Advice: BSc with UNISA

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SuperNev

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Hi everyone :)

TL;DR I need help with finding out information on modules offered in UNISA's BSc degrees.

When I went to varsity I wanted to do a BSc of sorts, but didn't have funding to do it. I ended up doing a BCom Accounting cos all the companies were thrrowing money at students to study accounting. I completed my BCom Honours in 2010, but instead of starting a Masters degree I'm considering going back to undergrad to study BSc.

I can't quit my job to go study full-time (as if I'd even think of it), so I applied to study with UNISA. I'm from UJ, and am not very familiar with finding info regarding UNISA. I looked at the options on the website/brochures, and am considering the following:
Double-degrees
- Applied Maths and Stats; Computer Sciences
- Maths and Stats; Computer Sciences
Single degree
- Computer Sciences (with either Applied Maths, or Maths as one of my majors).

The thinking behind a double-degree is that I can get a lot of credits for some of my modules between the degrees.

I'm obviously keen on studying/learning, but I have no experience with UNISA in terms of assignments, exams and how they structure their degrees. I'd appreciate any help/advice in this regard. Other than the degrees offered, I haven't been able to find information on what modules - majors and electives - are offered on the modules. The only info that I could scrape off the Internet is about 4 years old :(

Thanks
 
What do you want to do with it?

What job do you see yourself doing, after qualifying?

What job do you do now, and what dont you like about it?
 
I'm a UNISA BSc Informatics student and only finishing my degree to get one, otherwise since I've started doing coursera courses I've started to rather focus on them to give me some real value. I find the quality of the work and the community is far better than UNISA.

You already got a degree so think outside of the varsity box.
 
Ancalagon said:
What do you want to do with it?

What job do you see yourself doing, after qualifying?

What job do you do now, and what dont you like about it?
Click to expand...

1) Well I think I have much more to offer to the world than being a "financial manager" for XYZ or the sort. I am a hobbyist programmer, and have been learning some concepts in statistical analyses in order to help with some of the projects that I'm working on in my spare time. I am not content with my "informal" learning, so I want something more structured to do.

2) I'm jumping into the consulting world from next year onwards. From my experience, I'm seeing growing demand for accountants with IT/analytical background, and similarly Engineers/IT professionals with Finance background. So studying further is an attempt at trying to strengthen my skill set.

3) I'm not doing it out of job dissatisfaction. I just want to broaden my scope a bit before I find something that I would like to specialise in for the rest of my life.

To provide some context, I'm still 24, so I can afford a few extra years of study torture.

Wall said:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualificatio...c.za/qualifications/Navigation/Alph_4_99.html
Click to expand...

It was one of the first pages I saw. It provides very general information, but not specifics per se. Unless I'm missing something :(
 
cbrunsdonza said:
I'm a UNISA BSc Informatics student and only finishing my degree to get one, otherwise since I've started doing coursera courses I've started to rather focus on them to give me some real value. I find the quality of the work and the community is far better than UNISA.

You already got a degree so think outside of the varsity box.
Click to expand...

I've considered the short-courses vs. lengthy 3 year option. I've done a few courses on Coursera, which is good for my knowledge. One of the things motivating me to just get an extra degree or 2 to add to my collection is that from a career-perspective it's a more verifiable accreditation, which sometimes helps in future with salary etc.
 
SuperNev said:
I've considered the short-courses vs. lengthy 3 year option. I've done a few courses on Coursera, which is good for my knowledge. One of the things motivating me to just get an extra degree or 2 to add to my collection is that from a career-perspective it's a more verifiable accreditation, which sometimes helps in future with salary etc.
Click to expand...

Well it all depends what your industry requires. As a developer I'm seeing that nobody cares what degree you studied just as long as you did. This is why coursera is becoming popular with a lot of graduates as they just do courses on demand to fill in blanks
 
Just bear in mind that with UNISA you can't get credits for more than 50 % of the qualification.
UNISA had info on the modules earlier this but they have been removed and will only be available November 2013.

