my Studies @ Unisa - University of South Africa

my STUDIES
Undergraduate
& Honours
Learn without limits.
university
of south africa

This brochure is for Unisa students. It is your road map
to help you navigate your way through the Unisa system.
At the end of the year, your brochure should be well
worn because you have used it often.
BEFORE
AFTER

Introduction to my Studies @ Unisa
Congratulations on registering to study through Unisa in 2011. We believe that you have made
an excellent choice. In fact, we believe a whole new world awaits you... one of new experiences
and exciting challenges.
So why are we so excited about Unisa and why do we believe you have made the right choice
in choosing Unisa? Well, quite simply, Unisa will offer you the opportunity to study at your own
pace and at your own place. This is really the essence of Unisa’s open distance learning approach
or ODL approach as it is better known. Unisa wants to open up opportunities for you to further
your studies. We therefore aim to remove possible barriers to higher education, offer flexible
learning and provide comprehensive student support.
The information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time
of publication (25 October 2010).
For updates, please go to the Unisa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 2

What does it mean to be an ODL student?
Open distance learning at Unisa focuses on you, the student. You are our priority and we will do
everything we can to make your Unisa experience as enriching as we possibly can.
You have many choices, such as studying at home or even pursuing your career while studying.
Through ODL, we give you the choice over what, when and where you learn, how you learn and
at what pace you learn. You must, however, ask yourself a few important questions:
Personal circumstances
Do your family and friends know what it takes to study through Unisa?
Do they know that you will need to study regularly? Will they motivate
and support you? Studying through Unisa often means having to study at
night or over weekends... times when friends and family relax, socialise
and join in on fun activities. Will your family and friends understand that
you won’t always be able to join them? Talk to them. Tell them how you
intend to organise your life, and explain that you will need their support
and encouragement.
Work and study
Are you working full time or even part time? Have you spoken with your
employer about possibly needing to take leave to finish assignments
or attend tutoring sessions? Discuss your studies with your employer;
explain the nature of distance learning and the fact that you will have to
combine work with studies. Once your employer understands what will
be required of you and how important your studies are for your career
advancement, it will be easier to negotiate special assistance or get
access to resources at work. It is challenging to work and study, but tens
of thousands of Unisa students are doing it and are highly successful in
advancing their careers.
Planning your studies
Do you understand how much time studying at Unisa can take? You have
many responsibilities if you want to be a successful student. Although
the university provides a number of support services (eg academic skills
development, counselling, student wellness), you have a responsibility to
plan your studies and conscientiously work through your study material
in a constructive way if you want to be a successful student. There are
no guarantees in life, but your chances of success at Unisa are far greater
if you plan your studies, are committed to working through your study
material and if you interact with the university whenever you
need support.
3

Where am I in the student walk?
To simplify the concept of ODL, Unisa has developed an ODL student walk to help you
understand the process. This walk comprises five levels. And for each level, we have compiled
a set of products (brochure, CD/DVD, FAQs and website), which contains essential information
about the level.
Level 1
In this level prospective students will learn more about Unisa and about how Unisa works.
We will also help you to make a career decision (if you don’t already know what you want to do)
by looking at your interests, values, skills, support, career influences and the labour market. Based
on that information, we will help you to choose a Unisa qualification.
Level 2
This is the applications level. Students who have never studied through Unisa before must apply
to register at Unisa. You may not register to study through Unisa if you have not submitted an
application form and received confirmation from Unisa that your application was successful. The
my Choice @ Unisa set of products will provide you with information for levels 1 and 2.
Level 3
This is the registration level. If Unisa approved your application in level 2 you will be able to
register for your approved qualification. The my Registration @ Unisa set of products will provide
you with information for this level.
Level 4
This is the level you are in now. This level provides you with the information you need to be a
successful Unisa student. It provides an orientation to studying through Unisa, and hands-on
information about Unisa’s services and procedures. You have now received your study material
and will have to plan your activities, study independently and submit assignments to demonstrate
your competencies. At the end of the semester (or year in some cases), you will need to write
examinations at an exam centre close to you. Much of the information about Unisa’s services and
procedures is found in this brochure entitled my Studies @ 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. The my Link @ Unisa set of products
will provide you with information for this level.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 4

Unisa’s ODL student walk
my Link @ Unisa
my Studies @ Unisa
YOU
ARE
HERE
NOW
my Registration @ Unisa
my Choice @ Unisa
5

my Studies @ Unisa 2011 6

Studying distance
education...
where do I begin?
11
STEP 11: Plan and write
examinations
Page 27
As an open and distance learning student,
your ability to work independently and use
time effectively will affect how you cope with
the amount of work you will be required
to do. And just as people differ in how
they work, there are different ways to
structure and organise your studies. Part of
being a successful student is finding your
own unique way of working. There are,
however, some basic steps and processes
that you must follow... and this brochure
will help you with this.
9
10
STEP 10: Doing assignments
and practical work
STEP 9: Learn effective
study methods
Page 26
Page 24
Joining Unisa is much like going on
a journey. It is important to know
where you are going, to pack for
your journey and to understand that
you will have to take breaks every
now and then along the way to
make it a successful journey.
8
STEP 8: Plan your time and studies
(semester/week/day)
Page 19
7
STEP 7: Make sure you get all the
support you need
Page 17
6
STEP 6: Get connected to Unisa
Page 11
5
STEP 5: Read through all your study
guides for all the modules for which
you have registered
Page 11
4
STEP 4: Buy the prescribed books for all the
modules for which you have registered
Page 10
3
STEP 3: Schedule all your assignments, discussion
classes and other events in your year planner
Page 10
2
STEP 2: Read through all your Tutorial letters 101
Page 9
1
STEP 1: Open your study pack and work through the
inventory letter
Page 8
7

Open your study pack and work
through the inventory letter
Opening your study pack can be quite overwhelming. Don’t worry! If you are reading this
brochure, it means that you are on the right track. Remember, you can come back to this
brochure at any time and work through the steps again.
Now take out your inventory letter. This letter will provide you with information on the modules
for which h you have registered, what study material should have been included d in your study pack
and what material is still outstanding. Read the letter carefully and check that you have received
all your study material. Check that the module codes in the inventory letter match the items in
your study pack. If you are unsure or if there is outstanding study material, contact the Unisa
Contact Centre (Tel: 0861 670 411).
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 8

Read through all your Tutorial letters 101
Now that you have everything you need to start the study process, read all your Tutorial letters
101 for all the modules for which you have registered. These tutorial letters will give you an idea
of what will be expected of you in each of your modules.
Tutorial letters are “letters” from your lecturers, which means that they contain important
information about your studies. These letters will give you your assignment dates, examination
dates, information on how you will be assessed, tips on how to do your assignments, how to
contact your lecturers, dates and times of discussion classes, as well as the prescribed books or
other study resources you must buy. So it is very important to carefully read through each Tutorial
letter 101 for each module for which you have registered. You may also receive other tutorial
letters during the course of your semester or year; be sure to read them carefully.
For more information on tutorial letters, go to page 75 in the A-Z guide.
9

Schedule all your assignments, discussion
classes and other events in your year planner
You will find a year planner at the back of this brochure. We recommend that you write your
tutorial class and study schedules in it as soon as possible and stick to this schedule. Schedule all
your assignment due dates, discussion class dates, examination dates and any other important
dates into your year planner. You can keep this year planner in the brochure or tear it out and
paste it on a wall. You can, of course, also make use of an electronic calendar if you prefer.
Managing your time effectively will help you cope with the amount of work you will be required
to do for each of your modules. But we are all different and we all work
differently, so you need to schedule your semester in
a way that will help you achieve
the best possible results. Later
in the brochure we provide
more detailed information
on time management and
planning. Start by making a study
timetable; you will need to put
aside about six to eight hours
per week per semester module
and about four to six hours a
week for a year module. Also
remember that some modules
may have a lot of time-consuming
practical work. Write down when
you plan to study on a daily basis
and try to use every available
moment. Write down exactly
when you are going to study each
module and make sure that you
work on all of your modules every
week. Make time to revise every
day. Refer to step 8 in this brochure
for more information.
Buy the prescribed books for all the
modules for which you have registered
In order to study effectively and to submit your first assignments you need to refer to your study
guides, and prescribed and recommended books. You cannot be a successful student and gain
admission to the examination without using these resources.
Your prescribed books form part of your study material and it is important that you buy your
books immediately. You must have your prescribed books in order to study and complete your
assignments, so the quicker you get them the better.
You can buy your prescribed books at a recognised bookseller or buy them second hand (but
check that you have the correct edition). For a list of Unisa’s official booksellers, go to the A-Z
guide on page 38 of this brochure.
You can also contact the Library to obtain your recommended books as soon as possible. For
more information on the Library, go to the A-Z guide on page 52 of this brochure.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 10

Read through all your
study guides for all the
modules for which you
have registered
Skim read through each of your study guides
(spend about two hours on each). This will give
you an idea of how much work is required
for each module and how difficult the work
will be. Try to do this within a day or two
of receiving your study material, as this will
motivate you to get started.
Get connected to Unisa
As a distance education university, we may seem far away, but we are a lot closer
than you think.
myUnisa: your own online learning resource centre
myUnisa is a free, online service offered to all students registered to study through Unisa. This
website gives you direct access to important information such as the study material for the
modules for which you have registered as well as your examination results.
This website also allows you to update your personal details on the Unisa student system and add
or cancel modules. You can join and study online, “chat” to your lecturers and fellow students,
participate in online discussion forums, submit assignments, apply for Library extensions, pay your
student account and get access to all sorts of learning resources.
myUnisa is free for all registered Unisa students. If you do not have your own internet access,
however, you may need to visit an internet cafe, library or learning centre in your area. These
centres provide access to the internet for a small fee.
For all the detail about exactly what you can do on myUnisa and how to join,
go to page 64 of the A-Z guide.
11

myLife: your own e-mail account, free of charge
The myLife free e-mail service has been created to provide Unisa students with a means to
communicate electronically with the university. Unisa will use this e-mail address to communicate
with you electronically. If you do not want to use this e-mail account, please make sure that you
forward these e-mails to another account. Do this when you register on myUnisa and myLife or
make sure that you check your myLife e-mail account regularly. Your myLife e-mail account is
yours for life, even after you finished studying through Unisa, so use it!
Please note that e-mail is subject to third-party disclosure through subpoena or
other legal processes.
For more information on myLife and how to claim your free e-mail account,
go to page 65 of the A-Z guide.
A Unisa Learning Centre close to you
Contact the Unisa Learning Centre closest to you to make contact with other students and
support staff such as counsellors, librarians and tutors. Make contact with Unisa peer helpers -
senior students who volunteer their services - if you don’t know where to go or what to do.
Our Learning Centres are situated all over the country.
For more information on what services are offered at each of Unisa’s Learning Centres, go to
page 42 of the A-Z guide.
Namibia
Botswana
Mozambique
Limpopo
North West
Midlands
Freestate
Gauteng
Mpumalanga
Swaziland
KwaZulu-Natal
Northern Cape
Lesotho
Eastern Cape
Western Cape
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 12

Join tutorial classes or Peer Collaborative Learning sessions
These non-formal classes give you the opportunity to be guided by tutors and peers. If you would
like to take part in tutorial classes, you can do this through the Tutorial Support Programme
which is available to all registered Unisa students. This service provides weekly face-to-face, video
or satellite tutorials led by qualified tutors. As a registered student, you may visit a Unisa campus
or region of your choice, complete a Tutorial Support Programme enrolment form
and pay the enrolment fee at a Unisa cashier or any Absa bank. You can’t
enrol for tutorials for more than three modules and tutorials
only start once 15 students have registered for
that particular module. Once you have
registered and paid for the programme,
you will receive 15
one-hour tutorial classes for each module
for which you have registered.
For more information on how to join the
Tutorial Support Programme, the cost of
the tutorial classes and where the classes
take place, go to page 75 of the A-Z guide.
The Peer Collaborative Learning programe
aims to help students form small groups
to discuss subject content, and prepare
for examinations and assignments through
group interaction. Senior students manage
and run these interactive and collaborative
groups. For more information about this
programme or if you are interested in
applying to be trained as a PCL facilitator,
please contact your closest regional office.
Join or form a study group
Sharing ideas makes studying more fun
and meaningful, so we recommend that
you join or form a study group. You can
get the names of other students in your
area registered for the same modules by
contacting the Department of Student
Admission and Registration. Alternatively,
ask your fellow students to join your
group via the myUnisa discussion forum
for your module. We suggest that
you read the article in the publication
Effective study (contact Unisa Press, see
page 79) for hints on participating in
a study group. You may also use the
electronic media such as myUnisa,
e-mail, telephone or even Facebook to
feel closer to other students.
13

Students with disabilities
Unisa celebrates diversity and aims to provide access to quality education to people from
all walks of life, including students with disabilities. The Advocacy & Resource Centre for
Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) works to provide a range of services, including help
with registration, transcribed assignments and exams, sign language interpretation and study
material in alternative formats such as audio or Braille.
By offering these services, Unisa aims to give students with disabilities the best possible
chance to achieve the results they want. For more information about the Advocacy &
Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities, the services they provide and how to get hold
of them, go to page 32 in the A-Z guide.
Explore the financial aid possibilities
Become familiar with the different sources of financial aid and the different organisations’
requirements. The Student Funding Directorate administers donor funds in the form of study
loans and bursaries according to donors’ criteria. There are three types of financial assistance:
NSFAS Loans, the Department of Labour (DoL) Bursary and the Funza Lushaka Bursary
Programme. For more information about the Student Funding Directorate and the different
types of financial assistance, go to page 74 of the A-Z guide.
Make contact with your lecturer/s
Tutorial letter 101 will give you the contact details of your lecturer(s). You are very welcome
to contact your lecturers via e-mail or myUnisa if you do not understand your study material
or have difficulty understanding your assignments. You may also make an appointment to
meet with your lecturer if you really need assistance. As a rule, contact your lecturers too
early rather than too late.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 14

Use the services of the Directorate for Counselling, Career and
Academic Development (DCCAD)
The DCCAD has counsellors who can assist you with personal, postal, telephonic and internet
counselling. They can help when you are uncertain about your career choice, have personal
problems which may affect your studies, and need assistance with study
and/or academic skills development. There are also peer
helpers who are senior students and who can
help with problems that affect your academic
performance. They are trained to support you;
if they cannot help you, they will refer you to
other sources of help.
We suggest that you purchase a copy of the
Effective study publication, which contains
specific information to help you cope with your
studies. Contact Unisa Press to get your copy.
The publication provides guidance on time
management and planning, forming a study
group, dealing with multiple-choice and essaytype
questions, study methods, memory strategies
and examination preparation.
Expand your network
It’s a good idea to meet people who are also studying. We suggest you join a student association,
attend workshops, join a discussion group on myUnisa or link up with fellow students via
Facebook. Don’t be shy, meeting fellow students can be great in helping you cope.
15

Meet your Student Representative Council (SRC)
The SRC aims to represent you as part of the Unisa student body and facilitate SRC participation
in the governance of Unisa by facilitating dialogue between students, Unisa management
and academic departments. Consult them if there are issues you need to resolve. For more
information about the Dean of Student’s office and the SRC, go to page 74 of the A-Z guide
Volunteer work opportunities
If you are not working, watch out for volunteer opportunities. The aim of volunteer programmes
is to help people but also to give you an opportunity to gain valuable work experience. When you
see a posting of such an opportunity, act fast; these opportunities are often in high demand, as
they help you to gain work experience and improve your workplace skills.
Become familiar with the Library
Unisa has various libraries throughout the country to assist you and provide you with resources
for your studies. Visit the Library as soon as possible to find out how the Library works.
Unisa’s libraries offer the following:
Prescribed and recommended materials
Additional reading material
General/research collection
Reference books
Journal collection
Audiovisual collection
Archives and special collections
Browsing services
Reference services
General information desk service
Personal librarian services
Alerting service
Students generally use the Library to borrow books. All registered Unisa students may borrow
books and make use of the Library’s services. Please note, though, that the borrowing of Library
material is subject to the Library’s lending regulations.
For more information about the Library, the Library’s procedures and policies, go to page 52 of
the A-Z guide.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 16

Make sure you get all the support you need
Partners, family and friends
You need between four and eight hours of study time per week for each module for which
you have registered. Studying needs to be done regularly to be effective. If sufficient time is not
available, you might find that you waste money because you cannot cope with the demands of the
module. You may also fail or become so discouraged that you drop out. It is therefore important
to ask for the help of your partners, family and friends in understanding the additional demands
that you need to manage now that you are a Unisa student.
Set up a meeting to explain these demands and discuss how you will need their support. The
discussion can start off as follows:
Start off by explaining how important your relationships are with your partner, family and
friends, and that you rely on their support to help you achieve your goals.
Explain that you have been fulfilling a number of life roles to date such as son/daughter,
friend and grandchild and that you now have added an additional life role to your life, namely
that of an open and distance learner. Continue to explain that these different life roles all
compete with each other for your time. Mention that you will have to make adjustments to
your schedule.
Explain what studying at Unisa means: achieving a qualification at Unisa is going to take
some time; you will be expected to learn how to think and be critical; you will need to
read a great deal; and that studying must happen on a regular basis – not just before
the examinations!
Discuss the different tasks and responsibilities around your home and negotiate how you are
all going to help each other with what needs to be achieved. Also negotiate, not only what
you will do, but also by when.
The best time for a student to study is often the time when the rest of the household is
relaxing. This also needs to be discussed. Explain that a noisy environment makes it difficult
to concentrate. Music or a TV playing loudly is very distracting. Ask your family and friends to
help you find a quiet place where you can focus on studying and achieve the best results
possible. Discuss other ways of managing the noise such as buying a pair of ear plugs to help
reduce the noise around you.
Discuss the issue of study fees and the sources of funding available to study.
Remember that you will need to repay your student loans even if you do not pass!
Discuss the cost of prescribed textbooks.
Have you budgeted for this? Remember
prescribed books need to be purchased as
soon as possible. Discuss how and when
you will buy these.
Explain that you will have to study
regularly. The book Effective study
provides hints on how to manage
your studies. Buy your copy from
Unisa Press.
Explain that it is compulsory to
submit assignments on time to get
entry to the examinations.
Discuss the cost of attending
tutorials, group discussions or other
activities. Explain the benefit of
these services or print information
from the internet.
17

Your employer and colleagues
Your employer and colleagues are another support system that full-time and part-time students
can utilise. By studying further you are showing your employer that you are interested in
furthering your skills and expertise – something they can benefit from. Further study also indicates
maturity, self-management and time management skills, focus, perseverance and commitment –
qualities that can be used effectively in management and supervisory positions in a company.
The benefits of working and studying will only come your way if you maintain the quality of
your work and maintain productivity levels. Underperforming may seriously hamper your career
prospects. Let us look at some strategies to ensure that you maintain your performance, keep
your employer happy and increase the possibility of study leave being granted:
Develop a personal relationship with your employer. Positive relationships are based on trust,
so keep time line commitments, keep the communication channels open about what is
happening in your life, and admit when you have made a mistake and take responsibility for
the mistake.
Maintain professional conduct at work: arrive on time, use sick leave sparingly and only when
you are really sick (not for study pressures), do not take lengthy tea and lunch breaks, and be
friendly to your colleagues.
Focus on work and be aware of time wasters; discuss problems when they arise and make
suggestions on how to improve the situation.
Develop an understanding of your employer’s goals, needs and concerns, and link your work
objectives to the larger company objectives.
Use your employer as a coach or a mentor; ask for feedback on what you have accomplished.
Make sure that you are totally familiar with the full scale of your workload before taking on
any extra study responsibilities.
Think differently about how you manage your time. Use smaller sections of time to focus on
your studies, such as during lunch times.
Stay organised and stick to your schedules. Use a daily planner or online calendar to manage
your tasks.
Separate work from studies. Learn to compartmentalise - keep your work and study
time separate.
Schedule time for relaxation; make time to meet with colleagues once a week for a cup of
coffee or lunch.
Set limits at work by learning to say “no” respectfully.
Remember you are not alone. It is within your power to do something about feelings of isolation.
Share them and ask for help.
Find a mentor
If you are a first-time ODL student, especially if you are the first
person in your family to study at a tertiary level, then we suggest
that you find someone in your community who has a higher
education qualification, preferably someone who has studied
through Unisa.
Ask this person to be your mentor. A mentor is someone
who can guide and support you, and give you advice and
encouragement when you need it. This person should be
passionate about life and about the opportunities that tertiary
education can bring. A mentor should also be able to offer
practical advice on aspects such as time management, effective
study skills and coping with work-life-study responsibilities.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 18

Plan your time and studies
(semester/week/day)
Time management and planning include long-term, weekly and daily planning.
Let us look at this in detail:
Long-term planning for a semester
Use the year planner at the back of this brochure. Tear it out or keep it in the brochure – decide
which suits you best, but keep it somewhere where you will see it often. Mark the following on
your year planner: assignment due dates (use different colour pens to colour code each module),
examination dates and revision times, tutorial and compulsory discussion classes, study group
meetings (if applicable), all permanent or part-time work commitments, and personal dates and
commitments such as birthdays, public holidays, payment due dates, and so on.
For each activity the total time should be divided into the following chunks which you should
indicate on your year planner
60% of your time should be spent on general preparation for an academic task such as
submitting assignments, and making summaries and mindmaps
30% of your time should be spent on intensive studying and memorising
10% of your time should be spent on testing yourself, answering old examination papers,
and discussions with your lecturers and fellow students
The benefits of long-term planning are that, at a glance, you
will see that you have made provision for each day of your academic schedule
will know what type of activity and what subject you will be spending time on each day
can regularly check your progress – this should really motivate you
will know that you are keeping track of personal dates which are important to you
By planning your time carefully, you won’t have to worry about not meeting all your
commitments. Having greater peace of mind will help keep you motivated.
Planning your week
Short-term planning will help you to choose what to work on; it will give you an overview of all
your non-negotiable weekly commitments, be it personal, family or job-related commitments.
Short-term planning will also
leave the time available for study clearly visible
allow you to calculate the number of hours available for study
allow you to reflect on the number of modules for which you have registered
allow you to make adjustments to your study load should this be necessary
19

