What Happens When You Finish Your Degree At Unisa?
It’s always a great feeling to finally complete your tertiary education successfully.
This is a significant accomplishment, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself.
But getting your degree alone is not the end of the road, it’s normal to wonder what happens next.
This article will guide you through the process after completing your Unisa degree and answer some of the most common questions graduates have.
How Many Years Does It Take to Complete a Unisa Degree?
The completion time for a Unisa degree varies depending on the specific program you choose.
Some undergraduate degrees can be completed in three years of full-time study, while others may take four years or longer.
Postgraduate qualifications typically require one to two years of full-time study.
However, Unisa’s flexible learning structure allows you to adjust your study pace.
You can choose to study part-time, which would naturally extend the timeframe for completing your degree.
What Happens After You Finish Your Degree at Unisa?
Once you’ve completed all the requirements for your degree, Unisa will follow a specific process:
- Final Audit: Your academic record undergoes a final audit to verify completion of all coursework and assessments.
- Notification: Upon successful audit, you’ll receive an email and SMS notification from Unisa confirming your graduation status. An Advance Statement of Results will also be sent electronically to your myLife account, further confirming your accomplishment.
- Graduation Ceremony: Students who have completed three-year diplomas, postgraduate diplomas, or bachelor’s, honours, master’s or doctoral degrees are invited to attend a graduation ceremony. One and two-year qualification graduates are awarded their degrees in absentia (meaning they are not physically present at the ceremony).
If you have any outstanding fees, library materials, or pending disciplinary hearings, you will not receive notification about your completed qualification until these matters are resolved.
How to Access Graduation Details
Once you’ve received confirmation of your graduation status, you can visit the Unisa Graduation webpage for further details.
Here you’ll find information about:
- Ceremony dates and venues (if applicable)
- Graduation attire requirements
- Guest ticketing procedures (if applicable)
- Collection of your certificate (for graduates in absentia)
What Happens if You Don’t Attend the Unisa Graduation Ceremony?
Attending the graduation ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate your achievement with family, friends, and fellow graduates. However, it’s not mandatory.
If you’re unable to attend, your degree will still be conferred, and you’ll receive your certificate via mail or be notified of collection procedures (depending on the qualification).
Are Unisa Degrees Recognized?
Yes, Unisa is a fully accredited public university recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa.
This means that Unisa degrees are valid and hold the same weight as degrees from other recognized South African universities.
Is Unisa Still Recognized Internationally?
Unisa degrees are widely recognized by international institutions.
However, individual countries or educational institutions may have specific requirements for foreign qualifications.
If you plan to use your Unisa degree internationally, we recommended that you contact the relevant institution or accreditation body in the specific country to confirm recognition.
Unisa can also provide assistance with international verification of your degree.