How to Apply at UNISA for Teaching: BEd and PGCE Requirements, Steps, and APS Scores

Teaching is widely recognized as the noble profession that creates all other professions. In South Africa, our schools require passionate, pedagogically grounded, and technologically capable educators to guide the next generation through the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) framework. For tens of thousands of aspiring educators, the premier gateway into the profession is through the University of South Africa’s College of Education (CEDU). In fact, UNISA trains almost half of all newly qualified teachers in South Africa every year.

If your ambition is to inspire young minds, design transformative classroom experiences, and earn a permanent, accredited teaching position backed by the South African Council for Educators (SACE), learning how to apply at UNISA for teaching is your foundational starting point. Whether you are stepping out of high school toward a four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or hold an existing undergraduate qualification and wish to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), this comprehensive guide delivers every technical detail, prerequisite, and strategic insight you need.

---

1. Choosing Your Teaching Pathway: BEd vs. PGCE

When preparing to apply at UNISA for teaching, you must first clarify which legal academic route aligns with your current educational background. Under South African education regulations, there are two primary pathways to achieving Professionally Qualified Educator status:

The Bachelor of Education (BEd) Pathway

The BEd is a four-year, full-time equivalent, NQF Level 7 professional degree. It is designed for candidates who hold a National Senior Certificate (or an equivalent matric qualification) and have not yet completed a university degree. The program combines comprehensive academic subject knowledge with educational theory, child psychology, classroom management, and extensive school-based practicals.

UNISA divides the BEd into three distinct pedagogical specializations:

1. Foundation Phase (Grade R – Grade 3): Focuses on early childhood development, emergent literacy, foundational numeracy, and life skills. Teachers in this phase play a vital role in building early reading fluency in both English and home languages.
2. Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – Grade 7): Centers on the developmental bridge between primary foundations and secondary schooling, training teachers across core subjects including Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, Social Sciences, and Languages.
3. Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) (Grade 8 – Grade 12): Designed for secondary school subject specialists (e.g., Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting, History, Geography, English, or Life Sciences).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Pathway

If you already hold an accredited undergraduate Bachelor's degree (such as a BSc, BCom, or BA) or an approved 360-credit National Diploma, you do not need to enroll in another four-year degree. Instead, you can apply at UNISA for the one-year to two-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at NQF Level 7.

The PGCE equips university graduates with pedagogical methodology, CAPS curriculum implementation skills, and classroom assessment techniques. However, your acceptance into the PGCE depends strictly on whether your undergraduate degree contains sufficient academic credits in subjects taught within the South African school curriculum.

---

2. Minimum Entrance Requirements and APS Scores for BEd

To apply at UNISA for any Bachelor of Education qualification, you must meet both general statutory university admission criteria and specific departmental thresholds.

Standard Admission Point Score (APS) Targets

• Minimum APS Threshold: For most BEd streams, UNISA requires a minimum APS of 23 to 26 points (excluding Life Orientation).
• Matric Endorsement: You must hold a National Senior Certificate with a formal Bachelor's Degree endorsement (indicated on your Umalusi certificate as "Eligible for admission to Bachelor's Degree").

Subject-Specific Matric Minimums by Phase

Foundation Phase (BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching)

• English (Home Language or First Additional Language): Minimum Level 4 (50%).
• Mathematics (Level 3 / 40%) OR Mathematical Literacy (Level 4 / 50%).
• An official South African African Language (e.g., isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho) at Level 3 (40%) is strongly advantageous and often mandatory for specific regional curriculum teaching tracks.

Intermediate Phase (BEd in Intermediate Phase Teaching)

• English (Home Language or First Additional Language): Minimum Level 4 (50%).
• Mathematics: Minimum Level 4 (50%) if you intend to specialize in Mathematics and Natural Sciences; OR Mathematical Literacy at Level 5 (60%) for non-mathematical teaching specializations.

Senior and FET Phase (BEd in Senior Phase and FET Teaching)

Because Senior and FET educators teach subject-specific high school content up to Grade 12 Matric examinations, academic subject rules are strictly enforced:

• FET Mathematics Specialists: Pure Mathematics at Level 5 (60%) in Matric is mandatory. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted for teaching pure FET Mathematics.
• FET Physical Sciences Specialists: Physical Sciences at Level 5 (60%) and Mathematics at Level 5 (60%).
• FET Accounting / Business Studies: Accounting at Level 4 (50%) or Business Studies at Level 5 (60%).
• FET Languages: Minimum Level 5 (60%) in the respective language at Home Language or First Additional Language level.

