In short: myUnisa (my.unisa.ac.za) is Unisa’s free student portal. New students use “Claim Unisa Login” with their 8-digit student number to get a password and myLife email, then sign in with the student number and that password. Pay study fees online at unisa.ac.za/feepayment or by bank deposit with your student number and the correct reference. If money is the barrier, apply for NSFAS (the 2026 application closes 31 October 2026) or a bursary. Always confirm details on Unisa’s own pages.
What myUnisa is for
myUnisa is where Unisa students manage their studies online. You use it to see your modules and study material, submit assignments, check exam information and results, and keep track of admin such as registration and your student account. It runs in a normal web browser on a computer or phone.
First time: claim your Unisa login
- Find your student number on your application or admission communication. It has 8 digits. If yours has 7, put a 0 in front.
- Go to my.unisa.ac.za and choose Claim Unisa Login.
- Enter your student number and the personal details Unisa holds for you (surname, names, date of birth, and ID or passport number).
- Accept the security statement. The system shows your myLife email address and your password. Store them safely.
The same login is used for myUnisa and your myLife student email, so check myLife regularly. Unisa sends important messages there.
Signing in and resetting your password
- Sign in at my.unisa.ac.za with your 8-digit student number and your password. Passwords are case sensitive.
- If you have forgotten it, use the forgotten password option on the login page and follow the steps. If a new password does not work straight away, give the systems a little time before trying again.
- Never share your password. Treat any message asking for it as a scam, and only log in through the official my.unisa.ac.za address.
What studying at Unisa costs
Unisa says study fees depend on the qualification and the number of modules. Its fees page gives a guide of R1,925 to R8,005 per module, and notes that the average student takes 4 to 6 modules a year. Prescribed books are not included, so add them to your budget. Unisa also charges a non-refundable application fee. Check the current figures on Unisa’s student fees and funding page, as amounts can change.
A quick way to budget: multiply your module count by the fee for your qualification, add books, data and travel to exams, then divide by the months you have to save or pay.
How to pay Unisa fees
- Online card payment: Visa or Mastercard at unisa.ac.za/feepayment, confirmed with an OTP.
- Bank deposit or EFT: Unisa banks with FNB and Absa. Use your 8-digit student number, then the allocation reference for what you are paying. For study fees Unisa lists 5400374721.
- Employers, sponsors and bursaries: follow the separate instructions on Unisa’s payment page so the money reaches your account.
Unisa does not accept cash or cheques at its offices. A wrong or missing reference can delay your payment by days, and Unisa says deposits are allocated within 2 to 10 working days when the details are correct. Get the full reference list from Unisa’s payment methods and banking details page before you pay.
Cancelling a module
If you cancel a module you can lose some or all of what you paid, depending on the date. Unisa publishes cancellation dates each year on its Pay your study fees page. Check them before you register for more modules than you can afford or manage.
Funding: NSFAS and bursaries
NSFAS funds qualifying students at public universities, including Unisa. According to Unisa’s NSFAS page, you generally need to be a South African citizen or permanent resident from a household earning no more than R350,000 a year, and returning students must meet academic progress rules. NSFAS pays tuition and registration to Unisa and may pay a learning material allowance. It does not cover things like historic debt, library fines or supplementary exam fees.
For a step by step on applying, see our NSFAS application guide. Unisa’s Student Funding division also runs donor bursaries and loans, and provincial schemes such as the GCRA bursary may suit Gauteng students. If you need to borrow, compare options in our guide to student loans without a guarantor.
Budgeting while you study
- Plan for fees, books, data, a working device and travel to exam venues.
- Pay fees early where you can, and keep proof of every payment.
- Set aside a small amount each month for surprise costs.
For more ideas, read how to save and invest as a student.
What to confirm live
- Current module fees and the application fee on Unisa’s fees page.
- The right payment reference for what you are paying.
- NSFAS closing dates and rules on nsfas.org.za or Unisa’s NSFAS page.
Last checked: October 2026. This guide is general information, not financial advice. Unisa and NSFAS rules, fees and dates can change, so confirm on their official sites.