I'm doing the BSc Informatics - it is IT combined with business modules - you should consider it since you may have done some of the modules. I usually get two assignments per subject per semester. Some are multiple choice, some written. You can submit assignments electronically which is very nice. Exams are May/June for first semester and Oct/Nov for second semester. You have to complete 3 modules in your first year of study and thereafter 4 modules per year to continue. You get 8 years to complete the degree. You also have to do the stupid online core module called EUP1501 - big bloody waste of time and money!

I must say, it is difficult studying part-time, with a full time job and a family. But if your friends/family are supportive and understanding and you have motivation, it is possible. I almost quit at the beginning last semester - the quickest I'll finish my degree is in 5 years - but I stuck it out and a year is almost done. However, I am oon gthe first level, later levels will become moe demanding.

UNISA's admin is terrible - they take weeks to respond to e-mails/SMS ( they don't have a call center anymore). You may have to visit a campus to get hiccups sorted out. Luckily I haven't had any yet. Some departments are also crap while others are quite on the ball (like any UNI).

I applied for credits for 5 modules in January 2013 - my application is still under consideration - after several enquiries. So don't bargain on getting credits soon...

Check out the BSc Informatics here:

http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualificatio...c.za/qualifications/Navigation/Alph_4_99.html

One more bit of advice - register as soon as possible - as soon as registration opens. Do it online and pay by CC if you can. You can then download your study guides immediately and start studying. Gives you a lot more time to get through the work.
 
Last edited:
cbrunsdonza said:
You already got a degree so think outside of the varsity box.
Click to expand...

+1. If I were the OP I'd do some programming short courses - you already have a degree - fill it out with some programming modules and you could get into business analysis. coursera or even the short courses at UNISA (if you need something more formal): http://brochure.unisa.ac.za/slp/showlist.aspx?d=l_4_730_90

Check out some of the other SA unis - some have short part-time IT modules.
 
Cool - well then studying a BSc in informatics is probably your best bet. At least you arent looking into those fly by night CTI courses - unfortunately with education, only things that take time and effort are worth doing.
 
senyetse said:
Just bear in mind that with UNISA you can't get credits for more than 50 % of the qualification.
UNISA had info on the modules earlier this but they have been removed and will only be available November 2013.

I'm doing the BSc Informatics - it is IT combined with business modules - you should consider it since you may have done some of the modules. I usually get two assignments per subject per semester. Some are multiple choice, some written. You can submit assignments electronically which is very nice. Exams are May/June for first semester and Oct/Nov for second semester. You have to complete 3 modules in your first year of study and thereafter 4 modules per year to continue. You get 8 years to complete the degree. You also have to do the stupid online core module called EUP1501 - big bloody waste of time and money!

I must say, it is difficult studying part-time, with a full time job and a family. But if your friends/family are supportive and understanding and you have motivation, it is possible. I almost quit at the beginning last semester - the quickest I'll finish my degree is in 5 years - but I stuck it out and a year is almost done. However, I am oon gthe first level, later levels will become moe demanding.

UNISA's admin is terrible - they take weeks to respond to e-mails/SMS ( they don't have a call center anymore). You may have to visit a campus to get hiccups sorted out. Luckily I haven't had any yet. Some departments are also crap while others are quite on the ball (like any UNI).

I applied for credits for 5 modules in January 2013 - my application is still under consideration - after several enquiries. So don't bargain on getting credits soon...

Check out the BSc Informatics here:

http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualificatio...c.za/qualifications/Navigation/Alph_4_99.html

One more bit of advice - register as soon as possible - as soon as registration opens. Do it online and pay by CC if you can. You can then download your study guides immediately and start studying. Gives you a lot more time to get through the work.
Click to expand...

Am I the only one who didnt have to do EUP1501? I see it on here often but I was never forced to do it.
 
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