I must be missing something (or miscalculating, to be sure). While visiting the University of the Western Cape web site, I saw postgraduate degrees in journalism/arts/english for R7 700 p.a. I ran those figures through a currency converter and came up with $756.44. Can this be right? Someone please tell me I'm mistaken. Thanks. Roscoe
That sounds about right, Roscoe--South African degree programs tend to run pretty cheap (though this is usually because they're subsidized--and in the case of UNISA, Potch, and perhaps other schools, non-South African students understandably pay an unsubsidized rate). Cheers,
Hi Roscoe - Yes, you're doing the math correctly. Currently (8:35pm EST) the exchange rate is 10.19 Rand to the US Dollar. Why then aren't people stampeding the SA schools? Some are concerned as to how these degrees might be received in the marketplace. Others are put off by the "difficult to navigate" admission/registration/reregistration process at the main SA DL school, UNISA. Added to this is the recent uncertainties that have arisen as the result of the SA universities merger process. I continue to think it's a great deal but I understand how others, who are in a different position, might disagree. Good luck in your search, Jack
Thanks Tom, Jack With prices like those, I'm tempted to work on two graduate degrees at the same time. Maybe a D.Phil. at UNIZUL and a MA at Western Cape. Roscoe
Politically incorrect, but... OK, I know it is politically incorrect, but it is something I have wondered, and I suspect Gert or another South African expert here will know the answer. In the US, laws have done away with colleges that are all black, or all white, etc. . . . and yet there are many schools (for instance) that are identified as "historically black," which means, I think, all black at one time, and now still mostly black. Has this been the case with South African schools in the post-apartheid era? Is Western Cape, for instance, still largely what was called 'coloured' (Indian, Pakistani, etc.)? Is Vista still largely black?
Re: Politically incorrect, but... In my limited experience, yes--I believe that's actually one of the motives behind the South African university merger proposal. Gert could probably say more. Cheers,
As a doctoral student at one of South Africa's most prestigious institutions, the University of Stellenbosch, I will be paying only $1500/year in tuition. This is the international student rate; for Southern Africans, the rate would be cheaper still. Cory Seibel
Dr Bear: There is a website for SAUVCA (www.sauvca.org.za) which lists enrollments for all the South Efrican universities broken down by race. The general picture seems to be substantial increases in non-white enrollment at formerly white universities, but little increase in white enrollment at formerly non-white institutions. There may be exceptions, but that's my general recollection.
In light of these great prices, I have another question: Do people in the academic community ever ask: "So what did you pay for your doctorate?" I know they're quick to ask: "What school?" Just curious. And no, I wouldn't be embarrassed to say I paid $1500 for a doctorate. In fact, I'd say it with the biggest smile. Corey: How much campus time is required for your doctorate? Roscoe
The regulations of the University of Stellenbosch dictate that international students must spend 6 months in residence. My professor, chair of the department of practical theology, has indicated that there may be some flexibility to this requirement. However, no guarantees have been provided. I may be able to get away with spending less than 6 months there; or, I might not. It sounds as though this "flexibility" would be gauged on a case-by-case basis, depending upon the progress of the individual student. By the way, this 6 month total needn't be fufilled in one stretch. I will be endeavouring to fufill this requirement through several trips over the course of approximately 4 years. Cory Seibel
South African institutions Hello all, I must admit the cost of these programs seems too good to be true. Even if I am accepted into V Tech's on line Masters in Poli Sci program I might take up another program at the same time before fees go up however................... I would like to think that I am a reasonably intelligent individual but I cannot for the life of me figure out the websites of these schools. I can see where one would simply give up. UNISA, UNIZUL, West Cape, Pretoria et al. I can't seem to find any information about distance education on most of the websites not to EVEN get started on the confusion about agents in the US representing these schools. My questions, plain and simple: How do these schools work? What do they charge? Do I have to go through an agent? How in the world do I even get started? Are there any schools that I should avoid? What's all this about mergers of schools? Any help would be greatly appreaciated. Rafael BS Western State University JD Western State University (ABA) MBA Pepperdine University MS, Kansas State University 2003
Rafael, When you visit the sites, try these sections: * Academics * Programmes & Departments * Faculties (seems to be another term for "departments") * Qualifications (seems to be a term for "requirements.") * Admissions If you're interested in a master's or doctorate, click on "Postgraduate degrees" or "Postgraduate studies." Beyond that, you may send them an email requesting more details. Hope this helps. Roscoe
Re: South African institutions =============================== I found Unizul easy to work with. Get to the faculty of your interest area.. Obtain the email of the dean of that faculty. Then shoot your question. I don't recall whether DL is even mentioned on the UZ site. But if the degree is by thesis, that is DL. Good 'luck.' ====================================
Whereas "Faculty" in the US only seems to be the teaching staff/the professors, it means in Europe the whole department as an institution (e.g. "Faculty of Marketing" instead of "Department of Marketing"). (i think it comes from the Latin word) Since S.A. universities are originated in Anglo-Dutch approaches, it´s only normal the name it the same. Greets, Trigger
Re: Politically incorrect, but... This is THE big issue in South African higher education today. Most (all?) of the universities slated to disappear by merger into other institutions are the "historically black" universities that were traditionally underfunded and that received under-prepared students (from underfunded secondary schools, etc.). Needless to say, this is a hot political issue. There's also an effort at so-called "transformation" at the formerly "white" universities, most of which now have significant numbers of black students. But in many cases they have achieved this through distance education programs -- and as a consequence there are still few black faces on campus. This issue is one of the origins of the backlash against distance education in South Africa. So it's not politically incorrect to raise this issue. (But it is difficult to discuss without raising hackles.)
Thank you Thanks to those that replied. I was actually able to make some sense of the University websites. What a great forum this is!!! Rafael BS Western State University JD Western State University (ABA) MBA Pepperdine University MS, Kansas State University 2003
