Based on recent customer reviews, Unisa faces severe and systemic criticism across nearly every aspect of the student experience. Communication failures, unresponsive call centres, broken registration systems, and unresolved financial disputes dominate the feedback. While a handful of individual staff members receive heartfelt praise, the overwhelming pattern describes an institution where administrative dysfunction actively harms students' academic progress and financial well-being.
Top Strengths:
- •Administration, Registration & Communication: While the theme scores extremely low overall, a few named staff members such as Penny Ncobo and Maloba receive exceptional individual praise for going above and beyond to resolve student issues at physical campuses.
TrustIndex
1.8
Score
NPS Score
-87
Recommended: Unlikely
Apr '25 - Mar '26
Recent reviews (76)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperiencePopular mentions
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
BAD CLIENT SERVICE
UNISA service is very poor. Its been 2 weeks since I requested for the invoice and they keep on say the matter has been escalated to finance YET MY EMPLOYER IS FUNDING MY STUDIES AND WAITNG FOR THE INVOICE. I SPOKE WITH 5 PEOPLE ALREADY AT UNISA. I WISH I CAN JUST DEREGISTER BECAUSE IF THE DEADLINE COMES IN AND MY EMPLOYER DID NOT RECEIVE THE INVOICE THEY WILL NOT FUND ME
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
BAD CLIENT SERVICE
UNISA service is very poor. Its been 2 weeks since I requested for the invoice and they keep on say the matter has been escalated to finance YET MY EMPLOYER IS FUNDING MY STUDIES AND WAITNG FOR THE INVOICE. I SPOKE WITH 5 PEOPLE ALREADY AT UNISA. I WISH I CAN JUST DEREGISTER BECAUSE IF THE DEADLINE COMES IN AND MY EMPLOYER DID NOT RECEIVE THE INVOICE THEY WILL NOT FUND ME
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Most useless university in the world
Unisa is like the ANC. Useless and *****s your money. I enrolled for bachelor's degree and was given a 10 year study timeframe. Last year they suddenly changed my degree and I was not allowed to finish my studies. Five years down the drain and thousands of Rands gone. Do not use Unisa for anything. You will regret it
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Most useless university in the world
Unisa is like the ANC. Useless and *****s your money. I enrolled for bachelor's degree and was given a 10 year study timeframe. Last year they suddenly changed my degree and I was not allowed to finish my studies. Five years down the drain and thousands of Rands gone. Do not use Unisa for anything. You will regret it
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
POOR SERVICE & NEGLEGENCE
I registered in 2023 FOR BBA DEGREE. When I register I got credits for 8 modules which were taken from my previous qualification, those modules were graded out on registration portal and writen credits. To my suprise this year 2026,when i enquire about the credits as they were not showing in my academic record, I was told that those modules are outdated I will need to re-register them, I'm in my final year and final semester and these modules includes the level 1 modules and year moudules. This is an invonvinience to me as it totally not my fault but UNISA's fault. please help, I would like to explore other avenues.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
POOR SERVICE & NEGLEGENCE
I registered in 2023 FOR BBA DEGREE. When I register I got credits for 8 modules which were taken from my previous qualification, those modules were graded out on registration portal and writen credits. To my suprise this year 2026,when i enquire about the credits as they were not showing in my academic record, I was told that those modules are outdated I will need to re-register them, I'm in my final year and final semester and these modules includes the level 1 modules and year moudules. This is an invonvinience to me as it totally not my fault but UNISA's fault. please help, I would like to explore other avenues.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Poor service !!
I have been waiting for a pro-forma invoice for more than a month. Visiting the offices in Port Elizabeth proves to be entirely unproductive, as they do not provide that service. Additionally, the contact center number is useless; one can be on hold for over two hours only for the call to disconnect. I have attempted to utilize the call back options, but they do not function.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Poor service !!
I have been waiting for a pro-forma invoice for more than a month. Visiting the offices in Port Elizabeth proves to be entirely unproductive, as they do not provide that service. Additionally, the contact center number is useless; one can be on hold for over two hours only for the call to disconnect. I have attempted to utilize the call back options, but they do not function.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
UNISA Registration
Had a difficult time registering with this institution, but Team Leader Penny Ncobo at the Florida campus is the best thing that has happened to unisa
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
UNISA Registration
Had a difficult time registering with this institution, but Team Leader Penny Ncobo at the Florida campus is the best thing that has happened to unisa
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Went to the UNISA Ekurhuleni Campus to get my student card
Went to the UNISA Ekurhuleni Campus to get my student card. The person who was supposed to assist us was scheduled to report at 8:00, but only arrived around 9:00. In the meantime, no one seemed to know where she was or what was happening. It’s really frustrating how students are expected to be punctual and accountable, yet the same standard isn’t always app**** on the other side.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Went to the UNISA Ekurhuleni Campus to get my student card
Went to the UNISA Ekurhuleni Campus to get my student card. The person who was supposed to assist us was scheduled to report at 8:00, but only arrived around 9:00. In the meantime, no one seemed to know where she was or what was happening. It’s really frustrating how students are expected to be punctual and accountable, yet the same standard isn’t always app**** on the other side.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
UNISA don't take dis...
UNISA don't take ************** complaints serious, especially when one of their students have a certificate to be a HIV councellor and discriminate against someone with this degree and they happy the person have this disease... Sad but true
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
UNISA don't take dis...
UNISA don't take ************** complaints serious, especially when one of their students have a certificate to be a HIV councellor and discriminate against someone with this degree and they happy the person have this disease... Sad but true
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
UNISA should just formally erase all contact details
Imagine a Distance Learning Institution that has literally NO working communication strategy. Theg will provide you with official contact details yet no one will respond to your email or even bother to pick up phone calls. A whole higher education institution. A complete waste of time and money. If you ask me, just go to any other institution. The only support available in Unisa is them sending your account statement on a monthly basis. Nothing else.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
UNISA should just formally erase all contact details
Imagine a Distance Learning Institution that has literally NO working communication strategy. Theg will provide you with official contact details yet no one will respond to your email or even bother to pick up phone calls. A whole higher education institution. A complete waste of time and money. If you ask me, just go to any other institution. The only support available in Unisa is them sending your account statement on a monthly basis. Nothing else.