my REGISTRATION Masters & Doctoral Studies Learn without limits.

Transcription

1 my REGISTRATION Masters & Doctoral Studies Registration process Admission requirements Qualifications offered Qualification rules Learn without limits. university of south africa

2 This brochure is for all students with a Unisa student number who wish to register for a formal qualification through Unisa in 2011.

3 A summary of the Unisa s master s doctoral registration process Unisa offers two easy ways to register: 1 In person at Sunnyside Campus, Master s Doctoral counter or submit your registration form documents to a Unisa registration office. Registration offices will not process master s doctoral registrations will only forward the documents to Pretoria 2 Via the post, fax or by submitting your registration form at a branch of the South African Post Office (SAPO) NB: Master s doctoral students cannot register online Registration dates for the 2011 academic year Master s doctoral studies (first-time registration for the research master s doctoral degrees) See exceptions below Registration opens Saturdays (until 11:25) 8 January 2011 Closing Date 19 July March 2011 Re-registrations registrations for structured master s degrees 15 January November March 2011 Master s doctoral students whose registrations are dependent on their January examinations results 17 March 2011 Students applying for degrees (MBL, MBA, DBL) offered by the Graduate School for Business Leadership (GSBL) must submit their applications directly to the GSBL. All enquiries related to these degrees must be directed to Tel: or sbl@unisa.ac.za. Unisa s registration offices are open from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 15:45. The university is not open on public holidays. Unisa offices will close at 12:00 on 24 December 2010 will re-open on 3 January my Unisa

4 Welcome to Unisa Dear Prospective Student I am delighted that you are considering Unisa as your university of choice for Unisa is an internationally accredited open distance learning institution, which means that you, the student, become the focus of all we do. We give you the choice over what, when where you learn, how you learn at what pace you learn. If you have just finished school or have been attending at a contact/ conventional university, you will very likely be used to face-to-face contact with your teachers fellow students. Studying at Unisa, however, works a little differently you will be required to do much of your studying on your own. You will receive most of your study material in the form of study guides tutorial letters, which you will have to work through independently, but you will be able to contact your lecturers tutors if you need to. Approximately students register to study through Unisa each year I sincerely hope that you will become part of the Unisa student body in 2011, so that one day you too can count yourself among the numbers of esteemed Unisa alumni. Kind regards Prof MS Makhanya Pro-Vice-Chancellor University of South Africa September 2010 The infomation contained in this brochure was accurate at the time of publication (22 September 2010). For updates, please go to the Unisa website 3

5 Step-by-step registration process Unisa s registration process consists of six simple steps. The registration process is for all re-registering students successful applicants who have optained a student number wish to register for a formal qualification through Unisa in What happens next? Page 18 How do I register? You can submit your registration form documents at a Unisa registration office or by post or fax. Page 16 4 When where can I register? The University: Postgraduate qualifications will inform you of the outcome of your application for admission, when you can register for which academic year. Page 14 3 Do I know what I am registering for? Check that Unisa offers your qualification of choice the modules you will select. Submit your application for admission. Page 12 2 Where do I start my registration do I qualify? Check that you qualify to study through Unisa for your qualification of choice. Page 8 1 What does it mean to be an ODL student? Read through this section of the brochure to get a better understing of how ODL works, what it means to be an ODL student where you are in Unisa s ODL walk. Page 6 my Unisa

6 CONTENTS 1 What does it mean to be an ODL student? 2 Where do I start my registration do I qualify? 3 Do I know what I am registering for? 4 When where can I register? For registration at Sunnyside Campus students should proceed to the Master s Doctoral counter. Documents submitted at other registration offices will be forwarded to Pretoria for processing. For registrations via post, fax or the South African Post Office, go to page How do I register? 6 What happens next? Frequently asked questions General Information Course Information CONTACT DETAILS Go to page 14 of this brochure for Unisa s registration dates registration centres. Telephone Int: Website Have you checked the following? Qualification of choice: page 35 The master s & doctoral admission process: Page 8 my Unisa Unisa s student fees: page 110 Unisa s exam venues: page 129 Unisa s provisional exam timetable: page 138 I am re-registering for the same qualification. Go to page 12 of this brochure I am starting a new qualification. Work through this brochure carefully to ensure that you underst how Unisa works, that you are ready to study through Unisa that you meet the admission requirements for your qualification of choice. Refer to the frequently asked questions Page 20 Refer to the General Information Page 23 md@unisa.ac.za Fax WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT? you have not submitted previously or any additional documents which may be requested 5

