UNISA - Distance learning
myUnisa Student Portal 2026: how to log in and use it
myUnisa is the central portal for SA's ~400,000-student distance learning university. With myLife email, myModules LMS, online exams and applications - here's how to use every UNISA portal.
Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open myUnisa - myUnisa
- my.unisa.ac.za
- myLife email
- studentno@mylife.unisa.ac.za
- LMS (Moodle)
- mymodules.unisa.ac.za
- App fee (2026)
- R150
- Contact centre
- 0800 00 1870
- Exams (most modules)
- Online via myExams
Who uses myUnisa
- Current UNISA undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Applicants who've been issued an 8-digit student number
- South African citizens, permanent residents and international students
- UNISA is an Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) institution - most teaching is online
What you'll need to log in
- 8-digit UNISA student number
- myUnisa password (same as myLife email password)
- For first-time users: SA ID number or passport for identity verification
- Registered cellphone for OTPs
- Current Chrome or Edge browser
Step by step
-
Log into myUnisa
Go to my.unisa.ac.za. In the login box on the right, enter your 8-digit student number and your myUnisa password. Click Login. You'll land on the dashboard with tiles for myModules, myAdmin, myLife email and myExams. -
First-time users: Claim UNISA Login
On the myUnisa homepage click Claim UNISA Login. Enter your 8-digit student number → Continue. Enter your surname, full names, date of birth and SA ID / passport number → Continue. Create a password meeting UNISA complexity rules. You'll see "Step 4 of 4" confirmation.Tip: Wait <strong>up to 24 hours</strong> for myLife email to provision after claiming your login. Don't panic if it doesn't work immediately. -
Log into myLife email
From the myUnisa homepage, click the myLife e-mail button. Enter your full myLife address (studentnumber@mylife.unisa.ac.za) and your myUnisa password. Complete Microsoft 365 MFA if prompted.Tip: myLife and myUnisa share the same password - change one, change both. For sync issues, email MyLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za. -
Access course content on myModules
Go to mymodules.unisa.ac.za (Moodle-based LMS). Use the same UNISA credentials. Submit assignments, access study material, join discussions. -
Apply for admission
If you don't yet have a student number, apply via UNISA Apply (linked from the corporate site at unisa.ac.za). Application fee 2026: R150 (non-refundable). -
Check exam results
Results are released through the exam results service linked from myUnisa, plus the UNISA Student App.
UNISA portals at a glance
| Portal | URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| myUnisa | my.unisa.ac.za | Main student portal - registration, results, assignments, fees |
| myAdmin | myadmin.unisa.ac.za/portal | Admin functions (alternative login gateway) |
| myLife email | Via myUnisa | studentnumber@mylife.unisa.ac.za |
| myModules (Moodle LMS) | mymodules.unisa.ac.za | Course content, online tutorials |
| UNISA Apply | unisa.ac.za (corporate site) | Online application system |
| myExams | myexams.unisa.ac.za | Online examination platform |
| UNISA Institutional Repository | ir.unisa.ac.za | Theses, dissertations, research (formerly uir.unisa.ac.za) |
| UNISA Library | unisa.ac.za/library | Library services |
What you can do on myUnisa
- Apply for admission (via UNISA Apply linked from myUnisa)
- Accept/decline offer and complete online registration
- Register for modules (semester or year)
- View results (released through the exam results service)
- View and download fee statements
- View academic record
- Submit assignments (through myModules)
- Access online tutorials and study material on myModules
- Apply for re-registration each year
- Apply for re-marking of examination scripts
- Track application status, upload documents, pay application fees (also via UNISA Mobile App)
UNISA student number format
UNISA student numbers are 8 digits, issued by UNISA on first application. The leading-digit convention has evolved over time as numbers advance - older students often have numbers starting 4 or 5, newer intakes 6 or 7. Don't rely on the leading digit to verify your number.
Used as the username across myUnisa, myLife, myModules and myExams.
Forgot password - single reset for both myUnisa and myLife
- Go to my.unisa.ac.za and click Forgotten UNISA Password
- Enter your student number → Continue
- Enter surname, full names, date of birth, SA ID or Passport - exactly as on record
- UNISA verifies last 4 digits of the cellphone number on file
- Reach "Step 4 of 4: Confirmation" - password is reset for both myUnisa and myLife (single password)
Related self-service links on the same page: Claim UNISA Login, Forgotten Student Number, External Marker & eTutor Password Reset.
Application timing (2026)
UNISA runs three intakes: Semester 1, Semester 2 (selected programmes only) and Year programmes.
- Semester 1 + year programmes (undergrad): applications 3 November - 19 December 2025
- Semester 2 2026: opens around April/May 2026 (selected programmes only - most degrees only intake in Sem 1)
- Postgraduate (Honours, Masters, Doctoral): separate windows, generally Sep-Nov of prior year
Application fee - R150 in 2026
UNISA's 2026 application fee is R150 (non-refundable, online applications). Pay by the closing date or the application won't be processed.