To do your short-term planning, you should work out how much study time you have available.
You will need to draft a master schedule which you can use as a basis for weekly and daily planning.
Example of a master scheme for students who are working
Note: mark available study time with an X
Daily planning
Once you have worked out your duties for the week, continue to work out daily study plans. You should now
decide on how you are going to use your time. The aim of daily planning is to
help you to keep to a study schedule every day
help you to study with firm goals in mind
help you to complete assignments while still maintaining your study time
give you assurance that you will not fall behind if you keep to your daily plans
It is also important to plan your daily study schedule in more detail. This will take only a few minutes before you
start with your work. The benefit of planning your daily study schedule is that you have some definite objectives
to pursue. Let’s look at an example of a daily schedule:
Let us assume that you have set aside 120 minutes to study. This time should be divided into chunks of 60%,
30% and 10% as indicated earlier with adequate breaks in between.
The publication Effective study has an article which focuses specifically on time management and planning. Have
you purchased your copy? If not, we suggest you do so as soon as possible and use this resource, specifically
designed with Unisa students in mind, to help you do your long-term, weekly and daily planning.
Make a study timetable; you will feel in charge of your life and you will enjoy your studies far more. Calculate how
many hours you need per week per module. (A semester module needs about six to eight hours per week, while
a year module requires about four to six hours per week.) Remember that some modules may have a lot of
time-consuming practical work.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 20

Motivation and goals
Write down when you plan to study on a daily basis. Now write down exactly when you are
going to study each module (at least twice a week). Do all of your modules every week and revise
every day.
Finding it difficult to sit down and start studying?
How can I overcome this?
Getting started is sometimes the most difficult part of studying. Don’t allow yourself to become
distracted by the mountain of tutorial letters and study guides you might have received. Take it
one step at a time. The following suggestions might be helpful:
Having a fixed study place which you can claim as your own space will help you to get
in the study mood sooner. It need not be fancy but it should be a place that you associate
with studying.
Make sure that you have a study plan for the session to know exactly what it is that you
have to do.
Make a list of your long-term goal (eg I want to be a Chartered Accountant) and your
medium-term goals (eg I want to get my BCom and BCom Honours degrees in Accounting).
Put your list up where you can see it on a daily basis, as this should motivate you!
Determine whether you study more effectively in the morning or at night and schedule your
intensive study periods during your “peak” times.
Study smaller sections of work and reward yourself as you complete each section.
Set realistic targets and be sensible about the number of courses for which you register. If you
feel that you are overloaded and cannot cope, make an appointment to discuss the matter
with a counsellor.
Make use of the resources in your environment. Ask your family and friends to support you in
managing your time and sticking to your schedule. Discuss your targets and the problems you
are experiencing with them. Get their support.
Make use of a punishment and reward system to help you stick to your schedule.
Learn to say “no” to friends and family when their demands interfere with your planning.
See Effective study for more detailed discussions on these items.
21

Managing your study session
Self-organisation and self-management are very important in achieving success. How you set up a
study session will determine how much you will benefit from the time spent on your books. The
suggested steps will help you to
become more actively involved in meaningful learning
become more interested in the material you are studying
experience less frustration and concentrate better
have a better chance of achieving your goals
These steps are guidelines; as you become more skilled, adapt your strategies to suit your own
learning style.
Check that there is nothing to interrupt your thinking
Often we get distracted from our studies by personal or work-related problems. It is important
that you get these out of the way so that you can focus on your studies.
Deal with worries. Write down what is worrying you as this will remind you what to attend to
later. Think about possible solutions.
Deal with distractions. Ask yourself the question: What is stopping me from
focusing or concentrating?
Have a positive attitude. Take responsibility for yourself and your own learning, and remind
yourself of your previous successes.
Determine the length of your study sessions
The ideal length of a study session is 20 to 40 minutes. You should then take a 5 to 10 minute
break during which you drink water or exercise or do something that relaxes you. Then go back
and study again. At the end of each session, revise what you did before (spend about 5-10
minutes on this).
Decide on your goals for each session
Before you start, decide what it is that you want to achieve with the session. How much time do
you want to spend doing it? Make sure that you have a mechanism to determine whether you
know your work. Test yourself in different ways.
When you set goals, be sure to be realistic. Make them challenging but reachable.
Make sure the goals are measurable. This means that you set specific goals so that you will know
when you have achieved it (eg one chapter in an hour).
Warm up
Start by getting yourself into it. Read headings and ask yourself questions. Explore what you
know already and link new information to other things that you know.
Ask questions such as: Who? What? When? Why? Where? How?
Reflect on your studies. What have you learnt before? What does it mean to you?
Skim read whole passages
Get an overview very fast of the work you are dealing with. Use your index finger to guide your
eyes and write down what you remember.
Practise remembering under pressure. Use an idea map for this.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 22

Read through your study material
Read through your work properly and use your index finger to guide your eyes. Read the first
sentence of each paragraph and then reread the whole passage for comprehension.
Make notes
Making notes is an important part of remembering. Keep it interesting for yourself by using
colour, pictures and idea maps, and put in page references to help you remember.
Keep your notes short without leaving out anything important. Write down keywords of
important ideas.
Keep it personal so use examples and references which are relevant to you. Ask yourself whether
you understand your notes and whether you can use them again when you do exam revision.
For more information on notemaking see page 68 of the A-Z Guide.
Check your notes
It’s important to check your notes; read them aloud to spot missing information. Correct wrong
or missing information immediately.
Solve problems and do exercises
Always learn in the way you are going to be tested. This means that you must do exercises that
you can either come up with yourself or find in your study guides or tutorial letters.
Revision
The only way to really remember something is to do it over and over again. Revise within 24
hours of studying the material, then again at the end of the week.
23

Learn effective study methods
What is meant by a study method?
A method is a way of doing something. A study method will have specific steps that you should
follow. This will make the whole process of studying more manageable and effective.
What can a study method do for me?
All study methods share the same characteristics of which the most important are: planning;
deepened understanding and repetition. It will help you to save time and cut out unnecessary
time-consuming activities. It will help you to study with understanding, improve your memory and
force you to concentrate.
Which study method should I use?
Although there are many different study methods (any good bookstore or the internet will bear
this out), the publication Effective study introduces students to the EFT study method which is
based on three steps that are repeated in all study tasks. The first step is called “exploration”. You
familiarise yourself with the learning material and content. The second step is called “fixation”.
You study the learning content systematically by “fixing” it in your memory. The third step is
“testing”. You test yourself and do revision.
This systematic method is not new. You follow this method daily, without even knowing it. When
you plan your activities, you first explore your situation and all that you have to do. Then you plan
your day and complete all your activities (fixation). After that you look back over the day to see
whether you have done everything that you planned to do (testing).
This is also the basic method you are going to use when doing assignments. For example, the
first thing you are going to do is to explore. This you will do by asking questions and making sure
that you understand the topic of the assignment. Then you will read about it. After that you will
summarise all your information and write your assignment (fixation). Finally, you will finish the
assignment and evaluate (test) its quality.
You can find more information on various study methods in the following
suggested books and websites:
Books
Eric Jensen. 1998. Super teaching. San Diego: The Brain Store.
Carolyn Hopper. 2003. Practising college learning strategies. Houghton: Mifflin.
Tony Buzan. 2006. The Buzan study skills handbook: the shortcut to success in your studies with
mind mapping, speed reading and winning memory techniques. BBC Active.
Colin Rose & Malcolm Nicholl. Accelerated learning for the 21st century.
Websites
http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=15974
http://www.acceleratedlearning.com/
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/index.html
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 24

EFT study method
The exploration phase comprises roughly 60% of the time spent on the task. For long-term
planning it happens at the beginning of the year/semester.
Your main objective is to gain as much background knowledge as possible about the subjects
before beginning to study intensively (fixation).
During this phase you should
scan your curriculum
complete your assignments
do additional reading
discuss the field of study with lecturers
contact fellow students to discuss the learning material
make schematic summaries or a mindmap for intensive study later on
use your study guide to identify possible questions
identify and clarify difficult concepts
Important: Draw up a long-term timetable for the whole year/semester and a short-term weekly
schedule. Divide your subjects and the number of chapters into chunks and plan when you are
going to do what.
The fixation phase comprises 30% of the time.
By the time you get to this phase you should be fairly familiar with the content of the course and
you start to fix the content in your memory by bringing together all your background knowledge.
This is the phase in which you study your summaries your additional notes and the study guide
intensively. Here you follow these systematic steps:
Start by getting an overview of the study material again.
Page through the chapter again, read the subheadings and add them to the mindmap.
You could even go further and again look at the beginning and the end of paragraphs
because that is where authors often introduce or summarise the main ideas. You could
also read the key words in bold letters. You now have a fresh idea what the chapter is all
about. Ask yourself: “What is this chapter all about?” See if you can answer this question.
Next you start going over the the content by checking your summaries Ask yourself
simple questions beginning with “how”, “where”, “when”, “who” and “which”. Ask yourself
what the main idea is of what you have read, and make sure that you understand all the
words and concepts. Note the relationship between main ideas and subheadings and also
the logical connection between headings and subheadings. Studying like this will deepen
your insight into the study material, and insight is what is required at university level.
After you have read the learning content with understanding, you can refine your
summaries into core summaries which contain only the most important key words.
This will give you a schematic summary and a core summary for each chapter. While
you are making your summaries, you should use the different memory techniques, for
example acronyms, classification and visualisation to fix the content in your memory.
After studying each unit of work, you should test yourself to ensure that you know it. Close your
book and answer all the possible questions you have formulated as you worked through the material.
Revise your work within 24 hours of studying it. You will have forgotten up to 25% of the facts,
and this is normal. At the beginning of each study period it is important that you evise your
previous material to see how the old and the new link with each other. Important: Revision is one
of the most powerful memory techniques you can use.
For more on notemaking and mindmapping see page 68 in the A-Z guide
Memory exercises: see page 63 in the A-Z guide
25

Doing assignments and practical work
Assignments are a way of helping you to prepare for your exams by making sure you turn in
work regularly so that lecturers can see if you understand the module. There are many students
at Unisa so there are specific rules for how the assignments must be written or typed, how
to hand them in and how to complete the cover sheets. Tutorial Letter 101 will have all the
information you need for completing these assignments.
Unisa provides you with writing pads to do your assignments on or you can type them. When
you type your assignments you must leave enough space on the margin to allow your tutor or
lecturer to write comments.
Each assignment must be submitted with a cover page which is part of your study material and
Unisa provides you with envelopes to mail it back to us.
A few simple tips to complete your assignments successfully are:
Understand the assignment: take your time to read the task and make sure that you
understand what is being asked.
Start to collect the facts and information to complete the response. Study your study guide,
prescribed books and other readers to help you organise and compile your response.
Now you must organise all this information. Arrange and group these facts to allow you to
form a structured and coherent response.
Use headings and subheadings to help you with the structure. Start with an introduction,
then the main section with all the subheadings and end with a summary of the key facts.
The summary should be a review of the main facts and arguments in your answer. Also offer
your own opinion and show how you have understood the work in relation to your own
work and personal environment.
You can hand it in at one of our assignment boxes, mail it or hand it in via myUnisa. This is very
convenient because you get confirmation that Unisa has received your assignment.
You can expect feedback in a number of ways. After the final submission date of your assignment
you will receive another tutorial letter which contains the correct response to the questions posed
in the assignment. This tutorial letter will give you guidelines and explanations that will be a
valuable resource in preparing for your examination.
For more information on how to complete and submit your assignment go to page 33
of the A-Z Guide.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 26

Plan and write examinations
Examinations are one of the more stressful times you will face as an ODL student, but there are
ways of making it easier. If you have planned well you will have enough time to study and prepare
for each examination. Also take care of yourself, eat well, sleep enough and exercise. This will
help you to deal with the stress.
Know how to get to your exam centre before the time so that you can be seated 15 minutes
before the start of the exam. If you are late, you will not be allowed in. Also make sure that you
know what stationery you need, such as a calculator pens, pencils and whether it is an open book
exam. Take note of the examination rules and regulations which appear on the reverse side of
your final timetable.
Keep your purpose in mind and have a clear goal. Here are a few tips:
Before the examination
Take care of yourself physically to cope with the mental challenges ahead
Get six to eight hours sleep per night
Exercise
Eat healthily (eg fresh fruit and vegetables)
Drink plenty of water
Keep study sessions short and focused;
don’t sit for hours without a break
Set a goal for each session (40-45min)
Take a five to ten minute break
Energise, do exercise
Do five minute of revision
Check your timetable now
Distractions
Write down what is worrying you
Create a possible plan
Switch off the TV/cellphone
Explain to others that you are preparing for your future
Prepare well in advance; budget your time by calculating how much time is
needed for each course
Spread your time properly; don’t overspend on one course
Revise/revise/revise
Test yourself – develop your own exams and complete them
Set actual time limits
Practise in the way you are going to be tested
The day before
Study regularly up to the day before the exam
Then get a good night’s sleep (even if you haven’t finished your work!)
Last minute cramming doesn’t work – you will just be too tired to think in the exam
27

The day of the examination
Double check your timetable
Take your ID and student card with you, as well as an HB pencil, pen,
eraser and calculator if needed
Be early for the examination
Have time to get settled and prepared mentally
Keep to yourself before and after the examination; discussions may confuse or upset you
During the examination
Ask the invigilator if you aren’t sure; ask for help right away
Read over the entire examination paper before you begin –
this allows your mind to explore all options while you are doing other questions
Make sure you know the mark value of each question – divide your time appropriately;
don’t spend more time on a problem than it’s worth
Write down memory aids in the margins or on a blank page – these may include formulae,
facts, key phrases or dates (mind maps are very useful)
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 28

Motivation and goals
What to do first
Go for the multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank and true/false questions first
Do the easy ones first – mark the tricky ones; look for clues, but move on if you are struggling
with a question
Come back to the difficult questions later
Be clear and be brief
Do the short answer and essay questions last
Make a quick outline, such as a mindmap; then start writing according to the outline
Attempt to do every question
Check your answers
When you leave the examination room, the examination is over! Worrying about
it will not help you get better marks. But focusing on the next exam will.
For more information about stress management, go to page 71 in the A-Z guide.
For more information on examination centres and administrative issues around your exams, go to
page 48 of the A-Z Guide.
Stay focused on your future
The journey you have started with your Unisa studies is a long one – one which will probably take
years – perhaps even longer than you ever anticipated. There will also probably be days when you
feel discouraged and that the changes that you have to make in your life are not worth it. So, how
do you keep going?
Start each day with a positive thought about how you are moving closer to your goals.
Sometimes the changes are not noticeable externally; as you develop new skills, your brain
becomes more highly developed. Stop and enjoy the changes happening to you as a person – you
will feel a sense of excitement as you start to enjoy the experience of learning. Focus on what you
have already learnt and not on what still has to be done.
Journeys can only be completed if you keep moving. So when other demands seem
overwhelming, just make sure that you do a little of your Unisa work on a daily basis. You are
making progress towards your goal!
Get connected to the community of Unisa – network to share information, to get guidance or just
to unstress. Surround yourself with positive energy. This connectedness is especially important
when life is tough!
Finally, keep your vision and purpose in mind. The small steps you take every day will
get you there.
29

my Studies @ Unisa 2011 30
The information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time
of publication (25 October 2010).
For updates, please go to the Unisa website: http://www.unisa.ac.za

A
Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities
(ARCSWiD) 32
Aegrotat and special examinations (see examinations) 32
Assignments 33
B
Barcodes 37
Bookshops/sellers 38
Bursaries (see Student Affairs) 39
C
Contact Centre 40
Computer laboratories 41
Contact us 41
Contact your lecturer 41
Contact the Centre for Business Management 41
Contact your region 42
Counselling, career and academic development 43
D
Disabilities (see ARCSWiD) 47
Despatch 47
Discussion classes 47
E
Examinations 48
L
Library 52
Loans (see Student Affairs) 62
M
Marking of examination scripts (see examinations) 63
Memory exercises 63
myUnisa 64
myLife e-mail account 65
Maps to Unisa’s campuses 65
Multi-purpose community centres (Telecentres) 66
N
Notemaking 68
O
ODL 3
Online services (see myUnisa and myLife) 70
Office hours 70
P
Prescribed books and official booksellers (see Bookshops) 70
Postal address (see Contact us) 70
R
Regional centres (see Contact your region) 70
S
Scientific pocket calculators (see Unisa Press) 71
Stress management 71
Students with disabilities (see ARCSWiD) 73
SBL (Unisa School of Business Leadership) 73
Student card 73
Study material 73
Student Affairs 74
Student Disciplinary code 81
T
Tutorial letters (see study material) 75
Tutorial services 75
U
Unisa Press 79
W
Websites 80
Work integrated learning (see Learner Support) 80
31

A
Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students
with Disabilities (ARCSWiD)
Recognising the importance of identifying and accommodating the needs of students with disabilities,
espousing and promoting the principle of Baithuti Pele, and in responding to the goal of access for
success, the Advocacy & Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) strives to provide a
range of services, including the following:
Student support and administration
Register students with disabilities
Produce study material in alternative formats
Provide academic support interventions
Transcribe assignments and examination scripts
Provide sign language interpretation services
Advocacy and training
Develop advocacy and awareness-raising programmes
Implement train-the-trainer programmes
Commission and conduct research
Implement community outreach
The Centre provide the following services:
Referrals to career and counselling services
Assistance in completing application forms during registration
Assistance with fee reduction applications
Assistance in motivating for assistive devices and access technology equipment
Study guides and tutorial letters in either Braille, large-print, electronic or audio formats
Electronic versions of prescribed books obtained on request from publishers
Academic support interventions
Advice on assistive devices and access technology
Sign Language Interpretation services for deaf students attending tutorials
Orientation and mobility assistance for blind and partially-sighted students
Advice on low-vision devices for partially-sighted students
How can I contact ARCSWiD?
Tel: 012 429 6923/6924/6540/3829/8668/6050
012 441 5470/5471
Fax: 012 429 8637 or 012 429 6729
E-mail: moodls@unisa.ac.za; nkunapj@unisa.ac.za; uarcusa@unisa.ac.za
Aegrotat and special examinations (see examinations)
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 32

Assignments
It is our sincere hope that you will do well at Unisa - that you will submit and pass your assignments, and that you will
prepare effectively for your examinations so that you achieve the best possible results. This is why we insist that all our
students submit a certain number of assignments and/or portfolios for each module for which they are registered.
Tutorial letter 101 (Tutorial letter 102 for BCom students) for each module will contain information about your assignments
and/or portfolios.
General assignment information
As we have already mentioned, we would like you to do well at Unisa. We have therefore compiled the following “rules” to
help ensure that your assignments are processed timeously and are returned to you as soon as possible:
Number the pages of your assignment and make sure that the pages are in the correct order before stapling them
to the inside of the assignment cover.
Staple each assignment to its own assignment cover. Then post each assignment in an individual
Unisa assignment envelope.
Please note that if you submit your assignment in another type of envelope, it will be sent back to you unmarked.
The assignment envelopes provided by the university are C4-size envelopes, which require extra postage.
Please ensure that you pay the correct postage for this size envelope. Contact your local post office before affixing
any stamps to these envelopes.
The following information must be filled in on the back of the assignment envelope: student number, name and
surname, course code, assignment number and postal address. Please remember to attach a barcode.
No assignments may be posted or e-mailed directly to lecturers or academic departments.
The university will not accept assignments or portfolios submitted via e-mail or facsimile (telefax) machines.
Do not submit different parts of the same assignment separately.
Please ensure that you keep a copy of each assignment you submit to the university.
Marked written assignments will be returned to you. Marked assignment will be returned approximately five weeks after
the closing date for the assignment.
Portfolios will not be returned to you and the results will only be released with the examination results.
You may use the following e-mail address to enquire whether or not the university has received your assignment:
study-info@unisa.ac.za. You will also find this information on Unisa’s student portal, myUnisa
(http://my.unisa.ac.za).
Types of assignments
Multiple-choice assignments: Multiple-choice assignments generally need to be completed using a mark-reading
sheet, which is then posted to the university. You may, however, choose to complete and submit your
multiple-choice assignments online, using myUnisa.
General assignments: Assignments, other than multiple-choice assignments, must either be handwritten or
compiled using a word processing package (eg Word).
You may use either an official assignment pad or your own paper (A4 size) for this purpose. For printed
assignments, please use double-line spacing and leave a blank space of 5 centimetres on the right-hand side of
each page (for the lecturers’ feedback). Please ensure that you follow the lecturers’ instructions provided in your
tutorial letters and the printed instructions on the assignment covers when compiling assignments.
Assignment cover
All assignments posted to the university, with the exception of mark-reading sheets, must have an assignment cover. Please
ensure that you provide the following information on each assignment cover, namely
your student number
the course code
the correct assignment number
the correct code for your academic registration period (ie 01 or 02)
the correct assignment due date
your examination centre
your postal address
It is essential that the information you provide on your assignment cover is correct, as incorrect or incomplete information
may cause a delay in your assignment being marked. It may, in some cases, also mean that your assignment is not marked or
is not returned to you.
33