7 1 How does Unisa work? Unisa is an open distance learning (ODL) institution. But what does this mean for you? If you have been attending a contact university, you will most likely be used to face-to-face contact with your teachers fellow students in a classroom setting. Distance learning is very different. As a Unisa student, you will be required to study independently, that is, on your own. You will receive study material in the form of study guides tutorial letters for each of your modules/papers you will be able to contact your lecturers tutors, but for the most part, you will work on your own. This brochure, my Unisa, deals with level 3 of the ODL student walk. Level 1 You will learn more about Unisa about how Unisa works. Unisa is an open distance learning (ODL) university. Through ODL, you have the choice over what, when where you learn, how you learn at what pace you learn. However, you must be sure that you are prepared to study independently that Unisa is the right university for you. Level 2 This is the application level. As a prospective student, you must apply to register at Unisa. You may not register to study through Unisa if you have not submitted an application form received confirmation from Unisa that your application was received. Refer to the master s doctoral admission process. Level 3 This is the registration level. If Unisa approved your application to study in level 2, you will now be able to register for your approved postgraduate qualification by submitting your registration form any outsting supporting documents. You will now be able to register at Sunnyside Campus or by post or fax. All the information you need to register will be provided in this brochure. Work through this brochure carefully to ensure that your registration to study through Unisa in 2011 is processed timeously. Level 4 We will give you the information you need to be a successful Unisa student. This is a very important phase, as it provides you with an orientation to studying through Unisa, is where teaching learning is initiated. You will receive your study material will have to plan your activities, study independently submit assignments to otherwise demonstrate your competencies. At the end of the year or during January/February of the next year, a student registered for a structured master s degree will need to write examinations at a Unisa exam centre. Master s doctoral students have to apply for re-registration annually until they complete their studies. Permission will be granted based on the progress made during the previous academic year. Much of the information about Unisa s services procedures is found in the brochure/dvd entitled my Unisa. Level 5 This is the level for Unisa alumni, that is, Unisa graduates. By this level of the ODL student walk, you will be a Unisa alumnus. The university would like to communicate with all alumni on a regular basis, so we urge you to maintain contact with us. my Unisa

8 Unisa s ODL student walk my Unisa my Unisa You are here now. my Unisa my Unisa 7

9 2 Where do I start my registration do I qualify? Master s doctoral admission process Applications must be submitted to the University. The application of a student who did not obtain his or her previous qualifications from Unisa must be accompanied by: A certified copy of your school qualifications (eg Senior Certificate) A certified copy of your complete academic record(s) (where applicable) A certified copy of your ID document (RSA students) or passport (foreign students) A certified copy of your marriage certificate (where applicable) or divorce decree (where applicable) Original sworn translations of academic records if they are not in English or Afrikaans A copy of your master s dissertation/thesis if are applying for admission to doctoral studies All international (non-native English-speaking) applicants other than those who have been educated in the medium of English language during their two most recent years of study) must satisfy one of the following requirements must submit proof thereof: IELTS: overall score of 6.5 (with at least 6.5 in each of the four components); TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600, with a Test of Written English score of 5.5; TOEFL (computer-based): overall score of 250, with Test of Written English score of 5.5; TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 100; Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A; Cambridge Certificate for Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B; English Language GCSE, IGCSE or O-level: grade B Original degree certificates must not be submitted students who send in an original document does so at his or her own risk. To expedite matters, students may submit the registration form prescribed fees when initially applying, but it must be clearly understood that acceptance of the fees does not imply acceptance of their registration. The University will process the application for admission inform the student of the outcome. The admission process will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Students may contact the Section: Postgraduate Qualifications on (012) if no correspondence has been received from the University after this period has lapsed. my Unisa

10 New Postgraduate Tuition Model The New Postgraduate Tuition Model approved by the University was phased in from January 2010 in the College of Human Sciences (CHS), the College of Agriculture Environmental Sciences (CAES) all master s degrees in the School of Law (CL). All other qualifications offered in the College of Law qualifications offered in the School of Computing in the College of Science Engineering Technology will implement the New Postgraduate Tuition Model from The College of Economic Management Sciences the College of Science Engineering Technology will adapt their qualifications curriculums to be in line with the new model from 19 July 2011 for the 2012 academic year. The model entails that research master s doctoral students must first register for successfully complete a research before they will be allowed to register for the research component. The outcome of the research is an acceptable research proposal. Students registering for a structured master s degree must also first complete the research before registering for the research component, ie short dissertation/dissertation of limited scope. Study material for the research proposal model will only be available on myunisa. Students have a maximum of 1 year to complete the research. Students will be allowed to submit two draft proposals a third final proposal. If the third attempt is not successful the student will not be allowed to continue with studies for the degree. 9

