How Unisa Works
Unisa is run on the distance learning model. You apply, get admitted, you register as a student, get your study materials posted to you, then you write assignments and exams. You study in your own convenient time.
- How does Unisa Educational system works?
- Hours
- Course weight
- Percentages
- Can assignments be done online?
Yes they can be done online, but first you have to be a registered student for the academic period and also be a registered user on myUnisa (https://my.unisa.ac.za). After you have been registered as a user on students online you have to login using your student number and password to be able to submit your assignments online. - What are the advantages of studying at Unisa?
- You can study at your own pace, moving quickly through the parts you find easy, and taking your time with the difficult sections.
- Your lecturers provide help and guidance through tutorial letters. It is your responsibility to contact them should you run into difficulties.
- You can work and earn a living while studying. You can therefore work when it suits you, either late at night or early in the morning.
- Unisa is less expensive – the study fees are nearly 60 percent less that those of residential universities. You save time and money not having to attend classes. By studying at home, you cut down on transport and accommodation costs as well.
- You can choose to join or form a study group to help you with your studies. Alternatively, you can attend tutorials at a learning centre.
- Unisa degrees are recognised internationally
The three core business areas of Unisa are teaching, research and community engagement. Our world-class research is spearheaded by the Research and Innovation portfolio and community engagement by our Community Engagement and Outreach Policy.
Open Distance Learning (ODL) is a different way of learning
ODL is a different way of learning… there is a physical distance between you and your university. For most of us, this means that our previous learning experiences will not have prepared us for the Unisa study journey. In distance learning, YOU are responsible for your studies. You don’t attend daily lectures. You learn from a distance and you connect to the university mostly via the internet.
But this doesn’t mean that you are on your own. Unisa has a number of support services for our students – from tutorial support and counselling, to online tools. The “distance” in distance learning means that most of your interactions with Unisa will take place at a distance – mostly in digital format.
Your study material
Your study material will consist of written content, whether on paper or online, instead of listening to a teacher or lecturer in a classroom. In some instances, Unisa provides access to computers and the internet at our regional offices and other partner organisations, but we suggest that you have your own computer and access to the internet if at all possible – it will just make your studies so much easier.
Your study world
The best way to cope with distance learning is to take full responsibility for your own learning experience and environment. Your study world will be the environment you create – a room at home, a desk somewhere at work and, of course, the connections you make and the virtual networks you develop.
Your time
You will also need to remind your friends, family and work colleagues that your studies demand a lot from you, because they will probably forget that you are studying and make demands on your time.
What is it like to be an ODL student?
Student services & support
As an open distance learning university, there is not much face-to-face contact between Unisa and our students. Nonetheless, our students come first and we provide many services to support you during your Unisa journey, such as our libraries, counselling services, regional centres and various student bodies.
Unisa provides you with a number of support services that will help you on your journey:
| myUnisa | Unisa’s online student portal is the university’s most important study tool. It is how you will communicate with Unisa and how Unisa will communicate with you. |
|---|---|
| myLife e-mail account | Registered Unisa students all get a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices and updates are sent exclusively to this account. |
| Social media | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are great channels through which to share ideas, find other students, ask questions and generally stay informed. |
| Unisa Radio | Internet-based Unisa Radio is a vibrant and informative platform of information and topics focused on our Unisa students. Its programming consists of music, informative interviews and talk shows. |
| E-tutors | Unisa has introduced e-tutoring in all undergraduate learning programmes, thus integrating support that is potentially accessible to each student, irrespective of their geographic location. A group of about 200 students is linked to one e-tutor. Students in a group are able to interact and learn from one another. |
| Regional centres | Unisa’s distance education character is also reflected in the regional structure, which includes seven regions, namely Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Midlands, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. Together, these comprise 28 hubs, service centres and agencies that serve many thousands of students. At most of the regional offices we have learning centres where distance learners can go to in order to get various forms of support for their studies. This includes face-to-face tutorials and access to computers. |
| Telecentres | Through the telecentre initiative, Unisa students have access to 1 450 computers with internet access in rural areas throughout South Africa. Telecentres are private facilities equipped with computers connected to the internet, printers, photocopiers, scanners, faxes, telephones, and so on. Administrators are also on hand to assist students. |
| The Dean of Students and Student Affairs | The Dean of Students promotes students’ psychosocial needs and develops globally networked student leadership. |
| Student counselling | Unisa’s counselling services provide career, academic and personal support to students. Support is available online and by e-mail, in person, by telephone and by letter. |
| Library | The library is one of the university’s indispensable resources. Knowing how to use it (and using it extensively) is central to the successful Unisa student experience. The Unisa library is the largest academic library in Africa, containing more than 2.7 million items, including books, reference resources, e-books, e-newspapers and e-journals. |
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.