Student service: UNISA vs. American Public University

Perhaps not only administrative costs and salaries explain the huge difference in study fees between these South Africa and USA institutions.

I have experienced totally different responses from these two institutions. When I emailed APU in Virginia with specific questions I got specific answers, and within a matter of a few days. Polite, professional, and very detailed. Nothing vague, no delays - encouraging and succinct.

However when I emailed a similar list of questions to UNISA in Pretoria - well, twice the amount of time has passed and I have recieved no answer. And they are time sensitive questions. The deadline is in a few weeks.

Would anyone care to share their experiences with either of these universities?

And to my immediate problem - still after reading the UNISA website I don't know what the first step is other than getting a student number, which I have done. Is it admission? Is it getting a certified copy of my passport in order to get a mature student exemption? Is it to register (i.e. *pay* for at least one course) to get my foot in the door and thus some attention? ????? The list goes on and on. I have a list of at least twenty questions that will affect my course and major choices and whether I even want to study with them at all.

One would presume that making an initial payment would expedite things but I have many potential problems since I will be studying from Vietnam and have to write exams in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and thus don't know how practical it will be.

American Public University on the other hand offers total online education - no need to use postal system or deal with censorship issues (as I will in Vietnam). Geez, I could pursue a APU degree anywhere in the world that has net access.

Is there another non-USA alternative to UNISA for a respectable BA in Literature, English, Religious Studies and Education? Sure UNISA fees are what, a fourth, that of similar US universities. But it's a big world out there. Is SA the only player?

 

My experience in conversations and contacts with the APUS system matches yours. Speed on!

 

AMU and UNISA are two very different institutions. UNISA is a state university and has just celebrated its 130th anniversary. AMU is a private for profit university and has been around for a decade. UNISA's student body is far and away larger than that of AMU/APUS. AMU has an open admissions policy. UNISA does not.

I was absolutely thrilled with my AMU experience. AMU's administrative staff was exceptionally professional and courteous.

I am equally pleased with my ongoing studies with UNISA. However, a great deal of patience is often required when dealing with UNISA's admin. Conversely, my professors/lecturers have responded quickly when I have had questions.

Every one of my AMU professors were outstanding, a few were truly exceptional. At UNISA my textbooks have been authored by my professors/lecturers. Although my AMU and UNISA studies are in different disciplines, at this point, on the whole, I would give my UNISA professors higher marks.

 

Yes, I have contacted professors

Common sense suggests that I contact professors in the faculties I which intend to study. Along with asking department/degree specific questions I incidently advised them of my frustration dealing with admissions administration.

My intention is to earn degrees in both AMU and UNISA. The primary reasons I have chosen UNISA for now are because of much lower costs and suitable departments for my tastes. Religious Studies is stronger at UNISA than AMU. UNISA even has a strong Islamic Studies department which interests me little - but scholars and Mulsim students be advised.

Charles, do you care to comment on your impression of the texts chosen by UNISA? One of the convenient things about a brick and mortar university is one can go to the bookstore, peruse the required texts ahead of actually taking the course. But of course if AMU doesn't publish the list neither has the advantage.

 

To clarify

Did you *like* and see advantages in the fact that UNISA professor's authored the texts you studied, or are you critical of that fact?

When I studied Sanskrit at UBC (Vancouver, Canada) we students used texts prepared by the Professor himself. I believe he has since published it. I found it very good because the teacher and the text were in tune for obvious reasons.

Any sudents who have experiences studying with UNISA I am listening. I will share my observations when I am enrolled.

 

Contacting UNISA Professors paid off

Well, one replied within 24 hours answering the questions I had about course credits for the degree in her department. I'm impressed. I will report how soon and how useful were the replies from the half a dozen other Professors.