11 Do I qualify to study through Unisa? Unisa is a South African public university, which means that all Unisa students must meet certain statutory admission requirements. Although admission requirements may differ from qualification to qualification, there are certain basic minimum admission requirements that you must meet before you will be allowed to study through Unisa. Masters degree students The minimum admission requirements for a master s degree is usually an honours degree. Please refer to the Course information in this brochure for additional admission requirements for each qualification. The primary purposes of a master s degree are to educate train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, or prepare graduates for advanced specialised professional employment. A master s degree must have a significant research component. A master s degree may be earned in one of two ways: 1 Research: where the curriculum comprises either a single advanced research project, culminating in the production acceptance of a dissertation, OR a research (where the outcome is an acceptable research proposal on a research topic). Once this module is completed, the student may then proceed to register for the research component (ie a dissertation). 2 Coursework: successfully completing a course work programme requiring a high level of theoretical engagement intellectual independence, a research project culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation of limited scope. Please note that not all options are available for all degrees. Please refer to the Course information in this brochure. Masters graduates must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically creatively, make sound judgements using data information at their disposal, communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction originality in tackling solving problems, act autonomously in planning implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, continue to advance their knowledge, understing skills. Doctoral degree students The minimum admission requirement is usually a master s degree in the relevant field. Please see the Course information in this brochure for the additional admission requirements for each qualification. A doctoral degree will require you to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment acceptance of a thesis. Coursework may be required as preparation or value addition to the research, but does not contribute to the credit value of the qualification. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that you will be required to demonstrate high-level research capability make a significant original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline or field. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review merit publication. The degree may be earned through pure disciplinebased or multidisciplinary research or applied research. A graduate must be able to supervise evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned. A doctoral degree may be earned in one of two ways: Where the curriculum comprises either a thesis OR a research (where the outcome is an acceptable research proposal on a research topic) a thesis. Once the research is completed, the student may then proceed to register for the research component (ie a thesis). Source: Republic of South Africa Government Notice No The Higher Education Qualifications Framework from Qualifications_Framework_Oct2007.pdf. my Unisa

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13 3 Do I know what I am registering for? Unisa is an open distance learning (ODL) university, which means that you can study at home or even pursue your career while studying. Through ODL, we give you the choice over what, when where you learn, how you learn at what pace you learn. You must, however, be sure that you are prepared to study independently at a distance. This is why it is so important for you to find out before you register if Unisa is the right university for you. Does Unisa offer my qualification of choice? Go to page 35 of this brochure to make sure that Unisa offers your qualification of choice. Refer to the Unisa website for information on the modules related to your qualification of choice. Please ensure that you meet the admission requirements for your qualification of choice before completing submitting your registration form. Are you aware of Unisa s rules? Read Unisa s brochure entitled my Unisa for the rules for students studying through the university. Have you made arrangements to finance your studies pay for your prescribed books? You will have to pay a minimum fee before you will be allowed to register to study through Unisa in 2011 all outsting amounts must be paid by the prescribed due dates. Go to page 110 of this brochure for the prescribed student fees for Note that students registering for the research or the research component must pay their studies in full before their registrations can be finalised for the relevant academic year. Please remember that in addition to your prescribed student fees, you will also have to buy your prescribed books for each module (where applicable). Students often calculate budget for their study fees, but forget that they have to buy prescribed books, which may add substantially to the cost of your studies. If you are unsure about what your prescribed books might cost you, we suggest that you contact Unisa before you register (012) ; vospresc@unisa.acv.za) to request an advance list of your prescribed books. Unisa s official booksellers can be contacted for quotations. For a list of Unisa s official booksellers go to page 136. Is there an examination venue near you? Have you checked that there is a Unisa exam venue close to where you live? Go to page 129 of this brochure make sure that you will not have to travel long distances to get to an exam venue. Travelling long distances to an exam venue can be both deming on you expensive. Students registered for the research or the research component do not write examinations, but must indicate a venue close to where they live for administrative purposes. Have you checked Unisa s provisional exam timetable for 2011? Unisa publishes a provisional examination timetable for each academic year. Go to page 138 of this brochure use this provisional examination timetable for 2011 to check that there are no clashes for your courses. Please note that this is a provisional examination timetable may change at the university s discretion. my Unisa

