| Qualification code: | 90006 |
| NQF level: | 5 |
| Total credits: | 120 |
| SAQA ID: | 93594 |
| APS/AS: | 17 |
| Maximum time to complete this qualification: | 3 years |
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare students, who do not comply with the minimum institutional admission requirements for access to diploma or degree studies in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice.
The qualification is intended to introduce students to the main fields of criminal justice theory and practice by imparting systematic knowledge, skills, and theoretical competence within the field to prepare them for more specialised training at an advanced level. It is, furthermore, the intention of the higher certificate programme to deliver graduates who have sound knowledge and the confidence to apply their skills in contemporary society and to enable further study in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice, or even in other colleges who do not set specific subject requirements, like Mathematics.
Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification.
A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning,
or
a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an E symbol on HG or a D symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning,
or
a National Certificate (Vocational) level 4 with an equivalent of at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC,
or
applicants who would like to apply for admission through recognition of prior learning (RPL) must be at least 23 years old; have completed at least Grade 10; and have at least five years' relevant work experience in the study field in which they would like to apply for admission to a qualification. For more information on RPL criteria visit: http://www.unisa.ac.za/rpl option for the Higher Certificate studies will be limited and aligned to vocational subject choices obtained in the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) level 4.
Pay the application fee once you've received your student number:
Please note that this application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa, do not qualify for admission to Unisa or cannot be offered a space due to limited spaces available.
Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.
Apply for admission to undergraduate qualifications for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025.
Please take note of the following:
Unisa will send the necessary information about registration dates and the registration process to all successful applicants who have confirmed their acceptance of Unisa's offer. Visit www.unisa.ac.za/register for registration information.