History
Unisa's roots (and indeed that of higher education in South Africa) date back to 1873 when the University of the Cape of Good Hope was founded, initially functioning as an examining body for higher education.
In 1916, the university changed its name to the University of South Africa and in 1918 it relocated to Pretoria.
Education
As a comprehensive university, Unisa offers both vocational and academic programmes from the level of undergraduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas to degrees, and also postgraduate diplomas, master's and doctoral qualifications. Unisa also offers short learning programmes targeting specific needs of industry and civil society. As a comprehensive, open, distance and e-Learning pioneer, Unisa is known for delivering well-designed, interactive study material.
Research
Unisa has a vibrant and dynamic research culture, and its strong transformative agenda encourages a creative approach to new ways of knowing. Here academics and postgraduate students are committed to finding research and innovative solutions that will address important national and global questions, and contribute to the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of South Africa and the African continent.
Library services
Unisa Library has a vast amount of resources to help you with your studies.
ICT services
Library Technology Services is responsible for enabling the provision of high-standard information technology in support of Library services and processes for Unisa library staff and clients. LTS offers support to clients with connecting to and accessing Library resources electronically. It aims to promote and enhance Unisa Library Services through the implementation of appropriate technology
University of South Africa (UNISA) Overview
University of South Africa (UNISA) Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 13.6% South Africa
Top 25.7% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
901
By TopUniversities
Dropped 50 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 851 | 851 | 901 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
1201
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1001 | - | 1201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
801
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 901 | - | 801 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
No 2026 Ranking
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 861 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
University of South Africa (UNISA) Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
South Africa Country
Johannesburg City
University of South Africa (UNISA) Student Reviews & Awards
4
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 39 Reviews
- 4 Star 47 Reviews
- 3 Star 11 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 2 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.2
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.2
- Student Diversity 4.4
- Admission Process 4.0
- Quality of Student Life 4.1
- Career Development 4.2
MASTERS PORTAL REVIEW
What I really liked about the Master of Education (MEd): I especially valued the strong link between theory and practice. The programme encouraged critical reflection on real educational contexts, which helped me rethink my own teaching/educational practice rather than just learning abstract concepts. I also appreciated the focus on research skills—learning how to read, evaluate, and conduct educational research gave me greater confidence as an evidence-informed practitioner. Collaborative discussions with peers from diverse educational backgrounds were another highlight, as they broadened my perspectives and deepened my understanding of education across different settings. What could be improved: One area for improvement would be greater consistency across modules, particularly in assessment expectations and workload. At times, clearer guidance on assignments and more structured feedback would have been helpful. Additionally, incorporating more practical or applied components—such as case studies, school-based projects, or policy simulations—could further strengthen the connection between academic learning and professional practice. Overall study experience: Overall, my experience of the Master of Education was challenging, rewarding, and intellectually stimulating. It strengthened my critical thinking, research skills, and professional confidence, and it encouraged me to engage more thoughtfully with educational theory, policy, and practice. Despite some areas for improvement, the programme was a valuable and meaningful learning experience that has positively influenced my approach to education and lifelong learning.
THE JOURNEY TO BECOME A LAWYER
Unisa is very efficient in delivering the education, especially in terms of technology. they quickly adjust to the demands of current technologies especially considering how the world now evolves on AI. It's well commended how they have adapted it to match their cirriculum
1/5
Five-Star Service with a Master’s Touch
I am particularly drawn to the Master’s program at UNISA because of its focus on International Law. I am eager to learn, whose research aligns perfectly with my goal to have a master degree in International Law . The opportunity to work also would allow me to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?