Unisa vs Private College

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Jade_

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I have recently registered at Unisa to study my BA however with the recent news about courses being unaccredited etc, I don't know if I want to continue to study with them. My next option is Lyceum.

I know private colleges in South Africa aren't usually as highly regarded as Unis (with the exception of VC) so if someone could advise which would be a better option, Lyceum or Unisa? Especially by international standards.
 
Jade_ said:
I have recently registered at Unisa to study my BA however with the recent news about courses being unaccredited etc, I don't know if I want to continue to study with them. My next option is Lyceum.

I know private colleges in South Africa aren't usually as highly regarded as Unis (with the exception of VC) so if someone could advise which would be a better option, Lyceum or Unisa? Especially by international standards.
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UNISA, without a doubt. You are partly buying into the brand. Everyone knows UNISA. Know one knows the other one (already forgot the name 5 seconds after reading it).

Speaking from experience here.
 
UNISA is a correspondence college so its a bit cheaper and its well known, the issue of unaccredited courses shouldnt be of much worry but you can double check before registering
 
Jade_ said:
I have recently registered at Unisa to study my BA however with the recent news about courses being unaccredited etc, I don't know if I want to continue to study with them. My next option is Lyceum.

I know private colleges in South Africa aren't usually as highly regarded as Unis (with the exception of VC) so if someone could advise which would be a better option, Lyceum or Unisa? Especially by international standards.
Click to expand...

What exactly do you want to study?
I understand how you feel, I applied at Unisa and at VC for Bachelor of Arts and I can't decide which to choose. VC is more expensive but it offers more, it has classes and they are small, they have social activities and they help you find a job during your studies, Unisa doesn't offer any of that. As a first time student I would like to experience that university/college lifestyle that VC can offer. I wish they weren't that expensive though but luckily I have a plan on how to repay the student loan (working overseas since I'll get paid alot more compared to locally so it will take less time to pay off)

The problem with Unisa and why I'm not to keen is the services, they don't reply to phone calls, emails or on social media and it can be a pain.
 
Chun_li said:
What exactly do you want to study?
I understand how you feel, I applied at Unisa and at VC for Bachelor of Arts and I can't decide which to choose. VC is more expensive but it offers more, it has classes and they are small, they have social activities and they help you find a job during your studies, Unisa doesn't offer any of that. As a first time student I would like to experience that university/college lifestyle that VC can offer. I wish they weren't that expensive though but luckily I have a plan on how to repay the student loan (working overseas since I'll get paid alot more compared to locally so it will take less time to pay off)

The problem with Unisa and why I'm not to keen is the services, they don't reply to phone calls, emails or on social media and it can be a pain.
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A few things. The thread is a year old :P

IIRC, VC are pretty much UNISA resellers. Yes, VC have all of that extra stuff, but that's what you pay for. You will still come out with a UNISA BA.

When it comes to UNISA, so many people make the mistake of thinking you can rely on social media / phone calls / emails. You simply can't. If you want to get anything done you need to go to one of the campuses. It's a pain, but it is what it is. The campuses are the home affairs of education.
 
Chun_li said:
What exactly do you want to study?
I understand how you feel, I applied at Unisa and at VC for Bachelor of Arts and I can't decide which to choose. VC is more expensive but it offers more, it has classes and they are small, they have social activities and they help you find a job during your studies, Unisa doesn't offer any of that. As a first time student I would like to experience that university/college lifestyle that VC can offer. I wish they weren't that expensive though but luckily I have a plan on how to repay the student loan (working overseas since I'll get paid alot more compared to locally so it will take less time to pay off)

The problem with Unisa and why I'm not to keen is the services, they don't reply to phone calls, emails or on social media and it can be a pain.
Click to expand...
Hello,

So I actually ended up studying at Unisa so far I haven't had any major problems with them. I'm actually liking the courses. They don't answer phone calls but my emails do get some replies. E-tutors are super helpful too. I decided not to go private because of the fees. I do get what you mean by the whole college experience though, it's a bit boring studying from home .
 
mr_norris said:
A few things. The thread is a year old :p

IIRC, VC are pretty much UNISA resellers. Yes, VC have all of that extra stuff, but that's what you pay for. You will still come out with a UNISA BA.

