RPL for master's and doctoral studies

Process overview

1. Decide on what to study based on the available research focus area 

Visit www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD to choose a qualification based on the offered research focus areas to ensure that departmental expertise is available. More information on departmental expertise can be found in the colleges’ webpages:   

• Research focus areas

2. Check that you meet the admission requirements of the chosen qualification 

The admission requirements for each qualification are available on www.unisa.ac.za/qualificationsMD.  

Should you have any enquiries about the Master’s & Doctoral online application process, phone 012 441 5702 (qualifications in CAS, CEDU, CEMS, CHS and CLAW) or 011 471 3296 (qualifications in CAES and CSET) or send an e-mail to MandD@unisa.ac.za.

3.a You do not meet the admission requirements – RPL is required, apply online via the College of Graduate Studies  

The RPL process allows for alternative access to a master's or doctoral degree. Applying for direct access to a master’s or doctoral qualification means the following:

• You are 23 years of age or older with at least 5 years’ current, relevant working experience related to the qualification you wish to pursue. Prior learning should have been gained through one or more of the following means: research experience, workplace learning, informal/non-formal/formal learning, company/industry based-training, working with experts, or life experience.
• You do not have a prerequisite degree, but you do have considerable relevant experience in the field.
• The qualifications you already have – when coupled with your relevant experience in the field – must meet the SAQA-level outcomes specified for a master’s student as well as those laid down for entry into a doctorate. These claims must be supported by relevant evidence.
• In deciding on the appropriate qualification for your master’s and doctoral studies, take into account your previous work experience, relevant prior learning, and research experience in the field.
• Students who obtained their qualifications outside the borders of South Africa must have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and upload a SAQA certificate of evaluation during the application process (https://www.saqa.org.za). No application will be processed unless proof of SAQA evaluation certificate is received.

Please note that you cannot use the RPL process to be admitted to these qualifications.

3.b You meet the admission requirements – RPL is not required

This means that you meet the formal admission requirement for the chosen degree, and you should follow the traditional route to apply for a student number and admission.

4. Undertake the RPL self-assessment – make sure you satisfy sufficient criteria to apply for RPL

If you consider an application for direct access to a master's or doctoral qualification through RPL, you are claiming that your prior learning, namely, the learning gained through different contexts of learning, is equivalent to the formal admission requirements of the qualification. To access a master’s or a doctoral degree through RPL, you should demonstrate that you are competent in terms of your prior learning, relevant learning through experience, and research skills.

For full details on the SAQA exit-level outcomes to use for the self-assessment, please click on the link below:

• Admission into Masters (Exit level outcomes for honours)
• Admission into Doctoral (Exit level outcomes for masters)

You are strongly advised to reflect on your prior learning and then do a self-assessment exercise before applying for the RPL. You do this by using the exit-level outcomes for an Honours and/or master’s to establish how your prior learning meets the requirement/s.

You should be able to interpret the SAQA exit-level outcomes and transfer this interpretation to a practical situation. Your prior learning should be appropriate to the academic context of the specific qualification, and your learning, as a result of experience, must still be current, valid and applicable.

5.a You satisfy the criteria to apply for RPL

It is your responsibility to ensure that you apply for each new qualification even if you already have a Unisa student number. You must have applied to the qualification to which you are seeking admission before applying for RPL during August / September, click on the link below for more information: 

• Research focus areas

Please send us your admission application letter showing that you have been denied admission to the Master's or Doctoral degree for the current / next academic year. Once your application has been processed, you will receive an admission application letter (decline letter) from the College of Graduate Studies (no application will be processed unless accompanied by an admission application letter from CGS).

If you want to apply for RPL access to master’s and doctoral studies, you should prepare for your RPL application process by conducting research on the area in which you have relevant experience and prior learning. Before you apply, you need to ensure that your intended research falls within the research area of the department, school and/or college where you intend to register for your qualification.

Explore the possibilities on the research focus areas on www.unisa.ac.za/applyMD, as this will assist you in choosing a research topic. 

5.b  You do not satisfy the criteria to apply for RPL – complete the prerequisite qualifications 

This means that your prior learning and research experience are not sufficient to meet the requirements of the SAQA exit-level outcomes. We advise that you should follow the traditional route of application and registration to enable you to complete the prerequisite qualification(s).

6. Contact the RPL office  

You are advised to send an e-mail (with application letter showing that you have been denied admission to the Master's or Doctoral degree) to the RPL unit (Ms E Nkhwashu (enkwashu@unisa.ac.za). The RPL unit will send you the RPL application form for completion and outline further instructions.

7. Complete and submit the RPL application form and all supporting documents to the RPL office. 

Your application form should be emailed to the RPL office. Please attach all the required documents as pdf files.  Do not provide links to drop boxes or similar cloud repositories.

Please ensure that you keep a copy of the completed application form and all supporting documents for future reference.

8. Wait for feedback from the RPL office  

Once the assessment panel has considered your application, you will receive feedback.

• If you receive a letter from the RPL office stating that you are Competent (C) and that direct access has been granted, you may go ahead and register for your chosen degree in the next registration cycle.
• If you are found Not Yet Competent (NYC), you will receive a recommendation by the assessment panel on the way forward.

9. Further RPL assessment necessary

After the evaluation of your RPL application form, further RPL assessment may be required. This can be in the form of a comprehensive portfolio of evidence and/or a panel interview, or a competency conversation.

10. Acceptance of the RPL assessment opportunity

If you decide to continue with the further assessment, please confirm this in writing within two weeks of receiving feedback.

11. Prepare for the RPL assessment and undergo assessment

You will receive an RPL feedback letter, explaining the full details of the assessment. You may contact the RPL office for further support.

12. Conditional access to qualification granted

The details will be explained in the RPL feedback letter.

13. Fulfil the conditions as per the RPL letter

These conditions must be fulfilled within two years of receipt of the letter.

14. Advise the RPL office

Advise the RPL office in writing that you have fulfilled the conditions as stated in your RPL letter. In addition, attach a copy of the letter and the evidence of the fulfilment of the conditions, such as your formal examination results.

15. Access granted – you may register

If you receive a letter from the RPL office stating that you are Competent (C), you may go ahead and register for your chosen degree during the next registration cycle. In terms of this decision, you are NOT awarded any of the previous qualifications (honours or master’s). You are merely granted academic standing for access to master’s or doctoral studies.

16. No access granted

If you are found Not Yet Competent (NYC), it means that no access can be granted through the RPL process. You will receive a recommendation by the assessment panel on the way forward. The recommendation is usually that you are advised to follow the traditional study route and complete the prerequisite qualification.