How the hell do module exemptions (via previous study at other universities) work at Unisa???

[Rando15]

I've flung endless emails at Unisa and waited months to little avail. Now with just a few days left before the registration deadline I came up with the idea of asking here.

If I have understood the limited response from Unisa, I have to register the modules I aim to gain exemption for and then apply for exemption. They also say the exemption process can take up to 6 months...

How the hell does that work then? Surely in 6 months I will have already failed those modules (since I wouldn't be doing any assignments or tests since I would be aiming for exemption) and been billed the full amount for them.

My thanks in advance for any assistance rendered.

 

[Pho3nix]

Go to a campus.
Drive. Swim or Fly if you have too.

 

[Rando15]

When I visited Florida Campus months ago it was pretty much abandoned. I guess things might have changed or a different campus might still be properly staffed.

I'm not putting out much hope for in person meetings with Unisa staff who can answer my questions but I'll keep it in mind nonetheless. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Pho3nix]

When I visited Florida Campus months ago it was pretty much abandoned. I guess things might have changed or a different campus might still be properly staffed.

I'm not putting out much hope for in person meetings with Unisa staff who can answer my questions but I'll keep it in mind nonetheless. Thanks for the suggestion.

Go to the Sunnyside Campus.

 

[ld13]

You can only get exemption for 50% (or some other arbitrary figure) of your total modules. I managed to get a full curriculum printout from my previous university that gave a break-down of all the modules I have completed, in detail. I then walked into Unisa, Parow, sat my ass down, and (skipping a lot of detail here, as I had to go twice) got someone to finally help me instead of just showing me the courses, and expecting me to make my existing modules fit with one of their degrees. They actually helped me to try and exempt as many modules as possible. We played match-up, trying to throw away the least amount of modules in the end.

I did not leave campus till after 6pm, and even at that stage, I did not have all the exemptions, as some exemptions had to be approved by other departments/colleges. But luckily I walked out with 90% success. They did not, at that time, require me to enroll for the courses in order to get the exemptions. The only requirement was that I had to be registered for the actual qualification in question.

 

[Rando15]

"The only requirement was that I had to be registered for the actual qualification in question."

I thought you applied for degrees and registered for modules (that sure seemed to be how it worked last time I studied some modules under Unisa. I have no memory of needing to register for the qualification).


Well, that's what I thought. I clicked on "apply for exemption" and read the following:

"You must be registered for the specified qualification in the current academic year before you can apply for credits and exemptions."

So application is done but I still need to "register for the qualification"? How do I even do that?

In any case, you very much have my gratitude for your help so far.

 

[Rando15]

One other question. Unisa gives 8 years to finish a degree (with some exceptions). If I register but don't study for the year (instead just gaining exemptions) does that still reduce the allowed number of years by one (that is, does it count as a study year?)?

I don't plan to study this year. I plan to spend the year earning enough money to be able to reliably continue my studies without problems.

 

[ld13]

"The only requirement was that I had to be registered for the actual qualification in question."

I thought you applied for degrees and registered for modules (that sure seemed to be how it worked last time I studied some modules under Unisa. I have no memory of needing to register for the qualification).

Yep, I just used the wrong words. Back then you e.g. applied for qualification 98306 - FMN, and once approved you registered for whatever underlying modules you intended to complete for that semester.

Well, that's what I thought. I clicked on "apply for exemption" and read the following:

"You must be registered for the specified qualification in the current academic year before you can apply for credits and exemptions."

I suspect that is just a manner of speaking. You need to have applied for and be approved to complete e.g. 98306 in order to apply for exemption for ECS1501 by offering proof that you have completed Economics 101 at another accredited institution. They did not require me to 'sign up' for ECS1501 in order to apply for exemption for ECS1501, just the overarching 98306.

It would be worth your while to work through the current rules for 2021, https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/myunisa/Content/Learner support & regions/Documents/Unisa-rules-for-students-2021.pdf, as this document will trump my anecdotal-based advice above, 10 times over.

One other question. Unisa gives 8 years to finish a degree (with some exceptions). If I register but don't study for the year (instead just gaining exemptions) does that still reduce the allowed number of years by one (that is, does it count as a study year?)

Afaik, they count the years, no matter what you do or do not do in that year. You can apply for deferment for up to 2 years, but deferred years also count towards your 8 year limit. So if you applied in 2018 to study for 98306 in 2019, but did not complete or pass any modules in 2019, you would've started 2020 as having completed 1 year of study of your 360 credit-8 year limit, under the UNISA progression rules.

But this of course ignores the other rules that could kick in and might be applicable to you, e.g. minimum credit requirements. In my time we had to complete 48 credits per year (or more, if they were phasing out specific qualifications) or face exclusion/expulsion, unless you applied for a deferment.

I managed to bypass the minimum credit requirements a few times by managing to obtain the coveted 39.5/40% in the exams, as one would get an automatic supplementary examination in the next round of exams, skirting the exclusion/expulsion process completely.

I don't plan to study this year. I plan to spend the year earning enough money to be able to reliably continue my studies without problems.

