UNISA qualifications and modules guide
The University of South Africa, famous as UNISA, is one of the most competitive educational hubs in the region. For this reason, the institution attracts thousands of both local and international applicants every year. As such, UNISA continues to train and graduate competent learners who are adaptable in different industries. UNISA qualifications are intricately structured such that learners must meet all the necessary module requirements within the required time-frame before graduating. This approach serves as the pillar sustaining a high profile status for the institution.

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Career guidance is helpful before settling on a study program, that is why it is important to know the modules required to complete your studies. For you to graduate, UNISA dictates that for each qualification, you must pass a specific number of modules and NQF level credits within a specific period of time. Each academic year, there is a minimum number of modules/credits that you have to pass so as to re-register and proceed to the next level of your qualification. It is therefore important for learners to be aware of the UNISA modules/credits under the qualification that they are pursuing.
Higher certificates
Below are various qualifications under this level and the modules that learners should take. Note that every qualification under this level has the following similarities:
- NQF level - 5
- Total credits - 120
To successfully complete this qualification, you need an estimate of:
- 6 to 8 hours weekly for semester modules.
- 4 to 6 hours weekly for year modules.
1. Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences
- Qualification code - 98201
- SAQA ID - 82106
- APS/AS - 14
Here are the Group A compulsory modules for the first level
- AUE1501 - Introduction to Auditing
- BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
- CAS1501 - Perspectives on Accountancy
- CLA1503 - Commercial Law IC
- ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
- FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
- FAC1502 - Financial Accounting Principles, Concepts and Procedures
- MAC1501 - Introduction to Management Accounting
- MNB1501 - Business Management IA
- TAX1501 - Taxation of Salaried Persons
- Learners should enroll for the modules in the sequence: ENN1504, BNU1501, CAS1501, MNB1501 and FAC1501, and then the rest of the modules.
- New students must enroll for CLA1503, but the existing learners who enrolled for CLA1501 get an automatic credit.
2. Higher Certificate in Adult Basic Education and Training
- Qualification code -98615
- APS/AS - 15
Here are the Group A i.e. compulsory modules for the 1st level
- ABT1511 - Developing Academic Skills for Studying ABET
- ABT1512 - Contextual Studies
- ABT1513 - Exploring Adult Learning
- ABT1515 - Planning and Administering ABET Classes and Projects
- ABT1516 - Introduction to Assessment in ABET
- ABT1517 - Teaching Literacy to Adults
- ABT1518 - Teaching Numeracy to Adults
- ABT1519 - Teaching Adult Basic Education
- ABT1520 - Building a Portfolio of ABET Practice
- BPT1501 - Being a Professional Teacher
READ ALSO: UNISA application 2018
3. Higher Certificate in Animal Welfare
- Qualification code - 90098
- SAQA ID - 101937
- APS/AS - 15
Below are the first level modules and co-requisites where applicable.
- AAH1501 - Animal Care and Handling
- AEX1602 - Community Extension Practice
- AHC1501 - Applied Animal Health Care - Co-requisite: PHC1501 and PHC1502
- ANB1501 - Introduction to Animal Behaviour
- ANW1501 - Introduction to Animal Welfare
- APH1501 - Anatomy and Physiology Animal Welfare
- AWD1501 - Introduction to Animal Diseases - Co-requisite: APH1501
- PHC1501 - Primary Animal Health Care I - Co-requisite: AWD1501
- PHC1502 - Primary Animal Health Care II Co-requisite: APH1501, AWD1501, PHC1501
4. Higher Certificate in Archives and Records Management
- Qualification code -98577
- SAQA ID -86446
- APS/AS - 15
Below are the first level Group A compulsory modules
- AIS1501 - Introducing Applied Information Science
- AIS1503 - Introducing Information Records and Sources
- ARM1501 - Introducing Archives and Records Management
- ARM1502 - Managing Records
- ARM1503 - Managing Archives
- ARM1504 - Preserving Records and Archives
- ARM1505 - Electronic Records Management
- ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
- EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
- INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
5. Higher Certificate in Banking
Qualification code - 98225
SAQA ID - 84286
APS/AS - 15
The first level Group A Compulsory modules and recommendations where applicable are:
- BAN1501 - Banking: Introduction
- BAN1502 - Banking: Fundamental Principles
- BSM1501 - Business Management IA
- CBC1501 - Communication in Business Contexts
- CRM1501 - Credit Management I
- ECS1501 - Economics IA
- FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
- QMI1500 - Elementary Quantitative Methods - Recommendation: Should be taken together with or follow on BNU1501 (Only applicable to 98237)
- RSK1501 - Risk Management for Bankers
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
6. Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice
- Qualification code - 90006
- SAQA ID - 93594
- APS/AS - 15
Here are the Group A mandatory modules for this qualification
- CMY1501 - Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour
- ENN103F - English for Academic Purposes
- FOR1501 - Forensic Methods and Techniques
- ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
- INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
- PEN1502 - Correctional Services Administration I: Module II: Introduction to Corrections Science
- POL1501 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IA
- SEP1501 - Security Principles and Practices I
- SJD1501 - Social Dimensions of Justice
Note that students who have already passed EUP1501 for this qualification will retain the credit and do not have to register for ILW1501. However, this does not imply that the modules are equivalent.