Submitting assignments
Using and completing mark-reading sheets
Use only the orange mark-reading sheet that you received with your study material. The mark-reading sheet will look the
same as the example that appears at the end of this brochure. Do not use the sample to submit your assignment.
All information on a mark-reading sheet must be filled in with an HB pencil. Do not use a pen to fill in the
mark-reading sheet.
Do not attach a bar code sticker to the mark-reading sheet.
A mark-reading sheet that is filled in incorrectly, damaged or folded cannot be marked.
When using a mark-reading sheet to answer multiple-choice assignments, please fill in the mark-reading sheet
carefully and correctly.
Refer to the attached example of a mark-reading sheet at the end of this booklet (see addendum 1a on page 91). The
encircled digits from 1 to 12 in the square brackets do not appear on the mark-reading sheet itself, but are only used in this
example to indicate those spaces on the sheet that you should mark by drawing a horizontal line through the digit (number).
Follow these instructions when filling in a mark-reading sheet:
Space 1: Fill in your initials and surname, for example: Mr S Bengu.
Space 2: Add your complete postal address (with postal code where applicable).
Space 3: Write your student number (eg 391-431-5) horizontally in this space (ie from left to right). You will notice that this
space consists of eight squares, one block for each digit of your student number. This includes the coloured square (if your
student number consists of eight digits). If your student number consists of seven digits, the last square will remain open.
Space 4: Write your student number in the squares of space 4. Under each of these squares there is a series of digits from 0
to 9. Mark the digits that correspond with each digit of your student number as filled in space 3. Always mark your answer
by drawing a horizontal line through the digit.
Space 5: You will find a unique assignment number (eg 1234567) at the top of the assignment questions in the tutorial
letter. This unique number is very important, because it matches your answers with the correct answers on the computer.
This unique number is used to mark your assignment. Please ensure that you have filled in the correct unique number.
Space 6: Mark the corresponding digit opposite each square of the unique assignment number.
Space 7: Fill in the code of the course, half-course, paper or module here, for example: COS111-U.
Space 8: The assignment number goes here, for example: 01 or 02.
Space 9: The question numbers on the sheet correspond with the question numbers in the assignment. Next to each of these
question numbers there is a series of squares from 1 to 5. These digits from 1 to 5 in turn correspond with the alternative
answers that are provided for each multiple-choice question in the assignment. You should mark the digit that corresponds
to the digit of the alternative which you have selected as the answer. Suppose you have chosen alternative 2 (choice 2) as the
correct (or best) answer to question 1, then you should mark square 2 next to question number 1 to indicate that you have
selected choice 2 for question 1. Remember that the computer has to read these little marks. This is why you should mark
the answer clearly with an HB pencil.
Space 10: Mark your answer by drawing a horizontal line through the digit (number). Only use the mark-reading sheets that
you received with your study material. No other mark-reading sheets will be accepted. Mark-reading sheets should not be
put in an assignment cover and stapled.
Submitting assignments via myUnisa
Once you have registered on myUnisa (http://my.unisa.ac.za) for the current academic year, you may submit both your
multiple-choice and written assignments online.
How should I submit multiple-choice assignments via myUnisa?
Submitting multiple-choice questions via myUnisa is simple, fast and reliable. Just follow the step-by-step instructions on the
screen. Although myUnisa is both secure and reliable, we do suggest that you use the following two safeguards to ensure
that your online assignment has been successfully submitted:
1. After submitting your assignment online, you will receive a clear status message and a reference number
confirming that your assignment has been successfully submitted.
2. Your list of assignments for each course will be updated on myUnisa as soon as you submit an assignment.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 34

How should I submit written (text) assignments via myUnisa?
You must prepare your assignment in a file format that can be uploaded to myUnisa. This file has to be in one of the formats
listed under “Specify the type of file” drop-down list on the submission screen. Not all file types can be accepted. Make sure,
therefore, that the type you select matches that of your file, otherwise your lecturer may receive pages filled with garbage!
When you click on “Continue”, your assignment will be uploaded from your computer to the Unisa network. This may take
several minutes depending on the size of your assignment and the speed of your internet connection. Once the assignment is
received, details about it will be displayed on your screen for final checking. You can then either go back to make corrections
or click on “Submit assignment” to finally send it off.
If your assignment score includes marks for layout and formatting, we suggest that you upload your assignment to myUnisa
in pdf format. This will ensure that the layout and formatting are not automatically adjusted when Unisa prints your
assignment. You can find information about pdf converters on the myUnisa home page under “Electronic resources”.
What general information do I need to know before submitting assignments online?
Please use a header for all word processor files with your name, student number, course code and
assignment number.
If you use a dial-up connection to access myUnisa, please ensure that you have your answers ready before dialling
up. It will cost you money if you have to work out your answers while you are online.
Please check for any mistakes before you submit an assignment. Unisa’s Assignment Division will not accept any
requests to cancel assignments submitted via myUnisa. You may, however, resubmit an assignment by selecting
the “Resubmit” button provided that you resubmit your assignment immediately. Please note: You will only be able
to resubmit an assignment if the “Resubmit” button appears next to your assignment number.
Do not wait until the closing date to submit assignments via myUnisa. Try to submit your assignments at least
three working days before the due date. This is to make provision for unforeseen problems (eg your internet
connection might not be available on the last day).
Please do not submit the same assignment via myUnisa and the post.
Do not submit self-evaluation assignments, as they will not be marked by the university.
Please ensure that any documents/assignments uploaded to myUnisa are virus free. Any student who repeatedly
submits documents with viruses may lose the right to use myUnisa.
What page layout and formatting should I use for full-text assignments?
Set the paper option in your document to A4, default tray, auto feed (or auto select).
Set the left margin to at least 2,5cm and the right margin to 5cm for your lecturers’ feedback.
Do not use colour fonts. Use black ink only.
Use only common fonts like Times Roman, Arial, and so on.
Limit your font size to a maximum of 16 for headings and 12 for normal text.
Line spacing can be problematic if your printer differs significantly from the Unisa printer. Please do not use the
return (enter) key to create empty spaces at the bottom of a page. Use the page break function of your computer
to force a new page. This will ensure that your page numbering stays exactly the way you indicated in your
contents page.
Pictures and diagrams may be included, provided that they are not too complex and are not in colour. Do not
embed objects from other programs that require dynamic links. Rather, create a graphic of your spreadsheet or
diagram, save it as a bmp, jpeg or gif and insert this file into your document.
Keep tables simple. Complex tables can cause printer memory problems.
I’m a Computer Science student. Are there any special arrangements I need to take note of?
You may submit programs or program output in either a text (ASCII) file or in a word processor file.
Remember that you may only submit one file per assignment, so you may have to combine different files into one
document. You can also create a single pdf document that combines different source files.
We recommend that you use a fixed width font (such as Courier), so that your documents will be more readable
and the indentation will remain correct. Converting your document to pdf will ensure that your file presentation
remains exactly as you intended.
Assignment due dates
It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment reaches Unisa on or before the closing date. No extensions will be
granted and no late assignments will be marked. Please keep public holidays, religious holidays and weekends in mind with
regard to closing dates. To ensure that an assignment reaches the university before its due date, it should be posted at least
three working days (or 72 hours) before the due date. You will receive an SMS confirming that the university has received
your assignment. Please note, however, that it is your responsibility to make sure that Unisa has your correct contact details.
35

You may submit an assignment before the due date, but your assignment may not be marked before the closing date for the
assignment.
Please remember that by not submitting your compulsory assignment, you may forfeit your admission to the examination for
that module.
Assignment results
You may get your assignment results as follows:
Telephone: 0861 670 411 (nationally)
+27 11 6709000 (internationally)
Online information via myUnisa: http://my.unisa.ac.za
You will receive an SMS with your assignment result as soon as the result becomes available. Please note that it is
your responsibility to make sure that Unisa has your correct contact details.
Repeating assignments
The general rule is that a student may not repeat an assignment. A second effort may be submitted in exceptional cases, but
only if the assignment is accompanied by the lecturer’s written consent.
Students who are eligible to write supplementary or special examinations may not repeat their assignments. Assignments
must be submitted by the due dates in the semester for which you are registered, for example: If are registered for the first
semester and have been granted a special examination in the second semester, your assignments must still be submitted by
the due dates prescribed for the first semester.
Assignment boxes
If you live in the Pretoria, Midrand, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Polokwane, Nelspruit or Durban areas and would like to
deliver your completed assignments personally, please post your assignments, using envelopes provided by the university
when you registered, in the assignment boxes listed below. Please do not, however, post envelopes containing money in any
of the assignment boxes.
While Unisa does everything possible to ensure that assignments reach the university safely, we cannot take responsibility for
the loss of assignments if assignment boxes are damaged in any way.
Pretoria
Midrand
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Durban
Polokwane
Nelspruit
Umtata
Kimberley
East London
Middelburg
Bloemfontein
Pietermaritzburg
Wellington
Florida
Benoni
Muckleneuk campus, corner of Mears and Willem Punt streets, Pretoria
or
Joubert Street on the Sunnyside campus (between Walker and Rissik streets)
Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership, Alexandra Avenue (extension known as First Street)
JSE building, 1 Kerk Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
15 Jean Simonis Street, Parow
or
Juta Booksellers, corner of Bree Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue
230 Stalwart Simelayne Road
23 Landdros Maré Street
31 Brown Street
Steve’s Motors building, 26 Victoria Road, corner of Madeira Road
NIHE Main Campus (old legislative Building, Chapel Street)
Metropolitan Life building, 3rd floor, Drury Lane
Town Square building, corner of Church and Voortrekkers streets
Zastron Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein
1 Langalibalele Street
Unisa, Church Square
Florida campus, corner of Christiaan de Wet Road and Pioneer Avenue
General and Accident building, 190 Elston Road
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 36

With the exception of weekends and public holidays, the assignment boxes in Pretoria are emptied daily by Unisa staff
at approximately 6:30 each day. The collection time for the Midrand and Johannesburg boxes is approximately 8:30,
while the collection time for the regional facilities is approximately 13:00.
The postal address to courier assignments to Unisa is as follows:
Company: Unisa
Street address: Preller Street, Muckleneuk Ridge
City:
Pretoria
Contact:
Assignments
B
Barcodes
In addition to your study material, you will receive barcodes as part of your study package. These
barcodes represent your student number and should be pasted on the covers of all assignments
before submitting them to the university. (Please note that no barcodes should be pasted on
mark-reading sheets.)
These barcodes are automatically issued once with your first registration at Unisa. Please contact the
Unisa Contact Centre if you require additional barcodes at any time. (Please do not delay in posting an
assignment because you have run out of barcodes. In such a case, write your student number clearly on
the assignment cover before submitting the assignment to the university.)
37

Bookshops/sellers
Adams & Co
341 West Street
DURBAN
Tel: 0861 341341
Fax: 031 3047308
E-mail: west@adamsbooks.co.za
341 West Street
DURBAN
Tel: 0861 341341
Fax: 031 3047308
E-mail: west@adamsbooks.co.za
Website: www.adamsuniversitybooks.co.za
33 Victoria Street
DURBAN
Tel: 031 3194400
Fax: 031 3077356
E-mail: education@adamsbooks.co.za
341 West Street
DURBAN
Tel: 0861 341341
Fax: 031 3047308
E-mail: west@adamsbooks.co.za
Musgrave Centre, Musgrave Road
DURBAN
Tel: 031 3194450
Fax: 031 2013735
E-mail: Musgrave@adamsbooks.co.za
Armstrong Booksellers (New 2nd hand books)
1st Floor, Pine Park Place
Corner of 1st Avenue & 6th Street
LINDEN
Tel: 011 8886732 / 6129
Fax: 011 8884429
E-mail: info@armstrongs.co.za
Book Express
70b Loch Ave, Parktown West
JOHANNESBURG
Tel: 011 4828433
Fax: 011 7268208
E-mail: info@bookexpress.co.za
Coner of 11th Street & Louis Botha Avenue
ORANGE GROVE
Tel: 011 4851337
Fax: 011 4851338
E-mail: info@armstrongs.co.za
Website: www.bookexpress.co.za
Website: www.armstrongs.co.za
Ground Floor, 1066 Building
Coner of Harrison & Kerk streets
JOHANNESBURG
Tel: 011 8360124
Fax: 011 8342684
E-mail: info@armstrongs.co.za
Adams & Co
Shop 231, Lower level, Carleton Centre
JOHANNESBURG
Tel: 011 3315140
Fax: 011 331 5079
E-mail: jhbbooks@juta.co.za
Shop 45, Shoprite Park Shopping Centre
PAROW
Tel: 021 9306202
Fax: 021 9307962
E-mail: pabooks@juta.co.za
Website: www.adamsuniversitybooks.co.za
1st Floor Hatfield Plaza, 1122 Burnett Street
HATFIELD
Tel: 012 3625799
Fax: 012 3625744
E-mail: ptabooks@juta.co.za
Ground Floor, Sunclare Building, 21 Dreyer Street
Claremont
CAPE TOWN
Tel : 021 6706680
Fax: 021 6706795
E-mail: claremontbooks@juta.co.za
Kalahari.net Website: www.kalahari.net Tel: 021 4688035
Praesidium Books
Visiomed Office Park Block 5, 269 Beyers Naude Drive
NORTHCLIFF
Tel: 011 4312390
Fax: 011 4312423
E-mail: sales@praesidiumbooks.co.za
Website: www.praesidiumbooks.co.za
Protea Bookshop
1067 Burnett Street
HATFIELD
Tel: 012 3625663/4
Fax: 012 3625685
E-mail: akademies@proteaboekhuis.co.za
Shop 45, Shoprite Park Shopping Centre
PAROW
Tel: 021 9306202
Fax: 021 9307962
E-mail: akademies@mweb.co.za
Website: www.proteabookshop.co.za
Bergzictht Plaza, Andringa Street
STELLENBOSCH
Tel: 021 8829101
Fax: 021 8829110
E-mail: akademies@mweb.co.za
86 Steve Biko Street, Bult
POTCHEFSTROOM
Tel: 018 2971583/4
Fax: 018 2973775
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 38

Pro Visions Books
37F Ordnance Road
DURBAN
Tel: 031 3372112
Fax: 031 3684500
E-mail: info@provisions.co.za
Website: www.provisions.co.za
Van Schaik Bookstore
Protea Hotel Building, Burnett Street
HATFIELD
Tel: 012 362 5701/5669/5698
Fax: 012 362 5673
E-mail: vshat@vanschaik.com
Shop 10, K90 Centre, corner of K90 and North
Rand roads
BOKSBURG
Tel: 011 826 2045/3850
Fax: 011 826 3663
Website: www.vanschaik.com
Shop 1, 235 Church Street
PRETORIA
Tel: 012 3212442
Fax: 012 3257832
E-mail: vskerk@vanschaik.com
North West University Grounds, Building No 4
Hendrik van Eck Boulevard
VANDERBIJLPARK
Tel: 016 985 1144
Fax: 016 985 1126
Braamfontein Centre, Jorissen Street
BRAAMFONTEIN
Tel: 011 3391711
Fax: 011 3397267
E-mail: vsbraam@vanschaik.com
Shop 242, Maponya Mall
SOWETO
Tel: 011 938 3460/3462
Fax: 011 938 3486
E-mail: vsboks@vanschaik.com
Shop 3, Momentum House, corner of Stalwart
Simelane and Bram Fisher streets
DURBAN
Tel: 031 332 2009/2049
Fax: 031 332 2029
E-mail: vsdurban@vanschaik.com
Parow Centre, Voortrekker Road
PAROW
Tel: 021 930 2480
Fax: 021 939 3767
E-mail: vsparow@vanschaik.com
Sanlam Student Village, Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University, Summerstrand
PORT ELIZABETH
Tel: 041 583 3171
Fax: 041 583 2418
E-mail: vspe@vanschaik.com
Shop 52, The Promenade
NELSPRUIT
Tel: 013 752 7623/7860
Fax: 013 752 7659
E-mail: vsnel@vanschaik.com
9 Park Road, Willows
BLOEMFONTEIN
Tel: 051 447 6685
Fax: 051 447 7837
E-mail: vsbloem@vanschaik.com
E-mail: vsnwu@vanschaik.com
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Golf Road
Scottsville
PIETERMARITZBURG
Tel: 033 386 9308/9
Fax: 033 386 9633
E-mail: Pietermaritzburg@vanschaik.com
26 Main Road
RONDEBOSCH
Tel: 021 689 4112
Fax: 021 686 3404
E-mail: vsrbosch@vanschaik.com
31B Caxton House, 35 Terminus Street
EAST LONDON
Tel: 043 722 5926/34
Fax: 043 722 6117
E-mail: vsel@vanschaik.com
19 OR Thambo Avenue
EMALAHLENI
Tel: 013 690 2796
Fax: 0880 136 902 978
E-mail: vswitbank@vanschaik.com
Ou Williem Pescott, Room B.2
31 Scanlan Street, New Park,
KIMBERLEY
E-mail: Soweto@vanschaik.com
KwaDlengezwa Campus, Library Building
Basement, KwaDlengezwa Reserve
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
Tel: 035 902 6103
Fax: 035 902 6101
E-mail: vsunizul@vanschaik.com
22 Long Street, Shop No 1,
corner of Strand & Long streets
CAPE TOWN
Tel: 021 418 0202
Fax: 021 418 0212
E-mail: capetown@vanschaik.com
49B Schoeman Street
POLOKWANE
Tel: 015 295 9040/9090/9306
Fax: 015 295 9099
E-mail: vspol@vanschaik.com
Cachetpark Centre, Steve Biko Avenue
POTCHEFSTROOM
Tel: 018 294 8875
Fax: 018 294 4445
E-mail: vspotch@vanschaik.com
University of Namibia
340 Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue
Pionierspark, Windhoek
NAMIBIA
Tel: +264 61 206 3364
Fax: +264 61 206 3040
E-mail: vsunam@vanschaik.com
Bursaries (see Student Affairs)
39

C
Contact Centre
The Unisa Contact Centre supports the academic progression of the student by answering questions
related to admissions right through to graduation.
The Unisa Contact Centre office hours are from 08:00 to 16:00 week days (CAT).
Contact details
0861 670 411 (nationally)
+27 11 670-9000 (internationally)
Fax number
012 429 4150
E-mail address
study-info@unisa.ac.za
When phoning the Unisa Contact Centre you may choose from the following options:
For information regarding the various colleges, press 1
For account queries, press 2
For myUnisa assistance, press 3
To access the Unisa information line, press 4
If you choose option 1, the college information is as follows:
For the college of
Economic and Management Sciences, press 1
Human Sciences, press 2
College of Law, press 3
Science, Engineering and Technology, press 4 or
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, press 5
The Unisa Contact Centre has an information line for callers who phone the Contact Centre after hours.
You should note that as this is a recorded service, there is no interaction directly with the consultants.
The following options are available:
For admissions, registrations or RPL information, press 1
For finance information, press 2
For despatch information, press 3
For assignment and examination information, press 4
For graduation information, press 5
For Library information, press 6
For college information, press 7 and
For myUnisa information, press 8
You may press 0 at any stage if you would like to return to the main menu.
Postal address
Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 40

Computer laboratories
Due to the limited capacity of Unisa’s microcomputer laboratories, access to the laboratories is restricted to those students
who qualify to do practical work in these laboratories. If you qualify for such access, you will be informed of this by means of
a tutorial letter.
Contact us
If you are unable to find the information you require, please contact the Unisa Contact Centre as listed below.
Unisa website: www.unisa.ac.za
Unisa e-mail address: study-info@unisa.ac.za
National: 0861 670 411
Fax number: 012 429 4150
Unisa’s postal address: PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003
Contact your lecturer
The contact details of your lecturers will appear in the Tutorial Letters 101 that you receive for every module. You may also
make contact with your lecturer via myUnisa or via the details given to you in the tutorial letter.
Contact the Centre for Business Management
General enquiries: Tel: 012 429 4586
Fax to e-mail: 086 641 7260
E-mail: bussen@unisa.ac.za
Registrations: Tel: 012 429 4920/4882
Fax to e-mail: 086 686 3401
E-mail: cbmregistrations@unisa.ac.za
Study material: Tel: 012 429 4920/4882
Fax to e-mail: 086 641 7262
E-mail: cbmstudymaterial@unisa.ac.za
Assignments: Tel: 012 429 4501/4038
Fax to e-mail: 086 641 5390
E-mail: cbmassignments@unisa.ac.za
Examinations: Tel: 012 429 4396/4680/4880
Fax to e-mail: 086 641 5432
E-mail: cbmexaminations@unisa.ac.za
Student finances: Tel: 012 429 4836/4971/4970
Fax to e-mail: 086 641 7259
E-mail: cbmfinance@unisa.ac.za
Certificate ceremonies: Tel: 012 429 4538/4990
Fax to e-mail: 086 641 5320
E-mail: cbmceremonies@unisa.ac.za
Library (fees): Tel: 012 429 2361
E-mail: labusgmh@unisa.ac.za
41

Contact your region
Unisa is a very big institution, but we firmly believe that each student should receive the same level and quality of service
irrespective of where they are located geographically. See map on page 12
Unisa Contact Centre National: 0861 670 411 International: +27 11 670 9000
Unisa website: www.unisa.ac.za Unisa e-mail address: study-info@unisa.ac.za
Fax number for applications: 012 429 8116 (only open during the application period)
Unisa postal address for applications: Application Office, PO Box 1, Unisarand, 0148
Unisa Regional Centres office hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:45
Gauteng
Sunnyside: Corner of Mears and Walker streets, Sunnyside
Florida: Corner of Christiaan de Wet Road & Pioneer Avenue, Florida, 1709
JCE: JSE Annexe Building, 1 Kerk Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001
Ekurhuleui: General Building, 90 Elston Road, Benoni, 1501
Vaal Triangle: Sedibeng College for FET, 6 Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, Vanderbijlpark, 1600
Cape Coastal
Parow: 15 Jean Simonis Street, Parow, 7500
George: 129 Mitchell Street, George, 6530
Port Elizabeth: Greyville House, corner of Cape, Greyville & Link roads, Newton Park,Port Elizabeth
East London: 10 St Lukes Road, Southernwood, East London, 5201
Mthatha: 32 Victoria Street, Mthatha, 5100
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban: 230 Stewart Simelane Street (previously Stanger Street), Durban, 4001
Pietermaritzburg: 1 Langalibalele Street (previously Longmarket Street), Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Newcastle: Corner of Sutherland & Harding streets, Newcastle, 2940
Richards Bay: Unit 5,111 Dollar Drive, Richards Bay, 3900
Wild Coast: Wild Coast Main Road, Mzamba Beach, Bizana, 4800
Durban Learning Centre: 221 Dr Pixley KaSeme Street (previously West Street), Durban, 4001
Midlands
Rustenburg: 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 and Main streets, Mafikeng, 2745
Potchefstroom: 20 Auret Street, Potchestroom, 2531
Kimberley: HIHE Main Campus (old legislative building), Chapel Street Kimberley, 8308
Kroonstad: NFS Building, 36 Brand Street,1st floor, Kroonstad, 9499
Maseru: Lesotho College of Education
Gaborone: BOCODOL Headquaters, Plot No: 39972, Garamothose Road Junction Westernbypass
North Eastern
Polokwane: 23A Landdros Maré Street, Polokwane, 0700
Nelspruit: 31 Brown Street, Nelspruit, 1200
Middelburg: Town Square Building, corner of Walter Sisulu and Bhimy Damane streets, Middleburg, 1055
Makhado: 93 Krogh Street, Office 2, Makhado, 0920
Giyani: Office 11, Masingita Complex, Giyani Road, Giyani, 0826
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 42