I'd suggest you apply for deferment, if you want to build up your funds this year. Yes, you will lose a year, but 360 credits over 7 years is quite do-able, especially if you manage to get a few courses exempted this year.

 

[Rando15]

"I'd suggest you apply for deferment, if you want to build up your funds this year. Yes, you will lose a year, but 360 credits over 7 years is quite do-able, especially if you manage to get a few courses exempted this year."

But why don't I just get the modules exempted next year when I'll actually be studying? That way they will be exempted without costing me a year.

 

[ld13]

But why don't I just get the modules exempted next year when I'll actually be studying? That way they will be exempted without costing me a year.

Whatever floats your boat. I assumed that you already applied for whatever qualification you wanted to do...

By the way, there is a reply button beneath posts that you can use if you want to quote a post.

 

[Gozado]

You can only get exemption for 50% (or some other arbitrary figure) of your total modules. I managed to get a full curriculum printout from my previous university that gave a break-down of all the modules I have completed, in detail. I then walked into Unisa, Parow, sat my ass down, and (skipping a lot of detail here, as I had to go twice) got someone to finally help me instead of just showing me the courses, and expecting me to make my existing modules fit with one of their degrees. They actually helped me to try and exempt as many modules as possible. We played match-up, trying to throw away the least amount of modules in the end.

I did not leave campus till after 6pm, and even at that stage, I did not have all the exemptions, as some exemptions had to be approved by other departments/colleges. But luckily I walked out with 90% success. They did not, at that time, require me to enroll for the courses in order to get the exemptions. The only requirement was that I had to be registered for the actual qualification in question.

This "full curricullum printout" is key. A friend then looked up the syllabi of his previous studies, and copied out the actual content of each course he's completed, and wrote up the weighting of each module/sub-section, in number of hours or papers or credits.

Next, he obtained the detailed UNISA syllabi and course content, also weighted. Then he created a table which showed how his previous courses had covered the same work as UNISA would require, and on a similar level or better. In that way, he did exactly that: matched-up to "make his existing modules fit" with what UNISA offered.

With that already done, he went to UNISA office with a small pack of copies of his table of comparison, arriving early and ready (with picnic) to spend all day there, explaining and giving his table to a number of different people, and doing a lot of waiting, until finally he was given access to The Person Who Decides, and like you, Id13, he finally also emerged at the end of the day with a list of exemptions.

 

[Rando15]

Whatever floats your boat. I assumed that you already applied for whatever qualification you wanted to do...

By the way, there is a reply button beneath posts that you can use if you want to quote a post.

Well one advantage to doing it now is that the modules will be "one year older" otherwise.

Here is the "resource pool" I have to draw from to gain exemptions.

____________________________________________________________________________________

BIO1A1E 75% 2011 first semester
BIO1A2E 78% 2012 first semester
ZOO1B10 55% 2012 first semester

CEM1A1E 64% 2011 first semester
CEM1A2E 67% 2011 second semester
CEM1A3E 77% 2012 first semester
CEM1B10 66% 2012 second semester
CEM1B20 58% 2012 second semester

PHY1A1E 65% 2012 first semester
PHY1A2E 58% 2012 second semester
PHY1A3E 69% 2013 first semester?

_____________________________________________________________________________

A short description: the "1A1E" are just little sorts of "bridging courses" I was made to take as I registered for an extended degree. The "A" modules collectively represent the first half year for the relevant subject. the "B" modules collectively represent the second half year for the relevant subject. So basically, I have Bio first year, Chem first year, Phys first half of first year.

The idea is to choose "BSc General" and pick the courses that match whatever I get exemptions for.

All in all this exemption business is actually a rather minor matter. I would just use it to dodge having to do 3 or 3 "fluff" modules like " Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions - EUP1501" and "Philosophy of Science". It would save me a little work and a little money is all.

The real concern is maximizing the number of years I have to complete the degree. Since me clicking on the "apply for exemption" button was met with "You must be registered for the specified qualification in the current academic year before you can apply for credits and exemptions." I guess that means I'm not registered for a qualification and therefore do not have to worry about my years being "drained" while I'm not even studying anything.

In 2010 I studied under BSc general (Maths first year, distinctions for all) and NDP (technically, those modules were cancelled) and in 2019 I studied under NDP (Stats first year, distinctions for all). I never received any academic exclusion notice (checked all my emails going back to 2010) or anything and some staff have told me in no uncertain terms I'm good to go so hopefully I'm all good.

I did speak to a secretary in 2020. She insisted that I did not need to apply for deferment. In my paranoia I handed her a deferment form anyway but I never got any response so I'm guessing she just dumped it in a bin somewhere. In any case, IIRC, these "deferred years still count" rules only came into being in 2021 (It's a new mention in the 2021 "rules for students" PDF that did not appear in the 2020 "rules for students" PDF).

All indicators look good. I could go asking Unisa staff but to be honest right now I'm thinking it's better not to so I can "fly under the radar" and avoid anybody f@#$^&* me over with some technicalities and obscure rules.

Also the anxiety is hitting me so hard I'm regretting getting breakfast. A short break from "scouring rules texts to make sure I'm not f@#^*#" seems in order.