---

3. Demystifying the PGCE: Qualification Matching and Specializations

Many university graduates who wish to change careers or step into the education sector ask: "Can I apply at UNISA for a PGCE with my specific degree?"

The answer hinges on teaching subject methodology matching. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) enforces the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ). Under MRTEQ, a PGCE applicant must possess:

1. For Senior Phase Specialization (Grade 7 – 9): At least one recognized school subject completed up to NQF Level 6 (second-year university level) with a minimum of 32 credits.
2. For FET Phase Specialization (Grade 10 – 12): At least one recognized school teaching subject completed up to NQF Level 7 (third-year / final-year university level) with a minimum of 60 to 64 credits.

Common Degree-to-Teaching Subject Alignments

Your Existing Undergraduate Degree	Eligible PGCE Teaching Methodologies
BSc in Computer Science / Information Systems	Information Technology (IT), Computer Applications Technology (CAT)
BSc in Chemistry / Physics / Biochemistry	FET Physical Sciences, Senior Phase Natural Sciences
BSc in Botany / Zoology / Physiology	FET Life Sciences, Senior Phase Natural Sciences
BCom in Accounting / Financial Management	FET Accounting, Senior Phase Economic & Management Sciences (EMS)
BCom in Economics / Business Management	FET Business Studies, FET Economics, Senior Phase EMS
BA in English Literature / Linguistics	FET English (Home & First Additional Language)
BA in History / Political Studies	FET History, Senior Phase Social Sciences
BA in Geography / Environmental Science	FET Geography, Senior Phase Social Sciences

If your undergraduate degree lacks sufficient credits in a recognized school subject, UNISA will reject your PGCE application. In such instances, prospective teachers often enroll in non-degree purpose modules (NDP) to accumulate the necessary credits before formally reapplying for the PGCE.

---

4. Teaching Practicals (Work-Integrated Learning / WIL): How It Works via Distance

A frequent concern among those who apply at UNISA for teaching is how practical classroom training is managed when studying through an open distance institution. Teaching cannot be learned purely through textbooks; practical immersion is the beating heart of educator preparation.

UNISA addresses this requirement through structured Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) modules embedded across each year of study:

graph TD
    A[Year 1 BEd: 3 Weeks] -->|School Observation & Shadowing| B[Year 2 BEd: 4-5 Weeks]
    B -->|Small Group Teaching & Classroom Management| C[Year 3 BEd: 5-6 Weeks]
    C -->|Co-Teaching & Lesson Delivery| D[Year 4 BEd: 8-10 Weeks Final Practicum]
    D -->|Independent Classroom Teaching & External Assessment| E[SACE Full Registration & BEd Graduation]

Key WIL Rules for UNISA Student Teachers

• School Placement: Students are responsible for identifying an accredited South African public or registered independent school to host them for their practicals. UNISA issues official placement letters to present to the school Principal.
• Mentor Teacher Oversight: The host school assigns an experienced, SACE-registered teacher in your subject area to mentor, guide, and evaluate your lesson deliveries.
• University Supervisor Audits: UNISA appoints regional supervisors and academic assessors who conduct formal classroom observation visits to grade your teaching performance against CAPS standards.
• Working Professionals: If you already work at a school as a teacher assistant, lab technician, or administrative assistant, UNISA frequently permits you to complete your WIL requirements at your place of employment, provided you are supervised by a qualified subject educator and the school meets accreditation norms.

---

5. Funding Your Teaching Studies: Funza Lushaka and NSFAS

Studying teaching at UNISA is accessible, but having solid financial backing ensures peace of mind throughout your four-year journey. Two primary funding mechanisms support South African student teachers:

1. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme

The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a multi-year, service-obligation scholarship awarded by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). It is designed to attract capable students into priority teaching areas:

• Priority Areas: Foundation Phase teaching, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Natural Sciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Technology, Information Technology, and indigenous African languages.
• Coverage: Tuition fees, textbook allowances, and a living stipend.
• The Service Agreement: In exchange for funding, beneficiaries must agree to teach at a public school chosen by a provincial education department for the same number of years they received the bursary.

When you apply at UNISA for teaching, you can apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary via the national e-Services portal once your provisional student number is allocated.

2. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

For students from households with a combined annual income of R350,000 or less (or R600,000 for students living with disabilities), NSFAS provides comprehensive bursary funding. Unlike historic student loans, NSFAS funding for qualifying undergraduate BEd students does not need to be repaid upon graduation, provided academic progression criteria are met.