Counselling, career and academic development
The Directorate for Counselling, Career and Academic Development (DCCAD) supports students before, during and after
their Unisa studies. We provide career, academic and personal guidance and counselling to both prospective and registered
students in person, by telephone, e-mail, letter or fax and through various publications.
What is counselling?
Career counselling will help you to acquire knowledge about qualifications and subject choices, how to link this information
to a career and how to become confident in your career decision making. This type of counselling will also help you to
acquire information about yourself and the world of work.
Academic counselling will help you to plan your study programme; it will also assist you with time management, critical
thinking, study skills, how to remain motivated and making sure you complete your qualification.
Personal counselling will help you to develop an understanding of the “self”, the rights and needs of others, how to resolve
conflict, managing relationships and dealing with trauma.
Why should I contact the counselling division?
You may want to contact the counselling section as follows:
Before registration to
orientate yourself to the demands of open
and distance learning
During your studies to
develop an orientation to your Unisa
studies
During your studies or after
your studies to
expand your employability skills (CV
writing; career portfolio development;
networking skills; job searching skills)
develop self and occupational knowledge develop your academic skills consider postgraduate study opportunities
decide what to enrol for
get career information, guidance and
counselling
learn to manage your study programme
plan your time
cope with personal difficulties
plan your career or make a career
transition
start developing your career portfolio
Why should I contact an Academic Literacies centre?
You may want to contact an Academic Literacies centre during your studies to
improve your reading and writing skills
improve your quantitative literacy (if you are struggling with subjects that have numeracy elements)
develop your learning skills
How can the DCCAD help me?
In-person
Workshops
Telephone
Fax and letter
You can meet with a peer helper, assistant student counsellor,
career counselling intern, counsellor or academic literacies
facilitator in person.
Career and academic-related workshops are offered at each
centre. Please contact the centre closest to you to find out about
the programme.
You may speak to a peer helper, assistant student counsellor,
career counselling intern, counsellor or academic literacies
facilitator via the telephone.
Write a letter or fax your request to the counselling or academic
development office closest to you.
43

How can the DCCAD help me? (continue)
E-guidance and counselling
counselling@unisa.ac.za
E-consultation
acalit@unisa.ac.za
We provide an e-guidance and counselling service to prospective
and current undergraduate and postgraduate students regarding
career decisions, qualifications, subject choices and orientation to
studies at Unisa.
Unisa’s Academic Literacies centres support the development
of student reading and writing and quatitative literacy through
online facilitation for students who are unable to attend
individual consultations and workshops.
Facilitators help writers develop effective strategies for academic
reading and writing. Students can send extracts of their writing
(a maximum of 10 pages) to acalit@unisa.ac.za.
The turnaround time for online assignment feedback is 10
working days.
Please note that assignments are NOT edited. Rather, facilitators
give students guidelines about how to improve their individual
writing.
Internet
http://www.unisa.ac.za/counselling
The directorate’s website contains information about career,
personal and academic issues. The aim is for you to be able
to help yourself with the option of contacting us via e-mail,
telephone, by fax or letter, or in person should you get stuck. The
list of information on the website is as follows:
The DCCAD’s website
The aim of this website is to provide you with the guidance you need to develop your career and academic skills. Visit the
website at http://www.unisa.ac.za/counselling.
Further resources for getting started
Effective study
The publication covers a variety of topics which are applicable
to specific periods during the semester or year. It also contains
a screening questionnaire which will indicate where you may
expect problems and which areas you should focus on. Topics
covered in the book include: The EFT study process, organising
study groups, effective time management and planning, writing
assignments and reports, reading and note taking, making the
most of your memory, effective examination techniques and
academic anxiety.
Please order the book from Unisa Press by completing the
order form at the back of this book. The current price (2010) is
R30,00.
Academic Literacies Centre
Peer Collaborative Learning (PCL) Programme
Reading and Writing facilitators can assist you with how to
plan, structure and improve your writing for assignments and
examinations. Quantitative Literacy facilitators can help you
develop the skills that you need to manage quantitative subjects
such as Mathematics, Statistics, Quantitative Management,
Accounting and others.
This programme aims to help students form small groups
to discuss subject content, study skills and to prepare for
assignments and the examination. Senior students manage and
run these interactive and collaborative groups.
For more information about this programme or if you are
interested in applying to be trained as a PCL facilitator, please
contact the closest regional office or Mr Hannes van Vuuren Tel:
012 441 5616 E-mail: Hvanvure@unisa.ac.za
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 44

Career development workshops and recruitment events
We offer various career development workshops to assist students with improving their career management skills. Topics
range from managing your career in the 21st century, career portfolios and CVs, interview skills and networking, researching
employers, writing covering and thank you letters, developing effective telephone communication skills and responding to job
advertisements telephonically.
The aims of these workshops are to develop and support students by providing them with life and job hunting skills, to make
students independent and responsible job hunters, to improve the employment prospects of people previously disadvantaged
by unfair discrimination, and to redress those disadvantaged through training and education.
Please contact your closest regional centre for more information about career development services in your area.
Job Readiness Training and Career Development Programme
This programme links students to possible employers. This service is available to all Unisa students who are in their final year
of study. Please note that we do not find employment for learners; we match up students and companies who approach us
for assistance. You will only be invited to attend job interviews on condition that you have attended Job Readiness Training
Workshops. Please contact Mrs Lizzie Mbuli (011 471 3276; lmbuli@unisa.ac.za) for more information about this programme.
Training and employment opportunities at the DCCAD
As a Psychology or Industrial Psychology student, you are keen to be exposed to work opportunities related to your field of
study. There are, unfortunately, not many instances where undergraduate students may directly experience what it is like to
put theory into practice. The Directorate for Counselling, Career and Academic Development would like to introduce you to
the career path you may follow within the Directorate.
Train as a peer help volunteer if you have passed at least 10 first-level modules in a degree and are enrolled at second or
third-year level for Psychology or Industrial Psychology.
Who provides these services to students?
Counselling services are provided by student counsellors, career development practitioners, career counselling interns,
assistant student counsellors and volunteer peer helpers.
We adhere to the ethical rules of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Your discussions with us are
confidential; exceptions may be made in exceptional cases, but only with your permission.
Academic development services are provided by facilitators with experience in their field of expertise (reading and writing
and quantitative literacies).
How will I get the most out of a counselling/academic development session?
Participate. You cannot expect others to do what you can do for yourself.
Be realistic. Counselling and academic development involves self-insight and gathering information... and this takes time.
You may need more than one contact session with us to address the problem that you have identified.
Be honest. We are not mind readers and can only act on information you provide us with.
Be specific about your needs. What is it that you want to get out of making use of our services?
Be willing to think and act. You will be expected to gather information and think about your decisions. You will also have
to act to implement your decisions.
Be open to challenge. Counselling can challenge your beliefs about yourself and your environment. If you keep an open
mind, you will learn more.
45

How should I contact the DCCAD?
e-mail DCCAD: counselling@unisa.co.za
Submit your conselling enquiry to counselling@unisa.co.za or online through our “Ask a counsellor” service http://bit.ly/askcounsellor
Telephone
Physical address
GAUTENG
Pretoria
Johannesburg
Florida
Ekurhuleni (Benoni)
NORTH EASTERN
012 441 5388
011 630 4536/011 630 4529
011 471 2378/011 471 2093
011 421 6514 Ext 212 / 213
Es’kia Mphahlele Registration Hall A, First
Floor, Walker Street, Sunnyside
JSE Annexe Building, 1 Kerk Street, Newtown
Corner of Christiaan de Wet Road and Pioneer
Avenue, Discovery
Unisa Daveyton Campus, R51 Road, Brazilian
Street, Daveyton
Polokwane 015 290 3454 29A Landdros Maré Street
Middelburg 013 282 4115 Town Square Building, corner of Church and
Bhimy Damane streets
Nelspruit 013 755 2476 31 Brown Street
KWAZULU-NATAL
Durban 031 335 1737 230 Stalwart Simelane Street (previously
Stanger Street)
Pietermaritzburg 033 355 1737 1 Langalibalele Street (previously Longmarket
Street)
COASTAL REGION
Parow 021 936 4130 15 Jean Simonis Street
EASTERN CAPE REGION
East London 043 743 9246 10 St Lukes Road, Southernwood
MIDLANDS
Rustenburg
Bloemfontein
014 594 8819/8873/8845
051 411 0440/0466
Forum Building, 1st floor, corner of Oliver
Tambo & Steen streets
NRE Building, 2nd floor, 161 Zastron Street,
Westdene
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 46

Academic Literacies centres are currently located at the following places:
Telephone
Physical address
GAUTENG
Pretoria 012 441 5777/5778/5769/5770 Corner of Mears and Walker streets, Sunnyside
Johannesburg 011 630 4525/4501/4530 JSE Annexe Building, 1 Kerk Street, Newtown
Florida 011 471 2042/2088 Corner of Christiaan de Wet Road and Pioneer
Avenue, Discovery, Florida
Ekurhuleni (Benoni) 011 421 6514/16/21/22 General Building, 90 Elston Road
MIDLANDS
Bloemfontein 051 411 0442 or 051 507 3827 NRE Building, 2nd floor, 161 Zastron Street,
Westdene
Rustenburg 014 537 2082/014 594 8801/014
554 8184
Forum Building, 1st floor, corner of Oliver
Tambo & Steen streets
Kimberley 053 832 6391
KWAZULU-NATAL
Durban
Pietermaritzburg
EASTERN CAPE REGION
031 332 2202/243
033 355 1713 or 033 845 8887
230 Stalwart Simelane Street
(previously Stanger Street)
1 Langalibalele Street
(previously Longmarket Street)
East London 043 743 9246 10 St Lukes Road, Southernwood
NORTH EAST REGION
Polokwane 015 290 3454 29A Landdros Maré Street
D
Disabilities (see ARCSWiD)
Despatch
All enquiries about study material should be directed to the Despatch Directorate (despatch@
unisa.ac.za). All telephonic enquiries about study material should be made through the Unisa
Contact Centre (0861 670 411).
All enquires for centres (eg Community Training and Development, Software Engineering,
Business Management, Accounting Studies, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Accounting
Studies) should be directed to the centre.
Discussion classes
During discussion classes, Unisa lecturers meet with groups of students to discuss content and
related matters (eg assignments and preparing for the examinations). The decision as to whether
or not to host discussion classes rests with the academic departments. You will be advised
accordingly in a tutorial letter.
47

E
Examinations
Examination centres
You will find a list of approved examination centres and examination centre codes on myUnisa
(http://my.unisa.ac.za, click on “Examinations”). You will also receive your examination centre
information on your examination timetable. Please ensure that you use the correct examination centre
code on your registration form. By signing your Unisa application form, you undertake to write your
examination at the examination centre indicated on your application form.
While the university will do everything possible to arrange examinations at each of the approved
examination centres, Unisa reserves the right to change a student’s examination centre details without
prior notice. All affected students will be advised of any such changes by 15 April for the May/June
semester examinations, by 15 September for the October/November examinations, and by 15 December
for the January/February examinations. It is therefore essential that you read your examination venue
details as indicated on your final examination timetable. Please do not assume that your examination
venue address will necessarily be the same as the address for a previous examination period.
Please note that you must write all your examinations for a specific examination period at one venue.
No dual, ad hoc and/or temporary examination venues will be permitted. You must, therefore, write at
your allocated examination venue.
The closing dates to apply to change examination venues are as follows:
31 March for the May/June examinations
31 August for the October/November examinations
15 November for the January/February examinations
Please note: no applications for examination venue changes will be considered after these dates.
The following reasons will not be accepted as justifying a departure from the ordinary procedure
objection to the expense involved in travelling to and from an examination centre
difficulty in obtaining leave from official duties, or a change of centre interfering
unduly with such duties
lack of ordinary transport facilities, such as a regular bus or train service
I want to change my exam venue. What should I do?
Applications may be submitted via e-mail (exams@unisa.ac.za) (your student number must appear in
the subject heading), via fax (012 4294150) or via myUnisa.
On the day of the examination
Please ensure that you are seated at least 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the
examination, so make sure you give yourself ample time to get to your examination venue.
Latecomers (anyone arriving after the official starting time of the session) will not be admitted
to the examination venue. Please also remember your student card (or at least your student
number) and some proof of identity to identify yourself during your examination.
Special examination arrangements
Any physically handicapped student who requires special examination arrangements must apply
annually to the Registrar (Academic), in writing, before 1 March for the May/June examination period,
and 1 August for the October/November and January/February examination periods. Please note
that a medical certificate specifying the nature of your handicap must accompany your application.
Applications may be submitted via e-mail to examdisabled@unisa.ac.za (student number must appear
in the subject line) or faxed to 086 691 9866.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 48

Examination timetable
Read, read and read again the examination timetable before finalising your registration. Please ensure that you choose your
courses in such a way that your examination dates do not clash. The university will not change an examination date at the
request of any student.
The examination dates for all courses (with the exception of non-venue based examinations, portfolios, theses and
dissertations) can be found in the examination timetable. While the university will endeavour to keep to the examination
dates in the timetable, any unavoidable changes will be indicated in your final examination timetable.
Students in foreign countries should keep public holidays in mind when selecting courses to ensure that the examination
dates do not clash with the public holidays in their particular country.
Your final examination timetable will be posted to you approximately one month prior to the commencement of the
examination period. It will contain the following information:
a list of the study units for which you have gained admission to the examination and
your final examination dates
a list of the study units (if any) for which you have not gained admission to the examination
examination centre address and examination venue details
general instructions
Please contact the university immediately if you have not received your final examination timetable two weeks prior to the
examination date(s):
Tel: 0861 670 411 (national) Fax: 012 429 4150
+27 11 670 9000 (international)
E-mail: exams@unisa.ac.za (student number must appear in the subject heading)
You will also find your examination timetable on Unisa’s student portal, myUnisa.
Examination periods
Unisa’s official examination periods are January/February, May/June and October/November.
Examinations are held at the end of each academic period for most modules. These examinations are held under the
supervision of Senate at such centres as Senate may determine. At the discretion of Senate, an examination may be written
or oral, or both written and oral, and may include practical work. The university reserves the right to summon a student for
an additional oral or written examination. Except where otherwise arranged, the written and oral examinations will take place
in Pretoria.
Examining is conducted by one or more Unisa lecturers concerned with the tuition in the particular module and by one or
more external examiners. Examiners who are not affiliated to the university are appointed as second examiners for honours,
master’s and doctoral examinations, and, with the special approval of Senate, also for final courses.
The pass for an examination is 50%; for the predicate “with distinction” to be awarded, the mark is 75% or higher.
Examination scripts may be remarked in accordance with criteria as specified on the reverse side of examination results and
on payment of the prescribed fee.
Should your examination material (eg answer book) not be received by the university’s offices in Pretoria/Florida for marking,
irrespective of the reason for such a loss, you will be granted a further opportunity to write another examination in the
same module free of charge. You will, however, be responsible for the arrangement and expenses of travel to and stay at an
examination centre.
Should you fail your first examination attempt and are granted a supplementary, aegrotat or special examination, please note
that this will be regarded as your second and final opportunity to write an examination in respect of the particular academic
year. No further examinations will be granted in respect of results obtained at the supplementary, aegrotat or special
examinations.
Examination fees
Your study fee for each module includes a basic examination fee. You will be required to pay an additional fee if you wish
to write aegrotat, special or supplementary examinations (there is a prescribed examination fee in accordance with the
provisions of Rule G9 and G10).
Please note that you shall not be entitled to any refund or transfer of fees should you be absent from all or some of your
examinations.
49

Practical examinations for the BA (with specialisation in Music),
degrees BVA, BMus and BSC degrees
The examinations for all practical art subjects for the BVA degree are only conducted at a limited number of South Africa’s
larger cities. If you live in a smaller centre, therefore, please enquire where your BVA examinations will take place before
submitting your application for registration.
Examinations in Art History and the BA subject prescribed for the first year of the BVA degree may be written at any
approved centre. Please note that no examinations for practical art subjects can be conducted at centres in foreign countries.
The practical examinations for natural science subjects for the BSc degree are conducted only in Potchefstroom. No
arrangements can be made for practical examinations in countries other than South Africa. The theory examinations in
subjects for the BSc degree may be written at any approved official examination venue.
Marking of examination scripts
All examination answer books are marked by at least two independent examiners.
Examination results
Formal examination results for an examination period are made available on the official publication date.
Your examination results will be posted to you. You may, however, also request them by telephoning 083 1234,
downloading them from myUnisa or by sending the following message via SMS to the MTN number 083 1421 0119
(Results [space]+student number).
No Unisa member of staff is permitted to release examination results via telephone. You will also not receive your
examination results until your student account has been settled and until you have returned all outstanding library books.
If you believe that you have satisfied all the requirements for a degree, diploma or certificate, but have not received
confirmation thereof within two months of your last examination, please write to the Registrar (Academic) (PO Box 392,
Unisa, 0003) or contact the Department of Student Admissions and Registrations (0861 670 411). The Graduation Section
may also be contacted via the e-mail address gaudeamus@unisa.ac.za (student number in the subject line).
Please note: If you have any queries about your examination results, please contact the university within a period of three
months from the date of release of your examination results. If the university has not heard from you within this period, it
will regard all results as correct and complete.
Supplementary examinations
You are required to achieve a subminimum of 40% for an examination in order to qualify for a supplementary examination.
Please note that year marks do not count for supplementary examinations.
Please also note that there are undergraduate and postgraduate modules which do not make provision for supplementary
examinations. Please refer to Tutorial letter 101 for more information.
Supplementary examinations are granted on the basis of a student’s performance in the examination, provided that
the student achieved at least 40% in the module concerned. In a student’s final year of study, and only in exceptional
cases, the Dean of a College may exercise his or her discretion and grant a supplementary examination outside the
prescribed parameters.
Should you qualify for a supplementary examination in the following examination period, you will receive notification of this
together with your examination results. Should you qualify for both an aegrotat or special examination in terms of General
Rule G9 and a supplementary examination in terms of General Rule G10, the supplementary examination shall lapse should
the examination dates and times clash.
No further examination opportunities will be granted in respect of supplementary examinations. If you fail your
supplementary examinations, you will be required to re-register for the relevant module.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 50

Aegrotat and special examinations
Please also note that there are undergraduate modules which do not make provision for aegrotat or special examinations. No
supplementary examinations are granted in respect of aegrotat or special examinations. Please refer to Tutorial Letter 101
for more information.
An aegrotat or special examination in the following examination period may be granted to a student who has been
prevented from taking the preceding examination or has been unable to complete the examination as a result of
illness on the day of or immediately before or during the examination, provided that the application is accompanied
by a certificate, issued by a medical practitioner registered with the SA Medical and Dental Council, specifying the
nature, commencement date and duration of the illness and declaring that for health reasons it was impossible or
undesirable for the candidate to sit for the examination on the day concerned or a letter from the invigilator certifying
that the candidate left the examination hall due to illness; or
personal circumstances, such as work commitments, serious illness or death of a relative during the examination
period, provided that satisfactory evidence of such circumstances is produced (see below).
Where an examination is deferred and a special or aegrotat examination (second examination opportunity) is granted,
without the examination having been written at the first examination opportunity, such deferred examination will be
regarded as the second and final examination opportunity for that academic year. No further supplementary, aegrotat or
special examinations will be granted and students who fail or are absent from such an examination (for whatever reason)
will have to reregister for the relevant module/paper during the next academic period.
Please note: A student must have obtained examination admission and have paid the full registration fee in respect of the
relevant module. The prescribed examination fee must accompany the application for the aegrotat or special examination.
Examination fees are not refundable or transferable. No alternative dates or times can be arranged in cases where
examination dates and/or times clash.
Applications for special examinations must be accompanied by original documentary evidence giving full details as to why
the student was prevented from writing the examination. Applications must be submitted within 10 days of the original
examination date. Please ensure that your student number appears on all documentation. Medical certificates received
without an accompanying written application will be considered to be an incomplete application and will, therefore, not be
processed or considered. Applications can be submitted via fax (012 429 4150), e-mail (aegrotats@unisa.ac.za) (your student
number must appear in the subject heading) or may be posted to the university (PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003). It remains your
responsibility to ensure that the university receives your original application and any accompanying documentation before the
closing date.
Remarks and rechecks of examinations
You may apply to have your examination answer book remarked or rechecked.The criteria for remarking is 35% to 49%
and 68% to 74% (final results). Details appear on the reverse-side of your original examination result sheet. The exceptions
to this are for the practical component of a module (eg Chemistry practical) and where the examination answer material
comprises only a mark-reading sheet.
The procedure and closing date for such applications will appear on the reverse side of your original examination result
sheet. Please note that a remark/recheck fee is payable.
Please do not wait until receiving your remark results before registering for the following academic period, as no extensions
for registration will be granted.
Purchase of examination answer books
You may, in accordance with the Access to Information Act, apply to purchase a copy of your examination answer book.
The cost is R35,00 plus 60c per photocopied page. A payment of R50,00 will cover the cost of 25 photocopied pages. At
present, only photocopied copies are available and are sent via registered mail once the application has been approved. Once
approved, it takes approximately 14 days for a copy of the answer book to be sent. Note that question papers and model
answers/memoranda are not included.
If you would like to purchase a copy of your examination answer book, please apply in writing for a copy of the prescribed
application form.
Send your request to purchasescript@unisa.ac.za (student number must appear in the subject heading) or fax the request
to 012 4292477.The completed application form must be returned either via fax number 012 4292477 or to the e-mail
address purchasescript@unisa.ac.za (indicate student number in the subject heading)
51

L
Library
You will find Unisa Branch libraries in the following areas: Muckleneuk, Johannesburg, Florida,
Sunnyside, Parow, Durban, Polokwane and Akaki (Ethiopia).
Please consult the Library webpage for more information about all Library services and facilities:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/library
The Library reserves the right to revise its regulations and tariffs if necessary. The use of Library
facilities is subject to the Library’s code of conduct and the regulations below.
Who may use the Library?
The libraries’ services and facilities are available to all currently registered students, including students
registered for certificate and short learning programmes.
When does my membership expire?
Membership begins with registration for the current academic year and is automatically cancelled
directly after
completion of the final examination of the same year.
Students who qualify for supplementary/aegrotat examinations will be notified to this effect in a
letter from the university.
These students have to submit a copy of this letter to the Library to ensure that their membership is
extended until after the supplementary/aegrotat examinations.
Who may use the Library?
You will need a pin for electronic access. This pin will also be required when using the self-service issue
machines. You will need to create a pin. Please visit this address: http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/patroninfo
Admission to the Muckleneuk and Science libraries
If you would like to use the Muckleneuk Library, you will be required to purchase an electronic
access card at a cost
of R45,00. This electronic access card will be used for access and all
Library transactions. The access card is compulsory when using the Library.
Please pay for your electronic access card during office hours at the Library cashier:
Monday to Friday, from 8:00-15:30
Saturdays during the registration period, from 8:00-12:30
You will receive a receipt, which you will need to take to Seminar room 7 of the Samuel Pauw
building. Please note that no cash payments above R45,00 will be accepted by the Library. The abovementioned
times are subject to change.
Contact +27 (0)12 429 6052 or +27 (0)12 429 6909 for more information.
Admission to other Unisa libraries
To visit and use a Library where there is no electronic access control it is compulsory to carry your
paper student card accompanied by some form of valid identification (ID book/passport/driver’s
licence)
Where do I find Unisa libraries?
Muckleneuk Library
Hours:
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-18:00
Saturday (January-November): 08:00-16:00
Monday to Friday (December) : 07:45-16:00
Saturday (December): 08:00-13:00
The Archives are only available on weekdays from 08:00 to16:00. Library hours are subject to change.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 52

