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Honours degrees & postgraduate diplomas

Honours degrees & postgraduate diplomas

What's new for 2026? | ODeL, Unisa and postgraduate studies | Qualifications | Apply for admission | Application outcome | Application for appeal | Academic research support | Payment methods and banking details | FAQs | International students | Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Sciences

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Purpose statement

The purpose of this qualification is to enable qualifying students to be certified as "Competent in the Theory of Accountancy" which is the admission requirement for part one of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants' (SAICA's) Qualifying Examination. This qualification is endorsed by the SAICA. Its composition is based on the learning outcomes provided by SAICA and the syllabi of the Qualifying Examinations, in order to become a Chartered Accountant. It is in line with those of other SAICA recognised South African Universities.

Qualification code: 98255
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 85107
APS/AS: 55
Maximum time to complete this qualification:  3 years

Admission and re-admission requirements

Qualification admission requirements

Please note:

An appropriate NQF 7 qualification in the field of Accounting Sciences from an accredited provider of higher education, refer to http://www.unisa.ac.za/apply/cas/addinf/98231 for more information which complies with the following criteria:
i) The qualification should not be older than three years, (candidates should have completed their qualifications in 2022 or in one of the following years to register for CTA Level 2 in 2026).
ii) All the final year modules of the admission qualification must have been completed in two academic years
iii) The average obtained at third year level (for all modules included in the undergraduate qualification) will be considered, and a higher average will be advantageous
Applicants who do not meet this requirement are advised to apply for admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences or CTA Stream of the Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences in an attempt to meet this requirement or to consider enrolling for another postgraduate programme offered by the College.

Student fees and funding your studies

Application fee

Pay the application fee of R150 once you've received your student number.

Please note:

  • The application fee is only applicable to students who do not have a formal Unisa student number.
    * Student numbers issued for short learning programmes and the Graduate School of Business Leadership are not formal Unisa student numbers. These students will be issued with a formal Unisa student number.
  • The application fee is a once-off fee.
    * You only need to pay the application fee once when you receive your formal Unisa student number. 
  • This application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa.
  • Use the 8 digit student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee reference number (ie 8 DIGIT STUDENT NUMBER 5370810030). Send your proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za
  • Visit www.unisa.ac.za/paymentinfo for banking details and payment information. International students are advised to make use of the Flywire payment option
  • The due date for the application fee is the closing date for the application period. Any application submitted without an application fee will not be processed. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your proof of payment.


Student fees

Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.

Apply for admission

Apply for admission to honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025


Please note:

Registration

Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2026 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register

Curriculum / modules