14 So are you ready to register to study through Unisa in 2011? If you are still unsure or require further career assistance, please contact Unisa s Directorate for Counselling, Career & Academic Development as follows: website counselling@unisa.ac.za GAUTENG Pretoria (Sunnyside) Es kia Mphahlele Registration Hall, floor 1, Block A, corner of Mears & Walker streets Johannesburg (Newtown) JSE Annexe Building, 1 Kerk Street, Newtown Florida Corner of Christiaan de Wet Road & Pioneer Avenue Ekurhuleni (Benoni) ext 212/213 Corner R51 Brazil Street, Daveyton NORTH-EASTERN Polokwane A Ldros Maré Street Middelburg Town Square Building, corner of Church & Bhimy Damane streets Nelspruit Brown Street KWAZULU-NATAL Durban Stalwart Simelane Street (previously Stanger Street) Pietermaritzburg Langalibalele Street (previously Longmarket Street) CAPE COASTAL Parow Jean Simonis Street East London St Lukes Road, Southernwood Mthatha /3 Corner of York Road & Victoria Street MIDLANDS Rustenburg Cluster (Rustenburg, Potchefstroom & Mafikeng) Bloemfontein Cluster (Bloemfontein, Kroonstad & Kimberley) / 8873/ / 0466 Forum Building, 1st floor, corner of Oliver Tambo & Steen streets NRE Building, 2nd floor, 161 Zastron Street, Westdene ETHIOPIA Addis Ababa (+251) Akaki Regional Learning Centre, Addis Ababa 13

15 4 When where can I register? The following table contains the registration dates for the 2011 academic year. If you would like to study through Unisa in 2011, please ensure that your registration form, supporting documentation minimum fee reaches the university before the closing date for registration. Students must please take note that certain degrees are by selection have earlier closing dates than the normal registration closing dates. Registration dates for the 2011 academic year Master s doctoral studies (first-time registration for the research master s doctoral degrees) See exceptions below Registration opens Saturdays (until 11:25) 8 January 2011 Closing Date 19 July March 2011 Re-registrations registrations for structured master s degrees 15 January November March 2011 Master s doctoral students whose registrations are dependent on their January examinations results 17 March 2011 Students applying for degrees (MBL, MBA, DBL) offered by the Graduate School for Business Leadership (GSBL) must submit their applications directly to the GSBL. All enquiries related to these degrees must be directed to Tel: or sbl@unisa.ac.za. Unisa s registration offices are open from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 15:45. The university is not open on public holidays. Unisa offices will close at 12:00 on 24 December 2010 will re-open on 3 January Students who register for a master s degree, the curriculum of which includes undergraduate semester modules or other year modules, must register for such module(s) before the closing date included in the relevant my Unisa brochure. Please note that if a student applies for registration before the closing date, but his or her registration cannot be finalised due to the admission process which can take up to 6-8 weeks, it will be to the students advantage to postpone the acceptance of his or her registration to 19 July 2011 for the 2012 acedemic year. The University will inform the student for which academic year he or she will be registered. Exceptions A student who wishes to register for the first time for the MSc degree in Chemistry, the MTh degree, or the MA degree in Biblical Studies or Religious Studies may also register as from 19 July for the following academic year. my Unisa

16 CAMPUS Gauteng Advisory services Self-help registration Submit registration forms for postal registration Credit/ debit card payments Sunnyside Corner of Mears Walker streets, Sunnyside Florida Corner of Christiaan de Wet Road & Pioneer Avenue, Florida, 1709 JSE JSE Annexe Building, 1 Kerk Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001 Ekurhuleni Corner R51 Brazil Street, Daveyton Vaal Triangle Sedibeng College for FET, 6 Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, Verbijlpark, 1600 (From 1 November 2010) The Hanger Building, 1 ST Floor, Voortrekker Road Vereeniging Cape Coastal Parow 15 Jean Simonis Street, Parow, 7500 George 129 Mitchell Street, George, 6530 Port Elizabeth East London Greyville House, corner of Cape, Greyville & Ring roads, Green Acres, Port Elizabeth 10 St Lukes Road, Southernwood, East London, 5201 Mthatha Corner of York Road & Victoria Street KwaZulu-Natal Durban 230 Stalwart Simelane Street (previously Stanger Street), Durban, 4001 Pietermaritzburg 1 Langalibalele Street (previously Longmarket Street), Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Newcastle Corner of Sutherl & Harding streets, Newcastle, 2940 Richards Bay Unit 5,111 Dollar Drive, Richards Bay, 3900 Wild Coast Midls Rustenburg Wild Coast Main Road, Mzamba Beach, Bizana, 4800 Forum Building, 1st floor, Corner of Steen Street & Oliver Tambo Road, Rustenburg, 0300 Bloemfontein NRE Building, 2nd floor, 161 Zastron Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301 Mafikeng 29 Main Street, Corner of Warren Main streets, Mafikeng, 2745 Potchefstroom 20 Auret Street, Potchesfstroom, 2531 Kimberley NIHE Building, Chapel Street, Kimberley, 8300 Kroonstad NFS Building, 36 Br Street,1st floor, Kroonstad, 9499 North Eastern Polokwane 29A Ldros Maré Street, Polokwane, 0700 Nelspruit 31 Brown Street, Nelspruit, 1200 Middelburg Town Square Building, corner of Walter Sisulu Bhimy Damane streets, Middleburg, 1055 Makhado 87 Krogh Street, Stard Bank building, Office 2, Makhado, 0920 Giyani Ethiopia First floor, room 11, Absa building, Masingita Complex, Giyani Road, Giyani, 0826 Addis Ababa Akaki Regional Learning Centre, Addis Ababa 15

