How Many Semesters Does Unisa Have Per Year?

As a distance learning institution, Unisa caters to students who may not be able to attend traditional on-campus classes.

This flexible approach allows students to pursue their academic goals at their own pace and convenience.

What is a Semester?

A semester is a division of the academic year which typically lasts around four to six months.

Universities often structure their programs into semesters, with each semester focusing on a specific set of courses.

How Many Semesters Does Unisa Have Per Year?

One of the most common questions prospective Unisa students have is about the academic structure, specifically the number of semesters per year.

Unisa operates on a two-semester system per academic year.

Each semester normally lasts for approximately six months, with a short break in between.

This structure provides a clear framework for students to plan their studies and examinations.

When Do Unisa Semesters Start and End?

The exact dates for Unisa semester registration and exams can change slightly from year to year.

However, you can generally expect the following:

  1. First Semester: Registration starts in early January and closes in late January. Examinations are held in May/June.
  2. Second Semester: Registration opens in June and closes in mid-July. Examinations take place in October/November.

Unisa publishes the official academic calendar on its website well in advance of each year.

This calendar provides detailed information on registration deadlines, examination periods, and important dates throughout the academic year. 

You can find the latest academic calendar on the Unisa website.

Can I Register for Modules in Both Semesters?

Yes, students can register for modules in both semesters during the designated registration periods.

However, it’s important to consider your workload and time commitment before registering for a full course load.

Each module typically requires 6-8 hours of study per week.

Unisa offers guidance on the recommended number of modules to register for based on your available study time. 

You should carefully review your chosen program’s curriculum and ensure there are no pre-requisite modules that need to be completed before enrolling in specific courses.

Does Unisa Offer Summer Courses?

Unisa does not offer traditional summer courses in the same way some other universities do.

However, students can use the break between semesters for independent study or catching up on coursework.

Also, Unisa offers year-long modules that run throughout the entire academic year.

These modules may be a good option for students who want to maintain a steady pace of study throughout the year.