Greetings, I was told Unisa requires the certification of transcripts and identification documents. To what does certification refer? And what does the process entail? Thank you in advance for your help.
I don't think this is especially complicated but I have to admit that I've never gone through the UNISA admission process. I'd say that certified transcripts are simply official transcripts sent from your previous school(s). They have an embossed seal on them and they are sent from your alma mater to UNISA directly. The idea is that because they do not pass through your hands you can not alter them in any way. If they asked for a certified copy of your diploma then my first thought would be to make a xerox copy of the diploma and bring both the copy and the original to a notary public and ask the notary to "certify" that the copy is a true copy of the original (and not modified in any way. Finally, I would point out that there are a few members of this forum that are UNISA students and they can answer with more authority than me. Charles, are you there? Jack
Unisa documentation Unisa just wants "real" documents. When I applied, I mailed original school transcripts (not copies). Making copies and having them notarized may suffice as well. Unisa is a good school and depending on your supervisor / promoter can be a good educational experience. ========================== Be prepared, however, to deal with Unisa's bureaucracy, which is well-known and can be very frustrating. As Uncle Janko has encouraged others, don't wait for e-mail responses. Use the telephone! And, familiarize yourself with their calendar / school year differences. They are in school when Americans are usually on summer break, etc. Best wishes for a great educational experience!
My high school and college transcripts were forwarded directly to UNISA at my request. I forwarded certified (notarized by a notary public) copies of my birth certificate, passport and diplomas. Although I began my modules immediately upon enrollment, it was almost a year later that I received my South African Universities’ Vice-Chancellors' Association (SAUVCA) (matriculation) certificate of exemption. UNISA responds in “due time”. Even with waiting for the certificate of exemption, which was approved and granted by a separate agency, I have been very impressed with UNISA’s customer service.