When it comes to UNISA, so many people make the mistake of thinking you can rely on social media / phone calls / emails. You simply can't. If you want to get anything done you need to go to one of the campuses. It's a pain, but it is what it is. The campuses are the home affairs of education.
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I didn't see "2019" lol

But yeah my dad didn't have any issues with Unisa however I honestly don't know whether to choose VC or Unisa. I don't want to start studying at a institute and not have assistance or books or stuff like that.
Would you think in your opinion that it would make good sense to go to VC, test the waters for the first year and if it is too expensive and I'm struggling financially switch to Unisa?
 
Jade_ said:
Hello,

So I actually ended up studying at Unisa so far I haven't had any major problems with them. I'm actually liking the courses. They don't answer phone calls but my emails do get some replies. E-tutors are super helpful too. I decided not to go private because of the fees. I do get what you mean by the whole college experience though, it's a bit boring studying from home .
Click to expand...

Wow that's great! Now I have to choose before applications close and I still have no clue which to choose. I was thinking of trying out VC and if I can't handle the financial burden I'll switch to Unisa the next year.
 
Chun_li said:
I didn't see "2019" lol

But yeah my dad didn't have any issues with Unisa however I honestly don't know whether to choose VC or Unisa. I don't want to start studying at a institute and not have assistance or books or stuff like that.
Would you think in your opinion that it would make good sense to go to VC, test the waters for the first year and if it is too expensive and I'm struggling financially switch to Unisa?
Click to expand...

I can't say, it's really up to you and your circumstances.

I went UNISA because full time studying wasn't an option as I work full time, and there just wasn't the funds to not work :P If I could have, I wouldn't have gone the correspondence route. I had my chance and I blew it, so I was kind of stuck. It all worked out though. When you are going at it alone, the lack of support is real. You also need a ton of willpower.
 
mr_norris said:
I can't say, it's really up to you and your circumstances.

I went UNISA because full time studying wasn't an option as I work full time, and there just wasn't the funds to not work :p If I could have, I wouldn't have gone the correspondence route. I had my chance and I blew it, so I was kind of stuck. It all worked out though. When you are going at it alone, the lack of support is real. You also need a ton of willpower.
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I think I might try out at VC. If it becomes too expensive I can always change to unisa or UCT the next year with my credits. Luckily VC is recognised
 
For some countries overseas - if you ever want to go work there, and depending on the qualification - they want a conventional university degree and not correspondence/online. Lyceum would give you the same problem.
 
sandwitch said:
For some countries overseas - if you ever want to go work there, and depending on the qualification - they want a conventional university degree and not correspondence/online. Lyceum would give you the same problem.
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Unisa is correspondence right?
I know of people that studied there but because they didn't get any practicals their degree was useless in finding a job
 
Chun_li said:
Unisa is correspondence right?
I know of people that studied there but because they didn't get any practicals their degree was useless in finding a job
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I am pretty sure they do practicals at Unisa.
 
Yeah... plenty of practical assignments....
 
Both institutions offer the course I want ( bachelor's of arts in psychology and communication science) but it's a tough choice. I don't want to make the wrong one and have regret
 
It'll have to be your choice in the end - I'd walk around the campuses and get a feel for the people and the vibe. Maybe check out fb & internet reviews about both. Doublecheck that both courses are accredited with SAQA. And compare courses with each other.

I've studied with Unisa... I'd go with Lyceum.
 
Unisa degrees are accredited worldwide with the exception of some middle east countries like Qatar and such...
 
Chun_li said:
Wow that's great! Now I have to choose before applications close and I still have no clue which to choose. I was thinking of trying out VC and if I can't handle the financial burden I'll switch to Unisa the next year.
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If you can afford to I think that's a really good plan, one of the other posters mentioned the lack of support being difficult and I totally agree. Especially if you're straight out of high school.. it's hard to get into the groove of motivating yourself. That being said, I did find a lot of people willing to help on Telegram, it's not the same as having a lecturer but it's better than going at it alone. I'm studying psych too btw and there's A LOT of reading so I think having a lecturer explain the fundamentals of it at VC in your first year might be a better route. Good luck in your studies
 
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