17 5 How do I register? Unisa offers two easy ways to register: 1 In person at Sunnyside Campus, Master s Doctoral counter or submit your registration form documents to a Unisa registration office. These registration offices will not process master s doctoral registrations will only forward the documents to Pretoria 2 Via the post, fax or by submitting your registration form at a branch of the South African Post Office (SAPO) NB: Master s doctoral students cannot register online Via the post, fax or by submitting your registration form at a branch of the South African Post Office (SAPO) 1 Post your completed registration form to Unisa PO Box 392 Unisa 0003 Please do not include any cash or cheques in the envelope with your registration form. 2 Fax your completed registration form to Choose your mode of delivery of study material Upon Registration, you must select the mode of delivery for your study material that suites you best. Your study material can either be posted to you through the South African Post Office Saf service, or couriered to you when you register at no additional cost for either option. Should you select the courier option, you must provide Unisa with your cellphone number a physical address to which your study material package may be delivered between 8:00 16:00. Should you select the South African Post Office Saf option (for which there is also no cost), you will be required to collect the parcel from the post office. Please ensure that your address, suburb postal code details are correct to avoid any delays. The post office will send you an SMS letter notification to advise you when the parcel is ready for collection together with the track trace number that must be presented at the post office for collection. You must collect the package within 30 days at the post office with your identity document, if not, it will be returned to Unisa. The above modes of delivery apply to the first package of study material only. Subsequent information, such as tutorial letters, which you will receive during the course of the year, will be sent to you via the South African Post Office ordinary mail service, even if your initial selection upon Registration was courier. Once you are a registered Unisa student, you may also obtain your study material on CD, free of charge, at certain of Unisa s offices. You may also register on myunisa, Unisa s student portal, to access your study material online. Master s Doctoral students registered under the new Postgraduate tuition model Some Departments have adopted an online tuition approach to master s doctoral studies. In such instances you will be required to register on myunisa to access your study material online. my Unisa

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19 6 What happens next? If you submitted your registration form minimum registration fee by the closing date, Unisa will process your registration after approval has been granted send you your study material by post or courier depending on the choice you indicated on your registration form. Students on the new Postgraduate Tuition Model will not receive study material, but must register on myunisa for access to their study material. If no information is available on myunisa you must contact the relevant academic department directly. The University will inform you of your contact person/supervisor in the academic department concerned. You are advised to make contact with this person as soon as you have accessed your study material via myunisa. The next information brochure you will receive from Unisa will be the my Unisa. This brochure will provide you with an orientation for studying through Unisa will help you to plan your studies. my Unisa

20 Unisa s ODL student walk my Unisa my Unisa my Unisa You start here. my Unisa 19

21 Frequently asked questions How will Unisa communicate with me? Unisa provides all registered students with a free account known as mylife. Unisa will only use this address to communicate with you via . If you would prefer to use another address, please forward your mylife s to that address so that Unisa can keep in touch with you (eg send you confirmation of your registration). Unisa will also send you SMSs when necessary will use the cellphone number you provided at the point of registration. If you do not want to receive SMSs from Unisa, please contact the Unisa Contact Centre to cancel this service. What should I do if I need an academic record or credit certificate? Send an to study-info@unisa.ac.za to request a copy of your academic record or credit certificate. Remember to include your student number in the subject line of all s. How long do I have to complete my qualification? Students registering at Unisa for the first time in 2011 or for the first time for a new qualification should take note of the following rules: Approved qualification duration Students must complete the qualification within a maximum period of: Structured/coursework master s 3 years Research master s 4 years a student may apply for (1) additional year Doctoral degree 5 years a student may apply for (1) additional year NB: Please note that you have to register for a minimum of two academic years before submitting the thesis for examination. Can I transfer from another university to Unisa? Unisa accepts students from other Universities, except if the student was excluded / suspended from a prior Higher Education Institution (HEI) on grounds of misconduct. The student must provide Unisa with a declaration from the previous University that they did not submit their master s/doctoral dissertation/thesis for examination at that University. The application is still subject to the admission process as set out in this brochure. Can I register with Unisa another university simultaneously? Unisa will accept you on condition that the study unit(s) registered at Unisa is registered for non-degree purposes, that you have written permission from the other university allowing such concurrent registration. You will be required to submit the written permission from the other university with your application. May I register for study units for non-degree purposes (NDP) concurrently with the master s or doctoral degree? Students may register for two undergraduate modules or for one honours or master s paper or the corresponding number of modules on the same level for NDP. However, students must comply with the minimum admission requirements for the NDP papers/modules the application for NDP must reach Unisa at least 3 weeks before the closing date for registration for the NDP paper/module. my Unisa

