Visit www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications to choose a qualification. If you are unsure what to study, visit Unisa's Directorate for Counselling and Career Development.
When you decide on a qualification and module(s) for RPL credit, take into account your work experience and the academic requirements.
Your admission to Unisa depends on you meeting the admission requirements of your chosen qualification.
You must apply for admission to study a new qualification, even if you already have a Unisa student number. Visit www.unisa.ac.za/apply for more information on applying for admission and obtaining a student number.
Unisa will assess your application, which may take a few weeks. The assessment will likely only be finalised after the application closing date.
4a. Your application for admission is successfulIf your application for admission is successful, you may apply for RPL credits (see step 5 below).
4b. Application for admission is not successfulIf your application for admission is unsuccessful, you cannot continue with the RPL process.
Check your qualification curriculum and identify the relevant modules for possible RPL credits, taking into account your work experience and the academic requirements.
Each formal qualification at Unisa falls under a college. Once you know your college, contact its RPL academic coordinator for advice, support and further instructions. Click here for contact information.
Contact the RPL academic coordinator of the college in which you intend to apply for module credit. The RPL coordinator will grant you access to the RPL system by providing you with login details and a password. Complete the application online and upload your supporting documents and proof of payment of the application fee.
RPL credits are granted based on your evidence of learning. RPL credits are awarded for the learning you have gained from experience, and not for your experience alone.
You will receive confirmation of receipt of your application as soon as we have received all required documents and the prescribed fees. Allow approximately two to three weeks per credit claimed for feedback on your application. Allow extra time if you submit your documents during the registration or examination periods.
If you have received an RPL feedback letter and have been granted an assessment opportunity, please act on the feedback as soon as possible. If you decide to take up an assessment opportunity, please note that the university expects written confirmation of your intention to do so.
RPL credits will be granted only after a rigorous assessment of your learner profile in terms of Unisa’s standards and criteria.
Unisa will notify you if you have been assessed as competent, and the relevant module credit will be loaded (as an exemption) on your academic record, provided that it forms part of your curriculum.
If you have been assessed as 'not yet competent', you will be requested to do additional set work and be assessed again at a later date, or you will be required to register for the subject in the conventional manner.
Further assessment may take the form of a challenge exam, an interview, a work-related project or a portfolio containing records of your experience, knowledge and skills. Further guidelines for each assessment option will be provided if your RPL application is viable.
It is your responsibility to check the exam or interview dates and the deadlines for submitting portfolios or projects.
Wait for feedback from the RPL academic coordinator.
Last modified: Wed Aug 05 09:56:53 SAST 2026