Aliu AmaneshChoosing the right university course when you love technology is not exactly straightforward in South Africa right now. The job market keeps shifting, employers want very specific skills, and frankly, the cost of traditional university puts it out of reach for many capable students. UNISA, being the largest distance learning university on the continent, sits at an interesting crossroads here. Their technology programmes need to work harder than most because distance learning in technical fields is genuinely difficult to pull off well.
This article examines ten UNISA qualifications that might actually lead somewhere for students serious about technology careers. Not every programme listed here will suit everyone, and that matters more than universities typically admit.
Getting into UNISA’s technology programmes depends on your Admission Point Score. The Bachelor of Science in Informatics needs an APS of 20. The Bachelor of Commerce in Business Informatics requires 21. These are not impossibly high barriers, but they matter.
If your matric results fell short, UNISA offers a practical alternative through NQF laddering. Start with a Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5, complete it successfully, then use that qualification to enter a Diploma or Bachelor’s programme. This approach has helped many students who had weak matric years but developed better study habits afterward.
Regarding money, UNISA charges per module rather than a flat annual fee. Modules in Computer and Information Sciences cost approximately 4,140 rand for a full-year module. Register for ten modules as a full-time student, and your annual tuition runs around 41,400 rand, excluding textbooks and other fees.
That seems affordable compared to residential universities charging 70,000 to 90,000 rand annually just for tuition. But distance learning has its own hidden costs. You need a reliable computer and internet access for at least five hours weekly, separate from your study time. If you live somewhere with unreliable electricity or expensive data, these infrastructure costs can exceed what you save on accommodation.
Applications for 2026 typically open around August 18 and close October 10, 2025. Missing that window means waiting an entire year.
UNISA Technology Programmes Overview
| Rank | Qualification | Code | NQF Level | APS Needed | Career Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BSc Computing | 98906 | 7 | High | Software Architecture, AI Development |
| 2 | BSc Informatics | 98907 | 7 | 20 | Systems Analysis, Data Science |
| 3 | BCom Business Informatics | 98300 | 7 | 21 | Business Intelligence, IT Management |
| 4 | B Eng Tech Electrical | TBD | 7 | High | Automation, Energy Systems |
| 5 | BSc Honours Computing | 98908 | 8 | Prior Degree | Research, Specialization |
| 6 | Higher Certificate IT | TBD | 5 | Lower | IT Support, Foundation |
| 7 | Diploma IT | TBD | 6 | Medium | Technical Support, Networking |
| 8 | B Eng Tech Industrial | TBD | 7 | High | Process Optimization |
| 9 | Advanced Diploma IT | TBD | 7 | Prior Diploma | Specialized Consulting |
| 10 | UNIX/Python Training | N/A | N/A | Enrollment | Practical Coding Skills |
1. Bachelor of Science in Computing (98906)
This programme teaches you how to build software properly. The curriculum covers programming fundamentals, algorithm design, data structures, and software engineering principles. UNISA designed it to produce graduates who can write clean, efficient code and understand why their architectural decisions matter.
If you want to become a Software Developer in the formal sense, this degree is the most direct route UNISA offers. It aligns directly with one of the DHET’s critical shortage areas. The coursework is theoretical enough to give you proper computer science foundations but includes enough practical work that you will have built actual programs by graduation.
The challenge here is that computing as a discipline requires mathematical thinking. If you struggled with mathematics at school, this degree will be harder for you than business-focused alternatives.
2. BSc Honours in Computing (98908)
The Honours degree exists for people who finished their undergraduate computing degree and realized they want to go deeper. It sits at NQF Level 8, which means it is more about research methodology and specialization than learning new programming languages.
Why would someone do an extra year of study? Two reasons. First, if you want to work in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or become a technical architect, many employers effectively require postgraduate qualifications. Second, if you ever want to pursue a master’s degree or doctorate, you need Honours first. That matters if you are considering an academic career or research positions at companies like the CSIR.
The downside is obvious: you are spending another year without earning a salary, and Honours programmes are demanding. But the salary difference between a developer with just a Bachelor’s and someone with Honours plus specialization can be 200,000 to 400,000 rand annually once you hit mid-career.
3. Bachelor of Science in Informatics (98907)
Informatics sits somewhere between pure computer science and business information systems. You learn programming and database design, but you also study how information systems function within organizations. The curriculum includes project management, systems analysis, and interaction design alongside the technical modules.
This degree works well for students who like technology but do not want to spend their entire career writing code. Systems Analysts earn solid salaries and work on interesting problems about how information flows through companies. The APS requirement of 20 makes it accessible to students with decent but not outstanding matric results.
UNISA’s Informatics programme has ABET accreditation for Information Systems, which means international recognition if you ever want to work abroad. That accreditation matters more than most students realize when they are choosing programmes.
One practical note: the university explicitly states that students need daily computer and internet access for this degree. If your home situation cannot support that, you need a backup plan before registering.
4. Bachelor of Commerce in Business Informatics (98300)
The BCom version of informatics appeals to students who see themselves managing technology rather than building it. The qualification requires an APS of 21 and leans heavier into business modules than the BSc version. You still learn systems analysis, software design, and database development, but through a management lens.
Graduates typically move into roles like Business Intelligence Analyst, IT Consultant, or IT Systems Manager. These positions require you to understand both the technical constraints and the business requirements, then translate between technical teams and executives who do not speak the same language.
