How to Register for Free UNISA Short Learning Programme 2026
This article contains a guide on how to register for the UNISA Short Learning Programme (SLP) for the 2026 academic session. It also contains the UNISA SLP application requirements and eligibility.
Important: UNISA Short Learning Programmes are not free. They are formal, fee-paying, accredited qualifications. Any claim that UNISA SLPs are free is false. Please read the full article for details on costs, registration, and how to avoid scams.
Applications and registrations for Short Learning Programmes for the 2026 academic year are conducted through UNISA’s official online portal. For the second semester of 2026, the registration window was open from 18 May to 10 July 2026. These deadlines are strictly enforced and late applications are generally not accepted. Please check the requirements by clicking on your chosen Short Learning Programme (SLP) and please note the College in which your chosen SLP is offered so that you can navigate the application portal with ease during your application process.
UNISA SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMME APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility:
Everyone wanting to start a new short-term Learning Programme must apply for admission. This includes
- First-time UNISA applicants.
- Unisa students changing to a new short-term Learning Programme.
- Applicants who previously applied for admission and were not offered a space.
Application Documents Required:
All applicants starting a new qualification must upload all the required supporting documents, which generally consist of the following:
- Copy of your school qualifications (eg National Senior Certificate)
- Copy of your official tertiary academic record(s) (if applicable) (internet copies will not be accepted.)
- Copy of your ID document (RSA students) or ID / passport (international students)
- Copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable) or divorce decree (if applicable)
- Sworn translations of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans
- Any additional documents that may be required for a specific short-term Learning Programme
Unisa reserves the right to request original documents and/or to verify the correctness of submitted documents at any time. Submitting fraudulent documents is a criminal offence in terms of the Student Disciplinary Code.
Kindly check Here for the list of programmes available and requirements
TUITION FEES AND FUNDING FOR UNISA SLPs 2026
UNISA Short Learning Programmes are not free. They are fee-paying, accredited qualifications. All registered students are required to pay tuition fees. Fees vary depending on the level and nature of the specific programme.
To get an accurate fee quotation for your chosen SLP, use UNISA’s official study fees quotation tool on the official UNISA SLP page.
Funding options:
- Self-funding: The applicant pays tuition fees from personal resources.
- Employer funding: An employer sponsors the applicant’s tuition as part of a professional development plan.
⚠️ NSFAS does not fund Short Learning Programmes. NSFAS funding is reserved for full-time undergraduate diploma and degree qualifications only. SLPs fall outside the scope of NSFAS support. Any claim that SLPs are funded by NSFAS is false.
Note: There is no application fee when applying for Short Learning Programmes. However, this does not mean the programmes are free — tuition fees apply once registration is confirmed.
For organisations enrolling employees in corporate or executive short courses, registrations are handled through UNISA Enterprise at https://www.unisaenterprise.ac.za/online-short-courses/.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR A UNISA SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMME (SLP) IN 2026
- Step 1: Apply online for Short Learning Programmes via the official UNISA portal.
- Step 2: Click on Short Learning Programmes
- Step 3: Do you have a student number? If you have a student number that starts with a 7… then Click yes; if you have any other Unisa student number but it doesn’t start with a 7… then Click NO.
- Step 4: Put your personal details.
- Step 5: Select the qualification you want to apply for.
- Step 6: Enter your details and continue.
- Step 7: Load your documents.
- First, select the type of document, e.g. ID.
- Browse and load the document that you selected.
- Click on upload, make sure it appears on your right and it should be highlighted in blue
- Very important: Your application is not complete if you have not uploaded your documents. Ensure that your documents (Matric Certificate and ID Copy) are certified.
- Step 8: Review your full application and submit it.
Unisa will assess your application and inform you of the outcome. If your application is successful, Unisa will verify and capture the documents you submitted and do a temporary registration on your behalf. Unisa will send you a “Temporarily Registered” (TP) letter from Unisa via e-mail (followed by an SMS to the cellphone number you provided at the point of application). This letter will also indicate the fee that needs to be paid to activate your registration.
UNISA SLP REGISTRATION DATES AND DEADLINE 2026
Registration for the second semester of 2026 opened on 18 May 2026 and closes on 10 July 2026. Late applications are generally not accepted.
For the most up-to-date information on any additional or upcoming registration windows, always refer to the official UNISA SLP page: https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Short-Learning-Programmes
BE AWARE OF SCAMS
UNISA has warned the public about fake representatives and fraudulent services targeting prospective SLP applicants. Keep the following in mind:
- Only register through the official UNISA portal: unisa.ac.za. Do not use any third-party websites.
- No one can guarantee admission or bypass the standard application process.
- Do not pay money to individuals or unofficial agents who claim they can register you.
- Do not share your ID number, banking details, or personal information through unofficial channels.
- If an offer sounds too good to be true — such as a “free” UNISA SLP — it is almost certainly a scam.
- When in doubt, contact UNISA directly through the contact details on their official website.
UNISA SLPs vs. FREE OPEN COURSES — KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
UNISA does offer some free open courses (such as MOOCs and webinars), but these are not the same as Short Learning Programmes. Here is how they differ:
| Feature | UNISA Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) | UNISA Free Open Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Paid; tuition fees required | Free of charge |
| Funding | Self-funded or employer-funded | Supported by UNISA or partner initiatives |
| Accreditation | Formal, accredited qualifications (SAQA-recognised) | Non-credited; not formally accredited |
| Outcome | Formal certificate or diploma upon completion | No formal certification or credential |
| Structure | Structured curriculum with formal assessments | Flexible, self-paced, often non-assessed |
| Admission | Formal application and registration required | Typically open access; no formal application |
| NSFAS Funded | No | Not applicable |
If you need a recognised qualification for career purposes, an SLP is what you need — and it comes with tuition fees. If you just want to learn something new without formal assessment or cost, the free open courses are a good option.
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