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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 Disability Studies

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Purpose statement

The purpose of this qualification is to strengthen and deepen knowledge, skills and values (attitude) of different professionals (educators, doctors, nurses, auxiliary, etc.,) and para-professionals in order to deal with issues pertaining to disability in various contexts/ environments. Qualified learners will be able to relate to and embrace disability as a concept in their daily interactions with people with disabilities. They will also be able to interrogate current local and global research policies and thinking around disability issues in order to contribute towards knowledge expansion in the field.

Qualification code: 90167
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 105738
APS/AS: 60
Maximum time to complete this qualification:  3 years

Admission and re-admission requirements

Qualification admission requirements

Please note:

An appropriate and recognised four-year Bachelor of Education degree,
Or
a three-year general Bachelor's degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (or a former equivalent),
or
(a) four-year professional teaching qualification(s) as well as a 120 credits Level 7 Advanced Diploma in a cognate specialisation.
Applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) must be at least 23 years old; have completed Diploma at an NQF level 6; and have at least five years of relevant teaching/ work based experience in Disability Studies or related subject fields, as well as evidence of basic research skills. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl

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