The Muckleneuk Library is closed on Sundays, public holidays, the Saturday of the
Easter weekend, as well as any public holiday falling on a Saturday.
Postal address
Unisa Library
PO Box 392
Unisa
0003
Physical address
Unisa Library
Samuel Pauw building
University of South Africa
Preller Street
Muckleneuk Ridge
Pretoria
Contact numbers for the Muckleneuk Library service points
Archives +27 12 429 2560
Audiovisual section + 27 12 429 3493
General library information +27 12 429 3206
Law information desk +27 12 429 3360
Library fine queries +27 12 429 3136
Postal requests: enquiries +27 12 429 3133
Interlibrary loans +27 12 429 2942
Renewals +27 12 429 4164
Renewals (after hours answering service) +27 12 429 3560
Faxes (request services) +27 12 429 1828
The prescribed and recommended and additional reading collections have been moved to the Sunnyside Campus Library.
Science Library (Theo van Wijk building, Muckleneuk campus)
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-13:00 & 13:45-16:00
Saturday – closed
Hours are subject to change.
Postal address
Head: Science Library
Department of Library Services
University of South Africa
PO Box 392
Unisa
0003
Physical address
Science Library Laboratory
Block, room 1-9
Theo van Wijk building
University of South Africa
Preller Street
Muckleneuk Ridge
Pretoria
Contact +27 12 429 8077, fax +27 12 429 3489
The collection comprises the following:
Books and reference works on chemistry and physics (books and reference works on mathematics are shelved in
the Muckleneuk Library).
Current periodicals on chemistry, physics and mathematics (back copies of these periodicals are housed in
the Muckleneuk Library).
Students who require material from the Science Library after hours should contact the librarian on week days before 13:00
on +27 12 429-8077 so that the required material may be transferred to the Lending desk at the Muckleneuk Library,
where it can be collected.
53

Florida Library
Hours:
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (January-November): 07:45-13:00
Monday to Friday (December): 07:45-16:00
Saturdays (December): Closed
Hours are subject to change.
Postal address
The Librarian
Gold Fields Library and Information
Centre
Private Bag X90
Florida
1710
Physical address
Unisa: Gold Fields Library and Information Centre
Corner of Christiaan de Wet and Pioneer Avenue
Florida
Science Library (Theo van Wijk building, Muckleneuk campus)
General library information +27 11 471 3068 / 2933, fax +27 11 471 3011
Learner Centre Reference Library +27 11 471 2650
A collection of recommended and prescribed books that may be used in-house, is available.
Akaki Library, Ethiopia
Monday to Friday (January-November): 09:00-17:00
Saturday (January-November): 09:00-14:00
Saturday (December): Closed
Physical address
Ground level
Block 2
Addis Ababa Centre in Ethiopia.
Contact numbers +251 114 351 357, fax: +251 114 351 2448
my Studies s@ Unisa 2011 54

eLibrary@SBL Unisa
General opening hours (special arrangements can be made to visit the Library at alternative times):
Monday to Friday: 07:45-16:00
Saturday: Closed
Postal address
Head of Branch
eLibrary@SBL Unisa
Department of Library Services
PO Box 392
Unisa
0003
Physical address
eLibrary@SBL Unisa
Room 2-3
Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership
Corner of Smuts Avenue and First Street
Midrand
Contact numbers +27116520 341/ 2
Admission to the SBL Reference & Information Centre is restricted to students who are registered for the SBL’s graduate
degree courses and short learning programmes.
The Centre focuses on providing training and guidance on accessing the Unisa library’s extensive range of
electronic information resources to the SBL’s graduate students and short learning programme students.
End-user workstations in the Centre are restricted to accessing the Unisa library Resources and linked
resources on the SBL’s EDS.
The Centre is a “paperless” training and working space, and is, therefore, not suitable for quiet study.
The Centre has no additional seating space for study.
The Centre has no photocopying or printing facilities.
Cape Town Library
Hours:
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-17:00
Saturday (January-November): 08:00-13:00
Monday to Friday (December): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (December): Closed
Postal address
The Librarian
Unisa: Western Cape
Private Bag X16
Parow
7499
Physical address
Unisa: Western Cape
Branch Library1
15 Jean Simonis Street
Parow
Contact numbers +27 21 936-4125/6, fax: +27 21 936-4127
Durban Library
Postal address
The Librarian
Unisa: KwaZulu-Natal
Physical address
Unisa: KwaZulu-Natal
Branch Library Level 4B
230 Stalwart Simelane Street
Durban
Contact numbers +27313351722, fax +27313372457
55

Polokwane Library
Hours:
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (January-November): 08:00-13:00
Monday to Friday (December): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (December): Closed
Postal address
The Librarian Unisa: Limpopo
PO Box 2805
Polokwane
0700
Physical address
Unisa: Limpopo Branch Library
23A Landdros Mare Street
Polokwane
Contact numbers +27 15 290 3431/3/5/6
Johannesburg Library
Hours:
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (January-November): 08:00-13:00
Monday to Friday (December): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (December): Closed
Postal address
Johannesburg Library
JSE Building
1 Kerk Street
Newtown, Johannesburg
2001
Physical address
Johannesburg Library
JSE Building
1 Kerk Street
Newtown, Johannesburg
2001
Contact numbers +27 11 630 4531/2/3
A collection of recommended and prescribed books that may be used in-house, is available.
Sunnyside Library
Hours:
Monday to Friday (January-November): 07:45-17:00
Saturday (January-November): 08:00-13:00
Monday to Friday (December): 07:45-16:00
Saturday (December): Closed
Hours are subject to change.
Physical address
Building 14
Corner of Walke & Mears streets
Pretoria
0001
Contact numbers +27 12 441 5781/2
Please note that the contact details are subject to change.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 56

What material is available in the Unisa libraries?
The Muckleneuk Library provides access to an extensive collection of books, periodicals (magazines and journals), audiovisual
material, and electronic databases and journals.
The book stock at the other branch libraries is determined by the number of students registered for a course in the area
covered by the branch library and by the physical facilities at the branch library.
No additional reading material and periodicals are available at the branch libraries. Students must use the electronic request
facility on the OASIS catalogue to request material.
Periodical articles and extracts from some books recommended or prescribed for assignments for structured courses are
placed on the Electronic Reserves of the Library’s catalogue, OASIS.
These pdf files can be downloaded and then viewed and or printed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Recommended library material
Students are not expected to purchase recommended books. These books may be borrowed from your nearest
Unisa Library.
If these books are not available they may be requested electronically via the OASIS Library catalogue from the
Muckleneuk Library.
Prescribed library material
Students are expected to purchase their own copies of prescribed books from the official booksellers.
A list of bookshops is available on the Unisa webpage.
Students who encounter problems with specific prescribed books that are not available at the official booksellers
should immediately write to the Registrar (Academic) or contact the Unisa Contact Centre.
Additional reading material
Additional reading material refers to background reading only. Many of the books listed in this category are out of
print and the Library is unable to acquire additional copies.
No special provision for such items is made in any collection.
General/research collection
Check the OASIS Library catalogue to ascertain whether the Library has a title in stock.
Students may borrow the books in the general/research collection except the reference books (eg dictionaries,
encyclopaedias, bibliographies and atlases).
Reference books
The reference collection in a branch is indicated by the letters REF in front of the classification number.
The reference collection may consist of dictionaries, abstracts, directories, encyclopaedias, indexes,
statutes or law reports.
The items in the reference collection are to be used in the Library only and may not be taken out.
Journal collection
Journals and newspapers are available for use in the Library only.
Photocopies of journal articles are supplied to students, subject to Library regulations and the provisions of the
Copyright Act 98 of 1978.
Electronic journals and the databases of the Library are available via the Library’s website or the
OASIS Library catalogue.
Please check the OASIS Library catalogue to ascertain whether the Library has a particular journal title in stock
and where it is housed.
Audiovisual collection
The audiovisual collection of the Muckleneuk Library is an extensive collection of recordings of music, the spoken
word (in several languages), language courses, music scores, video recordings, art slides, multimedia sets, music
reference works and microtext. All other Unisa libraries have a limited audiovisual collection.
All material may be used by students, except for music recordings which may only be used by students who are
registered for music courses.
A workstation with multimedia facilities is available for use by students in the Muckleneuk Library.
Bookings are essential for all facilities and equipment
The audiovisual equipment may only be used for study and research and not for recreational purposes.
The microtext material may be photocopied. All photocopying is subject to the provisions of the
Copyright Act 98 of 1978.
57

Archives
This material is not issued but may be consulted in the reading room of the Archives. More information about
these collections is available from the Archives.
All visits to the Archives should preferably be arranged telephonically in advance (+27 12 429 2560).
How do I access electronic resources?
Registered Unisa students can access electronic resources via
the OASIS Library catalogue: http://oasis.unisa.ac.za
or
via a mobile device: http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/airpac
The following functions are available on the OASIS Library catalogue:
Check the availability of items in the collections.
Check which items have been issued to you.
Check loan period of items issued to you.
Renew (extend) the loan period for items that appear on your loan record.
Request items (other than prescribed books), including those that are out on loan to another user.
Make suggestions and read the Library’s frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Suggest titles the Library could acquire (not available on AirPAC).
Access to subject databases, e-journals and e-books. It is important to note that licence conditions of database
vendors restrict access to registered Unisa students only. You may not download and distribute full-text material
to non-Unisa students or use it for commercial purposes. Violation of these restrictions may lead to disciplinary
action in terms of the Unisa Students’ Disciplinary Code.
E-mail: bib-dbase@unisa.ac.za
Web address: http://www.unisa.ac.za/library
Services offered by the Library
How do I borrow material?
In person (at the self-service machines or at the lending counter) – please note that all issue slips must be kept with
the relevant material. This slip must be produced on request at any time during the loan period.
Electronically via the oasis catalogue (http://oasis.unisa.ac.za) or via a
mobile device (http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/airpac.html).
By faxing a completed request card to +27 12 429 1828 (not preferred).
The Library will notify the student when the request is placed on a waiting list. If the book is no longer required,
the student should inform the Library immediately. The Library will notify students if an item is no longer available.
No reservations will be made for prescribed books.
How many items may I borrow at a time?
Undergraduate
Non-degree purpose, short learning courses and certificate
Postgraduate
Undergraduate music students
Postgraduate music students
8 items including audiovisual
4 items (no audiovisual)
16 items including audiovisual
12 items of which 8 may be audiovisual
20 items of which 8 may be audiovisual
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 58

How long may I keep Library material?
Loan periods
Renewal periods
Undergraduate Postgraduate Undergraduate Postgraduate
Study collection and
audiovisual collection
21 21 21 unless reserved 21 unless reserved
Research collection 21 42 21 42
Audiovisual material 21 21 21 21
Interlibrary loans 21 21
Students residing beyond the RSA borders will be granted extended loan periods.
Students with disabilities may request extended loan periods.
In exceptional circumstances another person may be authorised to borrow Library material on behalf of a student.
This person must have the admission card and a letter of permission from the student stating the date, the student
details and include the signature of the student. This letter is retained by the Library.
How do I request Library material?
To request books and periodical articles, please use the request function on the OASIS Library catalogue.
Periodical articles and extracts from books recommended or prescribed for assignments for structured courses are placed on
the Electronic Reserves of the Library’s catalogue, OASIS.
Please note that periodical articles are posted or e-mailed and not faxed.
The requested items can be delivered
to your postal address supplied at registration
couriered to the nearest Centre with which Unisa has an agreement for you to collect
couriered to the nearest regional office or branch library for you to collect
See the Library webpage for a complete list of all delivery points.
If no option is indicated the item will automatically be posted. Please ensure that your address is correct.
If the Library does not have the item that is being requested, the request will be considered by the Interlibrary Loans section
and you will be informed about the outcome of your request.
This service is available to masters and doctoral students only. It is however, not possible to provide books to students
residing in countries other than South Africa.
Queries in this regard may be sent to libr-ill@unisa.ac.za
How do I request audiovisual material?
To request audiovisual material, please use the request function on the OASIS Library catalogue.
Please note music CDs are only available to students studying the relevant degree.
Queries regarding the requests for Library material may be sent to bib-circ@unisa.ac.za
How is requested Library material sent to me?
The Library will send requested material free of charge according to the delivery option indicated.
Please allow up to three weeks for delivery. If the material is couriered, contact the delivery
point regarding collection.
Material not claimed within ten working days will be sent back to the Library from which it was couriered.
How do I renew Library material?
You can renew your material in the following ways:
OASIS catalogue
Click on http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/patroninfo
Telephone +27 12 429-4164 After hours number: +27 12 429 3560
Postal (letter/card)
Request for renewal to reach the Library four
days before the due date
The Library item that needs to be renewed, need not be
returned to the Library with the request
59

Renewals will not be granted if there is an outstanding account on the student’s loan record.
Only two renewals are allowed.
Items that cannot be renewed must be returned to the Library immediately.
How do I return my Library material?
You may return Library material:
In person
at any branch library (at the self-service drop box or at the lending counters). Audiovisual material MUST be
returned to the lending counters only. Receipts must be kept at all times as proof of return.
at the nearest Centre with which Unisa has an agreement. Please note, students in Mauritius, Zimbabwe,
Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia will be responsible for the cost of sending Library material back to South
Africa through these centres.
at the nearest regional office with which the Library has an agreement.
By post
Students should return library material to the Library where it was originally issued.
Students are liable for the cost of returning material.
Library material must be returned in sturdy packages. The Post Office parcel slip should be kept as proof that
the books have been returned. No cards need to be completed when material is returned. If a parcel is lost in
the post, the sender will be held liable for the replacement cost which is payable to the Library. Students are
advised to insure their parcels, because the Post Office only compensates clients for the loss of insured parcels.
All audiovisual material should be returned in separate parcels.
Please do not include any other correspondence when returning your Library material
When should I return my Library material?
All material should be returned on the due date
All library material must be returned immediately after the examinations, regardless of further study plans and/or
registration expiry dates.
Examination results of students who fail to return library material by the due date will be witheld until the material has
been received or until the replacement cost of each item as well as all outstanding administrative costs have been paid in
full. Re-registration will also not be possible.
Students who qualify for supplementary or aegrotat examinations will be notified to this effect in a letter from the
university. These students should submit a copy of this letter to the Muckleneuk Library or the relevant branch library so
that their membership can be extended until after the examinations.
Students who cancel or suspend their studies must return all library material for the relevant courses without delay.
Library material not returned on time
Failure to return library material on time could lead to the rendering of an account. The Library will send an
account for the standard price per item plus R1,00 per item per day for library material that is not returned by
the due date.
If a borrowed item is returned to the library after an account has been rendered, the student remains liable
for the administrative costs of R1,00 per item per day for the late return. The administrative cost will
not be cancelled.
Students may not borrow other material until this amount has been paid in full. Please note that prices are
subject to change. For the latest prices, please go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/library, click on “services”,
click on “tarrifs”.
Damaged or lost library material
If library material is damaged or lost by you, an account for the standard item price will be rendered.
The student has to pay the replacement cost or supply the Library with a new copy if library material is
damaged or lost.
The student may not borrow any other library material until this account has been paid or the item has
been replaced.
Please note that prices are subject to change. For the latest prices, please go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/library/services, click on “services”, click on “tarrifs”.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 60

How do I make payments to the Library?
Payment for services rendered may be made by means of a postal order
(which must be made out to Unisa), credit card, debit card or electronic transfer.
Absa Bank deposit (South African based students only); bank deposits can only be done:
for outstanding fines or lost/damaged items
if you have already received an account and have a student number
Please complete the deposit slip as follows:
Credit – Unisa Library Dep ref. – the first eight blocks are for the student number. If the student number consists of 7 digits,
then a 0 must be filled in for the first digit of the student number. Leave one block open and then fill in the following number:
5400374225 (student number + reference number). The account number to be used is 4048746711. Fax the completed
deposit slip to 086 659 8821.
Overseas students must use the following account details:
Bank name: Absa
Name of account: Unisa
Bank account no: 010000114
Bank account currency: ZAR
Swift no: ABSAZAJJ
Reference: Student number
What other services are available in the Library?
Library training
The various Unisa library branches offer training sessions. Each branch may be contacted for further details on Library
training.
Please visit the Library webpage for training schedules.
Self-help photocopying and printing
Students are expected to pay for all printing and photocopying made when visiting any branch in person.
The cost of photocopying and printing is 45c per A4 and 90c per A3 copy (rates subject to change).
All photocopying and printing is subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 98 of 1978 and the
relevant library regulations.
The Copyright Act states that material required for study or research purposes may be photocopied, subject to
the following conditions:
Not more than one copy may be made of not more than one article or other contribution appearing in a
periodical issue or other collection.
From other works, only a reasonable portion may be photocopied (it is accepted that a ‘‘reasonable portion’’
means not more than 10% of the whole work, having regard for the totality and meaning of the work).
PLEASE NOTE: No work may be photocopied in its entirety without prior authorisation by the copyright owner.
Users disregarding the above-mentioned conditions are liable to prosecution.
Clients with special needs
The following equipment is available:
Classmate Reader
Dolphin Pen
BookSense
Merlin desktop video magnifier
BookCourier portable reading
E-books and audio books
Wheelchairs
61

The following services are available:
Special parking
Entrance fees are not charged for the Library member with a disability or person who accompanies him or her.
Guide dogs are welcome in the Library.
Requested Library materials will be supplied in appropriate formats where possible
Special assistance available in the Library on request
For additional information regarding our services, please contact the Information Desk at the
Muckleneuk Library (012 429-3206; lib-disability@unisa.ac.za) or your nearest Branch library.
Personal librarian services
Personal librarians assist students with research needs and provide training in the use of subject databases.
Literature search service
This service provides a reading list on a research topic.
It is important to submit your request well in advance of your due date.
A literature search request form is available online: http://www.unisa.ac.za/litsearch
Ask a short question
The Library provides a web-based information service, which students may use for short reference queries.
Code of conduct
Students may not conduct any business in the Library.
Cellphones disturb people studying and doing research. Please do not use them in the Library.
Eating, drinking or smoking is not permitted in the Library.
Student notices and posters may only be placed on the notice boards supplied for this purpose. Enquiries may
be made at the lending desks.
Please avoid disturbing other Library users by keeping noise levels down.
Unfortunately no children are allowed in the Library
Library computers are intended for accessing library material and research/study related information only.
Security in the Library
Students are urged to familiarise themselves with emergency procedures when visiting a Unisa Library
The students should take care of their personal property, since the university cannot be held responsible for loss
or theft or damage to private property.
Any attempts to remove un-issued library material can lead to the suspension of Library membership
and possible further disciplinary measures, which may include a charge of theft and cancellation of
university registration.
Study carrels
Study carrels are available for use by master’s and doctoral students at the branch libraries in Muckleneuk, Cape
Town, Polokwane and Durban. The study carrels are available free of charge to master’s and doctoral students.
All bookings are made through the Library’s web page
Lockers
Available in the Muckleneuk Library.
Enquire at the Information Desk.
Library tariffs
Please note that all tariffs are subject to change. For the latest tariffs please go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/library
Entrance fee for day visitors (after school researchers) is R40,00 per day
Library material not returned will be charged at the standard price per item
Interlibrary loans :
Photocopies (articles) 1-15 pages R35,00
Faxes (articles) 1-15 pages R52,50
Loans (books) per lending transaction R35,00
Loans (See Student Affairs)
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 62

M
Marking of examination scripts (see examinations)
Memory excercises
My memory: can I improve it?
While doing your assignment or writing examinations at Unisa, you have probably found that you
are expected to do quite a number of things with your academic texts. Often you will need to argue
a point of view, form an opinion or critically analyse academic texts. But before you do these difficult
things you need to have some basic study skills. You will often need to memorise basic facts, ideas and
key words. Thereafter, you will be able to develop and implement reasoning skills based on your sound
foundation of facts.
In this section we will concentrate on a few learning skills you can try in your studies. However,
to generalise across all students and across all learning contexts without regard for how you, the
individual, would like to go about it, would be like trying to force you into a mould. So, in doing this we
are not trying to force you into a mould, or insisting that all students should go about learning in the
same way. What we are trying to achieve, however, is that you choose the way you would like to learn;
and adopt and use learning methods that you find useful to achieve your particular study goals.
Why do we sometimes find it difficult to
change our patterns of learning?
It is difficult, because
it is painful for some of us to unlearn rote learning techniques
it seems to threaten the ways we are used to doing things
it takes time and effort to change habits
the new advice sometimes sounds unappealing and impractical
You are probably able to add a few of your own reasons why you may find it difficult to change old
habits!
So, is there something I can do to help my memory?
The answer is a definite YES to this question. Often, you will first be expected to memorise basic facts,
ideas and key words before being able to reason a point of view or to think critically about certain
points. And this all starts with reading for meaning.
Reading for meaning
The purpose of reading something is not to be able to store the whole text in your mind. Even the
author of your prescribed books will not be in a position to recall in detail all that is written in the
chapter you are reading. What is important is that you be able to “think” through the ideas the author
has presented. Write down the main ideas and keywords you would like to retain. Remember that it’s
what you understand that counts.
How do I go about remembering the facts which I understand?
Memory strategies (mnemonics) can often be used to help us remember basic information from our
academic texts. We will briefly describe a few memory strategies that you might consider using in your
studies. Classifying information is where one usually begins to get some order in one’s studies.
Classification
Printed material often needs to be restructured and reorganised if we are to understand it better.
Classification means that information on the same topic is grouped together. An appropriate word
which best defines or explains the information is used as a heading to summarise the information.
Once one has found an overall heading, the items can be further sub-divided on the basis of shared
characteristics.
Acronyms
Acronyms are widely used to represent organisations and corporations. “Unisa” stands for the
University of South Africa; “WHO” stands for the World Health Organisation and you can probably
think of a few of your own. The reason why an acronym is used is that it helps people remember an
organisation or idea.
63

