UNISA College Of Graduate Studies 2026

UNISA College Of Graduate Studies 2026

Pioneering Excellence in Postgraduate Education:

he UNISA College of Graduate Studies (CGS) stands at the forefront of research and advanced education in South Africa, offering a dynamic environment for master’s and doctoral candidates in 2026. As part of Unisa’s Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation Portfolio, CGS fosters multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research, providing students with diverse opportunities for high-quality supervision and academic growth. The college collaborates with other Unisa colleges and international partners, leveraging a broad network of academic expertise and resources.

CGS is home to prestigious research chairs, including the National Research Foundation/Department of Science and Technology South African Research Chair in Social Policy and the UNESCO/UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology. With over 12,000 postgraduate candidates, the college plays a pivotal role in advancing South Africa’s research capacity and supporting the national imperative to increase the number of doctoral graduates.

The School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies within CGS offers tailored training programmes, workshops, and virtual research environments, reaching students from Gauteng to Addis Ababa. The college is committed to innovation in research methodology and supports candidates through every stage of their academic journey. With a focus on excellence, collaboration, and global engagement, the UNISA College of Graduate Studies prepares graduates to become leaders and innovators in their fields, ensuring competitiveness among emerging economies.

Key points about the application process include:

• All applications are submitted online; no in-person self-help stations are available.
• Applicants with qualifications from outside South Africa must have them evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). While a SAQA certificate is not needed at the time of application, it must be submitted by 15 December 2025 if admitted.
• The selection process assesses academic records, especially performance in major subjects at the third-year undergraduate level.
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as spaces are limited and selection is competitive

READ: UNISA Human Science Courses 2026-2027

UNISA College of Graduate Studies Administration Department 2026

The Postgraduate Administration Support division of the College of Graduate Studies oversees all administrative tasks for the six colleges, managing initial inquiries, registrations, re-registrations, recording research proposals module results, maintaining research titles, data entry, and more until students are ready for graduation.

Additionally, the CGS Postgraduate Administrative Department handles applications, enrolment, and registration for approximately 45,000 students pursuing various postgraduate degrees, including Postgraduate Diplomas, Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. This department also evaluates Master’s and Doctoral dissertations and theses.

The Postgraduate studies of the college consist of

• Postgraduate Administration Department
• M&D Dissertations
• Master’s and Doctoral applications and registrations
• Postgraduate Diplomas & honours applications and Registrations

M&D Dissertations

When it comes to completing  your master’s dissertation or doctoral thesis, have the following in mind:

• At least two months before the final application for review, submit a notice of intention to resexcoord@unisa.ac.za. For this, you’ll need to download the CGS 20 form.
• You must meet with your boss before notifying the university of your planned submission to secure approval for submission and to decide on the final proper grammar, pronunciation, and punctuation of the title. Make sure your dissertation/thesis was sent to Turnitin online (for originality checking) and save the one-page digital receipt (not the whole report) to use in your examination copy. If you have any questions, please email turnitin@unisa.ac.za.
• There is no deadline for submissions, although if they are sent after June 15, the outstanding student will only be able to graduate in the autumn of the following year.
• If the application is submitted after November 15, the effective student will only be able to graduate in the spring of the next year.
• If the application is sent after the 31st of January, the good student will receive their diploma in the spring. You would have to re-register and pay full tuition fees if the January deadline is not reached. Please notice that any application made at this time without warning (2 months) would be considered late, resulting in mandatory re-registration.

Masters and Doctoral applications and registrations

Experiencing master’s and doctoral research can be transformative experiences, shaping both your professional endeavors and personal growth. Approached with dedication, these endeavors can be incredibly rewarding. Enrolling in a master’s or doctoral program at Unisa provides you with access to the expertise of our academic and administrative staff.

Moreover, you will have the opportunity to conduct focused and impactful studies in various exciting areas, enabling you to make meaningful contributions to both society and your career.

Please take note that all applications and registrations for master’s and doctoral degrees must be done online. There will be no faxed or self-help applications approved.

READ: UNISA Applications Admission 2026-2027

Postgraduate Diplomas & honours applications and Registrations

Postgraduate diplomas and honours degrees

All individuals intending to commence a new honors degree or postgraduate certificate, whether they are first-time applicants to Unisa or returning students seeking further education, are required to apply for admission.

All colleges’ student management is handled by the Honours and Postgraduate Administrative Section of the College of Graduate Studies. It entails the following: new inquiries, applications, registrations, and re-registration, as well as additions, cancellations, and deferments (excluding examination inquiries)