22 May I be exempted from study units? Students may not be granted exemption from study units obtained on grounds of a completed qualification. Exemptions will only be considered for study units of incomplete qualifications on master s level. No exemptions are considered for doctoral degrees. May I defer my studies to the next academic year? Students who wish to defer their studies must apply in writing by submitting a motivation before the relevant closing date for reregistration. Deferments are only granted a year at a time a maximum of two years during the course of study for a particular qualification. Please note that no deferments can be considered after a student s registration has been finalised for the specific academic year in such cases the students request will be treated as a request for cancellation. Are there supplementary/aegrotat examinations for papers/modules on master s level? Supplementary/aegrotat examinations are limited to students registered for the MBA MBL degrees. Do I have to renew may registration annually for a master s or doctoral degree? Yes, students have to renew their registration annually must for each academic year submit a duly completed registration form pay the prescribed fee for the academic year. I am registered for the research. What do I have to do now? Students must, on receipt of confirmation of registration, register on myunisa to access their tutorial letter on myunisa which will assist the student on how to write a proposal. A contact person s name contact details will be provided to the student soon after registration. Are there any bursaries available for master s doctoral students does foreign students also qualify to apply? There are bursaries available from the Directorate Student Funding for national international (foreign) research master s doctoral degree studies. Please consult them for more information on their criteria application forms. See the section on page 115 on Financial aid. 21

23 May I register for two or more formal qualifications at Unisa simultaneously? You may not register for two formal qualifications at Unisa concurrently. Does Unisa assist students with disabilities? Unisa s Advocacy Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) will assist support students with disabilities. If you require assistance, please indicate the nature of your disability on your registration form contact ARCSWiD as soon as possible. This will enable ARCSWiD to plan the measures necessary to support your needs. Should you need further further information about ARCSWID, please contact: Mr Pintias Nkuna ( , nkunapj@unisa.ac.za) Dr Siva Moodley ( , moodls@unisa.ac.za) Mr Deenadayalan Moodley ( , moodld@unisa.ac.za) What should I do to...? You may make any of the changes below by logging on to Unisa s student portal, myunisa ( my.unisa.ac.za), following the registration prompts. If you would prefer the university to assist you, please submit your request in writing (using the prescribed forms) either by post (The Registrar, PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003) or by fax ( ). Add study units You must apply in writing using the prescribed form or online to add study units. You must also pay the necessary fee to the university by the relevant closing date for registration. Cancel study units You may cancel a master s paper or module (excluding the research ). You will, however, forfeit the applicable portion of the fees paid (this is related to the date of cancellation). Research master s doctoral may not cancel their studies after acceptance thereof. Change my address /or telephone number You must submit all requests to change telephone numbers /or postal, physical or courier addresses in writing using the prescribed form or online. Change my exam centre Requests to change examination centres must be done at least one month prior to the commencement of the respective examination period. Apply for study unit credit exemptions You cannot be exempted from more than 50% of the modules for the qualification for which you are registered. You must also have met the requisite admission requirement at the time of having passed the study units at your previous institution. No exemptions will be granted towards completed qualifications. What is recognition of prior learning (RPL)? Unisa s RPL programme allows you to gain recognition credit for skills learning acquired through means other than through formal learning programmes. Your skill knowledge will be evaluated; if it is found to be relevant, you may be granted appropriate credits. RPL may thus make it possible for you to either gain access to or earn credits towards a Unisa qualification based on prior non-formal learning, thereby reducing your study time. If you are interested in RPL, please send an to rpl@unisa.ac.za. my Unisa

