomplete applications are not considered. UNISA describes the process in four stages.
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- Explore the research focus areas of the colleges and departments to find a field that matches your interest.
- Choose your qualification and read its admission requirements.
- Apply for a student number if you do not have one, then submit the application for admission.
- Wait for the outcome and track the status of your application online.
Do you need a new student number?
You need to apply for a student number if you have never studied towards a formal UNISA qualification. Short learning programme numbers do not count as formal student numbers. Applying for a student number is a separate step and is not an application for admission, so you must still submit the admission application afterwards.
UNISA Postgraduate Application Fee 2027
The online application fee is R160. Use your student number together with the application fee reference number as the payment reference so the payment is linked to your application. Cash payments are not accepted at UNISA offices, but the fee can be deposited into the university’s FNB or Absa account. International students are advised to use the Flywire option. Foreign students must email their proof of payment to the address given on the admission page.
Documents Required for a UNISA Master’s or Doctoral Application
Upload your supporting documents within 10 working days of submitting the application. Documents sent by email are not accepted, except where the admission page names a specific address, such as for a SAQA evaluation certificate.
- An academic record showing the modules you passed, your percentages and the grading scale. A degree certificate alone is not valid for admission, and you do not need to upload a UNISA academic record.
- A copy of your South African ID or your passport.
- A research outline, which is compulsory except for the MBA, the MBL, coursework LLM degrees and the coursework MCom in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
- A curriculum vitae, and any other document the specific qualification requires.
- A SAQA evaluation certificate for foreign qualifications. You may apply without it, but you must submit it before you re-register.
- A letter from the relevant department for qualifications in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. Contact the college before you apply.
- A departmental questionnaire for the coursework MCom in Industrial Psychology or the PhD in Consulting Psychology.
- A recognition of prior learning letter, if you apply through RPL.
File Size and Format Rules for Uploads
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Number of files | Maximum of 7 |
| Size of each file | Under 2MB |
| Format | PDF, DOC or TIF |
| Colour | Black and white only |
| Combining documents | Each document is a separate file |
Scan documents in black and white at a low resolution so each file stays under 2MB. Because the limit is seven files, combine pages of the same document, such as a multi-page academic record, into one file rather than uploading single pages.
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How to Write a Research Outline for a UNISA Master’s or PhD
The research outline, also called a research proposal, is the document that shows the department what you plan to study. UNISA assesses its suitability and viability, so it carries more weight than almost any other item in the application. Each department sets its own focus areas and guidelines, and the outline must follow them. Read the guidelines on the qualification page before you start.
A clear outline usually covers the following points.
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- A working title that names the topic and the group or setting you will study.
- The background and the problem or gap in existing knowledge that your study addresses.
- One main research question, with a small number of related aims.
- The method you intend to use, such as a survey, interviews, a case study or a document analysis.
- A short list of the main sources you will build on.
Keep the outline focused. A narrow, realistic question that fits the department’s research strengths is easier to approve than a broad topic that no supervisor in the department can guide.
How Supervisors Are Matched to Applicants
The admission page does not describe how a supervisor is assigned. It states only that adequate supervisory capacity in the discipline is a condition of admission. In practice this means your topic must fall inside an area where the department has an available academic. If you want to work in a specialised niche, contact the department before you apply to confirm that someone can supervise it.
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Selection Degrees and Qualifications With Different Dates
Some qualifications use a selection process and publish their own application windows and extra requirements. Examples can include programmes with limited places or with an interview or test. The official page links to a list of these exceptions. Check that list for your qualification before you assume the general closing date applies.
After You Apply: Tracking Your UNISA Application
After submitting the application and uploading your documents, track the status of your application through the UNISA application tracking service using your student number. Do not wait until the closing week to check. If a document is missing or unclear, the application stays incomplete, and an incomplete application is not considered. Respond quickly to any request for more information.
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If you are admitted, you must register within the registration period that UNISA announces. Registration involves paying the fees for the qualification, and fees differ between programmes and between South African and international students.
UNISA Master’s and Doctoral Bursary 2027
UNISA runs a separate postgraduate bursary for master’s and doctoral students. Reports on the university’s bursary page indicate that the application for the 2027 bursary runs from 21 September 2026 to 30 November 2026, which is after the admission closing date. The bursary has its own rules and application process, and it does not replace the admission application. You must apply for admission first. Confirm the bursary dates and requirements on the official UNISA bursary page.
Tips to Avoid Common Application Problems
- Apply before the final week, because places can fill and the portal is busier near the closing date.
- Submit only one application, since a second one cancels the first.
- Upload every document within 10 working days.
- Keep each file under 2MB and in black and white.
- Check that the payment reference contains your student number and the fee reference number.
- Contact the college before applying if your qualification needs a departmental letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do UNISA master’s and doctoral applications close for 2027?
The general closing date is 20 November 2026, with the application period opening on 1 September 2026. Selection degrees and some other qualifications have different dates, and applications can close early if places fill.
How much does a UNISA postgraduate application cost?
The online application fee is R160.
Can I apply for two master’s degrees at UNISA?
No. You may apply for only one master’s or doctoral qualification, and a second application replaces the first.
Do I need a research proposal to apply?
Yes, a research outline is compulsory for most qualifications. The exceptions are the MBA, the MBL, coursework LLM degrees and the coursework MCom in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
What happens if I upload my documents late?
Documents must be uploaded within 10 working days of applying. An incomplete application is not considered, so upload everything on time.