The earning potential is solid, particularly if you develop expertise in specific business domains like financial services or telecommunications. Companies pay well for people who understand their industry and can specify what their technology systems need to do.
5. Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering
This programme is for students whose interest in technology extends to physical systems rather than just software. It prepares you for professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa as a Candidate Technologist, eventually working toward Professional Technologist status.
That professional registration matters enormously. Without it, you cannot legally do certain types of engineering work in South Africa. With it, your qualifications are recognized across the SADC region and in many other countries.
Electrical Engineering Technologists work on power systems, automation, renewable energy installations, and industrial control systems. The DHET lists these skills as critically short, which explains why experienced technologists can command excellent salaries.
Be realistic about the workload. Engineering programmes demand up to eight hours weekly per module. You will be doing complex mathematical calculations and grappling with electromagnetic theory. If you barely passed mathematics at school, reconsider whether engineering is the right choice.
6. Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering applies technology to optimize processes. Think manufacturing efficiency, supply chain design, automation implementation, and quality systems. If you enjoy figuring out how to make complex operations run better, this field might suit you.
The DHET’s critical skills list includes Industrial Engineers, and manufacturing companies struggle to find qualified people. South Africa’s push toward reindustrialization means more opportunities in this field over the next decade, particularly around the automotive sector and food processing industries.
Graduates work as Process Engineers, Logistics Systems Designers, or Operations Managers. These roles pay well because improving efficiency by even small percentages can save companies millions of rand annually.
7. Higher Certificate in Information Technology
The Higher Certificate serves two distinct purposes. For students who do not meet the APS requirements for a degree, it provides the entry point. Complete the Higher Certificate successfully, and UNISA’s progression rules allow you into Diploma or degree programmes regardless of your original matric results.
For students who just need foundational IT skills without committing to a three-year degree, the Higher Certificate delivers basic technical competence in 120 credits, typically completed over one year of full-time study.
Modules like EUP1501 teach essential digital literacy. You learn to work securely in electronic environments, manage files properly, and understand basic troubleshooting. These skills sound simple, but a surprising number of students arrive at university lacking them.
The certificate alone will not land you a Systems Analyst position, but it can get you entry-level IT support work while you continue studying part-time.
8. Diploma in Information Technology
The Diploma takes three years and focuses on hands-on technical skills rather than theoretical depth. Typical modules cover workstation technical skills, network configuration, database fundamentals, and business informatics basics.
This qualification aims at students who want to work as Network Technicians, Junior Database Administrators, or Technical Support Specialists. These jobs exist in nearly every company with more than fifty employees. They might not be glamorous, but they are stable and pay reasonable entry-level salaries.
The Diploma sits at NQF Level 6, which means it is recognized as a formal qualification but does not carry the same weight as a degree when applying for management positions later. However, you can build on it through the Advanced Diploma if your career plans change.
9. Advanced Diploma in Information Technology
The Advanced Diploma is specifically designed for Diploma graduates who want to reach NQF Level 7 without starting a full three-year degree from scratch. It typically takes one year of full-time study.
Why does this matter? Two reasons. First, many mid-level positions specify NQF Level 7 as a minimum requirement. Second, if you later decide to pursue an Honours degree, most universities require an NQF Level 7 qualification for admission.
The Advanced Diploma allows specialization in areas like advanced networking or cybersecurity beyond what the Diploma covered. For someone who has already been working in IT for a few years, going back for an Advanced Diploma can unlock promotion opportunities that the Diploma alone would not provide.
10. Short Learning Programme: UNIX and Python Training
This is not a degree or formal qualification, but it might be the most important item on this list for actual employability. UNISA offers Short Learning Programmes in foundational technologies that employers desperately want.
The UNIX and Python training specifically addresses the competence gap I mentioned earlier. You can have a degree in Informatics, but if you cannot write Python scripts or navigate Linux systems confidently, you will struggle to compete for data science or automation roles.
These programmes run as intensive short courses rather than semester-long modules. They focus entirely on practical skills: writing code, debugging, understanding system architecture. The training is not meant to be easy. It assumes you already have foundational knowledge and pushes you to develop real competence quickly.
Many UNISA students treat these programmes as optional extras. The ones who take them seriously and genuinely master the skills consistently report better job outcomes and faster salary progression than their peers who skipped the practical training.
Conclusion
UNISA provides nationally recognized, professionally accredited technology qualifications that address real skills shortages in the South African economy. The strongest pathways run through the core computing and informatics degrees, with engineering technology programmes offering excellent options for students interested in physical systems and infrastructure.
The foundational certificates and diplomas are not consolation prizes for students who could not get into degrees. They are legitimate entry points that can lead to the same careers, just through a longer route. Sometimes that extra time helps students who were not ready for degree-level work at eighteen develop the maturity and discipline they need to succeed later.
Whether any of these programmes works for you depends on factors beyond just interest in technology. Can you genuinely commit 40 hours weekly to studying without anyone monitoring you? Do you have reliable internet access and a working computer? Can you afford to either not work or work only part-time while studying? Are you comfortable asking for help online rather than walking into a lecturer’s office?
Distance learning is remarkable for making university accessible to people who could never attend traditional institutions. It is also genuinely harder in some ways because nobody is structuring your time or holding you accountable except yourself.
If you can handle that reality, these UNISA qualifications represent legitimate pathways into technology careers that South Africa urgently needs filled.