Unisa does not offer an auxiliary nursing qualification. Its undergraduate qualifications listing, checked on 10 October 2026, has no nursing or auxiliary nursing programme, and the one Unisa nursing page that mentions them excludes auxiliary nurses: it states that neither an enrolled nurse nor an auxiliary nurse may register for the Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science.
If you want to qualify as an auxiliary nurse, you need a programme and an institution accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). This page explains what Unisa does and does not offer and what the SANC rules say about the auxiliary nurse programme.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Unisa has no auxiliary nursing course, so there are no Unisa entry requirements for one
- The Unisa nursing science page requires registration as a general nurse and a valid Annual Practising Certificate with every registration
- That page excludes enrolled nurses and auxiliary nurses from registering
- The same page says the qualification is offered until 2026 and only to students previously registered for it, so it is not an option for new students
- The SANC auxiliary nurse regulations (R.169) require at least a National Senior Certificate or equivalent
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Under the SANC regulations for the auxiliary nurse programme (Government Notice R.169), admission requires at least a National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification. The programme is one academic year of full-time study, and an academic year is at least 44 weeks.
SANC has also closed older routes. Enrolment into the legacy courses leading to enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary ended on 30 June 2015, and SANC states that the newer Higher Certificate and Diploma are not replacement qualifications for them. People who are already enrolled nursing auxiliaries are not affected. Details are in SANC Circular 7/2016.
Accreditation decides whether a qualification leads to registration. The Nursing Act makes it illegal to offer nursing education unless both the institution and the programme are accredited, and SANC publishes lists of accredited institutions at sanc.co.za/education-institutions. Check any provider there before you pay anything.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The SANC regulations for the auxiliary nurse programme set the national minimum at a National Senior Certificate or equivalent and do not set an APS or subject list. Any APS or subject requirement comes from the individual accredited provider, so it differs between institutions.
Unisa’s APS applies to its own qualifications. It uses the NSC 1 to 7 scale across six recognised 20-credit subjects, to a maximum of 42, and excludes Life Orientation. The legacy BA in Nursing Science page lists an APS of 20, but it is not open to auxiliary nurses.
Documents and Application Requirements
Because Unisa has no auxiliary nursing programme, there is no Unisa document list for one. For an accredited auxiliary nursing programme elsewhere, ask the provider for its current document list and its closing date.
If you are applying to Unisa for another undergraduate qualification, all applications are online and the application fee is R160, paid once you have a student number. It is non-refundable. The 2027 undergraduate window ran from 17 August to 9 October 2026 and has closed. See the Unisa application page for later dates.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Admission to any Unisa qualification is not automatic: it depends on meeting the requirements and on space being available. Nursing intakes at accredited providers also depend on their approved student numbers, which SANC publishes per institution in its accredited lists.
If you are already a nursing auxiliary and want to study further, contact SANC about the registration categories and accredited programmes open to you. Unisa’s nursing science qualification requires general nurse registration and is closed to new students.
Registered nurses pay SANC annual fees to keep practising. For 2027 the fee for enrolled nursing auxiliaries is R390 including VAT, and it must reach SANC on or before 31 December 2026, according to SANC Circular 7/2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Unisa offer auxiliary nursing?
No. Unisa’s undergraduate qualifications listing, checked on 10 October 2026, shows no auxiliary nursing course, and its nursing science page excludes auxiliary nurses.
Is there an auxiliary nursing course at Unisa?
No. To qualify as an auxiliary nurse, choose a programme at an institution accredited by SANC. Check the institution against the SANC accredited list first.
Can I upgrade from auxiliary nursing through Unisa?
Not directly. Unisa’s nursing science qualification requires general nurse registration, excludes auxiliary nurses and is only open to students previously registered for it. Ask SANC about the routes open to you.
How do I qualify as an auxiliary nurse?
Complete a SANC-accredited auxiliary nurse programme. Under regulation R.169 it requires at least a National Senior Certificate or equivalent and takes one academic year of full-time study, as set out on the SANC copy of R.169.
Source: Unisa qualification and admission pages and South African Nursing Council notices, checked 10 October 2026. Confirm accreditation and registration categories with the South African Nursing Council before enrolling anywhere. For the national picture see nursing requirements and admission requirements, and browse all education requirements.