You can use the same principle in your studies. Identify the keywords in your passage, take the first letter of each key word
and form a new word. This is a very widely-used memory strategy and it works very well to help you remember basic facts.
Visualisation technique
Instead of rehearsing the basic information in your academic text over and over again, you could consider implementing
visual images. Imagery involves consciously creating visual images in your mind concerning the information you would like to
remember.
How does one go about forming effective visual techniques? To make visual associations effective, try to make your images
bizarre, visual and vivid. Try also to include some kind of interaction between your images.
Try these techniques in your studies, especially with key words you have difficulty remembering, and see how your memory
starts working for you.
Further memory improvement resources on the internet:
Learning & Remembering (University of Waterloo, Canada)
http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocs/Study/learn.html
Remembering (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University)
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/remember.html
Learning Skills Program: Remembering (University of Victoria)
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/remember.html
myUnisa
What is myUnisa?
myUnisa is a secure website for registered Unisa students, which will give you direct access to important information, such as
course information, and will allow you to update your personal information on the Unisa student system. You will be able to
join online discussion forums, submit your assignments and access a number of other resources.
How do I become a myUnisa user?
After receiving confirmation from the university that you are a registered Unisa student, you must do the following to
become part of this innovative learning community:
CLAIM: Go to http://mylife.unisa.ac.za and claim your myLife e-mail account before you join myUnisa.
JOIN: Go to http://my.unisa.ac.za and click on the “Join myUnisa” link.
VERIFY: Complete the verification process. (Please read ALL the instructions on the screen.)
Why is it important to become a myUnisa user?
myUnisa will provide you with 24-hour access to your information and learning resources. It will also allow you to become
part of an online learning community, which means that you will be able to interact with your lecturers and fellow students.
What does it cost to join myUnisa?
myUnisa and myLife are free to all registered Unisa students. If you do not have your own internet access, however, you may
need to visit an internet cafe, library or learning centre in your area. These centres provide access to the internet for a small fee.
I’ve now registered on myUnisa. How do I login to myUnisa?
Go to http://my.unisa.ac.za, enter your student number in the field labelled “student no” and enter the password you created
during the join procedure. Do not confuse this password with the myLife password you will be using for your e-mail account.
Who should I call if I have a problem with myUnisa?
You are welcome to contact the Unisa Contact Centre on 0861 670 411 if you have any problems with myUnisa. You may
also send an e-mail to myunisahelp@unisa.ac.za. Please have your student number on hand when contacting the university;
remember, too, to be clear and to the point when describing a problem.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 64

myLife e-mail account
How do I claim my myLife e-mail account?
As a registered Unisa student, you already have this e-mail account. Please note that you need to claim your myLife e-mail
box if you wish to receive any e-mail communication from Unisa.
Go to myUnisa at http://my.unisa.ac.za and click on the “Claim myLife e-mail” link.
Provide us with your details by completing the e-form on the screen. This is done for verification purposes.
Receive your myLife address and password.
Access your e-mail account.
Check your myLife e-mail frequently, as it will be your responsibility to manage your myLife e-mail account. Please note that
your myLife e-mail address will be the only official means of electronic communication between Unisa and you. Should you
wish to keep/use an existing e-mail account, you will need to forward or redirect your mail from your myLife account to your
preferred e-mail address.
How can I access my myLife e-mail account?
myLife is a web-based e-mail service, which means that you can access your e-mail from anywhere in the world using an
internet browser. Use the link http://www.outlook.com, your myLife ID (studentnumber@mylife.unisa.ac.za)
and your password.
What should I do to forward my myLife e-mail account to another account?
If you prefer to use another e-mail account, you can configure your myLife account to forward e-mails automatically. Please
note that the functionality listed here is not available in all browsers. To use the complete set of features available in the
Outlook web application, you need to use Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8. Most features are also supported in
Firefox 3.0.1 on computers running Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7
operating systems, and Safari 3.1 on the Mac OS X operating system.
To redirect your myLife e-mail to another e-mail account, please do the following:
Login to your myLife account (http://outlook.com) Click on the “Do the following:” drop-down list
Click on “Options”
Select the “Redirect the message to…” option
(top right-hand corner of the myLife e-mail screen)
Click on the “Organize your inbox with rules” tab In the “To” box, type in the e-mail address you want the
mail redirected to
Click on the “New” tab Click on “OK”
Click on the “When the message arrives,
Click on “OK”
and:” drop-down list
Select the “Apply to all messages” option Click on “Save”
Maps to Unisa’s campuses
See page 90
65

Multi-purpose community centres (Telecentres)
TELECENTRE NAME CONTACT PERSON CONTACT NUMBER NAME OF TOWN PHYSICAL ADDRESS
GAUTENG
Mamelodi Digital Centre
Solly Mashamaite
& Jeff Mamabolo
073 711 7830
073 506 9559
Mamelodi
Score Shopping Complex,
Shop 14, Tsakane, Tsamaya
RD, 0122
Rhiranzo Telecentre Cate Chipa 071 463 3554
012 711 0054/3455
Siyabonga Telecentre Patricia Mokoro 082 259 1239
072 754 7164
Hamanskraal
Orange Farm
342 Austin Street, Renstown,
Hamanskraal, 400
15954, Ext 3, Orange Farm,
1841
Zishap Telecentre
Petrus Ngema
& Zandile Khumalo
072 271 9966
083 312 7008
011 909 3705
Kahlehong
Msomi Street, Maphanga
Section, Kahlehong, 1431
Siyafunda CTC-
Palmridge
Themba Itimu 011 904 2720
071 842 5079
Palmridge
72 Celtis Street, Palmridge,
1458
Kopanong Daveyton
Youth development
Resource Centre
Gordon Mangxola 011 424 7732
084 534 7580
Daveyton
15377 Sydney Mkwalo Street,
Swazi Sec, Daveyton
Duduza Development
Resource Centre
Bailey Pule 011 810 2851
079 117 7603
Duduza
No 2 Nala Street, Duduza,
Nigel
Ipelegeng Youth
Development Centre
Peter Mbuli &
Tshepo Metsing
084 301 6864
082 544 6731
011 982 7609/10/11
Soweto
Corner of Khumalo & Thera
streets, White City, Jabavu,
Siyafunda CTC- Ratanda Moses Tsotetsi 016 343 7708
076 709 6735
Heidelberg
Sanca Heidelberg, 42 Smit
Street, Heidelberg, 01438
Mamelodi Community
Information Centre
Edna Moganedi 012 805 1294
073 342 4640
Mamelodi Mini Munitoria, Room B30,
19481 Makhubela Street,
Mamelodi West, 0122
Katlehong Resource
Centre
Hloni Makgetha
& Mookgo Sebuse
082 3575 639/ 011 860
5731/083 310 8471
071 949 9004
Mookgos@gmail.com
Katlehong
824 Ramokonopi West,
Sontonga Street,
Katlehong, 1431
MPUMALANGA
Mbangwane Thusong
Service Centre
Mike Mabuza
Andile Mbuyane
Sfiso Xumalo
013 781 0659
082 546 4053
076 453 9324
aymbuyane@mpg.gov.za
082 869 3171
013 7544 705
Mbangwane
Nkomazi Municipality
Nhlazeni District
Mbangwana Road adjacent to
Clinic Ehlazeni
Daggakraal Thusong
Service Centre
Geoffrey Mandonsela
Regina Mokoena
082 684 4462
072 105 9312
mokwenarm@mpg.gov.za
Daggakraal
Pixley ka seme Local
Municipality, 260 Sinqobile
A, Municipal Offices, Gert
Sibande District Daggakraal
Muzekhaya Telecentre
Andrew Mahlangu
Andries Maredi
082 667 0905
073 752 4019
Siyabuswa
Stand no 255, Mthombeni
Street, Makola, Siyabuswa
Sephatisiwe CTC Isaac nkalanga 072 994 4705 Matsulu Sephatisiwe Information
Communication Centre, stand
no 608, Matsulu, 1203
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 66

TELECENTRE NAME CONTACT PERSON CONTACT NUMBER NAME OF TOWN PHYSICAL ADDRESS
LIMPOPO
Mohodi Telecentre Piet Kobe 073 217 1247 Mohodi Stand no 646 Mohodi,
Ga-Manthata, next to Mohodi
Community Radio Station, 0788
Bulamahlo Telecentre Joyce Komana 015 355 4610
082 752 6779
Tzaneen
Stand no 30 Makhubidung Village,
next to Doctor CN Phatudi
Hospital, Shiluvana, 0873
Thondoni Telecentre Madzunya Edzisani 072 295 8644 Venda Lwamondo Makambe Village,
Shumani Makhani Restaurant
Ramokgopa Telecentre Chris Thoka 084 852 9357 Ramokgopa Stand no 1 Multipurpose Community
Centre, Ramokgopa, 0811
Mapela MPCC Jacky Masoga 015 413 0023
083 922 9404
Mapela
Mapela Cross Road, next to Taxi
Rank, Mapela Village
Vuvha Telecentre Gladwin Mudavhi 083 402 4342 Venda Vuvha Village, Community Centre,
next to crèche
FAM Computers
(I-Community
Telecentre
Fortune Maphapho 072 687 5997
015 483 4841/00
Mokopane
805 Ruphus Seakamela Street,
Mahwelereng
KWAZULU-NATAL
Isibani Solution Digital
Hub
Nozipho Mbatha 083 210 0985 Inanda 267 Dube Village, Ohlange Area,
Inanda, 4310
Sicabanzini Information
Centre
Linda Mthembu
Fikile Ngwenya
035 592 0100
Fax: 035 592 0105
074 4206 792
084 0400480
Sicabanzini
Sicabanzini Area,
Kwa-Ngwanase
Adams Mission MPCC Desmond Makhanya 071 260 2146
031 905 1991/1192
Adams
371 Sheleni RD, Adams Mission
Multipurpose Centre, Amanzi
Mtoti, 0189
Ndumo Telecentre Nhlanhla Ndlazi 076 133 7392 Ndumo Ndumo Community Centre,
KwaMthanti Area(ward 16) Ndumo
FREE STATE
Lesedi Telecentre Manketu Melato 078 524 9049 Heilbron 2234 Makoko Hlahane Street,
Phiritona/Heilbron
EASTERN CAPE
Mpheko-Dumrana
Telecentre
Tantaswa Cwati 082 503 6661 Mpheko Mpheko Village, next to the clinic
Cofimvaba Telecentre Patiswa Tambekile 072 696 9743
073 839 2993
Comfimvaba
Comfimvaba Thusong service
Centre, corner of High Street &
Bellair Avenue
Centane Telecentre
Zukiswa Mphahlwa
Thandile Mbanga
082 426 5812
078 596 8782
Centane
Centane Tele-Communication
Centre, Thusong Service Centre,
Bell Avenue, Centane, 4980
Kwahla-Kwasa
Multi-Media Centre
Lusanda Cweta & Vusi
Mazawule
078 503 5574
043 741 1688
East London
Braelinn Library, Bengal RD,
Braelinn Ext 10, East London,
5201
NORTHAN CAPE
Telizita Telecentre Telizita Dooling 072 437 1565 Kimberley
Pescodia
26 Starling Street, Roodepan,
Kimberly
Galeshewe Telecentre Morena Mohale 053 872 644
076 557 0362
Kimberley
Galeshewe
776, corner of Letsholo &
Mathanzima Street, Tlhokomelo,
Galeshewe, 8345
WESTERN CAPE
Belhar Media Centre Christolene Hartnick 084 386 1417
021 953 1718
Cape Coastal
12 Reed Street, Belhair
67

N
Notemaking
Distance learners do not attend classes to listen to lectures; they sit at home and read from their study
guides. The study guide accompanies the textbook from which students master the course. Study
reading is not enough. Successful students make notes of what they have read. The notes serve two
major purposes. Firstly, notes act as a permanent record of the time you have spent on a section of
the work. Secondly, notes serve as the first step in expanding your network of memory strategies.
Notemaking is the link between study reading and answering assignment questions.
When you are learning new material you have to ensure that the material is processed (encoded in
your memory) in such a manner that you understand and recall it. New information is best processed
if you reorganise it to suit your style of learning. The best way of processing information is to make
notes. Visual notes and linear notes are the two major styles of notemaking. Broadly speaking, if you
have an imaginative learning style, a creative, visual approach to notemaking should appeal to you.
If your learning style is more factual, you might prefer the tidier, step-by-step, narrative approach to
making notes.
Two approaches to notemaking
Visual notemaking methods refer to mindmaps, spidergrams, branching notes, clustergrams,
tables, flow charts and organograms.
Narrative notemaking methods refer to linear notes, listing, timeline notes, key word and
paragraph method, question method, and segmenting and labelling.
Applications of the different methods
How do you decide which is the best method to apply? Students make notes differently, but they
all manage to prepare adequately for their assignments and the exam. The most important thing to
remember is to start reorganising the information to suit yourself.
Your choice depends on a number of issues, such as what time of the year is it (the beginning equals
an overview to establish a frame of reference; or exam preparation equals detail to consolidate the
knowledge base), your estimate of the nature of the study task (Is it complex, unfamiliar or does it
entail many pages of learning?), your learning style (Do you start with an overall idea or do you prefer
a step-by-step approach?). The following contains some suggestions you might to want to experiment
with. Starting a course means that a useful point of departure is the extraction of an overall idea of
what the content is about. A mindmap, clustergram or organogram could be considered, and is based
on the list of content as well as chapter headings and subheadings to master the overview.
When you are faced with a chapter or section, you could use one of the narrative methods such as
segmenting and labelling, key word and paragraph method or question method to master a closer
understanding of the textbook or study guide. If you first applied one of the visual notemaking
methods, the structure of the course or the particular chapter should now be fixed in your memory.
Keeping the structure in mind as you read through the chapter, and then making narrative notes, helps
to change the feeling of unfamiliarity to one of knowing. You should be experiencing the “aha aha”
feeling: “now I see how it fits together”.
Using both visual and narrative methods of making notes ensures that you do not get bored and
drowsy while studying. Because you are using the methods interchangeably, you are able to maintain
your concentration. By actively searching for meaning (your own understanding), recalling the
information becomes easier. Mixing different notemaking methods to master your course material is
the characteristic of a study-wise student. Irrespective of your preferred style (visual or narrative), the
challenge of notemaking is centred on your ability to experiment with various approaches to study
tasks and to find the most effective matches.
Sources
Buzan, T & Buzan B. 1995. The mind map book. London: BBC Books.
Deem, J. 1993. Study skills in practice. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Russell, P. 1979. The brain book: know your mind and how to use it. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 68

Mindmapping overview
Example of a visual notemaking method: mindmap
Steps to follow
Step 1: Start with a central image – use the list of
content. It is the shortest summary of the book. Step
2: Add key words/phrases to the central image (section
and chapter headings). Step 3: If you need more key
words/phrases, use the headings and subheadings of
each chapter. You have now established a frame of
reference (an understanding of how different sections,
chapters and their subsections relate to each other). Step
4: Use the mindmap as a self-test. Put away your books
and notes. Take a clean sheet of paper and from memory
reproduce what you have just mindmapped. Compare it
to your first effort.
Source
Buzan, T & Buzan B. 1995. The mind map book.
London: BBC Books.
Question system to control detail
Example of a narrative notemaking method: question
system
Steps to follow
Step 1: Split the page into two: left-hand column
(a third of the page) and the right-hand column
(two thirds of the page). Step 2: Left-hand column:
turn the study objectives into questions – your notes in
the right-hand column will answer the questions on the
left. Step 3: Right-hand column: make your notes as you
work through the study guide and textbook, as answers
to the questions posed. Step 4: You may add more
questions and answer them in the right-hand column.
To revise for exam purpose, block the notes and see
whether you are able to answer the questions by talking
aloud or writing them down.
Source
Deem, J. 1993. Study skills in practice.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Further notemaking resources on the internet:
Concept mapping (mindtools.com) http://www.mindtools.com/mindmaps.html
The Art of Notetaking (Capital Community-Technical College, Hartford, Connecticut)
http://webster.commnet.edu/faculty/~simonds/notes.htm
Notemaking (Northern Territory University) http://www.learnline.ntu.edu.au/studyskills/nm/nm_nl.html
Mindmaps (Peter Russel) http://www.peterussell.com/mindmap1.html
Notetaking video (Dartmouth College) http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/video_nt.html
This document is available online: https://sol.unisa.ac.za/counselling/
Unisa Directorate for Career, Counselling and Academic Development, e-mail: counselling@unisa.ac.za
69

O
ODL
Go to page 3 of this brochure.
Online services (see myUnisa and myLife)
Office hours
Unisa’s offices are open from Monday to Friday from 07:45 to 13:00, and from 13:45 to 15:45.
Unisa is closed over weekends and on public holidays.
P
Prescribed books and official booksellers
(see bookshops/sellers)
Postal address (see contact us)
R
Regional centres (see contact your region)
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 70

S
Scientific pocket calculators (see Unisa Press)
Stress management
All of us experience anxiety, stress or tension at some or other stage in our lives. If we do not cope
with it immediately and deliberately it might overwhelm us and immobilise us for the tasks that we
have to perform. Therefore it is necessary to know about the effects of anxiety, stress and tension,
and how we can cope with them.
Emotional symptoms
The following emotional symptoms could indicate that you are experiencing anxiety, stress or tension:
Sometimes feeling depressed and downhearted
Feeling detached from oneself
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Fear of dying
Intense apprehension, fearfulness or terror often associated with feelings of impending doom
Intellectual symptoms
The following intellectual symptoms might indicate that you are experiencing anxiety, stress or tension:
Difficulty concentrating on a specific task or experiencing the mind going blank
(clouding of consciousness)
Forgetfulness, resulting from preoccupation with the problem
Behaviourial symptoms
Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge
Trembling or shaking
Short temperedness
Withdrawal from interpersonal interaction
Excessive smoking, sleeping and/or drinking
Sleep disturbances (finding it difficult to fall asleep or experiencing nightmares,
sleeping excessively or restless sleep – waking up tired)
Not feeling hungry or eating excessively
Slow psychomotor co-ordination
Very often people who experience stress are inclined to shy away from interpersonal contact and are
thus inclined to bottle up feelings instead of sharing them with others. This bottling up of feelings and
the corresponding tension can lead to psychosomatic symptoms such as heart problems, headaches,
diarrhoea, impotence and asthma. When you experience tension or anxiety, usually your sleeping, sex
and eating patterns are disturbed. Your need for sex might be diminished or you could experience
an excessive need for it to comfort you. You also might not feel hungry. In an attempt to overcome
anxiety or tension you might resort to excessive smoking, sleeping and drinking When stress is
prevalent, depression is underlying or dormant. Once you give up handling and competing with the
problems creating stress, depression sets in. What can we do about it if we experience stress and
anxiety and underlying depression?
How to cope with stress
Peter discovered that he was in debt. This realisation made it impossible for him to sleep. He became
very anxious and depressed and wanted to commit suicide. He complained about it to a good friend.
The friend listened patiently as Peter told him of all his problems, but when he replied, he made no
mention of the debt. This surprised Peter very much. Instead of discussing the debt, the friend talked
about what Peter owned, about his money, and about the friends who were ready to help him.
Suddenly, Peter saw his problems in a new light. He stopped wasting his energy on problems and debt
and concentrated on the abilities he actually had. He then discovered that he had enough power and
resources to solve his problem.
This story shows us that a healthy person is not one who is free of problems, but one who deals with
them. One day’s happiness can make a person forget his or her misfortune, and one day’s misfortune
can make a person forget his or her
past happiness.
71

Anxiety or stress implies an oversensitivity to others’ opinions, attitudes and demands. This being the case, then surely
communication between the concerned parties should alleviate the matter. It sounds easy enough but we all have
reservations about communicating matters of a personal nature. We always think: “What will he think of me if I told him
this problem that I experience”, or “She would think I am stupid to have such a problem,” or “Why can’t I just cope with
problems like anybody else?” or “I am sure I am the only one with such a problem, nobody will understand me.” Most
emotional problems are related to the perceptions and expectations we have of significant other people. The questions above
confirm this view. One could thus also say that in one’s (subjective) definition of the problem lies the solution to it as well!
To be able to perceive and handle problems effectively, one must also be as physically fit as possible. Tiredness can negatively
influence the perception and definition of, as well as possible solutions to a problem. The problem may then be perceived
as overwhelming. The solution to a problem lies in its meaning, perception and definition. If you define a problem as
overwhelming, it will appear insurmountable. Furthermore, if you think about a problem on your own, you will only have one
point of view. In the example earlier, Peter’s friend introduced a different perspective and by implication a (different) solution
to the problem.
When a person falls ill in the West, they say he must have a rest. He is visited by a few people and visits are socially
controlled. In the East, when a person falls ill, his bed is placed in the living room. The sick person is the centre of attention
and is visited by many family members and friends. If visitors stay away, it is seen as uncivil and as a lack of sympathy. In this
way relationships are confirmed. In the West relationships are often severed when a person becomes ill and the sick person is
forgotten at his or her office until he or she returns. He or she does not experience being missed by colleagues and friends.
So, if you find it difficult to talk to someone about your problems or negative experiences, find a psychologist or a good
friend and start to practise talking to him or her first. Maybe that will give you enough courage to talk to others as well. By
sharing a problem and feeling understood, the impact of a problem is alleviated. There is a saying: “Nature is explained but
people are understood”. There is no need for you to ever explain your behaviour if you feel you have done the best you can.
We only need to understand each other.
Very often people ask whether or not it may be simpler to take a tranquilliser to alleviate the anxiety or tension. There are
times when tranquillisers may come in handy on a short-term basis. When a loved one dies and you find it difficult to cope
with the emotional impact of the event or if you are the bridegroom who has to make a speech at your wedding and you
suffer from stage fright, then tranquillisers could be a blessing that helps to cope with a temporary and tense situation. (The
bridegroom might however pay for it in another way later on that evening – much to his embarrassment)! Tranquillisers and
sex do not really work together.
Feeling tense can be compared to the waves of the sea. You are not equally tense at all times, just as the intensity of the
waves differs at different times. The tenseness builds up to a peak and then calms down a bit, similar to high tide when the
sea is much more active. The waves come and go. The tranquilliser cuts out peak emotional experiences so that you do not
experience them as so overwhelming. The “wave” of emotion can thus not develop fully under the influence of a tranquilliser
and in this way you are protected for as long as you take it. But can you carry on taking the medication for ever? Would it not
be better to learn how to surf, so that you can ride the waves of emotion when they come? For this reason it is important to
talk to as many people as possible about your experiences, especially to experts.
If you bottle feelings up, you are “freezing” the emotional wave and the body is kept in a state of readiness, like a horse that
is ready to race. The adrenalin is still pumping and the heart rate is still high to keep you in that state of readiness. Also, many
of the corresponding symptoms that were mentioned earlier still prevail. Obviously the body cannot be kept in a state of
readiness indefinitely and something must give. Usually it is the heart which works the hardest and is the most vulnerable. So,
does it pay to bottle up (and freeze emotions)? Definitely not.
Sources
First, MB (ed.). 1994. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Peseschkian, N. 1980. Positive family therapy: the family as therapist. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Reddy, A. 1996. “Stress management through self-awareness”. Unpublished lecture presented to students.
Tulloch, S. 1994. Complete wordfinder. The Reader’s Digest Association Limited: Cape Town.
Sykes, JB (ed.). 1987. The concise Oxford dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Van Leeuwen, AJ. 1991. Konsensus van idees in gesinne: implikasies vir gesinsfunksionering, simptomatologie en behandeling.
Unpublished DLitt et Phil. Thesis, Unisa.
Van Schoor, WA, Mill, E & Van der Merwe, D. 1995. Effective study. Pretoria, Unisa.
Further stress management resources on the Internet:
Stress Management Questionnaire (Oakton Community College): evaluate your ability to handle stress and improve
your stress management skills
http://www.oakton.edu/resource/iss/stressvy.htm
How to deal with stress (University of St Thomas)
http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/stress.htm
Coping skills inventory (Queendom.com): evaluate how well you cope with stress.
http://www.queendom.com/tests/career/coping_skills_r_access.html
Stress Management video (Dartmouth College):
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/video_sm.html
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 72

