Sometimes life throws the unexpected at you and when that happens, it’s understandable that you have to place events in your life on pause. With UNISA, sometimes you may find yourself unable to write your UNISA exams but fortunately, UNISA offers Aegrotat and Special examinations to help students in certain circumstances.
Our updated 2025 guide on the aegrotat and special exams explains everything you need to know about how these exams work, how to apply, and the important rules you need to follow.
What Are Aegrotat and Special Examinations?
UNISA allows students who missed their exams due to valid reasons to apply for either an Aegrotat or Special exam. These exams are not automatic and require you to meet specific eligibility requirements, provide supporting documents, and apply within the set timeframe.
To qualify, you must:
- Have qualified to sit for the original exam (i.e., you were granted exam admission).
- Provide valid reasoning and evidence to explain why you were unable to attend your scheduled exam.
UNISA’s New Automatic Second Examination Opportunity
Students will have two consecutive opportunities to sit for each examination:
- Students can write during either the first or second scheduled examination period for the module.
- If you write during the second examination period and fail, no additional opportunity will be granted unless specific college rules apply.
- This automatic second opportunity does not replace or apply to Aegrotat or Special exams. These require separate applications if you miss your scheduled exam.
So even if you failed your aegrotat / special exam, you will get yourself another chance to write courtesy of the university.
Eligibility Criteria for Aegrotat Examinations
To be eligible to write an Aegrotat exam, you would have to meet the following requirements:
- You must submit a medical certificate issued by a Medical Practitioner registered with the South African Medical and Dental Council.
- The certificate must specify:
- The nature of the illness.
- The date the illness started and its duration.
- A statement confirming that your condition made it impossible to attend the exam.
- The date of illness must coincide with, or immediately precede, your exam date.
- Your student number must appear on all documentation.
Failure to submit within the recommended time will result in not being eligible for the exam and as such, would have to re-register for the module in full.
Eligibility Criteria for Special Examinations
Special Examinations may be granted if personal circumstances prevent you from attending your exam.
Valid circumstances may include:
- Death of an immediate family member.
- Serious illness of a family member.
- Unexpected work commitments during the examination period.
Supporting documentation includes the following:
- Death certificates.
- Employer letters confirming work obligations.
- Medical certificates as appropriate.
Application Process (Aegrotat & Special Exams)
To apply for an aegrotat or special exam, you will have to do the following:
- Submit your application online via myUnisa:
- Log into your myUnisa account.
- Navigate to the Examination Timetable tool in the administrative section.
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted within 10 calendar days of your missed exam.
- Supporting documents: Attach full evidence to support your application.
- Examination fee: Include proof of payment of the prescribed examination fee.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
- Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Important to note the following: Unisa does not offer alternative dates if examination times clash. This would essentially mean that If you qualify for both an aegrotat exam and a supplementary exam and their dates/times clash, the supplementary exam is forfeited.
Exam dates cannot be changed at the student’s request since exam dates are usually planned out a long time in advance to avoid such conflicts.
Exams for Students with Special Needs (Disabilities)
Students with special needs who require extra time or other accommodations must apply annually in writing before the following dates in order to qualify.
Here are the current deadline dates for aegrotat/special exams for the 2025 academic year:
- 15 April for May/June exams.
- 31 August for October/November or January/February exams.
Students will have to submit a medical certificate detailing your disability as well as having a medical doctor sign off on the recommended additional time that should be granted. For example, an additional time of 10 minutes per hour of the examination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some recommended frequently asked questions about the aegrotat and special needs exams:
Late applications will not be considered under any circumstance. Students will have to apply within 10 days of when the exam was supposed to be written.
No. You must have qualified for exam admission before being eligible for Aegrotat or Special exams.
No. Exam fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
No. The automatic second opportunity applies to regular exam sittings only.
UNISA will not reschedule clashing exams. The supplementary opportunity will lapse if a clash occurs.
Also Read: UNISA Higher Certificates
Written by Dylan Florence
Published on 19 June 2025