---

6. Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Teaching at UNISA

Follow this structured process to submit your application cleanly to the College of Education:

[Determine Phase & Specialization] 
               ⬇
[Check Specific Matric/Undergrad Prerequisites] 
               ⬇
[Gather Certified ID, Matric, & Transcripts (PDF < 2MB)] 
               ⬇
[Visit unisa.ac.za/apply & Select College of Education] 
               ⬇
[Set Choice 1 (e.g. BEd) & Choice 2 (e.g. Higher Cert Education)] 
               ⬇
[Upload Verification Documents & Pay R140 Fee with Reference] 
               ⬇
[Monitor Application Portal & Accept Offer Within 10 Days]

Tactical Tips for College of Education Applicants:

1. Always Select the Higher Certificate in Education as Second Choice: Education degrees are among the most heavily subscribed programs at UNISA. If your APS is borderline (e.g., 22 or 23 points) and thousands of applicants apply with 28 points, your first-choice BEd may reach quota capacity. Having the Higher Certificate in Education (08362) as your second choice ensures you gain entry into the university, complete foundational modules, and transfer directly into the BEd in Year 2 with full credit recognition.
2. Verify Language Requirements Early: If applying for Foundation Phase, be conscious of the language requirements. Teaching literacy to young children requires mastery of the language of instruction. If you lack the required African language credit on your matric certificate, you may be required to take introductory language enhancement modules.
3. Double-Check Subject Stream Codes: The Senior and FET Phase BEd program carries distinct subject stream codes (e.g., Commerce Stream, Humanities Stream, Natural Sciences Stream). Ensure you select the exact stream matching your high school or undergraduate strengths.

---

7. South African Council for Educators (SACE) Alignment

Earning your teaching degree from UNISA is the academic foundation, but legally practicing as a teacher in South Africa requires registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) under the South African Schools Act (SASA).

Student SACE Registration

While enrolled in your BEd or PGCE program at UNISA, you are entitled to register for Provisional SACE Student Registration. This provisional certificate:

• Grants you legal authorization to enter classrooms during your Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) practicals.
• Authorizes schools to employ you as a student intern, classroom assistant, or relief teacher under senior educator supervision.

Full SACE Professional Registration

Upon completing your final year of study and receiving your formal UNISA academic transcript confirming qualification completion, you submit your credentials to SACE to receive your Full Professional Educator Registration Certificate, empowering you to apply for permanent departmental (Persal) and School Governing Body (SGB) posts nationwide.

---

8. Frequently Asked Questions: Applying for Teaching at UNISA

Can I teach overseas with a UNISA BEd degree?

Yes. The UNISA Bachelor of Education is an internationally accredited, NQF Level 7 professional qualification. UNISA graduates teach across the globe, including in the United Kingdom, the Middle East, East Asia, and Australia, subject to passing local teacher licensing and immigration examinations.

Is Mathematical Literacy accepted for all BEd degrees?

Mathematical Literacy is accepted for BEd in Foundation Phase and for select humanities and language streams in Intermediate and Senior/FET phases. However, it is strictly disqualified if you intend to specialize in teaching pure Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry.

Can I complete my teaching degree while working full-time?

Yes. This is the hallmark strength of studying teaching through UNISA. Thousands of current school principals, HODs, and senior educators began their careers as teacher assistants or working adults while completing their BEd modules through UNISA’s online platform after hours. The primary logistical consideration is ensuring you take leave or arrange flexible hours during the annual 3-to-5-week WIL school practical periods.

What is the difference between BEd and BA with PGCE?

Both routes culminate in the identical professional standing and SACE registration. The BEd takes four years and teaches pedagogy alongside content from day one. The BA/BSc + PGCE route takes four years in total (3 years undergraduate + 1 year PGCE) and is ideal for students who discover their passion for teaching later or who want a broader academic degree before specializing in education.

---

9. Conclusion: Your Journey to the Chalkboard Starts Here

South Africa needs committed, innovative, and resilient teachers who can harness modern educational technology, inspire critical thinking, and support learners in navigating modern educational challenges. Taking the initiative to apply at UNISA for teaching is your first decisive step into a lifelong career filled with purpose, community impact, and professional fulfillment.

Review your matric marks, calculate your APS with precision, organize your certified documents, and submit your application early within the admissions window. The classrooms of South Africa are waiting for the leadership, empathy, and expertise that you will bring. Submit your application today and build your future at the forefront of South African education.