How to Find Your UNISA Student Number

What Is a UNISA Student Number?

Your UNISA student number is a unique 8-digit identifier assigned to you when your application to the University of South Africa is accepted. This number is your key to accessing virtually every UNISA service — from logging into the myUNISA portal and registering for modules to submitting assignments, writing examinations, and making fee payments.

Unlike an application reference number (which is temporary and used only during the application process), your student number is permanent. It stays with you for your entire academic career at UNISA, even if you take a break from studies and return years later. If you previously studied at UNISA — even decades ago — your original student number is still valid.

The student number typically follows a format where the first two digits represent the year you first registered. For example, a student who first registered in 2026 might have a number like 26012345. However, this format is not rigid, and some older student numbers may follow different patterns. The important thing is that it is always an 8-digit number.

Losing track of your student number is more common than you might think, especially if you applied some time ago or if you are a returning student after a study break. Fortunately, there are several ways to retrieve it, and none of them require you to submit a new application.

Method 1: Check Your Original UNISA Communications

When UNISA accepted your application, they sent you a notification via SMS and email containing your student number and myUNISA login instructions. This is the fastest way to find your number if you still have access to these messages.

Search Your Email

Open your email inbox (the email address you used when applying to UNISA) and search for emails from UNISA, noreply@unisa.ac.za, or any @unisa.ac.za address. Look for subject lines containing "application," "acceptance," "student number," or "registration." Your student number will be clearly stated in the acceptance notification.

Search Your SMS Messages

Check your phone's SMS history for messages from UNISA. The acceptance SMS typically includes your student number and instructions on how to activate your myUNISA account. If you have an Android phone, you can use the search function in your SMS app to search for "UNISA" or "student number."

Check Physical Documents

If you have any physical correspondence from UNISA — acceptance letters, fee statements, examination permits, or proof of registration — your student number will be printed on these documents. Check old files, folders, or even your UNISA student card if you have one.

Method 2: Retrieve Your Student Number Online

If you can't find your original communications, there are online methods to retrieve your student number:

myUNISA Password Reset Page

Even if you've forgotten your student number, the myUNISA password reset process can help. Go to my.unisa.ac.za and look for the "Forgot Student Number" or "Student Number Retrieval" option (if available). This may require you to enter your ID number and answer security questions.

UNISA Application Status Portal

Visit the UNISA application status page and enter your ID number. If your application was accepted, the system should display your student number. You can also try our UNISA Status Checker to look up information associated with your profile.

Method 3: Contact UNISA Directly

If online methods fail, contacting UNISA directly is the most reliable way to retrieve your student number. You will need your South African ID number as verification.

By Phone

Call the UNISA main switchboard at 012 429 3111. Ask to be directed to admissions or student records. Have your SA ID number ready. The agent will verify your identity and provide your student number. Call during business hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:00). Be prepared for potentially long hold times during peak periods (January–March).

By Email

Send an email to info@unisa.ac.za with the subject line "Student Number Request." In the body of the email, include:

• Your full name (as registered with UNISA)
• Your SA ID number
• Your date of birth
• The qualification you applied for (if you remember)
• The year you applied or last studied

Expect a response within 3-5 working days. During peak periods, responses may take longer. Follow up if you haven't heard back within a week.

Visit a Regional Office

If you prefer face-to-face assistance, visit any UNISA regional office with your original SA ID document (not a copy). The staff can look up your student number on the spot. Find your nearest regional office on the UNISA website under "Contact Us" or check our UNISA Regional Offices guide.

Method 4: Check Alternative Sources

If the above methods haven't worked, try these alternative sources where your student number might be recorded:

• Bank statements: If you ever made a fee payment to UNISA, your student number would have been used as a reference. Check bank statements or online banking transaction history for payments to "UNISA" or "University of South Africa."
• NSFAS records: If you were funded by NSFAS, your student number is linked to your NSFAS profile. Log into myNSFAS at nsfas.org.za to find it.
• Employer records: If your employer sponsored your studies, your HR department may have your UNISA student number on file from the bursary or sponsorship documentation.
• Tax certificates: UNISA issues Section 18A tax certificates to students who pay their own fees. These certificates contain your student number. Check your SARS eFiling records if you claimed study fees as a deduction.
• Previous assignments or results: If you ever printed or saved assignment feedback, exam results, or academic records, your student number appears on these documents.
• UNISA student card: If you have a UNISA student card (physical or digital), your student number is printed or encoded on it.

What If I Never Received a Student Number?

If you applied to UNISA but never received a student number, there are several possible explanations:

Your Application Was Not Accepted

Not all applications are successful. If your application did not meet the admission requirements, UNISA would have sent a rejection notification. If you didn't receive any communication at all, your application may not have been submitted correctly. Check the status of your application using your application reference number on the UNISA website.

Your Application Is Still Being Processed

During peak application periods, processing can take several weeks. Student numbers are only assigned after an application is accepted. If you applied recently, your application may still be under review. Check our Status Checker for updates.

Communication Was Sent to the Wrong Contact

If you entered incorrect contact details on your application, the notification may have been sent to the wrong email or phone number. Contact UNISA admissions with your application reference number and ID to verify.

Technical Issues

Occasionally, technical issues can prevent SMS or email delivery. If your application was submitted and payment was received by UNISA, call them to confirm whether it was processed and request your student number.

Keeping Your Student Number Safe

Once you've found or retrieved your UNISA student number, take steps to avoid losing it again:

• Save it digitally: Store your student number in your phone contacts, a notes app, or a password manager. Create a contact called "UNISA Student Number" with the number in the notes field.
• Write it down: Keep a physical record in a safe place — your diary, a notebook, or a file at home.
• Bookmark myUNISA: Save the myUNISA login page with your student number pre-filled (if your browser supports it) for easy access.
• Save email confirmation: Star or label the UNISA acceptance email in your inbox so it's easy to find.
• Tell someone you trust: Share your student number with a family member or partner so they can help you find it if needed.

Your student number is not highly confidential — it's used as a reference number rather than a password. However, you should still keep it reasonably private and never share your myUNISA password alongside it.

Frequently Asked Questions – UNISA Student Number

Related UNISA Guides

• myUNISA Portal Guide — learn to navigate the student portal
• UNISA Registration Guide 2026 — step-by-step registration
• Application Status Meanings — understand your status updates
• UNISA Status Checker — check your application status