I have some questions about UniSA.

One of the schools I have started reading about on this board was/is UniSA. Intersteing stuff. But I have a few questions after looking around their site.

1) Cost: I'm not real sure about their fees. In the Undergrad leve they talk about S1, S2 and Year. Underneath that they mention the cost of a Full Year Course. So I figure S1 = semester 1 and so forth. But does that mean that each of their corses run for a year instead of a semester?
Does the prices also reflect tuition? I mean these are the prices per class, aren't they?

2) Am I right in that in order to take enroll in their Masters programs you must have a Bachelors with Honors?

3) I also read that they said you would sit for the final test of each class. I figure that would be at a testing center, but does anyone know which they use?

I guess somnething I would like to know from those who are going through UniSA is how they like it and would they recommend it?

One last thing; I read somewhere where someone figured up about how much it would cost to get a Bachelors there. Does anyone either know that figure or the link. I can't seem to find the link.

Anyhow, thanks a bunch for your help and putting up with the newb questions.

 

No problem. They're good questions. I'm going to answer them without referring back to the UNISA website so there will be a certain amount of imprecision in my answers (although I believe that I'll be pretty close).

1) S1 and S2 are semester one and two. Semester one starts in February. Not every course is offered every semester. Some courses are only a semester long others last a year. They make it pretty plain which is which.

The listed prices are the price per class. R700=110USD right now. As the exchange rate varies so does your cost. So, you can take a few courses for just a few hundred dollars EXCEPT FOR ONE THING - - - there is an "International Fee" structure for those living outside of South Africa. It almost doubles your cost (I forget how much it is exactly). Look under the "miscellaneous fees" section for this.

2) You can enroll in a Masters program with a regular Bachelors degree (without the Honours stuff) from a US university. You see, in Commonwealth countries (like South Africa) a Bachelors degree is a three year thing with the "Honours degree" being the fourth yeat of study. If you've got a good BA then you should be OK.

3) Yes, you have to go to a testing center for exams. There's a list somewhere on the website (I can find it again if you have difficulty - people frequently complain about the difficulty in navigating the UNISA website) In my area the testing center is in New York City (I think it might be the embassy or the consulate or somesuch).

4) I think that you could do a UNISA BA (full-time) for about $1,600 dollars per year (I've not included books, travel to exam centers, etc.).

If you continue to be interested in South African degree programs you might look here as well. They do not have the breadth of programming but the costs are less.
http://www.uovs.ac.za
Good luck.
Jack

 

Thanks for the quick response Jack! I'll check into the UOVS also.

I know I sound like a cheapskate here, but I am looking for the "most bang for the buck". Something that is accredited without being expensive. Part of the big reason for my desire not to put me too much in the poor house over it (the degree) is the field that I'd like to get my degree in isn't very promising (career wise) in the first place (Anthropology). So I guess I'd just be getting the degree mostly for me, if you know what I mean.

Heck it would be great if it lead to something with decent pay, but I'm a realist about that. But who knows?

Anyway thanks for the info and if you (or anyone else) have any good ideas; I'd love to hear them.
AtDhVaAnNkCsE

 

St. Jayne,

Here are two other distance learning BA Anthropology programs that may be of interest to you:


University of Wales - Lampeter

Three Year (Single Honours) UK Bachelors Degree in Anthropology. Lampeter also offers an MA in Social Anthropology available via distance learning.



Athabasca University - BA Anthropology (3-year Concentration)

Athabasca University is a regionally accredited (Middle States) institution, located in Canada. Athabasca offers both three year (concentration) and 4 year (major) degrees in Anthropology. Bear in mind that a three year concentration degree from Athabasca may not qualify one to enter a graduate program in the U.S. On the other hand, if you are simply looking to conclude your collegiate studies at the Bachelors level, with no intention of attending graduate school (or at least not in the U.S.), then the year degree may suffice. If not, Athabasca also offers a traditional (U.S., that is) 4 year BA (120 credits) in Anthropology.

Athabasca University - BA Anthropology (4-year Major)

Good luck!

- Tom

 

OK! Anthropology is one of my favorite subject areas so I'll have to dust off the files and see what I can find. Tom's right about the Lampeter programs. Outside of ZA they're the best bang for your anthropological buck.
Jack

 

...Lampeter looks very interesting (as do they all really) but can't find a list of fees. (I did find the "contact us" page, but no fees page.) Any idea on what ballpark we're talking about here price wise?

I am eager, yet cautious.

I think that Lampeter may be a bit more along the lines of my anthropological interests. (Pre christian European cultures and their influence on modern (western) society.)

 

This might help.
http://www.lamp.ac.uk/postgrads/fee_info/
Happy New Year.
Jack

 

What do the numbers after the R stand for? R1, R2, R3, R4, etc.

 

Thanks Jack for pointing me in the right direction on finding those fees...

"OVERSEAS (Undergraduates)

4. Full-time: Undergraduate £7,320"

$12,950.00

Ouch.

Maybe I need to do some reevaluating.

 

...OK, next time I wont try to do my reading on the run. (kind of during New Years celebrating - by the way - Happy New Years! )

$13k for the entire degree... not too bad!

That may just be the plan. May have to go the part-time route, but still! Anyhow, still reading and listening to/for words of advice/experience.

 

UNISA

St. Jayne,

If you have specific questions concerning UNISA you might want to contact its Canadian/American licensee:

http://www.iaci-canada.com/index.htm

Good luck.