Can you study at UNISA without Matric? All your questions answered

Can you study at UNISA without Matric? You are not alone—many South Africans dream of furthering their education but feel held back by the lack of a matric certificate. The good news is that UNISA offers alternative pathways for learners who didn’t complete matric, making tertiary education more accessible than ever.

Key takeaways

• It is possible to study at UNISA without Matric, but not for all qualifications.
• Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) and certain Higher Certificates are open to individuals without a matric.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be used to gain access to some qualifications.
• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent is required for most undergraduate degrees.

Can you study at UNISA without Matric?

Yes, you can study at UNISA without Matric, but only through specific entry routes. While most degree and diploma programmes require a National Senior Certificate (Matric), UNISA offers alternative options.

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa. Throughout its history spanning 15 decades, UNISA's journey has been one of continuous growth and transformation.

This institution of higher learning aims at shaping tomorrow through education. The university has more than 370,000 students and is the largest university in South Africa and on the African continent, and one of the world's mega-universities.

What are the requirements to study at UNISA?

The reality is that you cannot study at UNISA without matriculation. You should also know that simply obtaining your National Senior Certificate is not enough.

Your Matric certificate does not guarantee you a student slot at UNISA because the institution is quite competitive. You must meet the specified minimum entry criteria for the course you wish to pursue to be considered for admission.

If you do not have a Matric certificate, you should consider enrolling in other learning institutions that do not require one. Alternatively, you can pursue your dream course at lower education levels and work your way up.

Can you study at UNISA without Matric in South Africa?

You cannot sit your Matric examinations at UNISA. If you sat your Matric exams but failed to meet the minimum entry requirements, you should know there are plenty of options for improving them.

An adult can consider Adult Basic Education Training (ABET), which is for anyone with an education level below Grade 9.

What is Matric exemption at UNISA?

Matriculation exemption is a legal requirement for first-degree study at a South African university. Students who did not pass the Senior Certificate with endorsement are required by law to apply for a matriculation exemption through the Matriculation Board.

Possible alternatives if you do not have a Matric

If you desire to study at UNISA but do not meet the Matric grade requirements, you can simply upgrade your Matric and improve your chances of admission.

You can also consider joining another institution. There are schools in SA that allow people to study without a Matric certificate. It is your duty to confirm if the institution you wish to join can accept you without this important certificate.

UNISA Courses without Matric in 2025

Various courses and schools do not require matriculation. These schools have tailor-made courses for people without the National Senior Certificate.

The duration for these courses is anywhere between three months and two years. A good example is the Skills Academy, which offers a variety of courses and is accredited by FASSET, QCTO, and ICB. Other popular schools are listed below.

• The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)
• The Learning Group
• The TWP Academy (accredited by FASSET, QCTO, and ICB)
• The Decor School

Some of the courses to study without a matric are listed below (not offered in UNISA).

• Beauty Therapy Studies
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Studies
• Child Day Care Studies
• Computer Studies
• Management Studies
• Occupational Health and Safety Studies
• Policing, Investigations and Forensic Studies
• Project Management Studies
• Workplace Administration and Secretarial Studies
• Work Environment Skills Quick Courses

Matric upgrade at UNISA requirements

UNISA does not offer traditional matric upgrade programmes, but it does provide an alternative through UNISA matric bridging courses. These are designed to help students who do not meet the standard admission requirements for a qualification.

While you cannot rewrite or improve your matric subjects at UNISA, you can enrol in certain UNISA matric bridging courses to build the skills and knowledge needed for university-level study.

To qualify, you typically need to be a mature student (23 years or older) or have relevant work or life experience. The UNISA matric bridging course requirements may include basic literacy and numeracy, and some programmes require a portfolio of evidence under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

How to apply to UNISA without Matric

To apply to UNISA without Matric, you can pursue two main routes:

1. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): If you're 23 or older with at least three to five years of relevant work experience.
2. Short Learning Programmes and Higher Certificates: UNISA offers certain SLPs (e.g., Occupational Health & Safety, Computer Basics)

Are there short courses at UNISA without Matric?

UNISA's Short Learning Programmes are introductory, practical, non-degree programmes that develop skills and knowledge in a chosen subject field in a quick manner. These courses are offered by different academic departments of UNISA's colleges.

Application for Short Learning Programmes in the university is open, and all applicants must have a Matric. All applications must be submitted online, and applicants can only apply for a maximum of two Short Learning Programmes in order of preference.

Note that you can only register for one programme at a time. All applications must be submitted online. You will be required to upload supporting documents, including your Matric certificate, when submitting your application. Note that there are no short courses at UNISA without Matric.

UNISA Matric rewrite fees

UNISA does not offer a direct matric rewrite programme, so you can’t rewrite your matric through UNISA itself. Matric rewrites are handled by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or registered TVET colleges.

However, if you're looking for alternatives, UNISA offers free courses without matric through Short Learning Programmes (SLPs), where only Grade 10 or basic English literacy is required.

TVET college courses without matric

You can study at a South African TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) college even without Matric. Here are some of the courses;

• Finance, Accounting, Management
• Information Technology
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Engineering (Electrical, Civil, Mechanical)
• Safety in Society, Primary Health, Educare

What can you study at UNISA without Matric?

Admission into UNISA requires you to have a Matric certificate. If you do not have one, you cannot become a student at the university.

Which course is best without Matric?

The best course without Matric depends on your interests, career goals, and the kind of job or skills you're aiming for. However, here are some of the most in-demand and practical courses you can study without Matric in South Africa—especially through institutions like TVET colleges, private colleges, or UNISA’s Short Learning Programmes:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Beauty Therapy
• Computer Skills/IT
• Plumbing/Electrical
• Forensics/Security

Which are the free UNISA courses without a Matric certificate?

There are no free UNISA short courses offered without a Matric certificate.

What do you need to be a nurse at UNISA?

To study nursing at UNISA, you need a National Senior Certificate with at least 50–60% in English, Life Sciences, and Maths or Math Literacy, plus an APS of 20–24. You must also be registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). UNISA combines online learning with practical clinical training.

Which short courses are still available at UNISA

UNISA currently offers a variety of short learning programmes (SLPs) still open for 2025, including late and Semester 2 applications. Popular options include Project Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Barista Skills, Financial Life Skills, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Digital Marketing, and Cybersecurity Basics.

What documents do you need for UNISA?

The documents you need include copies of your academic qualifications, a copy of your ID document or passport, a copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree, if applicable, and sworn translations of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans.

How long does UNISA take to process applications?

The University of South Africa may take up to three months to review your documents because it receives thousands of forms yearly. Once reviewed, the institution will offer feedback on whether your application was accepted or rejected.

Can you study at UNISA without Matric? You cannot study at UNISA without matriculation. If you have not completed matric or your results do not grant you admission to UNISA, you may want to consider other study alternatives related to your career goals.

Briefly.co.za recently published a list of higher certificate courses at UNISA. Students who fail to obtain the minimum requirements for a particular diploma or degree qualification at UNISA can still pursue their dream course by doing a related higher certificate course.

The minimum requirement for enrolment is a grade 12 certificate or an equivalent qualification. There are over 15 higher certificate courses at UNISA.

Source: Briefly News