Can I Register at UNISA Without Paying?

Can I Register at UNISA Without Paying? When it comes to higher education in South Africa, the University of South Africa (UNISA) remains one of the most accessible institutions for distance learning. Thousands of students across the country, and beyond, choose UNISA every year for its flexible programmes and affordability.

Yes, you can submit your registration without paying immediately. But there’s a critical catch. When you submit your registration without making any payment, UNISA classifies your status as temporarily registered.

This does not mean your registration is complete. Your courses, modules, and official student status will only be finalised once the minimum registration fee has been received within the designated registration period.

Temporary registration at UNISA simply means that your application has been received and acknowledged by the university, but your access to study materials, assessments, and support services is on hold. This status allows UNISA to reserve your space provisionally while waiting for your payment.

Here’s a brief overview of what temporary registration includes:

Status	Description
Temporarily Registered	Registration submitted, but no minimum fee received. The student does not have access to modules.
Provisionally Registered	Payment is in process or has been partially received. Limited access might be granted.
Fully Registered	Full or minimum payment received and processed. The student has full access to UNISA systems.

The minimum registration fee is a non-negotiable part of the UNISA registration process. This partial payment confirms your intent to study and allows the university to allocate resources, including academic materials and online access, to you.

Failure to pay this fee on time means:

• You may lose your space in the selected modules.
• Your temporary registration will lapse.
• You will not receive any official study material.
• You will not be able to participate in assignments, online forums, or exams.

If UNISA does not receive your study fees within the official registration window, your registration will not be finalised. Unfortunately, this means:

• You will not be considered an active student for the semester.
• You will have to wait for the next registration cycle to reapply.
• Any provisional access to study portals will be revoked.

This is why it’s strongly advised to pay the minimum registration fee as early as possible after submitting your registration.

Yes. UNISA allows students to pay their study fees in manageable instalments, making it easier for those facing financial constraints. However, the initial minimum registration payment must be made upfront. Once your registration is finalised, you can follow the payment schedule outlined by the university to settle the remaining balance.

UNISA offers a range of convenient payment methods to cater to both local and international students:

• Bank Deposit (First National Bank – FNB)
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
• UNISA online payment platform
• Credit card payments (for online transactions)

Always ensure that you use your correct student number as the payment reference to avoid delays in processing.

Yes, but this only gives you temporary registration. If you want to be a fully registered student, eligible for academic resources and exams, you must ensure that your minimum registration fee is paid within the set deadlines.