Frequently Asked Questions

National Senior Certificate (NSC) with bachelor’s pass or equivalent; Matriculation Certificate (with university exemption) or equivalent; Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate or Diploma in a cognate field.

NBT: National Benchmark Tests measure your academic readiness for university. Visit nbt.ac.za

Complete an online application form or download a manual form and email to applications@cornerstone.ac.za.

Documents to attach

• Copy of ID/Passport
• School Leaving Certificate
• R150 application fee
• NBT results

NSC with bachelor’s pass or equivalent; Matriculation Certificate (with university exemption) or equivalent; Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate or Diploma in a cognate field. NBT results required. Minimum 50% in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy.

BCom Bridging (Distance) is also available. See the 2027 curriculum grids for details.

Complete an online application form or download a manual form and email to applications@cornerstone.ac.za.

Documents to attach

• Copy of ID/Passport
• School Leaving Certificate
• R150 application fee
• NBT results

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree or PG Diploma from a DHET registered institution. Psychology 3 passed with minimum 65%.

How to apply

Complete an online or manual form and email to applications@cornerstone.ac.za.

Documents to attach

• Copy of ID/Passport
• R150 application fee
• School Leaving Certificate
• Official Academic Record or Certificate of Conduct
• 1 000-word Personal Statement Essay

Requirements: Three-year BA (or equivalent) with social science major, minimum 60% average in third-year key modules.

How to apply

Complete an online or manual form and email to applications@cornerstone.ac.za.

Documents to attach

• Copy of ID/Passport
• Proof of Application Fee Payment
• School Leaving Certificate
• R150 application fee
• 1 000-word Personal Statement Essay

See the 2027 curriculum grids for modules.

See the 2027 curriculum grids for modules.

See the 2027 curriculum grids for modules.

See the 2027 curriculum grids for modules.

First-time students

1. Go to unisis.cornerstone.ac.za/login
2. Set your password and keep it safe.
3. Complete the form.
4. You will be guided to log into Moodle LMS.
5. Complete application & registration by following the prompts on Moodle LMS.
6. Select your modules and follow the prompts for payment.
7. Save & submit.

Returning students

1. Go to unisis.cornerstone.ac.za/login/
2. Log into your profile.
3. Select your modules and follow the prompts for payment.
4. Save & submit.

Support: helpdesk@cornerstone.ac.za

Registration process: Complete the registration form, select your modules, and pay the R5 180 initial payment.

Stopped studies? Email admissions@cornerstone.ac.za.

Proof of registration: Request once you have paid the R5 180 initial payment and completed a registration form.

Do you register every semester? January intake registers once a year. July intake registers in July and January.

Other costs

• RPL — 25% of module cost
• CAT — R350 per application
• Reprint of transcripts — R180 per document
• Reprint of certificates — R600 per document
• Courier (within SA) — R165
• Continuation fee — UG R2 300 p.a. · PG R8 200 p.a.
• Remark — R600 · Re-evaluation — R600
• Dean’s assessment — R950

Payment plan

Initial R5 180 applied to admin fee and balance to tuition. January intake: balance divided into a 10-month plan (Feb–Nov); R3 500 annual plan fee deducted if settled by end of Feb. July intake: balance divided into a 5-month plan (Jul–Nov); R1 750 deducted if settled by end of July.

Refunds

R5 180 is non-refundable. Admin fees are non-refundable. Non-compliance with the withdrawal procedure will result in no refunds.

Non-payment

Financial suspension after 30 days outstanding; results/qualifications withheld; second semester modules cancelled if first semester fees are not settled; registration for the following year is not permitted unless the account is settled in full.

Students with qualifications obtained outside South Africa must provide a SAQA evaluation certificate.

For more information, contact admissions or visit the international students page.

Cornerstone Institute is registered as a private higher education institute with DHET. All formal qualifications are accredited by CHE. Extended Learning Programmes generally do not lead to qualifications on the HEQSF; learning can be used for credit exemption and RPL.

Key information

• Who offers: Experts in their field — Cornerstone staff or contracted.
• Certificates: Attendance/participation certificates issued for participation; competence certificates after formal summative assessments.
• Requirements: No formal qualifications required, but check the eligibility section on each course page.
• Enrolment deadline: While places are available, until just before the second class of a 10-week course. Courses fill up early.
• Multiple courses: Yes, you can enrol on more than one short course in the same term.
• Assessment: Some courses have between-session work and tutor feedback; some conclude with presentations.
• Cancellation & refund: More than 3 weeks before start — 10% penalty. Within 3 weeks — 50% refund. Thereafter no refund.
• Course cancellation by Cornerstone: Full refund if cancelled due to insufficient numbers.
• International students: Distance mode courses can be taken remotely. For contact courses under 90 days, a visitor’s visa is required; proof of payment on or before registration.

Module name changes

• PGCE FP & IP: “Didactics” → “Teaching” (Afrikaans FAL, English FAL, English HL, isiXhosa FAL, isiZulu HL, Life Skills, Mathematics).
• Other PGCE: Science and Technology Didactics → Science and Technology Teaching; Social Science Didactics → Social Science Teaching.
• Alternative Education: Research Methodology → Educational Research Methodology.

Module replacement

• BTh & HCCM: Navigating Change and Conflict → Navigating Change in a Transforming World.

Module restructuring (BAH Com Dev)

• Sociology Research Project A → Community-Based Fieldwork.
• Sociology Research Project B → Sociology Research Project.

Module consolidation (BAH Psychology)

• Psychology Research Project A + B → Psychology Research Project (single year module).

Modules no longer offered

• Navigating Change and Conflict
• Worldviews of the South

New module

• Theology Research Methodology (BA).

Qualification name correction

• Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership (not “majoring in”).