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Coordinates: 25°46′02″S 28°11′58″E / 25.76722°S 28.19944°E / -25.76722; 28.19944
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|image_name = Unisa.png
|image_name = Unisa.png
|established = 1873
|established = 1873
|type = [[Public university|Public]] [[distance education]] university
|type = [[Public university|Public]] [[distance education]] University
|staff = 4 000
|staff = 4 000
|head_label = Vice-Chancellor & Principal
|head_label = Vice-Chancellor & Principal
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|website = http://www.unisa.ac.za/}}
|website = http://www.unisa.ac.za/}}


The '''University of South Africa''' ('''UNISA''') is a [[distance education]] university, with headquarters in [[Pretoria]], South Africa. With approximately 200,000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's [[mega university|mega universities]].
The '''University of South Africa''' ('''UNISA''') is a big university, with headquarters in [[Pretoria]], South Africa that has a [[distance education]] component. With approximately 200,000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's [[mega university|mega universities]].


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 20:26, 29 July 2010

"UNISA" redirects here. The term may also refer to University of South Australia.
University of South Africa
File:Unisa.png
TypePublic distance education University
Established1873
Vice-Chancellor & PrincipalNB Pityana
Students200 000
Location
Pretoria
,
Gauteng
,
South Africa
Websitehttp://www.unisa.ac.za/

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a big university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa that has a distance education component. With approximately 200,000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.

History

Founded in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, the University of South Africa (or UNISA as it is commonly known, spoken as you-nee-suh) spent most of its early history as an examining agency for Oxford and Cambridge universities and as an incubator from which most other universities in South Africa are descended. In 1946 it was given a new role as a distance education university and today it offers certificate, diploma and degree courses up to doctoral level.

Largely because it was a distance education university, it remained interracial during the years of apartheid in South Africa. In January 2004 UNISA merged with Technikon SA and incorporated the distance education component of Vista University (VUDEC). The combined institution is still known as the University of South Africa (UNISA ). It is now organised by college and by school; see below.

The University

UNISA main campus at night
The front part of the Theo van Wijk Building on the Main Campus of UNISA.
UNISA's Main Campus in Pretoria

Location

Students and staff

The University currently has some 200 000 students in Southern Africa, other African countries and abroad. Unisa now has a staff component of just over 4 000 people who provide tuition and administrative support to students in South Africa and worldwide.

Colleges

Other institutes

Ranking

Further information: League tables of South African universities and League tables of South African business schools

In 2010 Webometrics ranked the university the 8th best in South Africa and 1290th in the world.[1]

Distance education at UNISA

Accreditation

Unisa received a Royal Charter in 1877. It operates under the University of South Africa Act (No. 19 of 1959), and is accredited by the South African Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Its qualifications (including those of the SBL) are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Internationally, Unisa is listed in the Commonwealth Universities Handbook of 1999 and also in the International Handbook of Universities of 1998.

On 12 January 2002 UNISA was granted full institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The accreditation lapsed in March, 2007, and UNISA did not pursue renewal.

Entrance requirements

Students need a school-leaving qualification that would entitle them to enter a university or college in their own country.[2] However, Unisa also offers access courses [3] to those who have completed their schooling but without university matriculation (i.e. to students who have a national certificate (matric) without university entrance). If successful, students can study further for a degree.

Advantages

Market research has shown that Unisa is rated as one of the top universities in South Africa (2001) [1] - Unisa qualifications are sought after in the marketplace.

  • Courses are offered at one-quarter to one-third the price of residential universities;
  • Courses are accessible as students who do not have a university entrance matric can register for UNISA's access programme;
  • Courses are flexible, because students can plan their studies to fit into their lifestyles;
  • The qualifications are credible, because of the international recognition afforded its qualifications.

Culture

The University of South Africa has been promoting and promulgating culture in all its manifestations since its inception in 1873. Apart from the academic courses offered by UNISA's College of Humanities, practical language, art and music skills have been actively pursued through the setting of curricula and the implementation of special courses and examinations.

Unisa Foundation

The Unisa Foundation was established in 1966 and now has approximately 280 active donors, many of them individual alumni with the desire to give back to the communities, South African and international, with a sense of social responsibility. Equally vital is the role played by the Board of Trustees, whose members not only oversee the affairs of the Unisa Foundation but who also lend the weight of their professional and personal reputations in a drive to reach potential donors, without financial reward to themselves.

Based at Unisa's main campus in Muckleneuck, Pretoria, the Foundation has Fundraising and Development Divisions in Gauteng, the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The Fundraising and Development Divisions support the smooth running of projects being undertaken in their regions while raising additional funding for local community projects.

Vice-Chancellors and Principals

Notable alumni (students and faculty)

The Alumni Relations Office deals with all matters that are related to alumni. All Unisa Graduates or Convocants are therefore the alumni of the University. Unisa has established the Alumni Association which is a platform for alumni to actively participate in the activities of the University in order to contribute to its long-term success and sustainability. For more information, visit Unisa Alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ "Top Africa". Ranking Web of World Universities. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  2. ^ "Do I qualify to study through unisa?"
  3. ^ "Unisa Access programme"

The University

International Cooperation

25°46′02″S 28°11′58″E / 25.76722°S 28.19944°E / -25.76722; 28.19944

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