Choose one of the following modules in this Group B
- AFL1503 - Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language I
- CMY1502 - Introduction to Criminology: Victims and Reduction of Crime
7. Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences
- Qualification code - 98237
- SAQA ID - 90677
- APS/AS -15
Here are the first level Group A compulsory modules and recommendations where applicable
- BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
- BSM1501 - Business Management IA
- CLA1501 - Commercial Law IA
- ECS1500 - Economics 1500
- ENN103F - English for Academic Purposes
- FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
- FAC1502 - Financial Accounting Principles, Concepts and Procedures
- INF1505 - Introduction to Business Information Systems
- QMI1500 - Elementary Quantitative Methods - Recommendation: Should be taken together with or follow on BNU1501 (Only applicable to 98237)
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
Learners should select their modules as guided below:
- 1st Semester : BNU1501; BSM1501; ENN103F; FAC1501; INF1505
- 2nd Semester: CLA1501; QMI1500; ECS1500; FAC1502; SUS1501
Note that the university has done the following replacements:
- ENG1512 with CLA1501
- EUP1501 with INF1505
- INM1501 with FAC1502.
If one has already passed the replaced modules in this qualification, they will retain the credit(s) and do not have to redo the relevant replacement module(s).
8. Higher Certificate in Education
- Qualification code - 90093
- SAQA ID - 101813
- APS/AS - 15
Here are the Group A mandatory modules
- AFL1501 - Language Through an African Lens
- BPT1501 - Being a Professional Teacher
- CAD1501 - Child and Adolescent Development (Only available on the second semester)
- DPP1501 - Diversity, Pedagogy and Practice
- EST1501 - Academic Proficiency in English for student Teachers (Only available on the second semester)
- EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
- INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
- PSC1501 - Practical Science for the Classroom
The first level combination rule is that you have to select 2 modules from the same group: Group B or C or D or E or F.
Group B
- MTE1501 - Mathematics 1 for Teachers
- MTE1502 - Mathematics 2 for Teachers
Group C
- SCC1501 - Science for the Classroom 1
- SCC1502 - Science for the Classroom 2
Group D
- TEC1501 - Technology 1 for the classroom
- TEC1502 - Technology 2 for the classroom
Group E
- GCS1501 - Guidance, Counselling and Life Skills Development
- IED1501 - Introduction to Environmental Education
Group F
- ATH1501 - Art and Handwork
- GRT1501 - Introduction to Grade R Teaching
9. Higher Certificate in Insurance
- Qualification code - 90013
- SAQA ID - 93999
- APS/AS - 15
Here are the Group A compulsory details of the qualification credits and modules under this category:
- BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
- CLA1503 - Commercial Law IC
- FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
- ISR1501 - Personal Insurance Products and Practice
- ISR1502 - Commercial Insurance Products and Practice
- ISR1503 - Claims Management
- ISR1504 - Risk Management and Insurance
- ISR1505 - Principles of Life Insurance
- MNB1501 - Business Management IA
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
Note that learners who have already passed MNM1502 in this qualification will retain the credit and do not have to undertake BNU1501.
10. Higher Certificate in Law
- Qualification code - 98751
- SAQA ID -90851
- APS/AS - 15
Here are the mandatory Group A modules and recommendations where applicable.
