The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest university system in South Africa by enrollment – attracting a third of all higher education students in South Africa.
The University of South Africa is the longest-standing distance education university in the world.
Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, it became the first public university, worldwide, to offer distance education exclusively in 1946. UNISA’s 21st-century objective is to maximise new technologies in its methods.
UNISA is overseen by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) under the National Government of South Africa.
Through various colleges and affiliates, UNISA has over 400,000 students, including international students from 130 countries worldwide, making it one of the world’s mega universities and the only such university in Africa.
UNISA is the only higher education institution in South Africa to carry the name of the country.
As a comprehensive university, Unisa offers both vocational and academic programmes, many of which have received international accreditation.
UNISA also has an extensive geographical footprint, providing its students with recognition and employability in many countries around the world. The university lists many notable South Africans among its alumni, including two Nobel Prize winners: Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Overview
| Nickname: | UNISA |
| Motto: | In the service of humanity |
| Type: | Public University |
| Established: | 1873 |
| Chancellor: | Dr Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki |
| Vice-Chancellor: | Prof Puleng LenkaBula |
| Location: | Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Website: | www.unisa.ac.za |
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chancellor
- Dr Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki
Vice Chancellor
- Prof Puleng LenkaBula
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Registrar
Senior Management
Contact Details
The contact details of the University of South Africa (UNISA) are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | Building 14, Sunnyside Campus, Cnr Justice Mahomed and Steve Biko Streets, Sunnyside, Pretoria |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 392, Unisa, 0003 |
| Telephone: | 0800 00 1870 |
| Email: | marebgt@unisa.ac.za |
| Website: | www.unisa.ac.za |