Unisa does not offer an auxiliary nursing qualification, and auxiliary nurses are expressly excluded from registering for its Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science. Unisa states that neither an enrolled nurse nor an auxiliary nurse may register for that qualification.
If you are looking to qualify as an auxiliary nurse, or to progress from auxiliary nursing to a higher nursing qualification, you need an institution accredited by the South African Nursing Council with clinical placement facilities. That is not what Unisa provides.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
The position at Unisa is straightforward, and it is worth being clear about before you spend time on an application.
- Unisa’s nursing qualification is post-registration, not an entry route into nursing
- It requires registration with the South African Nursing Council as a general nurse
- Auxiliary nurses are expressly excluded from registering for it
- Enrolled nurses are expressly excluded as well
- A valid Annual Practising Certificate must be submitted with every registration
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Auxiliary nursing is a distinct category of registration with the South African Nursing Council, below enrolled nursing and general nursing. Qualifying as an auxiliary nurse requires a programme accredited for that purpose, delivered by an institution with access to clinical facilities.
Progression from auxiliary nursing upward is a recognised pathway: auxiliary to enrolled nursing, and enrolled nursing to general nursing, each through an accredited bridging or full programme. What is not available is jumping directly from auxiliary registration into Unisa’s post-registration degree.
Because accreditation determines whether a qualification leads to registration at all, confirm any programme’s accreditation status with the South African Nursing Council before paying anything. This is the area where unaccredited providers cause the most harm.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Unisa calculates the Academic Point Score on the National Senior Certificate 1 to 7 achievement scale, using your six recognised 20-credit subjects. The highest possible score is 42. Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and is excluded from the calculation.
For auxiliary nursing specifically, the academic entry requirement is generally lower than for a nursing degree, and the constraint is clinical placement capacity rather than matric results.
Where a programme does specify subjects, Life Sciences and a language are the most common. Requirements are set by the individual accredited provider rather than nationally, so they differ between colleges.
Documents and Application Requirements
For an accredited auxiliary nursing programme, expect to provide the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or highest school qualification
- A medical or health screening report
- A police clearance certificate, because of clinical placement
- Proof of immunisation, where the clinical facility requires it
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Nursing intakes at accredited providers are limited by the number of students they can place in clinical facilities, which is why places are scarce relative to demand and why closing dates are firm.
If you are already an auxiliary nurse and want to progress, speak to the South African Nursing Council and to accredited providers about bridging routes to enrolled and then general nursing. Once you hold general nurse registration, Unisa’s post-registration qualifications become available to you.
Treat any provider that cannot show current South African Nursing Council accreditation as a serious risk, regardless of what the qualification is called. An unaccredited nursing qualification does not lead to registration and therefore does not let you practise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Unisa offer auxiliary nursing?
No. Unisa does not offer an auxiliary nursing qualification, and auxiliary nurses are expressly excluded from registering for its Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science.
Can I upgrade from auxiliary nursing through Unisa?
Not directly. Unisa’s nursing qualification requires registration as a general nurse. You would need to progress to that registration through accredited providers first.
How do I qualify as an auxiliary nurse?
Through a programme accredited by the South African Nursing Council at an institution with clinical placement facilities. Confirm accreditation before enrolling.
What is the progression path in nursing?
Auxiliary nursing to enrolled nursing to general nursing, each through an accredited programme. Post-registration degrees such as Unisa’s open up once you hold general nurse registration.
Source: University of South Africa official qualification and admission pages, checked August 2026. Unisa revises qualifications and requirements between academic years, so confirm on the Unisa website before applying. Confirm programme 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.