- AFL1503 - Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language I
- CPD1501 - Citizenship, Public Participation and Democracy
- CRW1501 - Introduction to the General Principles of Criminal Law
- ENN103F - English for Academic Purposes
- ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
- INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
- IRM1501 - Introduction to Research Methodology for Law and Criminal Justice
- PAR1501 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies - Recommendation: Should be taken together with or follow on SCL1501 and ILW1501.
- SCL1501 - Skills Course for Law Students
- SJD1501 - Social Dimensions of Justice
Those who have already passed EUP1501 or SCL1502 for this qualification will retain the credit and are not required to register for IRM1501. However, this does not imply that the modules are equivalent.
11. Higher Certificate in Life and Environmental Sciences
- Qualification code - 98366
- APS/AS - 15
The mandatory Group A modules and recommendations where applicable are:
- BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
- CSP1501 - Introduction to Applied Sciences
- ENL1501 - Environmental Literacy
- ENN103F - English for Academic Purposes
- EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
- GEL1503 - Environmental Geology
- GGH1502 - World Issues: A Geographical Perspective
- INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
- PTP1501 - Introduction to Plant Production
- QMI1500 - Elementary Quantitative Methods - Recommendation: Should be taken together with or follow on BNU1501 (Only applicable to 98237)
12. Higher Certificate in Marketing
Qualification code - 98229
SAQA ID - 84766
APS/AS - 15
The compulsory Group A modules are:
- BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
- HRM1501 - Introduction To Human Resource Management
- MNM1501 - Personal Selling
- MNM1502 - Customer Service
- MNM1503 - Introduction to Marketing
- MNM1505 - Introduction to Consumer Behaviour
- MNM1507 - Introduction to Marketing Communication
- MNM1520 - Fundamentals of Public Relations
- MNM1522 - Fundamentals of Branding
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
EUP1501 has been replaced with SUS1501, same to MNM1521 that has been replaced with BNU1501. Learners who have already passed the replaced modules in this qualification will retain the credit (s) and will not have to undertake the relevant replacement module (s).
13. Higher Certificate in Retailing
- Qualification code- 90014
- SAQA ID -94791
- APS/AS - 15
The Group A mandatory modules are:
- BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
- ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
- HRM1501 - Introduction To Human Resource Management
- MNM1503 - Introduction to Marketing
- MNM1504 - Introduction to Retailing
- MNM1506 - Introduction to Merchandising
- MNM1507 - Introduction to Marketing Communication
- MNM1524 - Retail Store Management
- MNM1525 - Fundamentals of Retail Buying
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
If you have already passed MNM1523 in this qualification, you will retain the credit and will not need to undertake BNU1501.
14. Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work
Qualification code - 90011
SAQA ID - 93971
APS/AS - 15
Here are the Group A modules with co-requisites or recommendations where applicable
- AFL1501 - Language Through an African Lens
- APY1501 - Anthropology in a Diverse World
- ENG1511 - English Proficiency for University Studies
- INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
- SAW1501 - Introduction to Social Auxiliary Work - Co-requisite: SAW1503
- SAW1502 - Human Development and Fields of Practice in Social Auxiliary Work
- SAW1503 - Social Auxiliary Work Practical Skills - Co-requisite: SAW1501 - Recommendation: Registration with SACSSP
- SAW1505 - Introduction to Social Welfare, Social Work and Social Auxiliary Work
- SAW1506 - Introduction to Social Auxiliary Work to Social Work as a Profession
Note that SAW1503 and SAW1506 must be taken on the first semester.
Group B module must be taken on the second semester.
- SAW1504 - Integration of Theory and Practice - Pre-requisite: SAW1503 & SAW1506 - Recommendation: Registration with SACSSP
It is mandatory for learners to be registered with the SACSSP at the beginning of their studies. To register, students must have police clearance.
15. Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management
Qualification code - 90015
SAQA ID - 94630
APS/AS - 15
Compulsory Group A modules here are:
- ADB1501 - Administrative Management IA
- BSM1501 - Business Management IA
- CLA1501 - Commercial Law IA
- ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
- EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
- FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
- FAC1502 - Financial Accounting Principles, Concepts and Procedures
- HRM1501 - Introduction To Human Resource Management
- MNG1502 - Management IA
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
16. Higher Certificate in Tourism Management
Qualification code - 98226
SAQA ID - 101434
APS/AS - 15
The mandatory Group A modules and recommendations where applicable are:
- DTM1501 - Travel Operations
- ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
- EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
- FAC1501 - Introductory Financial Accounting
- IOP1502 - Customer Service in Tourism
- MNG1502 - Management IA
- MNM1503 - Introduction to Marketing
- QMI1500 - Elementary Quantitative Methods - Recommendation:Should be taken together with or follow on BNU1501 (Only applicable to 98237)
- SUS1501 - Sustainability And Greed
- TRT1502 - Primary Factors of Tourism
Note that to be exempted on admission to the cognate diploma, one has to present accumulated credits for MNM1503, DTM1501, TRT1502 and EUP1501. Learners should register for the following modules in the first semester: ENN1504, EUP1501, FAC1501, MNG1502 & IOP1502. If you already passed DTM1502 in this qualification, you will retain the credit and will not have to complete SUS1501.
Advanced certificates
1. Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences
- Qualification code -90017
- NQF level -6
- Total credits - 120
- SAQA ID - 94703
- APS/AS - 50
Here are the mandatory Group A modules with pre-requisites, co-requisites, or recommendations where applicable:
- FAC1601 - Financial Accounting and Reporting - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 (except for qualification code 90017)
- FAC2601 - Financial Accounting for Companies - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 and FAC1601 (except for qualification code 90017)
- FAC2602 - Selected Accounting Standards and Simple Group Structures - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 and FAC1601(except for qualification code 90017)
- MAC2601 - Principles of Management Accounting- Pre-requisite: FAC1502 and (either BNU1501 or QMI1500 or DSC1630)(except for qualification code 90017)
- MAC2602 - Principles of Strategy, Risk & Financial Management Techniques - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 and (either BNU1501 or QMI1500 or DSC1630) (except for qualification code 90017)
- TAX2601 - Principles of Taxation - Co-requisite: FAC1502
From the Group B modules below, you should choose any 4 modules, but not both AUE2601 and AUI2601
- AIN2601 - Practical Accounting Data Processing - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 and (either AIN1501 or INF1505) (except for qualification code 90017)
- AUE1601 - Legal Aspects in Accountancy - Recommendation: CLA1501 or CLA1503
- AUE2601 - Auditing Theory and Practice - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 and AUE1601(except for qualification code 90017)
- AUE2602 - Corporate Governance in Accountancy- Pre-requisite: FAC1502 (except for qualification code 90017)
- AUI2601 - Internal Auditing: Theory and Principles - Pre-requisite: FAC1502 (except for qualification code 90017)
- DSC1630 - Introductory Financial Mathematics
- MNB1601 - Business Management IB - Pre-requisite: MNB1501 or MNB101D (except for qualification code 90017)
- MNG2601 - General Management
Students who do not have Financial Accounting module FAC1502 or a similar first-year Financial Accounting module must register for FAC1502 for non-degree purposes concurrently with the other modules. Those interested in choosing AUE1601 are recommended to enroll for the module CLA1503 for non-degree purposes.
The number of hours per week for the semester modules as well as the year modules are the same as for the higher certificates above.
Diplomas
A standard diploma qualification requires one to complete 360 credits in total, and this is NQF level 6. We will only provide the qualification codes for a number of diploma qualifications, and then give you a link that will enable you to view the breakdown of the modules and rules that apply for all diplomas .
- Diploma in Accounting Sciences - Qualification code - 98200
- Diploma in Administrative Management - Qualification code - 98216
- National Diploma in Agricultural Management - Qualification code - NDAGR
- Diploma in Animal Health - Qualification stream: Animal Health - Qualification code - 98026 -AHE
- Diploma in Corrections Management - Qualification code -98218
For all the other remaining diploma qualifications, visit UNISA website and click on the specific programme to find all the details that you may require.
Advanced Diploma
Here, we will also provide the qualification codes and then on this link, you can find comprehensive details on the modules. Note that the standard credits are 120, and this is NQF level 7.
- Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences: Certificate in The Theory of Accounting- Qualification code: 98230 - CTA
- Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences: Financial Accounting - Qualification code: 98230 - FAC
- Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences: Internal Auditing- Qualification code: 98230 - AUI
- Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences: Management Accounting - Qualification code: 98230 - MAC
- Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences: Taxation - Qualification code: 98230 - TAX
- Advanced Diploma in Information Resource Management - Qualification code: 90007
- Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation - Qualification code: 98028
- Advanced Diploma in Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture - Qualification code: 90094
- Advanced Diploma in Security Management - Qualification code: 98235
READ ALSO: List of UNISA courses 2019
Baccalaureus Technologiae Degrees
Below are the Baccalaureus Technologiae Degrees and their codes. This level is in NQF 7 and requires a total of 120 credits to complete the programme. For detailed breakdown and rules on modules, visit the UNISA website.