24 General information on master s doctoral studies General (i) There are separate departmental brochures available for most of the master s doctoral degrees, as well as the official my Unisa brochures. These publications must be read in conjunction with this brochure the official Master s Doctoral Teaching/Tuition Policy Procedures on the Unisa website. (ii) This brochure should be kept at h for constant consultation during your studies. (iii) We usually speak of a master s dissertation a supervisor, but of a doctoral thesis a supervisor. For the sake of convenience, the term thesis is mainly used in this part of the brochure; while the terms dissertation/dissertation of limited scope/short dissertation are used only in a few instances for the sake of clarity. Students should acquaint themselves with the Rules which appear in my Unisa in the departmental brochures for the degrees mentioned above; but it is hoped that the following comments will help students to underst the application of the more important rules. It should be clearly understood, however, that possession of the prescribed qualifications does not automatically qualify a student to register for a higher degree. A student may be required to comply with additional requirements, e.g. in the form of additional studies, an assignment or an oral or written examination, before being allowed to register. Registration Phase Once a student number has been allocated to an individual, this student number will remain his/her student number at Unisa for all formal qualifications Students applying for degrees (MBL, MBA, DBL) offered by the Graduate School for Business Leadership (GSBL) must submit their applications directly to the GSBL. All enquiries related to these degrees must be directed to Tel: or sbl@unisa.ac.za. The registration form together with the minimum instalment required for registration must be submitted before the relevant closing date. Students must please take note that certain degrees are by selection have earlier closing dates than the normal registration closing dates. Any documents required for registration submitted must be included here, if not previously submitted. If approved, students who have submitted their complete application (i.e. all required documents minimum fees) will be registered after admission has been approved. Other students will be informed of the outcome of the application of any remaining conditions to be complied with in order to finalise their registration (e.g. fees to be paid, supplementary academic requirements to be met, etc.). Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of the outcome, where applicable, the minimum study fees paid will be refunded. The process outlined above may be time consuming in some cases, especially when we approach the various closing dates when most applications are invariably submitted. It is, therefore, essential that prospective students apply well in advance, especially where deadlines set by employers sponsors have to be met. 23

25 Additional information on the admission procedure Since the chair of the department may dem a student s entire academic record, it would be wise to submit statements in respect of all the student s preceding degrees as well. The student may request his/her university to forward the statement directly to Unisa (quoting the Unisa student number), in which event the Registrar of this University must be notified immediately that such a request has been made. Students are expected to make suggestions of their own regarding the specific subject or field in which they would like to do research. The department will assist them in arriving at a decision, but the initial exploration of possible subjects is the responsibility of each student. When a decision has been reached, the title /or examination topics must be submitted to the University. NB: Unless otherwise decided by Senate, students who wish that their thesis or part(s) of their thesis be treated as confidential/secret, must submit a fully substantiated application, supported by the institution concerned, when the title of the projected thesis is initially submitted for approval. If it is approved that a thesis be kept confidential/ secret, the procedure to be followed will be determined by Senate. When the title is approved, the University also nominates a supervisor under whose guidance the student will work. It is desirable that, if at all possible, a student should meet his/her supervisor as soon as possible. If the meeting takes place in Pretoria, students are advised to establish contact with the relevant Subject Reference Librarian at the same time. If the meeting is conducted via , students may ask for the name address of their Subject Reference Librarian should contact them as soon as possible. Compulsory annual renewal of registration deferment For the duration of their studies, students must register each year by the stipulated date. Re-registration is annually subject to the recommendation of the department may be refused in any year on the grounds of unsatisfactory progress. Students who wish to defer their studies at any stage must, before the closing date for re-registration, submit a substantiated application beforeh. Such deferment will, if granted, be for a period of one year only, after which a further application must be submitted. Deferment will, at most, be granted twice. If a student does not register for a particular year (years) did not obtain prior permission to defer his/her studies, the approved title of his/ her projected thesis will not necessarily be reserved for him/her. my Unisa

