Unisa Higher Certificates 2023

Unisa Higher Certificates 2023 – are you planning to study a higher certificate qualification at the university in 2023? If you have an APS between 14 to 16 (excluding LO), then it’s possible to apply for a Unisa Higher Certificate programme in 2023.

With higher certificates seen as an entry-level form of qualification offered by Unisa, it is a great way for many students to enter the university and build their way towards a higher qualification.

Read on the specifics on when it comes to the higher certificates offered by Unisa, including:

• Its entry requirements;
• What higher certificate qualifications are offered by the university
• When to apply for a higher certificate qualification at Unisa; and more.

Keep in mind: if you passed your Matric with a higher certificate pass, you can only apply for a higher certificate qualification at Unisa and not anything above it (this includes diploma and bachelor programmes).

Unisa Higher Certificates 2023 Entry Requirements

Higher Certificates at Unisa are one-year programmes, with students having a maximum of three years to complete the programme. So it’s possible for those who don’t have the time to complete their entire programme in one year to space it out.

Currently, only students who pass their Matric with a Higher Certificate pass with a total APS between 14 to 16 (excluding LO) can apply for a higher certificate qualification at Unisa.

However, the APS is not the only deciding factor in who qualifies for a Unisa Higher Certificate 2023 qualification. Applicants will also have to meet the admission criteria of the qualification in order to qualify. The admission criteria is usually:

• A minimum of 30% in the language of learning
• An APS between 14 and 18, dependent on the qualification

There are other admission criteria that applicants must meet for admission to specific Unisa higher certificate 2023 qualifications, but more on that later.

Applicants can apply for a maximum of two qualifications, with the first being the main qualification and the second being an alternative choice in case they do not qualify for their first choice.

Unsure on how to calculate your APS? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered via an easy-to-follow APS calculator table which you can view below.

Percentage Bracket	Symbol (older syllabus)	Point Allocation
80% – 100%	A	7
70% – 79%	B	6
60% – 69%	C	5
50% – 59%	D	4
40% – 49%	E	3
30% – 39%	F	2
0% – 29%	G	1

When you calculate your APS total, keep in mind that Life Orientation does not count towards your final total.

Important: The type of pass that you passed your Matric with determines the type of course that you can do despite your APS. So even if your APS matches Unisa’s Diploma qualifications and your Matric pass is a higher certificate pass, you will only be able to apply for a higher certificate qualification.

Higher Certificates Offered by Unisa in 2023

Unisa currently offers (enter number of courses) qualifications in its higher certificate programme, spread over its seven colleges. The courses on offer includes:

College of Accounting Sciences

Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences (98201)

APS: 14

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or an E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning and where the completed vocational subjects are from the field of Business, Commerce and Management Studies.

College of Agricultural Sciences

Higher Certificate in Animal Welfare (90098)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and in Life Sciences or Agricultural Sciences or equivalent; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or an E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning and in Biology or Agricultural Sciences or equivalent; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and in Agriculture or Nature Conservation.

Higher Certificate in Life and Environmental Sciences (98366)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or an E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.

College of Economic and Management Sciences

Higher Certificate in Banking (98225)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.

Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences (98237)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.

Higher Certificate in Marketing (98229)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.

Higher Certificate in Retailing (90014)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.

Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management (90015)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and at least 30% in Mathematics, or at least 70% for Mathematical Literacy; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning and at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in Mathematics; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning and at least 30% in Mathematics in terms of the NSC.

Higher Certificate in Tourism Management (98226)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or E symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.

College of Education

Higher Certificate in Education Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase (90093 – FIP)

APS: 18

Admission Requirements:

• 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 an 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.

The Higher Certificate in Education is not a Professional Teaching Qualification i.e you will have to apply for a BEd programme in order to obtain a Professional Teaching Qualification.

Higher Certificate in Education Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (90093 – SPF)

APS: 18

Admission Requirements:

• 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 an 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.

The Higher Certificate in Education is not a Professional Teaching Qualification i.e you will have to apply for a BEd programme in order to obtain a Professional Teaching Qualification.

College of Human Sciences

Higher Certificate in Archives and Records Management (98577)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol in the language of teaching and learning.

Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work (90011)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol in the language of teaching and learning.

This is a selection qualification, meaning that applicants will be assessed whether they are suitable for the profession. Applicants will have to provide the following documentation:

1. A police clearance certificate for criminal convictions checks aligned with the definition of being a ‘fit and proper’ person by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). Applicants are required to submit the certification at time of registration.
2. Two credible testimonials from either school leaders, a religious leader, or a community leader.

Students must be registered with the SACSSP by the beginning of their studies. Unisa’s Department of Social Work will facilitate registration with the council.

College of Law

Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice (90006)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or an E 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.

Higher Certificate in Law (98751)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning; or
• a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an F symbol on HG or an E 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.

College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics (90129)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC), with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and 40% in Mathematics; or
• a Senior Certificate, with at least 30% HG or 40% SG in the language of teaching and learning and 40% HG or 50% SG in Mathematics; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) level 4, with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and 40% in Mathematics in terms of the NSC.

Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences (90101)

APS: 15

Admission Requirements:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC), with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and 40% in Mathematics; or
• a Senior Certificate, with at least 30% HG or 40% SG in the language of teaching and learning and 40% HG or 50% SG in Mathematics; or
• a National Certificate (Vocational) level 4, with at least 30% in the language of teaching and learning and 40% in Mathematics in terms of the NSC.

---

If the admission requirements are not met, you will not be admitted to the qualification – as simple as that.

Many students tend to make the mistake of applying for a qualification that they are not interested in and have come up with the false notion that by studying a programme in one Unisa college, it can be used to apply for a higher qualification in a different Unisa college.

When applying for a Unisa Higher Certificate 2023 qualification in a specific college, you can ONLY apply for a qualification in that college with your certification.

This means that if for example, you apply for admission to the Higher Certificate in Law, you can only apply for qualifications within Unisa’s College of Law.

When Are the Unisa Applications for 2023 Opening?

Applicants will be able to apply for a Unisa higher certificate programme for the 2023 academic year from 1 September until 14 October. That’s more than a month for applicants to apply for their chosen higher certificate qualification. 

If you are applying for the first time, you will have to pay a fee of (enter fee here). Returning applicants do not have to pay an application fee since the rule is applicable for first-time applications only.

Learn more about:

• How you can apply for a higher certificate qualification
• What is needed to apply for a higher certificate qualification
• The costs of applying to study at Unisa; and more online here.

Remember that if you miss the application deadline, you will have to wait for the next application window to open (which is likely in May 2023).

Study With UNISA Through Together We Pass

At Together We Pass, we understand that studying through distance learning can be difficult, but it does not need to be. We offer study resources for students studying through UNISA BCom and LLB modules.

We provide free online study groups, which give you access to a large number of study resources, as well as offer study resources (study notes and exam packs) to be used alongside your textbook to help you make learning fun and easier for yourself. 

Visit our website here or get in touch with us on Facebook and let us help you get started on your journey toward success in your Unisa studies.

Author: Dylan Florence
Date: 19 August 2022