UP Online Courses for 2027: Available Fully Online Programmes

The University of Pretoria (UP) offers fully online qualifications through its official online division, UPOnline, part of UP's Comprehensive Online Education Services. If you want a UP qualification in 2027 without attending the Hatfield campus, these are the verified fully online options, checked against UP's official online pages on 11 October 2026.

EduCoast is an independent education publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by UP. Always confirm details on UP's official pages before applying.

UP fully online qualifications for 2027

UPOnline describes its programmes as part-time and fully online: no travel to classes, with accredited UP qualifications at the end. UP publishes dedicated 2027 programme pages (for example, the PGDip in Public Health 2027 page, presented as two years fully online), which indicates 2027 availability — still, confirm your intake's dates on the official pages below.

1. Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences (undergraduate, NQF level 5)

UP's first fully online undergraduate programme, launched in 2023, for students passionate about sport who want UP-level sports science knowledge without relocating. UP yearbook entries describe its modules as eight weeks fully online. It can also serve as a stepping stone into further study — check articulation options with UP directly.

2. Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (postgraduate, NQF level 8)

A two-year fully online diploma in the Faculty of Health Sciences for health professionals and graduates moving into public health. See the official PGDip in Public Health page and its 2027 presentation for requirements and closing dates.

3. Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management (postgraduate, NQF level 8)

Aimed at existing and aspiring senior managers in the public sector, delivered fully online through the School of Public Management and Administration. See the official PGDip in Public Management page.

4. New engineering and technology postgraduate diplomas

In 2026 UP announced two new fully online postgraduate diplomas — Engineering and Technology Management, and Project Management — with the first module starting in August 2026. These expand UPOnline's suite and may offer 2027 intakes; confirm availability for 2027 on the official UPOnline programmes page.

How online study works at UP

UPOnline programmes are part-time and designed for working adults: online teaching, multiple start dates per year, module registration aligned to what you actually take, and fees quoted per programme on UP's official fees pages. UP states you do not need to travel to classes. Confirm examination and assessment formats per programme, since professional and health-related components can carry specific rules.

Entry requirements, duration and fees

The Higher Certificate requires school-leaving results meeting UP's published criteria; the postgraduate diplomas require relevant prior qualifications (typically a bachelor's degree or equivalent, plus programme-specific rules). UP provides official fee quotations per programme — generate your quotation on the official site rather than relying on third-party fee lists.

How to apply for UPOnline 2027

Apply through the official UPOnline application channels listed at online.up.ac.za, and check each programme's 2027 closing date on its up.ac.za programme page — UP's official listings carry intake-specific closing dates. Do not confuse UPOnline applications with general UP undergraduate applications, which follow different deadlines.

Is a UP online qualification right for you?

UPOnline suits disciplined self-starters who work during the day. The suite is strongest at postgraduate level plus one undergraduate certificate, so match the offering to your goal: a school leaver wanting a bachelor's degree will find only the Higher Certificate route currently, while working professionals have several diplomas to choose from.

Useful EduCoast resources

Compare options in the EduCoast course finder, check 2027 application dates, or calculate your APS for contact-study alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Are UPOnline programmes fully online? Yes — UP describes them as fully online with no travel to classes.

Does UP offer a fully online bachelor's degree? UP's verified fully online undergraduate offering is the Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences; the rest of the current suite is postgraduate.

Will these programmes run in 2027? UP publishes 2027 programme pages with intake closing dates, but always confirm your specific intake on the official page before paying or planning.

How do I pay? UP aligns payment to the modules you register, with official fee quotations per programme.

Next steps checklist

1. Open the official UPOnline programmes page and shortlist your programme. 2. Open its 2027 programme page and note requirements and closing dates. 3. Generate an official fee quotation. 4. Prepare certified documents and apply through official channels only. 5. Arrange reliable internet and a study routine for part-time online learning.

Sources: UPOnline programmes and news pages (online.up.ac.za) and UP programme pages (up.ac.za), checked 11 October 2026.