Wits Online Courses for 2027: Fully Online Study Options

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) offers fully online qualifications through its official online division, Wits Online — including a fully online undergraduate health sciences option. If you want a Wits qualification in 2027 without attending campus in Johannesburg, these are the verified fully online options, checked against Wits' official online pages on 11 October 2026.

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

Wits fully online qualifications for 2027

Wits' official online site presents its programmes as 100% online and fully supported, with six start dates per year, pay-per-module pricing and no travel. For the January 2027 intake, Wits asks applicants to apply by 30 November 2026 to start by 11 January 2027.

1. Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration — PDBA (Wits Business School)

Wits states graduates can complete the PDBA fully online, with the same content and support as the contact programme — aimed at graduates accelerating management careers. See the official PDBA course page.

2. Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management — PDPM (Wits School of Governance)

An 18-month online diploma preparing professionals for leadership in the public, development and not-for-profit sectors. It also appears in Wits' official course finder with delivery mode Online. See the official PDPM course page.

3. Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management in Monitoring and Evaluation (Wits School of Governance)

A specialised fully online offering for professionals in monitoring and evaluation, covering indicators, systems design and programme evaluation theory. See the official course page.

4. Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing Systems Science (undergraduate)

A fully online undergraduate pathway in health sciences — notable because fully online bachelor's options are rare among contact universities. It opens an academic pathway in health sciences; check the official online programmes page for admission requirements and whether it leads toward your intended professional registration.

How online study works at Wits

Programmes are occupationally relevant and designed to fit around work, with expert lecturer support. Note Wits' policy that course credits older than four years may not count toward online distance programmes — if you studied before, check credit recognition early. Confirm assessment and examination formats per programme on the official course pages.

Entry requirements, duration and fees

The postgraduate diplomas require relevant prior degrees plus programme-specific rules; the BHSc route has its own undergraduate admission criteria. Wits publishes fees on its official fees pages — confirm totals on the official site, since third-party fee lists go out of date quickly.

How to apply for Wits Online 2027

Apply through the official Wits Online site (online.wits.ac.za) — not the general Wits undergraduate portal, whose 2027 deadlines (including the early 30 June 2026 health-sciences deadline) have closed. For the January 2027 start, apply by 30 November 2026.

Is a Wits online qualification right for you?

Wits Online suits working graduates seeking management, governance or health-sciences credentials. School leavers should note the suite is mostly postgraduate plus one undergraduate health pathway — compare with UPOnline, UJ Online and UNISA if you need a different undergraduate field.

Useful EduCoast resources

Browse the course finder, check 2027 application dates, or calculate your APS.

Frequently asked questions

Are Wits Online programmes fully online? Yes — Wits describes them as 100% online programmes.

When do 2027 Wits Online studies start? The advertised January 2027 start begins 11 January 2027 (apply by 30 November 2026), with further 2027 start dates through the year.

Is there a fully online undergraduate option at Wits? Yes — the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing Systems Science is presented as fully online.

Can I transfer old credits? Wits policy limits recognition of credits older than four years for online distance programmes — confirm with Wits before assuming exemptions.

Next steps checklist

1. Open the official Wits online programmes page and choose your programme. 2. Read admission rules and check credit-recognition limits. 3. Note the 30 November 2026 deadline for January 2027. 4. Prepare qualifications, ID and records. 5. Apply only through official Wits Online channels.

Sources: Wits Online homepage, online programmes and course pages (online.wits.ac.za) and the Wits course finder (wits.ac.za), checked 11 October 2026.