Module structure - Semester 1, Semester 2, Year
- Semester 1 modules: Jan/Feb registration, exams May/June
- Semester 2 modules: registration June/July, exams Oct/Nov
- Year modules: Jan-Nov (single registration, single Oct/Nov exam)
Workload guidance: part-time students 4-6 modules per year; full-time up to ~10. Registration closing dates for 2026: 20 Feb 2026 (semester modules), 20-31 March 2026 (year modules, varies by qualification).
Online vs distance (ODeL)
UNISA is officially an Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) institution. Most teaching is online via myModules (Moodle) - assignments, discussion forums, digital study guides. Some courses still ship printed study material if you select print delivery. No traditional in-person lectures; students study independently with support from e-tutors and occasional discussion classes at regional centres.
Exam format in 2026
- Most modules: online via myExams with the Invigilator App for human/AI proctoring
- The May/June 2026 online exam period started 12 May 2026
- Hybrid venue-based exams approved for the College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) - 3rd-year and postgraduate SAICA-accredited modules will be human-proctored at UNISA regional venues
- Final mode per module is on the examination timetable
Common login issues
- Slow / unresponsive myUnisa during registration peak (January) and assignment due dates
- MyLife not yet active - 24-hour provisioning delay after claiming login
- Password out of sync between myUnisa and myLife - fix by resetting via Forgotten UNISA Password (forces both systems to sync)
- Microsoft tenant errors ("account doesn't exist") - usually means myLife hasn't been activated or wrong email format used
- Browser cache / cookies - clear cache or use Incognito
- MFA / Authenticator issues on myLife - contact MyLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za
- Account lockout after multiple failed attempts
Mobile access - two official apps
- Unisa Student App - admin functions: track application status, upload docs, pay fees, accept/decline offers, exam timetables, results, graduation invites, campus locator. Available on Google Play, Apple App Store and Huawei AppGallery.
- UNISA myModules Mobile App - Moodle-based, for course content, calendar, badges and messages
Both apps use your student number + UNISA password.
Contact
- Toll-free contact centre: 0800 00 1870
- Hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00; Sat 08:00-14:00
- General email: enquire@unisa.ac.za
- myLife support: MyLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za
- Exams: exams@unisa.ac.za
- Tip: call early weekday mornings or use the online enquiry form / SCSC categorised email channels for faster resolution
Frequently asked questions
How do I log in to myUnisa?
Go to my.unisa.ac.za, enter your 8-digit student number and myUnisa password in the login box on the right, click Login.
How do I claim my UNISA login?
On my.unisa.ac.za click "Claim UNISA Login". Enter your 8-digit student number, then surname, full names, DOB and SA ID/passport. Create a password. Wait up to 24 hours for myLife email to provision.
How do I activate my myLife email?
Claim your UNISA login first (see above). myLife provisions automatically within 24 hours. Access it from the myLife e-mail button on myUnisa, signing in with studentnumber@mylife.unisa.ac.za and your myUnisa password.
What is my UNISA student number?
8 digits, issued by UNISA on first application. If you've forgotten it, use the "Forgotten Student Number" link on my.unisa.ac.za.
How do I reset my myUnisa / myLife password?
On my.unisa.ac.za click "Forgotten UNISA Password". Enter your student number, surname, full names, DOB and SA ID/passport. UNISA verifies last 4 digits of your registered cellphone, then resets the password for both myUnisa and myLife.
How much is the UNISA application fee in 2026?
R150 (non-refundable). Older third-party sites still quote R135 - that's outdated.
When do UNISA 2026 applications close?
Semester 1 + year programmes closed 19 December 2025. Semester 2 2026 (selected programmes only) opens around April/May 2026.
Is UNISA going back to venue-based exams in 2026?
Most modules remain online via myExams with proctoring. The College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) has approved hybrid venue-based exams for 3rd-year and postgraduate SAICA-accredited modules - check the examination timetable per module.
How do I check my UNISA exam results?
Log into myUnisa and use the exam results tile, or use the Unisa Student App. Results are typically released about 4-6 weeks after the exam date.
Why is myUnisa so slow?
myUnisa is historically slow during registration peak (January) and assignment due dates. Try off-peak hours, clear browser cache, or use Incognito. UNISA launched a new contact centre solution in January 2025 to improve responsiveness.
What is the UNISA contact number?
Toll-free 0800 00 1870 (Mon-Fri 08:00-19:00, Sat 08:00-14:00). For myLife issues, email MyLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za. For exams, exams@unisa.ac.za.
Related guides
South African Universities 2026 - complete guide
All 26 public universities, APS, NSFAS and how to apply.
How to apply for NSFAS 2026
Funding for UNISA tuition and allowances.
UJ uLink Portal
Contact university alternative - same Gauteng region.
University applications 2027
Every SA university's verified 2027 opening and closing dates.
Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly —
if something here is out of date, let us know.