Studying through UNISA in South Africa - have standards gone down?

I have been in the process of initiating a BComm degree at UNISA (University of South Africa) by correspondence and I have been sometimes rewarded, sometimes frustrated with my dealings with the university. A very nice psychology student gave me career counselling at the campus here in Durban, but I have not been able to get advice from anyone in the Commerce Department about my choices of majors etc before I register in a couple of weeks' time.

Also, I have been looking online and read an article about problems with the university last year where students were not receiving their study materials on time etc. Are the standards still reasonable at UNISA and, most importantly, world recognised and accredited? I want to be able to use this degree to get ahead in London, where I was living for the last 5 years and to where I would like to return, as this is where I have been happiest. Will employers accept a qualification in, for example, accounting and quantitative management from UNISA?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

I am not a UNISA student nor have I ever been a UNISA student. We have a few members who have earned or are working on doctoral degrees from UNISA but no members (to my knowledge, based on posts) who are Bachelors level students at UNISA and so I'd be a bit surprised if anyone can answer your question based upon personal experience. Based on what I know here is my best advice:

If you are not a registered student you should expect zero feedback from the school. Zero. Based on many member statements they only respond to registered students and they respond best if you telephone.

All universities (and all other large, complex organizations) intermittently have breakdowns in their functioning. Maybe they hired some moron to run the mail room and he screwed everything up. That doesn't mean the university as a whole is bad. Don't believe everything you read.

 

I know that in South Africa one almost expects these long waits and bad responses from entities like these. It only serves to further strengthen the belief that if you finished their degree you really worked at it. UNISA courses are known to be rigorous and are never accused of being easy so their reputation has always been good. There should be a real respect toward those who managed not with the help of, but despite the antiquated administrative system.