Learnerships & Apprenticeships
UNISA Launches 2026 Internship Opportunities Across South Africa – Apply Now
UNISA 2026 Internship Program – Apply Now!
The University of South Africa (UNISA) invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for a range of 12‑month internship vacancies. The closing date for applications is 6 February 2026.
Why an Internship with UNISA is a Smart Move
- All‑round experience – Interns can work in admin, finance, ICT, engineering, counseling, marketing, library services, agriculture and more.
- Zero experience required – These are fresh‑graduate positions that give you real work exposure.
- Pay and benefits – You’ll earn a stipend of R127 576 per year.
- Career launchpad – After a year you could move into roles such as administrator, finance officer, ICT support, data analyst, project manager, and many others.
Quick Snapshot
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | University of South Africa (UNISA) |
| Programme | 12‑month internship (not a full employment contract) |
| Start date | 1 March 2026 |
| Age limit | Up to 35 years old |
| Who can apply | Unemployed South African citizens who finished a UNISA NQF 6+ qualification |
| Stipend | R127 576 per annum |
| Closing dates | 6 Feb 2026 (main call), 9 Feb 2026 (facilities/QA call) |
| How to apply | Online, one application per post, PDF documents only |
What You Need to Do
- Pick the right reference number – Each internship has its own ID (e.g.,
REF/KZN/SAFA/KM). Copy it exactly. - Fill the online form – Use the official UNISA internship portal.
- Apply separately for each role – If you want three positions, submit three different applications.
- Upload your PDF documents –
- CV
- One‑page motivation letter
- Certified copies (≤6 months old) of: ID, matric, academic record, and your UNISA qualification.
- Submit before 23:59 on the closing date – Don’t wait until the last minute.
Types of Internships
Below are the main categories and a few key posts. (For a full list, visit the UNISA career portal.)
| Category | Sample Posts | Typical Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Student Administration & Libraries | 1) System Integration – ICT (Eastern Cape) | National Diploma or Degree in ICT / Computer Science |
| 2) Admin & Finance – East London | Diploma in Finance or Accounting | |
| 3) Library Services – Gauteng | Bachelor of Information Science | |
| Engineering & Labs | 4) Microbiology Lab – Florida | BSc Life Sciences in Microbiology |
| 5) Electrical Engineering – Durban | Diploma or BTech in Electrical Engineering | |
| Finance & Operations | 6) Accounting – Pretoria | Diploma/BCom Accounting Science |
| 7) Payroll – Pretoria | Diploma/BCom Accounting | |
| ICT & Digital Security | 8) ICT Governance – Muckleneuk | ND/BSc IT or IT Management |
| 9) Cybersecurity – Muckleneuk | Cybersecurity or Information Security | |
| Counseling & Career Development | 10) Psychology – Various campuses | Honours Psychology or Industrial Psychology |
| Facilities & Sustainability | 11) Maintenance – Pretoria | Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering |
| 12) Waste Management – Pretoria | Bachelor of Environmental Science | |
| Arts & Communication | 13) Art Gallery – Pretoria | BA in Visual Arts or Communication |
Tips for a Winning Application
- Match your motivation letter to the department – If you’re applying for ICT Governance, talk about compliance and risk.
- Show the skills UNISA lists – e.g., Office 365, time management, teamwork.
- Keep documents clean and in PDF format – Name them:
ID.pdf,Matric.pdf,AcademicRecord.pdf,Qualification.pdf,CV.pdf,MotivationalLetter.pdf. - Apply for several posts – Just remember each must be a separate application with the correct reference number.
- Prepare for interviews – Shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews on dates set by the university.
What Happens After the Internship
A 12‑month internship can lead to many career paths:
- Administrator / Office Coordinator
- Finance Officer / Payroll Administrator
- ICT Support Technician / Systems Administrator
- Data Analyst / Business Intelligence Assistant
- Project Coordinator / Junior Project Manager
- Marketing Assistant / Communication Officer
- Environmental Management Officer
- Library Assistant / Information Specialist
Even if you eventually aim for a government or municipal job, the internship gives you proven experience in a regulated environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I apply if I didn’t graduate from UNISA? | No – you must have finished a UNISA qualification (NQF 6+). |
| Can I be over 35 years old? | No – the age limit is 35 years or younger. |
| Do I need any work experience? | No – applicants should have no prior experience in the field. |
| Can I submit more than one internship? | Yes, but each must be a separate application. |
| What’s the stipend? | R127 576 per year. |
| When do the internships start? | 1 March 2026. |
| Do I need to relocate? | If the post is in another province, you’ll have to cover relocation costs. |
Final Reminders
- Apply before 23:59 on 6 February 2026 for the main call, or 9 February 2026 for facilities/QA roles.
- Only PDFs – no images or password‑protected files.
- Background checks will be performed for successful candidates.
Good luck, and remember – the key to landing an internship is a clear, well‑prepared application. Good luck with your future career!