Students with disabilities (see ARCSWiD)
SBL (Unisa School of Business Leadership)
Physical adress: corner of Smuts Avenue and First Street, Midrand
Email: sbl@unisa.ac.za (student number only in subject line)
Tel: 011 652 0000
Fax: 011 652 0299
Visit their website at http://www.sblunisa.ac.za/
Student card
Once you have been registered with Unisa, you will be issued with a study pack. In this pack will be an inventory letter which
will contain your unique Unisa temporary student card. You will be issued with a new card every year, which you must keep
with you at all times. This paper student card must be accompanied by some form of valid identification, such as an ID book,
passport or driver’s licence, and will give you access to Unisa’s campuses and library facilities.
To make access to Unisa facilities and libraries easier you can get an electronic student access card. You can get one either
at the Gauteng Regional office or on the Main Campus in seminar room 7 of the Samuel Pauw building or make enquiries
at your regional office regarding where you can obtain this card. Your photograph will be taken and you must carry this card
with you whenever you want to enter Unisa facilities such as libraries, computer laboratories and study areas.
Study material
Since you will not attend classes, you will receive comprehensive study guides and tutorial letters for each module, which will
help you to master your study material and give direction to your studies. You should use your study guides together with
the prescribed and recommended books, which you may need to purchase for certain modules.
As already mentioned, you will receive tutorial letters and study guides, and sometimes even CDs and DVDs as part of your
initial study package from the university at the beginning of the academic year or semester. You will, however, also receive
additional study material in the form of tutorial letters during the course of the semester or year. Each tutorial letter will
have a specific serial number and this number indicates the type of information contained in the tutorial letter. The following
information should help you to keep track of your tutorial letters.
Serial number
Type of information contained in the tutorial letter
000 series These tutorial letters are issued by lecturers and not the Despatch Directorate. You may,
therefore, not receive any tutorial letters in this series. A lecturer may, for example, compile
a tutorial letter in this series to provide answers to or comments on a marked assignment.
The lecturer may also decide only to send this type of tutorial letter to students who
completed a particular assignment.
100 series Tutorial letters 101 generally deal with assignments, closing dates for assignments and
general information applicable to a specific course, such as prescribed books, admission
requirements for the examination, and so on. These tutorial letters are numbered in
sequence: 101, 102, 103, and so on.
200 series These tutorial letters are printed on pink paper and may not be issued before a specific date
(eg until after the closing date for an assignment). These tutorial letters are also numbered
in sequence: 201, 202, 203, and so on.
300 series Tutorial letters in this series are mostly of a general nature. These tutorial letters are issued
simultaneously to all students in a college or department, or to students who are registered
for a specific programme or course. These tutorial letters are also numbered in sequence:
301, 302, 303, and so on.
500 series The tutorial letters in this series generally serve as study guides. They are, however, only
valid for one academic year, unlike a study guide which may be valid for more than one year.
Please note that all study material is also available on Unisa’s student portal, myUnisa.
73

Student Affairs
Just because Unisa isn’t a traditional campus-based university doesn’t mean that the university does not offer student
services and activities. Student Affairs has three directorates that are fully resourced to provide the much needed social and
financial support to students:
Student Development
Through the Directorate for Student Development, any registered group of students can form student social groupings such
as book clubs or coffee clubs, and/or become members of existing student organisations and college associations. Students
can volunteer to become Health and Wellness coordinators.
Unisa has vibrant student governance. Any student can be prepared to become a member of the Student Representative
Council (SRC). Currently, we have SRCs at all our regional centres countrywide. These are elected student leaders who are
committed to serving students. They are concerned with the wellbeing of all registered students. They are there to support
you as you pursue your career with Unisa student governance or social services.
In addition, this Directorate also has an effective Student Social Development Section. This Section is ready to provide
students with exciting co-curriculum activities such as graduate development, stress management, job readiness, presentation
skills, diversity management, communication skills, drug and substance abuse awareness, and planning skills. Contact
studentsfirst@unisa.ac.za to access any of the services that are outlined above.
Student Funding
The Student Funding Directorate administers donor funds in the form of study loans and bursaries, according to donors’
criteria. Their main aim is to assist financially needy and academically deserving students.
Types of financial assistance
1 NSFAS Loans: NSFAS is a statutory body, funded primarily by the South African National Department of
Education, which provides study loans to academically able but financially needy students who wish to study
at one of South Africa’s public institutions of higher education. A NSFAS loan is the money a student borrows
from NSFAS to cover tertiary studies. This loan has to be repaid. A NSFAS bursary is a portion of an award
that does not need to be repaid. The size of the bursary is determined by the number of courses which are
passed. A 100% pass rate will result in a 40% bursary rebate on the NSFAS loan.
2 Department of Labour (DOL) Bursary: This bursary aims to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities
by empowering them through financial means to academic access. To qualify, you must be a South African
citizen with a disability and show the potential to succeed academically.
3 Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme: This is a new multi-year programme which was launched in 2007 to
promote teaching in public schools as the career of choice for able and committed South Africans. Full-cost
bursaries are available to enable eligible students to complete a full teaching qualification in an area of national
priority. Recipients of a Funza Lushaka bursary are required to teach in a provincial education department for the
same number of years that they received the bursary.
Where can I find the Student Funding offices?
The Student Funding offices are based in the new Registration building on the Sunnyside campus (Hall B). All enquiries
regarding financial assistance may be directed to
Student Funding Sunnyside campus: Tel: 012 441 5463
Student Funding Florida campus: Tel: 011 471 2027
Student loans (see Student Affairs)
Student funding (see Student Affairs)
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 74

T
Tutorial letters (see study material)
Tutorial services
Learner support aims to create opportunities for personal transformation and lifelong development.
The Directorate: Tutorial Services, Discussion Classes and Work-Integrated Learning, and the
Directorate for Counselling, Career and Academic Development provide essential services for all Unisa
students. We strongly recommend that you acquaint yourself with the services they offer.
The Directorate: TSDL (Tutorial Services, Discussion Classes and Work-Integrated Learning), as the
name suggests, is responsible for Unisa’s Tutorial Support Programme, discussion classes and
work-integrated learning.
Unisa offers an additional academic support service, in the form of the Tutorial Support Programme, to
all registered Unisa students. This service, which is offered particularly to first and second-year students,
takes the form of weekly face-to-face tutorials led by qualified tutors recommended by Unisa’s colleges
and appointed by Unisa.
How can I join the Tutorial Support Programme?
You may only join the Tutorial Support Programme if you are a registered Unisa student for 2011. As a
registered student, you may visit a Unisa campus or region of your choice, complete a Tutorial Support
Programme enrolment form and pay the prescribed enrolment fee. Please note that you may only
enrol for tutorials in a maximum of three modules.
Once you have registered for the Tutorial Support Programme and have paid the necessary enrolment
fee, you will receive 15 one-hour tutorial classes per semester for each module for which you have
registered. Please note, however, that tutorial classes will only commence once a minimum of 5
students for Science modules and 15 students for other modules have registered for a particular
module.
How should I pay the tutorial fee?
You may pay the prescribed Tutorial Support Programme fee at a Unisa cashier (no cash) or at any
Absa bank. Please ensure that you use the correct Unisa bank account number and allocation number.
Note that the Learning Centre reference number is different to that of the study fees account.
Please also ensure that you fill in the deposit slip correctly; also remember to include your Unisa student
number. Absa bank will not process a transaction if any of the following information is incorrect:
Credit: Unisa tutorial fees
Dep ref: Use the first 8 shaded blocks for your student number. If your student number only consists
of 7 digits, please add a “0” as the first digit of your student number. Leave one block open
and then fill in your student number.
Acc no: 4048746711
Please use this example of the deposit slip to complete your deposit slip.
A deposit will only reflect on your student account on the first working day following the day on which you
made the deposit.
75

Where is the Tutorial Support Programme available?
The Unisa Tutorial Support Programme is currently available at the following Unisa centres:
REGIONS
CONTACT DETAILS: TUTORIAL SERVICES
NORTH EASTERN
Polokwane
23A Landros Maré Street,
Polokwane, 0742
Contact
Dr K Rankapole
Tel: 015 290 3417
E-mail: krankapo@unisa.ac.za
Mrs M Vermeulen
Tel: 015 291 3443
E-mail: mvermeul@unisa.ac.za
Mr M Rakoma
Nelspruit
Standard Bank Centre, 1st floor,
31 Brown Street, Nelspruit, 1201
Contact
Mr J Munonde
Tel: 013 755 2476
Fax: 013 7552489/086 519 6153
E-mail: jmunonde@unisa.ac.za
*Please use these contact details for Mbabane
Middelburg
Corner of Church & Bhimy Damane streets,
Town Square Building, ground floor,
Middleburg, 1050
Contact
Mr F Serogole
Tel: 013 282 4115
E-mail: pserogole@unisa.ac.za
GAUTENG
Thutong (Sunnyside)
Tutorial Services Office, 12 Harmony
building, Sunnyside campus, corner of
Walker & Joubert streets
Contact
Mrs CHS Ntuli
Tel: 012 441 5751 Fax: 086 530 1972
E-mail: ntulichs@unisa.ac.za
Johannesburg
Tutorial Services Office, Old JSE Annekes
building, 1 Kerk Street,
Johannesburg, 2000
Contact
Mr P Mandende
Tel: 011 630 4506
E-mail: mandejp@unisa.ac.za
Mr N Mnguni
Tel: 011 630 4504
E-mail: bmnguni@unisa.ac.za
Florida
Tutorial Services Office, F-Block, corner of
Christiaan de Wet Road & Pioneer Avenue
Contact
Ms T Zililo
Tel: 011 471 2082 Fax: 011 471 3490
E-mail: zililot@unisa.ac.za
Benoni
90 General Building,
Elston Avenue, Benoni,
1501
Vaal Triangle
Unisa Sedibeng College FET
06 Frikkie Meyer Boulevard
Vanderbijl Park
1900
Mr L Molepo
Tel: 012 421 6210
Fax: 011 421 6593
LMolepo@unisa.ac.za
Mr H Mothudi
HMothudi@unisa.ac.za
Contact
Mr T Modibedi
Tel: 016 931 9979/9883 Fax2email: 0866 324 233
E-mail: Modibtp@unisa.ac.za
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 76

The Unisa Tutorial Support Programme is currently available at the following Unisa centres (continued):
REGIONS
CONTACT DETAILS: TUTORIAL SERVICES
KWAZULU-NATAL
Durban
Tutorial Services Office, 230 Stalwart
Simelane Street, Durban, 4001
Contact
Mr D Maharaj
Tel: 031 335 1751/49 Fax: 031 337 2026
E-mail: mahardp@unisa.ac.za
Mr D Sewduth
Tel; 031 332 2202
*Please use these contact numbers for Richards Bay, Empangeni
or Mbizana
Pietermaritzburg
Tutorial Services Office, 1 Langalibalele
Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Contact
Mrs P Shezi
Tel: 033 355 1713 Fax: 033 394 3626
E-mail: pshezi@unisa.ac.za
Mr K Richmond
E-mail: krichmond@unisa.ac.za
Newcastle
Tutorial Services Office, corner of
Sutherland & Harding streets, Newcastle,
2940
Contact
Mr MB Ndaba
Tel: 034 326 3105 Fax: 034 312 4015
E-mail: ndabamb@unisa.ac.za
CAPE COASTAL
Parow
Tutorial Services Office, 15 Jean Simonis
Street, Parow, 7499
Contact
Ms A Marais
Tel: 021 936 4190 Fax: 021 936 4124
e-mail: maraia@unisa.ac.za
Mthatha
Tutorial Services Office, corner of Victoria
& York streets, Economic Affairs building,
Umtata, 5100
Contact
Mrs NE Msengana
Tel: 047 531 5002/6 Fax: 047 531 5120
E-mail: msengne@unisa.ac.za
*Please use these contact details for Lusikisiki and Mt Frere
East London
Tutorial Services Offie, 10 St Lukes Road,
Southernwood, East London, 5201
Contact
Ms N Kenqu
Tel: 043 743 9246 Fax: 043 743 9273
E-mail: kenqun@unisa.ac.za
*Please use these contact details for King Williams Town
Port Elizabeth
Tutorial Services Office, Greyville House.
Cr Greyville & Ring Road
Greenacres, 6045
Contact
Ms N Lallie
Tel: 041 363 1070 Fax: 041 363 1071
E-mail: nomes@unisa.ac.za
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The Unisa Tutorial Support Programme is currently available at the following Unisa centres (continued):
REGIONS
CONTACT DETAILS: TUTORIAL SERVICES
MIDLANDS
Mafikeng
Tutorial Services Office, 29 Main Street,
opposite Absa bank, Mafi keng, 2745
Contact
Prof S Shole
Tel: 018 381 6617/7318
Fax: 018 381 7926
E-mail: sholejss@unisa.ac.za
Rustenburg
Tutorial Services Office, Forum building (1st
fl oor), corner of OR Tambo & Steen streets,
Rustenburg, 0300
Contact
Mr M Khorombi
Tel: 014 594 8800/8856
Fax: 014 594 8863/086 518 5508
E-mail: mkhoro@unisa.ac.za
Potchefstroom
Tutorial Services Office, 20 Auret Street,
Potchefstroom, 2531
Contact
Mr J Monnaemang
Tel: 018 294 3362/41
Fax: 018 297 2107
E-mail: matsij@unisa.ac.za
Kimberley
Tutorial Services Office, Shop 3, Liberty Life
building, Chapel Street, Kimberley, 8301
Contact
Mrs M Louw
Tel: 053 832 6391
Fax: 086 518 7125
E-mail: mmlouw@unisa.ac.za
Bloemfontein
Tutorial Services Office, NRE House, 161
Zastron Street, Bloemfontein, 9301
Contact
Mr S Nhlapo
Tel: 051 430 4353/411 0452
Fax: 051 430 3822
E-mail: snhlapo@unisa.ac.za
*Please use these contact details for Maseru
Kroonstad
Tutorial Services Office, NFS building, 1st
floor, 36 Brand Street, Kroonstad, 9500
Contact
Ms A Marais
Tel: 021 936 4190 Fax: 021 936 4124
E-mail: maraia@unisa.ac.za
my Studies @ Unisa 2011 78