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Agricultural Management - BTAGM
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Animal Health - BTANM
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Correctional Services Management - BTCOR
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Chemical - BTENC
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Chemical (Environmental) - BTECE
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Civil Environmental Engineering - BTECV-ENV
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Civil Structural - BTECV - STR
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Civil Urban Engineering - BTECV - URB
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Civil Water - BTECV - WAT
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Electrical Clinical Engineering - BTELN - CEN
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Electrical Computer Systems - BTELN - COS
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Electrical Power Engineering - BTELN - PEN
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Electrical Process Instrumentation - BTELN - PIN
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Electrical Telecommunication - BTELN - TEL
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Industrial - BTENI
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical -BTMEE
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Explosives Management - BTEXP
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Forensic Investigation - BTFIN
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Horticulture - BTHOR
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Nature Conservation - BTNAT
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Operations Management - BTOPM
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Policing - BTPLC
- Baccalaureus Technologiae: Safety Management - BTSMN
Bachelor Degrees
UNISA offers over 50 Bachelor Degrees, so we have only selected 5 and their codes. For detailed breakdown and rules on modules, visit UNISA website.
- Bachelor of Social Work - 90088
- Bachelor of Social Work - 99309
- Bachelor of Theology General (1 Major) - 99305 - GEN
- Bachelor of Theology General (2 Majors) - 99305 - GE2
- Bachelor of Theology General (4 Half Majors) - 99305 - GE4
- Bachelor of Visual Arts - 02224
Honours Degrees
There are also several Honours Degrees. So, we have selected only 8 and their codes. To graduate in this NQF level 7 or 8 of studies, the total number of credits vary, with most requiring 360 credits, while others like the Bachelor of Laws New 2018 requiring 480 credits. For more details on qualifications and modules under this level, visit UNISA website.
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences Honours in Management Accounting - 98354
- Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration - 98449
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in African Languages - 99306
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Transport Economics - 98464
- Bachelor of Consumer Science Honours - 98104
- Bachelor of Information Science Honours - 90072
- Bachelor of Musicology Honours - 98578
- Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Mathematics - 98921
How many modules are there in UNISA LLB?
LLB degree has 37 compulsory modules and 3 optional modules totaling 40 modules and 480 credits.
Postgraduate Diplomas

Source: UGC
There are about 50 UNISA Postgraduate qualifications under NQF level 8 that require the completion of 120 credits for one to graduate. You require 120 credits to graduate in any of this NQF level 8 qualifications. For a full list of the qualifications and modules under this category, visit UNISA website, but here are a number of the qualifications and their codes.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences - 98231
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Sciences - 98255
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration - 98215
- Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Accounting - 98233
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration - 98208
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health - 98574
- Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management - 98210
- Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management - 90080
How many modules can I register for per semester at UNISA?
UNISA does not allow the registration of more than 60 NQF representing five modules each with 12 credits. The five units, however, do not include supplementary or aegrotat examinations carried forward from previous years of study. Modules pursued for non-diploma, or non-degree purposes contribute to the maximum number of credits allowed. Similarly, learners who opt for yearly module registration must not exceed 120 NQF credits for each year. Prospective learners are, therefore, required to plan their studies with strict reference to these structured study guidelines.
How much is a module at UNISA?
Study fees at UNISA are generally lower than other higher learning institutions of its caliber. It is, however, reasonable to note that studying is a worthwhile investment more at UNISA where cost depends on the number of modules and individual learner qualifications. On average, most learners register between 4 to 6 modules every year at a price ranging between R1000 and R2000 per module. Note that these figures are subject to periodical review. Besides, learners incur additional costs trying to meet the cost of their learning materials.
READ ALSO: Student celebrates success: 5 modules, 5 distinctions and a car later
UNISA qualifications are well structured with essential modules that ensure the learner gets the best education and become a competitive professionals. With our very detailed guide on various modules, you will be prepared in advance for your studies and know what to expect. Happy learning!
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