Process overview

1. Decide on what to study based on the available research focus area 

Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD to choose a qualification based on the research focus areas on offer to ensure that departmental expertise is available. More information on departmental expertise can be found on each college’s webpage.

2. Check that you meet the admission requirements of the chosen qualification 

The admission requirements for each qualification are available on www.unisa.ac.za/qualificationsMD.

Should you have any enquiries about the master’s and doctoral online application process, phone 012 441 5702 (qualifications in CAS, CEDU, CEMS, CHS and CLAW) or 011 471 3296 (qualifications in CAES and CSET) or send an e-mail to MandD@unisa.ac.za.

3a. You do not meet the admission requirements. RPL is required, apply online via the College of Graduate Studies. Wait for an outcome. 

The RPL process provides an alternative pathway to a master's or doctoral degree. Applying for direct access to a master’s or doctoral qualification requires the following:

• Familiarise yourself with RPL admission requirements (e.g. age and years of relevant experience) as they appear in each qualification you wish to pursue. Prior learning should have been gained through one or more of the following: research, workplace learning, informal or formal learning, company or industry-based training, working with experts, or life experience.
• Although you do not have a prerequisite degree, you do have considerable experience in a particular field.
• The qualifications you already have – coupled with your experience in the field – must meet the SAQA-level outcomes specified for a master’s or doctorate student. These claims must be supported by relevant evidence.
• In deciding on the appropriate qualification for your master’s or doctoral studies, take into account your previous work experience, relevant prior learning, and research experience in the field.
• Students who obtained their qualifications outside the borders of South Africa must have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and must upload a SAQA certificate of evaluation as part of the application process https://www.saqa.org.za). No application will be processed unless a SAQA evaluation certificate is received.

If you apply for direct access to a master's or doctoral qualification through RPL, you claim that your prior learning, namely, the learning gained through different contexts of learning, is equivalent to the admission requirements of the qualification. To be allowed to study a master’s or a doctoral degree through RPL, you should demonstrate that you are competent owing to your prior learning, relevant learning through experience, and research skills.

For the SAQA exit-level outcomes that you will use in your self-assessment, click on the link below:

• Admission into Masters (Exit level outcomes for honours)
• Admission into Doctoral (Exit level outcomes for master’s)

You are strongly advised to reflect on your prior learning before applying for the RPL. You do this by using the exit-level outcomes for an honours and/or master’s to establish if your prior learning meets the requirement/s.

You should be able to interpret the SAQA exit-level outcomes and apply this interpretation in a practical situation. Your prior learning should be appropriate to the academic context of the specific qualification, and your learning, as a result of experience, must be current, valid and applicable.

Please note that you cannot use the RPL process to be admitted to these qualifications.

3b. You meet the admission requirements. RPL is not required

This means that you meet the admission requirements for the chosen degree, and you should follow the conventional route by applying for a student number and admission.

4. Contact the RPL coordinator for M&D. Send them your CV and a Decline letter from the College of Graduate Studies 

You must apply for each qualification, even if you already have a Unisa student number. You must have applied in August or September for the qualification you seek admission to before applying for RPL . Click here for more information.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive an admission application letter (decline letter) from the College of Graduate Studies (no application will be processed unless accompanied by an admission application letter from CGS). E-mail your admission application letter showing that you have been denied admission to the master's or doctoral degree for the current or next academic year to mdrpl@unisa.ac.za.

If you want to apply for RPL access to master’s and doctoral studies, prepare yourself by conducting research on the area in which you have relevant experience and prior learning. Before you apply, ensure that your intended research falls within the research area of the department, school and/or college where you intend to register.

Explore the possibilities in the research focus areas on www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD to help you choose a research topic. 

After your submission has been screened, the RPL coordinator will grant you access to the RPL system by providing you with the login details and a password. Complete the application online and upload supporting documents and proof of payment of the application fee.

5. Complete RPL application and upload all supporting documents

Once your submission has been screened, the RPL Coordinator will grant you access to the RPL system by providing you with your login credentials and password. You will then be required to complete the application online and upload the relevant supporting documents, including proof of payment of the applicable application fee.

The Portfolio of Evidence may include the following:

• A completed RPL application form submitted through the online RPL system;
• A letter of introduction in which the applicant outlines their background and future goals;
• Certified copies of the applicant’s highest school-leaving certificate and all relevant qualifications and certificates;
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV);
• A current job description on the company’s letterhead, signed by the applicant’s line manager;
• A motivation for admission to the qualification;
• A certified copy of the applicant’s identity document or passport;
• A letter of rejection from Unisa,
• A signed Declaration of Understanding;
• Proof of payment of the applicable fee; and
• Research evidence, where applicable, such as peer-reviewed publications, academic articles, book chapters, postgraduate supervision records, and reports based on research conducted in the workplace.

6. Wait for feedback from the RPL office   

Once the assessment panel has considered your application, you will receive feedback.

• If you receive a letter from the RPL office stating that you are Competent (C) and that direct access has been granted, you may register for your chosen degree in the next registration cycle.

If you are found Not Yet Competent (NYC), you will receive a recommendation from the assessment panel on the way forward.

7. Further RPL assessment is necessary 

After the evaluation of your RPL application, further RPL assessment may be required. This can take the form of a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, a panel interview or a competency conversation.

8. Acceptance of the RPL assessment opportunity 

If you decide to proceed with further assessment, please confirm it in writing within two weeks of receiving the feedback.

9. Prepare for the RPL assessment and undergo assessment 

You will receive an RPL feedback letter explaining the full details of the assessment. You may contact the RPL office for further support.

10. Conditional access to qualification granted 

The details of conditional access will be explained in the RPL feedback letter.

11. Fulfil the conditions as per the RPL letter 

These conditions must be fulfilled within two years of receipt of the RPL letter.

12. Advise the RPL office 

Advise the RPL office (mdrpl@unisa.ac.za) in writing that you have fulfilled the conditions in your RPL letter. In addition, attach a copy of the letter and evidence of your fulfilment of the conditions, such as your examination results.

13. Access granted – you may register 

If you receive a letter from the RPL office stating that you are Competent (C), you may register for your chosen degree during the next registration cycle. In terms of this decision, you are NOT awarded any of the previous qualifications (honours or master’s). You are merely granted academic standing for access to master’s or doctoral studies.

14. No access granted 

If you are found Not Yet Competent (NYC), it means that access cannot be granted through the RPL process. You will receive a recommendation from the assessment panel on the way forward. The usual recommendation is to follow the conventional study route and get the prerequisite qualification.