U
Unisa Press
All prescribed publications published by Unisa Press are clearly indicated in Tutorial letter 101. The
titles printed in bold type and marked with a double asterisk** should be ordered directly from Unisa
Press. An order form for this purpose has been included at the back of this booklet. Send your order
to:
The Business Section, Unisa Press
PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003
All other prescribed publications mentioned in Tutorial letter 101 are available from Unisa’s official
booksellers. Please do not use the order form referred to in the above paragraph for this purpose. This
order form is for Unisa Press publications only.
Important
The prices of the different Unisa Press publications are included in Tutorial letter 101.
Please ensure that you include the correct amount of money (cheque, postal order,
electronic transfer, credit card payment or internet transfer) with each stationery order.
If you have an adequate credit balance in your student account, we may debit the cost of
the stationery from your account if you ask us to do so in writing.
Please make out all cheques and postal orders in favour of Unisa.
South African postal tariffs include VAT and postage. Prices of stationery include both
South African and overseas airmail.
Stationery
Only one assignment pad, ten assignment covers and ten envelopes are initially supplied with your
study material. You will have to order and pay for any additional stationery you require.
Readers, case books and other prescribed books
Tutorial letter 101 clearly indicates which publications can be ordered from Unisa. Please refer to
Tutorial letter 101 to find out where a book should be ordered from and what the correct price is. If
the book is only available from Unisa, please use the order form at the back of this brochure.
Scientific pocket calculators
If you are studying through the Department of Quantitative Management, you may require a scientific
pocket calculator. If you do not already have one, you may order one from Unisa. Please refer to
Tutorial letter 101 for the relevant order form, which must be completed in full and sent, together
with payment, to
The Business Section, Unisa Press
PO Box 392, Unisa, 0003
Geography requirements
The Department of Geography sends out an order form to certain of its students to enable them to order
specific apparatus and other requirements directly from Unisa. The prices are quoted in a tutorial letter.
Sales counter in Pretoria
The Unisa Press bookshop is located in the new Registration building on the Sunnyside campus in
Walker Street. The bookshop is open from Monday to Friday, from 7:45-16:00. The sales counter is
also open on Saturdays during registration periods.
For more information about Unisa Press publications, please phone 012 429 3448/3368/2976/
3515/2953, fax 012 429 3449, e-mail thearl@unisa.ac.za/unisapress@unisa.ac.za
or visit their website: http://www.unisa.ac.za/press.
Unisa Contact Centre (see Contact Centre)
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W Websites
Unisa has two main websites that will interest students. The Corporate Website, www.unisa.ac.za,
is mainly a marketing and positioning tool that provides prospective students with information
about the application and registration processes and course information. It also has various
websites that can assist students with information on the colleges and services Unisa offers.
myUnisa at http://my.unisa.ac.za is the website for students. For more information see myUnisa in
the A-Z guide
Work-integrated learning
Unisa differentiates between work-to-earn and work-to-learn. The first applies to financial
need and general work experience, whereas the second forms part of the curriculum of specific
qualifications and is generally known as work-integrated learning (WiL). The regional office
structure of Unisa tries to assist students who do not have access to suitable real-life learning
environments to complete their compulsory WiL. The names and contact details of relevant
regional staff members are available on http://www.unisa.ac.za/wil. Where organisations
approach Unisa about opportunities to earn, information will be made available through the
relevant channels.
During registration (excluding postal) for this module, you were asked a question in order to
determine if you are in a position to complete your work-integrated learning, namely:
The regional student support structure will endeavour to assist you if you answered
“No” or contact you to make sure about your need if you answered “Don’t know”.
You are encouraged to also look for a suitable organisation at which to complete your
work-integrated learning.
You may further consult http://www.unisa.ac.za/wil for the contact details of the staff member/s
of the regional office concerned to make enquiries and/or download/print, complete and submit
a standard CV form, which regional staff may use to present to potential host organisations.
This webpage also contains details regarding Unisa’s liability insurance with regard to claims
stemming from work-integrated learning.
By Dr Thomas Groenewald, Process Manager: Cooperative Education of the Work-integrated
Learning (WiL) section of TSDL. 12 April 2010.
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Student Disciplinary code
Contents
1 Definitions
2 General principles and rules
3 Misconduct
4 Student Disciplinary i Committee
5 Procedure in the case of a complaint of misconduct
6 General procedures at the hearing of a charge of misconduct
7 Sanctions
8 Implementation of findings of the Student Disciplinary Committee
9 Appeals
10 Reporting and disclosure of findings
11 Safekeeping of the record of proceedings
12 Commencement of Code
13 Operational guidelines
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CHAPTER 1
DEFINITIONS
Council
Day
Employee
Initiator
Principal
Registrar
Student
means the Council of the University;
means a working day with the exclusion of Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays;
means a permanent or temporary employee of the University;
means an employee of the University appointed by the Registrar to conduct the case for
and present the evidence on behalf of the University at the Student Disciplinary Committee;
means both Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University;
means the Registrar of the University and includes the Deputy Registrar;
means any person, who at the time of the alleged misconduct is or was:
(i)
registered for a qualification listed in the University’s Calendars, or
(ii) taught or evaluated on any University premises by an employee or someone
contracted by the University for that purpose;
Student Disciplinary
Appeals Committee
Student Disciplinary
means the committee constituted by the Registrar to consider cases of student appeals
from decisions of the Student Disciplinary Committee;
means a committee constituted by the Registrar to adjudicate charges of misconduct
Committee relating to students;
Students’ Representative means the Students’ Representative Council of the University;
Council
University
means the University of South Africa;
University premises
CHAPTER 2
GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES
1. The Student Disciplinary Code is aimed at:
means any premises or building which is the property of the University or is controlled
by the University for University activities including regional offices, centres and
examination venues.
1.1 upholding the name and reputation of the University;
1.2 maintaining order, discipline, safety and security at the University;
1.3 ensuring the integrity of the academic processes of the University; and
1.4 assuring the quality of the assessment processes at the University.
2. Any conduct of a student which contravenes the Disciplinary Code and/or negatively impacts on these goals may
be regarded as misconduct and subject to disciplinary measures.
3. The general supervision and control of student discipline at the University vests with the Registrar and are
administered in terms of the Students’ Disciplinary Code of the University.
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CHAPTER 3
MISCONDUCT
1. A student is guilty of misconduct if she/he:
1.1 intentionally or negligently contravenes or subverts, or attempts to contravene or subvert, or assists,
encourages or persuades any other person to contravene or subvert a code, regulation, rule or instruction of
the University;
1.2 refuses or fails to comply with a lawful instruction or request of an employee of the University authorised to
give such instruction or make such request, or acts contrary to such instruction or request;
1.3 commits any statutory or common law crime whilst on the premises of the University;
1.4 intentionally or negligently misuses, damages, defaces, destroys or alienates, or without authorisation,
uses any building, furniture or equipment, computer, vehicle, notes, documents or any other thing owned
or controlled by the University or by any employee of the University, or by any registered student of
the University;
1.5 intentionally or negligently mismanages and/or misappropriates funds of the University;
1.6 introduces intoxicating liquor onto the premises of the University without the consent of the Principal
(or a person duly authorised by the Principal) or management of the regional centre, or consumes or abuses
intoxicating liquor and/or is under the influence of such liquor while on the premises of the University;
1.7 introduces an illegal dependence-producing drug (as defined in section 1 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking
Act, 1992) onto the premises of the University, or is found to be in possession of such illegal substance or is
under the influence of such substance whilst on the premises of the University;
1.8 without proper authorisation:
1.8.1 brings onto or stores on the premises of the University a firearm, other dangerous weapon,
fuel that cannot reasonably be shown to be required for the operation of a motor vehicle or any
explosive device; or
1.8.2 allows or arranges for the aforegoing (as per 1.8.1) to be brought onto or stored on the premises
of the University;
1.9 sexually or otherwise harasses any person (as defined in the Sexual Harassment Policy (students)) whilst on
the University premises;
1.10 acts in a racist manner towards any person whilst on the University premises;
1.11 commits an indecent act on the premises of the University;
1.12 unlawfully expresses, publishes or disseminates in speech, writing, print or other medium on the premises
of the University any views, beliefs or ideology which would infringe upon the dignity or other human rights
of any student or groups of students, or any employee of the University, or person invited by the University
as a guest of the University;
1.13 without the written permission of the Principal and Vice Chancellor uses the name of the University, or uses
or displays the logo and/or the Coat of Arms of the University;
1.14 convenes an assembly on the premises of the University without obtaining the prior consent of the Principal
and Vice Chancellor (or the person duly authorised by him/her) or the management of the regional centre,
or attends a gathering prohibited by the Principal and Vice Chancellor or the management of the
regional centre;
1.15 knowingly makes a false statement about the University or otherwise intentionally provides materially false
information to anyone in- or outside of the University about the University;
1.16 intentionally or negligently tenders or presents to any employee of the University any document which he
or she knows or ought reasonably to know to be false or a forgery and which causes or has the potential to
cause prejudice to the administrative, financial or academic interests of the University;
1.17 accepts or offers a bribe to students, employees or any other official of the University;
1.18 reproduces or transmits in any form or manner, whether electronically or mechanically (including
photocopying and faxing), any study guide, book, thesis, dissertation, article, examination paper, lecture,
printed tutorial matter or any other study aids in respect of which copyright exists, unless such reproduction
or transmission is done in a manner authorised in terms of the Copyright Act, 1978 (as amended), and
unless the copyright owner’s permission for the reproduction or transmission is obtained;
1.19 contravenes the provisions of the Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism Policy of the University as it relates
to plagiarism;
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1.20 collects money or offers goods for sale or advertises goods on the premises of the University without the
permission of the Principal and Vice Chancellor (or a person duly authorised by him/her) or the management
of the regional centre;
1.21 neglects or refuses to return library material borrowed from the University library;
1.22 behaves in any way that leads or may lead to the consequences described below, if such consequences
were or should reasonably have been foreseen at the time when such behaviour occurred. Such behaviour
includes conduct by which:
1.22.1 the good name and reputation of the University is or may be impaired,
1.22.2 the maintenance of order, discipline and security at the University is or may be prejudiced or
imperilled, or
1.22.3 the process of tuition, research and administration and general University activities are or may be
prejudiced or imperilled.
2. With specific regard to assessments, a student is guilty of misconduct if he/she cheats in any
University examination.
2.1 For purposes of this rule ‘examination’ includes all assessments of a student’s performance organised and/or
conducted in the name of the University.
2.2 Further for purposes of this rule, ‘cheating’ includes:
2.2.1 the possession of any unauthorised notes and/or aid(s) in the examination venue after the first answer
book or question paper is made available to students, which may assist the student in the examination;
2.2.2 the use or attempted use during an examination of any note or aid, the use of which is not authorised
by the examiner or examination officer;
2.2.3 the communication or attempted communication of any information relating to an examination with
any other candidate whilst the examination is in progress;
2.2.4 the removal or attempted removal from an examination room of any examination book or writing
paper supplied by the University for the purposes of answering an examination;
2.2.5 the use of a false name, identity number or student number in an examination;
2.2.6 the submission for examination as own work any matter that has been copied, reproduced, or extracted
in whole or in part from the work of another student or some other person, or which is substantially
the same in whole or in part as the work of another student;
2.2.7 intentionally or negligently assisting another student to cheat as defined in 2.2; and
2.2.8 the commission of any other fraudulent or dishonest practice whereby a student, whilst being examined
by the University, seeks to mislead or deceive the examiner or the examination officer.
CHAPTER 4
THE STUDENT DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (SDC)
1. THE PANEL
1.1 The Student Disciplinary Committee will be identified from amongst the following groups of persons:
1.1.1 eight members of the College of Law nominated by the Executive Dean of the College of Law;
1.1.2 ten members of Senate appointed by the Principal and Vice Chancellor; and
1.1.3 the Registrar.
1.2 In respect of each meeting of the SDC, the Registrar nominates five members from amongst the groups of
persons identified in 1.1 above to constitute the Student Disciplinary Committee.
1.3 The Chairperson of the SDC will be identified from amongst the five persons nominated by the Registrar in 1.2
above and will be a person with legal training or qualification.
1.4 The Registrar will nominate the Chairperson of the SDC.
1.5 The Students’ Representative Council may nominate one student, with observer status,
to attend an SDC meeting.
2. QUORUM
Three members of the SDC constitute a quorum.
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3. ABSENCE OF DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
3.1 If at any stage during the sitting of the SDC a member of the Committee is no longer able to participate
in the proceedings or is absent for any reason, the hearing will continue, provided that the panel is properly
constituted and that the Committee is quorate.
3.2 In all other cases, the hearing should be terminated and will commence de novo.
3.3 If the Chairperson is absent, the Committee elects a Chairperson subject to the provisions of Rule 1.3.
4. CHAIRPERSON TO DETERMINE PROCEDURES
Subject to the provisions of this Code, the procedure adopted at the SDC is determined by the
Chairperson of the SDC.
5. THE INITIATOR
The Registrar appoints the initiator to present the case for the University.
6. DECISIONS OF THE SDC
6.1 At the conclusion of the evidence, the Committee decides, in light of all the evidence led, whether or not
the student is guilty of the misconduct, as charged. A finding of guilty will only be returned if:
6.1.1 the misconduct charged has, in the opinion of the Committee, been proved on a balance of
probabilities; or
6.1.2 the student has freely and voluntarily admitted guilt and the Committee is satisfied that there is
evidence from the accused or from another source to substantiate the admission. Should the
Committee not be satisfied with the evidence presented, it may of its own accord call for further
evidence to be led in respect of the charge.
6.2 If the Committee does not find the student guilty as provided for under Rule 6.1.2, the student is acquitted
of the charge.
6.3 The decision of the SDC is determined by a majority vote of the members present.
6.4 In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the SDC has a casting vote in addition to
his/her ordinary vote.
7. STUDENT’S ABSENCE FROM HEARING
If a student charged with misconduct does not attend his/her disciplinary hearing, such hearing proceeds in his/her absence
and the proceedings of the SDC are not invalid as a result thereof.
8. RECUSAL FROM PROCEEDINGS
A member of the SDC who has laid a complaint of misconduct must recuse him/herself from the proceedings of the SDC
which has been constituted for the purpose of adjudicating a charge emanating from the complaint.
9. OBSTRUCTION OF PROCEEDINGS
If a student charged with misconduct interferes with or obstructs any proceedings of the SDC or refuses to carry out an
instruction of the Chairperson of such Committee, such student may be ordered by the Chairperson to withdraw from the
proceedings, which may then continue in his/her absence.
10. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
The Registrar appoints a person to record, by means of tape recording or in writing, the proceedings of the SDC and all the
evidence tendered. Such a person is not a member of the Committee.
CHAPTER 5
PROCEDURE IN THE CASE OF A COMPLAINT OF MISCONDUCT
1. NOTIFICATION OF MISCONDUCT
A student will not be formally charged with misconduct until a written and signed statement containing an accusation,
complaint or allegation made against the student has been submitted to the Registrar or a person authorised by him/her
to receive such complaint, provided that nothing contained herein will prevent the Registrar from laying a complaint of
misconduct against a student.
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2. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
2.1 The Registrar appoints one or more persons to conduct a preliminary investigation into an accusation,
complaint or allegation brought to his/her attention. The Registrar may, at his/her discretion, conduct the
investigation him/herself.
2.2 Such person(s) so appointed submits a written report and/or charge sheet to the Registrar.
2.3 The person(s) appointed to conduct the preliminary investigation may consult with or obtain information from
any person, including the student against whom the accusation, complaint or allegation has been made.
3. REFERRAL TO THE STUDENT DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (SDC)
3.1 If the Registrar is of the opinion that there is a prima facie case and that there are reasonable grounds for a
charge of misconduct and that the misconduct is of a serious nature, he/she drafts a written charge or has
such charge drawn up to be heard by the SDC.
3.2 If the Registrar is of the opinion that an alleged misconduct of a student constitutes a minor contravention
of the Code, the Registrar may exercise his/her discretion to decide what further steps should be taken in
response to the alleged misconduct.
4. NOTICE TO THE ACCUSED STUDENT
4.1 When proceedings against a student are instituted in terms of 3 above, the Registrar will give the student
concerned not less than 14 days notice in writing of the date, time and place of the hearing by the SDC.
4.2 The Notice under this rule will inform the student:
4.2.1 that proceedings under the Students’ Disciplinary Code are to be instituted against him/her and
that a copy of the Code is available for inspection in the Office of the Registrar or on the University
student website,
4.2.2 of the Rule that the student is alleged to have breached and/or the act(s) of misconduct that the
student is alleged to have committed. The Notice must set out the charge with sufficient particularity to
enable the student to prepare for his/her defence,
4.2.3 of his/her right to answer the charge in writing at least four days before the hearing,
4.2.4 of his/her right to attend the hearing to present his/her case, or to be represented at the hearing by
another student, member of the Student Representative Council or an employee of the University, and
4.2.5 of his/her right if he/she is a minor to be assisted by his/her parent or guardian or, at the discretion
of the SDC, to be assisted by any other person appointed by such parent or guardian, provided that
nothing contained in this Rule renders the conduct of the SDC void if the student is not so assisted on
the date set for the hearing.
5. SERVICE OF NOTICE
5.1 Service of any written notice and the furnishing of particulars in terms of this Code will be by prepaid,
registered post to the residential address provided either on the most recent application form completed by
the student for the purpose of registration or on any later written notice submitted by the student to the
University of a change of address.
5.2 In the case of such service the student will be deemed to have received the Notice and particulars within five
days of the date of posting thereof.
6. SUSPENSION
6.1 No student will be suspended from the University before a hearing is held. However, the Registrar may use
an abridged service of Notice to convene an emergency SDC that will determine the need for a temporary
suspension which will serve to prohibit such student from:
6.1.1 entering onto the premises of the University, or any part thereof, and/or
6.1.2 exercising a right or privilege resulting from his/her enrolment as a student.
6.2 A temporary suspension in terms of paragraph 6.1 remains in force for the period not exceeding thirty
days or until the disciplinary proceedings in terms of this Code have been completed, whichever instance
may first occur.
6.3 The suspended student may make written representations to the Principal and Vice Chancellor within
five days of receipt of written notice of his/her suspension, advancing reasons why he/she should
not be suspended.
6.4 The Principal and Vice Chancellor may at his/her discretion revoke a suspension at any time, provided that,
notwithstanding such revocation, further steps may be taken to proceed with the disciplinary hearing on the
charge of misconduct against the student.
6.5 The Principal and Vice Chancellor may, at his/her discretion, also confirm the suspension.
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CHAPTER 6
GENERAL PROCEDURES AT THE HEARING OF A CHARGE OF MISCONDUCT
1. In the interest of transparency, all hearings are open meetings unless the Chairperson of the SDC is persuaded by
the circumstances of the case to direct that the hearing be closed to the University community.
2. The initiator leads evidence against the accused student and generally conducts the case for the University.
3. The SDC allows the student or such person representing the student a reasonable opportunity to present a
defence and to answer the charges.
4. Both the initiator and the accused student are allowed to adduce all relevant evidence and call witnesses and to
examine and cross-examine witnesses, as appropriate.
5. The SDC may also ask the witnesses questions for clarity.
6. The SDC may further, of its own accord, call for evidence that it may deem relevant to a determination of the
issue(s) before it.
7. The hearing of the SDC is conducted in an informal manner, according to the principles of natural justice and with
due regard for the rights of the accused student. No accused student will be prejudiced by reason of a failure to
comply with the rules of procedure or rules of evidence as applied in the ordinary courts.
8. If the student is a minor, no disciplinary action(s) will be taken against that student before his/her parent or
guardian has also been informed in writing of his/her alleged misconduct and has been given a proper opportunity
to make a written statement and, if he/she so wishes, to appear before the SDC in person.
CHAPTER 7
SANCTIONS
1. When considering an appropriate sanction, the SDC takes account of all mitigating and aggravating factors
presented during the hearing. Further, when considering the appropriateness of the disciplinary measures to be
imposed, the SDC ensures that such disciplinary measures are, as far as possible, appropriate to and commensurate
with the nature and gravity of the misconduct of which the student has been found guilty. And still further,
it is noted that the SDC is also bound by the rules of administrative law and natural justice and the principles
of precedent.
2. After finding a student guilty of misconduct, the SDC may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
2.1 revocation of a degree, diploma or other qualification obtained from the University in an improper manner;
2.2 a written reprimand and/or warning;
2.3 denial of a right or privilege resulting from enrolment as a student at the University;
2.4 a fine not exceeding twice the annual tuition fee for the full first year of study of the qualification for which
the student is registered;
2.5 payment of compensation or requiring the accused student to repair the damage caused by
his/her misconduct;
2.6 denial of the right or privilege to register for a particular study module or course offered by the University;
2.7 annulment of examination results and/or withdrawal of a credit(s) obtained in a study modules
and/or courses;
2.8 refusal of admission to an examination for a specified period;
2.9 confirmation of the temporary suspension of a student, and/or the suspension of the student for a specified
period or further period subject to any condition(s) which the SDC deems reasonable;
2.10 denial of the privilege to register or enrol again as a student at the University for a specified period;
2.11 any other appropriate sanction(s) which the SDC deems suitable in the particular circumstances; and/or
2.12 A student who is temporarily or permanently deprived in terms of this Code of a right or privilege which
he/she enjoys as a student or is temporarily or permanently denied admission to the University, forfeits any
claim for repayment, reduction or remission of moneys paid or payable to the University.
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CHAPTER 8
IMPLEMENTATION OF FINDINGS OF THE SDC
1. If the SDC finds an accused student:
1.1 guilty, the student is notified in writing of the finding and the sanction(s) imposed by the SDC. In the Notice,
the student is further informed of his/her right to appeal against the finding(s) and/or the sanction(s) imposed;
1.2 not guilty, the student is notified in writing of the finding of the SDC.
2. If the student is a minor, no disciplinary measure/s will be taken against that student before his/her parent or
guardian has also been informed in writing of his/her alleged misconduct and has been given a proper opportunity
to make a written statement and, if he/she so wishes, to appear before the SDC in person.
CHAPTER 9
APPEALS
The Student Disciplinary Appeals Committee (SDAC) hears appeals in respect of findings of the SDC.
1. FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE SDAC
1.1 The SDAC is responsible for the hearing of appeals in respect of the decisions of the SDC whether based on
factual findings, matters relating to procedure and/or the sanctions imposed.
1.2 The SDAC has the powers to review, reverse, nullify or replace decisions of the SDC in all respects, and can
also order that hearings be held de novo.
2. COMPOSITION OF THE SDAC
2.1 The SDAC consists of five members identified from the following groups of persons:
2.1.1 the Executive Dean of the College of Law or his/her nominated representative from the School of Law,
2.1.2 two professors from each of the Colleges appointed by the Executive Deans of the Colleges,
2.1.3 ten members of Senate appointed by the Principal and Vice Chancellor; and
2.1.4 the Registrar.
2.2 In respect of each meeting of the SDAC the Registrar nominates five members from the groups of persons
identified in 2.1 who were not members of the SDC. They will constitute the Student Disciplinary Appeals
Committee, provided that each College will have only one representative save for the College of Law which
may have two representatives.
2.3 No member of the SDC may participate on the SDAC.
2.4 The Executive Dean of the College of Law or his/her nominated representative from the School of Law will
be the Chairperson of the SDAC.
2.5 The Students’ Representative Council may nominate one student, with observer status,
to attend an SDAC meeting.
3. QUORUM
Four members of the SDAC constitute a quorum.
4. FUNCTIONING
The provisions of paragraphs 3 -10 of Chapter 4 apply with the necessary changes to the functioning of the SDAC.
5. PROCEDURES
5.1 A student who has been found guilty of misconduct may, within fourteen days of being informed of the finding
of the SDC, appeal to the SDAC in writing by lodging a written Notice of Appeal with the Registrar, provided
that a student who has been found guilty of misconduct after having pleaded guilty to the charge against him/
her has no right of appeal against such finding, but may still appeal against the sanction.
5.2 The appellant furnishes, in writing, detailed grounds for his/her appeal in the Notice of Appeal.
5.3 Upon receipt of a Notice of Appeal, a copy of such Notice is forwarded to the Chairperson of the SDC which
adjudicated the charge, whereupon the SDC, where necessary, should within a reasonable period compile a
reply to the grounds for appeal and submit it to the Chairperson of the SDAC.
5.4 When an appeal is lodged against a decision of the SDC in terms of Chapter 9, the enforcement of any
disciplinary measure imposed by the SDC is deferred by either the SDC or the Registrar, pending the
outcome of the appeal.
5.5 An appeal will be heard solely on the grounds of the record of the proceedings of the SDC, together with
any document(s) and exhibit(s) submitted during the SDC hearing, save where the appeal is based on a
material irregularity that is alleged to have occurred in the course of the proceedings but does not appear as
such from the record.
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5.6 For the purposes of an appeal, the appellant or the person assisting him/her or any other person allowed
by the SDAC (or the SDC as the case may be) may make written or, with the permission of the SDAC, verbal
representations to the SDAC.
5.7 After considering an appeal the SDAC may:
5.7.1 dismiss the appeal and uphold the decision of the SDC in its entirety or in part,
5.7.2 allow the appeal and set aside the decision of the SDC in its entirety or in part,
5.7.3 amend the decision of the SDC,
5.7.4 prior to reaching a final decision concerning the appeal, the SDAC may refer any question pertaining to
the hearing of the SDC back to the SDC concerned and order that a report be submitted.
5.8 The SDAC will not increase any sanction(s) imposed by the SDC unless the SDAC has given the accused
student prior reasonable written notice of its intention to do so and has further considered the appellant’s
written representations, if any, in this regard.
5.9 There is no further forum for appeal within the University structures after the SDAC.
CHAPTER 10
REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE OF FINDINGS
1. If a student in respect of whom the SDC has imposed a sanction fails to exercise his/her right of appeal as set out
in Chapter 9, the SDC submits a written report on the matter to the Executive Committee of Senate.
2. If a student in respect of whom the SDC has imposed a sanction exercises his/her right of appeal as set out in
Chapter 9, the SDAC will submit a written report on the matter to Council after disposing of the appeal and, if it
deems necessary, to the Executive Committee of Senate for its information.
3. Final decisions in respect of student disciplinary hearings (without identifying the student) will be published
on the Registrar’s website and may be made public by any other means determined by the relevant Student
Disciplinary Committee or the Registrar, save where exceptional circumstances are found to exist.
CHAPTER 11
SAFEKEEPING OF THE RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1. All documents and tape recordings, pertaining to a disciplinary matter, will be kept in safe custody by the Registrar.
A student is, however, entitled to receive copies of such documents and tape recordings at his/her own expense.
2. Such documents and tape recordings will be held by the University for a period of three years after a matter has
been finalised.
CHAPTER 12
COMMENCEMENT OF THIS CODE
1. This Code comes into operation on the date on which it is approved by the Council.
2. This Code is the relevant Code for all students registered at UNISA from the commencement date of this Code and
repeals all previous Student Disciplinary Codes, policies and procedures that may have previously pertained.
CHAPTER 13
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
1. The Registrar may prepare operational guidelines regarding:
(a) minimum and maximum sentences to be imposed by the SDC and SDAC;
(b) any matter required to be prescribed in terms of this Code; and
(c) any other matter which the Management Committee deems necessary or expedient to be prescribed in
order to achieve the objects of this Code.
2. Any guideline made under this subsection must be submitted to the Management Committee for approval.
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Maps to Unisa’s campuses
Muckleneuk campus/main campus
Directions to Unisa Main campus
From Johannesburg: Take the R21 towards Pretoria. Pass through the Fountains circle. On your left-hand side there’ll be a
Sunnyside sign. Follow the slip off left into Elandspoort street. Turn right into Ridge street and then right again into Preller.
This road takes you to the main entrance of the Unisa Main campus.
From Polokwane: on the N1 south to Pretoria, take the Pretoria (N4) turnoff. Keep driving straight. The road name is
Pretorius street.Turn left into Troye, carry on straight until the T-junction. This is Walker street, turn right. Keep in the left
hand lane. Follow the slip off into Elandspoort street, left into Ridge, right into Preller. Follow the road for the main entrance
to the Unisa main Campus.
For maps of and to campuses and centres, visit the Unisa website at www.unisa.ac.za and click on Contact us
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Addendum 2: Forms
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