26 Cancellation of studies Students who are registered for a master s or a doctor s degree (certain degrees excluded) may not cancel their registration for the year concerned or reduce the number of papers or modules (if applicable) for which they have registered. Once students registrations have been accepted, they therefore remain liable for payment of the full fees for the year concerned even if they cancel their examination entry for one or more of their papers or modules (if applicable). In the case of students who are registered for the structured master s degrees (for which fees are charged per module/ paper), normal rules regarding the cancellation or reduction of study units apply - subject to the rules applicable to the specific degree. NB: registrations for the reseach, short dissertation, dissertation of limited scope, dissertation or thesis may not be cancelled. Concurrent registration for postgraduate studies a paper/module(s) for non-degree purposes Students who are registered for a master s degree, may also register in the same academic year for two undergraduate modules or for one honours paper or the corresponding number of modules on the same level for non-degree purposes (NDP) Students who are registered for a doctor s degree may also register in the same academic year for two undergraduate modules or for one honours paper or one master s paper or the corresponding number of modules on the same level for non-degree purposes (NDP) Note that students may only register for an honours or a master s paper/module(s) if they comply with the prescribed admission requirements for the honours or master s degree concerned. NB: An application for concurrent registration must reach the University at least three weeks before the closing date for registration for the NDP paper/module(s). The thesis Once a student s registration has been accepted, he/she must address all correspondence in connection with the thesis itself to his/her supervisor. The University will not accept a thesis that has previously been submitted for a degree at another university. A student may, however, include material from any existing publications in the thesis, provided that it is clearly indicated as such. The general arrangement is that a student submits completed work to the supervisor, usually chapter by chapter, for perusal comment. The thesis must be printed in the A4 or A5 format, on good quality paper which does not permit undue show-through, using at least one a half spacing (except footnotes quotations which may be in single spacing) leaving a left margin of at least 2 centimetres. The thesis must, in the opinion of the University, be neat legible. If there is uncertainty about the printing quality or the suitability thereof, students would be well advised to submit to the Registrar a print-out of approximately two pages, to ensure that it meets the desired stards of legibility. A summary of not more than 350 words (150 words in the case of a master s dissertation) in the language in which the thesis is written forms an integral part of the thesis must be included in the front of each copy of the thesis before the copies are bound. It must also be incorporated in the electronic copy. If the thesis is not in English, each copy of the thesis must also contain a copy of the summary in English, which must be bound in the front of the bound copies. In order to assist the Library with the retrieval of information, students must give approximately ten key terms which describe the topic of the thesis at the end of the summary of the thesis. If the thesis is not written in English, the key terms in English must be given at the end of the English summary. 25

27 Title of thesis A diagnostic model for the prediction of mathematics achievement for the university students The following is an example of key terms used for a thesis: Key terms: Mathematics achievement; Academic performance; Psychometric measuring instruments; Diagnostic tests; Firstyear university students; Cognitive factors; Intelligence; Aptitude; Previous performance; Study methods; Attitudes; Interest; Anxiety; Personality; Adjustment. The title page of a master s dissertation or doctoral thesis must bear the following inscription: (Please note that if the title of the thesis is in a language other than English, an English translation must appear directly below the title) (i) (full title of the thesis)..... (ii) by (full name of the cidate)..... (iii) (1) submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of.. (2) in the subject (iii)(2) is not applicable in the case of the degrees MCompt, MMus, MInf, MVA, LLM, MPH, MCompt, MA in Clinical Psychology, MA(SS) (Mental Health), MPA, MA (International Communication), MVA, MMus, MA with specialisation in Sociolinguistics, MA with specialisation in Applied Linguistics, MA with specialisation in TESOL, MEd with specialisation in Guidance Counselling, MEd with specialisation in Adult Education, MEd with specialisation in Comparative International Education, MEd with specialisation in Curriculum Studies, MEd with specialisation in Early Childhood Education, MEd with specialisation in Educational Psychology, MEd with specialisation in History of Education, MEd with specialisation in Open Distance Learning, MEd with specialisation in Philosophy of Education, MEd with specialisation in Socio-education, MEd with specialisation in Inclusive Education, MEd with specialisation in Environmental Education, MEd with specialisation in Natural Science Education, MEd with specialisation in Mathematics Education, DCompt, DPA, DMus, LLD DBL. In the case of a Masters or a Doctor s degree in Classics (not Latin or Greek), department must be inserted in the place of subject.) it shall read: in the Department of (3) at the University of South Africa (iv) (1) Supervisor (2) Co-supervisor (if applicable)..... (v) Date submitted my Unisa

28 Examination copies for examination When the thesis nears completion, the cidate must advise the Registrar of his/her intention to submit it for examination. This must be done before 30 September for the graduation ceremony in April/May, but preferably three months before the cidate intends submitting the thesis. For the September graduation ceremony the date is 15 April. A form for this purpose appears on page 199 of this brochure. Cidates who wish to receive their degrees at the April/May graduation ceremony must submit their theses by 30 November of the preceding year; cidates who wish to receive their degrees at the spring graduation ceremony must submit their theses by 15 June. If submission takes place after 15 June, a student will only graduate in April/May of the following year. If submission takes place after 30 November, graduation will only take place in September of the following year. If submission takes place after 1 March, a student will graduate in September will have to re-register pay the full tuition fees. Except with the special permission of Senate, no thesis may be hed in unless it is accompanied by a written declaration from the supervisor in which permission is granted for the examination of the thesis. Such a declaration does not imply that the supervisor considers the thesis acceptable. For examination purposes, a cidate must submit three copies of the thesis, bound between soft covers with a glued spine, to the Registrar; provided that the University reserves the right to dem that more than three copies be submitted. The title of the thesis the name of the cidate must appear on the cover as well as on the spine of each examination copy. Cidates are also referred to the item: Additional copies. 27