Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration Course Requirements at UNISA
University of South Africa · College of Human Sciences
The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration is a postgraduate Diploma offered by UNISA for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, studied via distance learning to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Minimum Admission Requirements to study Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration at UNISA
A relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a related field, completed with results that meet Unisa's Admission Score (AS) requirement for this programme - currently an AS of 60 (calculated from your undergraduate results, not a Matric APS score). Admission is competitive and subject to available space.
About this course
This Postgraduate Diploma is a career-focused qualification in Public Administration, aimed at graduates who want applied, workplace-relevant knowledge rather than a research-heavy Master's. The qualification is aimed at, or leads toward, roles including Public Administrator, Municipal Manager, Policy Analyst.
Possible careers
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online via Unisa's own application system during the official application window; this is a centralised distance-learning university, so there is no in-person application at a specific campus.
Course intelligence for Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Good sign: Policy Analyst appears on South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand, a Department of Higher Education and Training analysis of employer hiring activity. Employers have been reporting real recruitment pressure for this role, which generally works in your favour once you’ve completed Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS funding is generally limited to a student’s first undergraduate qualification, so a Postgraduate Diploma like this one doesn’t usually qualify. Postgraduate funding more often comes through NRF bursaries, university-specific scholarships, or an employer.
Admission chances
UNISA’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with UNISA and NSFAS.
- Applications for 2027 studies
- Open: 1 August 2026
- Close: 30 November 2026
Exact 2026 dates not yet confirmed by UNISA (given as Aug/Sep to Nov/Dec) - check unisa.ac.za closer to the time.
View all Courses at UNISA
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, studied via distance learning
- NQF Level
- 8
- APS / Points
- Unisa Admission Score (AS) 60
- Campus
- Unisa Muckleneuk Campus (Pretoria) - Head Office, Pretoria
Related courses
Source: unisa.json, last verified 2026-08-25. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with University of South Africa before applying.