Switching universities: The impossible task

[The_Pumpkin_King]

I'm doing 1st BSc Computer Science at UNISA this year and i'm considering moving to second year at a full time university (Wits, UCT, Stellies, UJ, UP, NMMU)

has anyone managed to do this improbable jump succesfully?

i have got a reply from UCT saying that i can but i would need to do CS1 over my winter vac to learn java, still waiting on the other unis.

anybody have suggestions?

 

[Griever]

Don't even bother with the nmmu!
I've had it with their math's department, worst bunch of lecturers ever!!

 

[Azgard]

I don't see why it would be a problem as long as you've covered the work they cover in first year Coms, and of course have done the prerequisites like Maths.

From what I've seen UCT is the best for CS. But it's a very practical degree, whereas at Wits for example, you're expected to learn the programming yourself, then they test you on it with projects. And they focus mostly on theory.

 

[Gazer]

The first thing you need are comprehensive syllabi of the subjects you've done and a statement of your results. It's not that much of a hassle after that. You go to the department you wish to continue your studies in, complete subject exemption forms, wait for the relevant academics to evaluate what you've done with what their course content is, and you'll either get an exemption for a subject or not. It's done on a subject/module basis rather than having completed a year and then moving onto the next year.

 

[Morgoth]

universities often don't recognize another university's modules.

 

[noxibox]

I know people who have. It is less painless going from UNISA to a real university than the other way around. In the case of those that wanted to switch to UNISA, they were essentially told they would have to start their degree over because the courses they had already done did not match UNISA's word for word. Proper universities will look at what you've already done and make a reasonable decision as to what courses you can skip.

From what I've seen UCT is the best for CS. But it's a very practical degree, whereas at Wits for example, you're expected to learn the programming yourself, then they test you on it with projects. And they focus mostly on theory.

If that's the case then UCT has changed a lot. Used to be that they covered the programming language in quite a bit of detail during first year, but did it in conjunction with teaching the theory, then in second year switched to a different programming language and essentially told the students to buy a book to learn the language.

 

[GeForce]

Don't even bother with the nmmu!
I've had it with their math's department, worst bunch of lecturers ever!!

So true.

 

[R13...]

From what I've seen UCT is the best for CS. But it's a very practical degree, whereas at Wits for example, you're expected to learn the programming yourself, then they test you on it with projects. And they focus mostly on theory.

err... that's why they are a university.
hand holding only happens at tech (UT's now).
if you are prepared to learn this is the best way to learn - no one can teach you how to program.

 

[Serqet]

Why do you want to switch? I've heard wonderful things about UNISA.

 

[Sackboy]

err... that's why they are a university.
hand holding only happens at tech (UT's now).
if you are prepared to learn this is the best way to learn - no one can teach you how to program.

In my experience they can and do. In fact it is the best way. You can pick up some very bad/lazy habits learning on your own. It's different if you've been taught the fundamentals and need to learn a new language. That you could do on your own.

 

[Gazer]

universities often don't recognize another university's modules.

If the university you come from is an accredited university then they're obliged to look at the content that you've done and give credit if you've covered at least 70% of their syllabi. qualifications are all standardised and have similar NQF levels. No university is a law unto itself, they all still fall under the HEQC umbrella.In fact, they're obliged to RPL you too if you have enough evidence to prove you've covered the same work informally.

 

[lws]

What everyone else has said: since you're going to do Comp Sci, go to the university's Comp Sci department and find whoever can evaluate your current modules. Give him/her your supporting documents (results so far and detailed syllabi of the modules you did) so that he/she can determine which of the modules can be credited.

Naturally, in order to receive credit, your current modules will have to match the university's program. For example, if say, UCT's first year is about C++ Programming Basics, one of your UNISA modules will need to have the same learning outcomes as the UCT one for your to receive the credit.

Maybe this might be of some help:

UJ's modules will involve C++ in the first year, Java in the second and third for Computer Science. Visual Basic in the first, SQL & ASP, etc in the second and software engineering in the third year for Informatics. See if any of your UNISA modules match.

 

[Kornhub]

In my experience they can and do. In fact it is the best way. You can pick up some very bad/lazy habits learning on your own. It's different if you've been taught the fundamentals and need to learn a new language. That you could do on your own.

Well that is why UNISA makes you do internship (6 months to a year ) well with my degree but for your honors

 

[Sechele]

Im also faced with the same issue. Im doing my second year in CUT this year, studying B Eng Tech in Civil Engineering and I would like to transfer to UJ to do my second semester and my final year there. Is there anyone who can help me with the pros and cons of changing varsities between semesters?

 

[Yirhu]

I also wanted to move my unfinished studies from Stellenbosch university to unisa, although opposite to what you want to do. I've often found it quite difficult due to the fact that most universities require you to do 2/3rd of their courses before you can graduate in fact they prefer you rather start from first year level. So inquire on the uni you want to study at about transferring studies but what you'll get most likely is a few first year courses credited to you, during my second year studies there was a guy with a cum laude NDip in mech eng that got accepted into the start of second year level.