Organisation : University of South Africa (UNISA)
Facility Name : Master’s & Doctoral Degree Students Registration 2026
Location : Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Registration Last Date : 31st March 2026
Website : https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Register-to-study-through-Unisa
How To Register For Master’s & Doctoral Degrees in UNISA?
The registration process for Master’s & Doctoral Degrees qualifications
Related / Similar Facility : UNISA Undergraduate & Honours Students Registration 2026
Step 1: Find your qualification
** Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of modules within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.
** Structured / coursework master’s degree students must select and pass two modules before registering for the research proposal module, unless otherwise stated in the curriculum of the qualification.
** A student must pass at least two modules after two years of study to be able to continue to the next academic year.
** The completion of the research proposal module is a pre-requisite for registration for the mini-dissertation.
** If a student fails the research proposal module, the student will be excluded from studies in the same college for two academic years.
** If you intend to register for the research proposal module in the next academic year, you must submit a one to two-page research outline to the Chair of the Department by 30 September 2026 for your working title to be approved and for a supervisor to be appointed.
** A coursework master’s student has three years to complete the qualification. One additional year may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
** The outcome of the research proposal module for coursework master’s degree students is an acceptable research proposal, which means that you either comply or do not comply with the requirements.
** No mark is awarded for this module. Students may submit two draft proposals, and a third and final proposal.
** If the third attempt is not successful, you won’t be able to continue with your studies. Refer to section 6.6 to 6.8 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.
** MBA and MBL students follow a structured curriculum with a fixed number of modules to be registered in the first and second years of study.
** For more information, visit the Graduate School of Business Leadership website. There are also compulsory study schools to attend.
** Research master’s and doctoral degree students must register for the research component (dissertation or thesis) which incorporates a research proposal in the first year of study.
** A research master’s student has three years to complete the qualification. One additional year may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
** In the case of a doctoral qualification, a student has six years to complete the qualification. One additional year may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Step 2: Calculate your study fees
** It is important to assess the full cost of your studies before confirming your modules for registration.
** Our fees differ depending on your qualification, but include prescribed student fees and various miscellaneous fees.
** Research master’s and doctoral students must please take note that from 2023 the research proposal module is no longer a stand-alone module.
** The research proposal is now incorporated into the dissertation/thesis. This category of student must register directly for the dissertation/thesis.
** Please work through this section carefully to ensure that you can successfully complete the registration process.
** MBA, MBL and DBL students must contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership directly or visit the GSBL website for their study fees, as the GSBL has its own fee and payment structures.
Step 3: Complete & submit your registration
** Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted.
** Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period.
** Coursework master’s students who passed the research proposal module in 2025 may re-register for the 2026 academic year.
** If your research proposal result is not available when registration opens, please wait for formal communication from the Master’s and Doctoral Administration Support Section before attempting to register for the research component mini-dissertation.
** Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2026.
Step 4: Pay your study fees
Once you have completed and submitted your registration form, you must pay the fees that you calculated. All fees must be paid into the Unisa official bank account with the correct reference number in order for the university to process your registration before the relevant closing date. For your convenience, we provide a variety of different payment methods.
Step 5: After registration
If you register online, but do not pay the minimum payment during the registration process, your registration will only be finalised once the university has received your payment. Please note that Unisa must receive your minimum payment before the closing date for registration. At a certain point, your temporary registration record will be removed; you will then have to re-apply for admission to your qualification during the next application period to continue with your studies.
If you are a re-registering student, and are applying for a bursary, please ensure that you do a temporary registration before the closing date. We recommend that you make the necessary minimum payment before the closing date for registration, if possible.
You will be able to claim the amount back from the bursary section if your bursary application is successful. If a company / sponsor is responsible for your fees, we suggest that you pay your fees yourself and then claim the necessary amount back from the company / sponsor. In this way, you will ensure that your fees are paid on time and that you are registered.
Important Dates of UNISA Master’s & Doctoral Degree Students Registration
Registration for selected master’s and doctoral qualifications is open as follows:
** Master’s and doctoral qualifications 7 January – 31 March 2026
** MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) 7 January – 21 February 2026