Overview, Requirements, and Application for University of South Africa, North-West University, and University of the Western Cape

Paul | February 15, 2024 | South Africa | No Comments

UNISA’s status as a mega university, its extensive global reach, and its commitment to both vocational and academic education make it a significant player in the South African and international higher education landscape.

The university’s history, dating back to its founding in 1873 as the University of the Cape of Good Hope, reflects its evolution from an examining agency for prestigious international universities to a fully autonomous and comprehensive institution. The legislative changes in 1916 established UNISA as a federal university, overseeing several colleges that later became independent universities. This historical role as a central academic authority contributed to the development of higher education institutions in South Africa.

The Extension of University Education Act in 1959 further expanded UNISA’s responsibilities, bringing under its trusteeship the so-called “black universities.” This move played a role in fostering educational opportunities for a broader spectrum of South African students. UNISA’s commitment to distance education, formalized in 1946, marked a crucial shift, allowing the university to reach a diverse student population across geographical and demographic boundaries.

The merger with Technikon Southern Africa and the incorporation of VUDEC in 2004 strengthened UNISA’s position as a versatile and inclusive institution. This consolidation allowed the university to offer a comprehensive range of certificate, diploma, degree, and doctoral programs.

UNISA’s notable alumni, including Nobel Prize winners Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, underscore its significant contributions to South African society. The university’s focus on international accreditation, extensive student enrollment, and commitment to both vocational and academic pursuits highlight its role as a major player in the global education arena.

major institutions. It’s important to note that rankings can vary depending on the criteria used by different ranking systems.

The academic community at the University of South Africa (UNISA) reflects the institution’s status as one of the world’s mega universities. UNISA offers a diverse range of academic programs that blend elements typically associated with both technological and traditional universities. These programs include career-oriented courses aligned with a university of technology and formative academic programs associated with a traditional university.

The university is organized into several colleges, each focusing on specific disciplines:

College of Accounting Sciences
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
College of Education
College of Economic and Management Sciences
College of Graduate Studies
College of Human Sciences
College of Law
College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL)

Accounting Sciences:
- Bachelor of Accounting Sciences (BCompt)
- Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accounting (BCompt)
- Bachelor of Commerce in Management Accounting (BCompt)
- Bachelor of Commerce in Internal Auditing (BCompt)
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences:
- Bachelor of Agriculture
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
Economic and Management Sciences:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA)
- Bachelor of Human Resource Management (BHRM)
Education:
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Foundation Phase Teaching
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Intermediate Phase Teaching
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Early Childhood Development (ECD)
Engineering, Science and Technology:
- Bachelor of Science in Computing (BSc Computing)
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSc IT)
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Human Sciences:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSci)
- Bachelor of Criminology
Law:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Bachelor of Arts in Law (BA Law)
Health Sciences:
- Bachelor of Nursing Science
- Bachelor of Environmental Health
Arts and Communication:
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing
- Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies
Languages:
- Bachelor of Arts in African Languages
- Bachelor of Arts in English Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Language Practice

Beyond the colleges, UNISA has various bureaus, centers, institutes, museums, and units dedicated to supporting academic development and research.

It’s worth noting that the qualifications offered by the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, specifically in the field of engineering, are designed for technician and technologist training rather than serving as the academic component for admission to the engineering profession. Graduates from these programs cannot register as Professional Engineers with the Engineering Council of South Africa. However, the university has introduced a Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours program as a Level 8 qualification on the National Qualification Framework, serving as a bridging mechanism for further studies for technologists and technicians.

In terms of rankings, UNISA was ranked the 6th best university in South Africa by the Times Higher Education in 2015. The university’s global ranking in the ARWU World ranking for 2019 fell within the range of 801–900. Rankings provide a snapshot of an institution’s standing within the broader academic landscape, and UNISA’s diverse offerings contribute to its role as a significant player in higher education in South Africa and beyond.

How to apply to the university

Choose a program
Press “Apply now” button
Send an application form
Complete admissions tasks
Go to study

To apply to University of South Africa follow these steps. To get more information about the university and the admissions process, you can use the live chat to contact a university representative.

Required documents for admission

When applying for admission to University of South Africa in South Africa you should prepare all required documents. Request a list of necessary documents directly from a university, as it may vary for different countries. Using our live chat, you can also ask for sample documents.

Family Details
Experience certificate (MA, PhD)
Letters of reccomendation (MA, PhD)
TOEFL Certificate
Student visa
Diploma evalution (local authorities)
Supervisor Agreement Form (PhD)
Application fee
IELTS Certificate
Passport
Research proposal outline (MA, PhD)
Resume/CV (graduate, postgraduate)
Photographs
Declaration for financial support
Proof of fee payment
Online Application form
Health and Life Insurance

North-West University – Overview, Faculties and How to Apply

Established in 2004 through the merger of Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and the University of North-West (formerly the University of Bophuthatswana).
Campuses:
Three campuses located in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark.
Became one of the largest universities in South Africa post-merger with the third-largest student population in the country.
Alumni:
Notable alumni include Dirk Hermann (trade unionist), Gerhard Mostert (rugby player), Warren Whiteley (rugby player), Katlego Maboe (television presenter), Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (Miss Universe 2017), Arrie Rautenbach (Group CEO of Absa Group Limited), Mamokgethi Phakeng (former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town).

Faculties:

Economic and Management Sciences:
- Accounting Sciences
- Business and Governance (Business School)
- Economic Sciences
- Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management
- Management Sciences
- Tourism
Education:
- Language Education
- Psycho-Social Education
- Professional Studies in Education
- Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
- Commerce and Social Studies in Education
Engineering:
- Chemical and Minerals Engineering
- Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
Health Sciences:
- Human Movement Sciences
- Kinderkinetics
- Pharmacy
- Psychosocial Health
- Physiology
- Consumer Sciences
- Nutrition
- Occupational Hygiene
- Nursing
Humanities:
- Communication Studies
- Government Studies
- Languages
- Music
- Philosophy
- Social Sciences
Law:
- Mercantile Law
- Public Law
- Private Law
Natural and Agricultural Sciences:
- Physical and Chemical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Geo- and Spatial Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
- Computer Science and Information Systems
- Business Mathematics and Statistics
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Theology:
- Christian Ministry and Leadership
- Ancient Language and Text Studies

How to apply to the university

Choose a program
Press “Apply now” button
Send an application form
Complete admissions tasks
Go to study

To apply to North-West University follow these steps. To get more information about the university and the admissions process, you can use the live chat to contact a university representative.

Required documents for admission

When applying for admission to North-West University in South Africa you should prepare all required documents. Request a list of necessary documents directly from a university, as it may vary for different countries. Using our live chat, you can also ask for sample documents.

Application fee
Diploma evalution (local authorities)
Letters of reccomendation (MA, PhD)
Photographs
Health and Life Insurance
TOEFL Certificate
Passport
Research proposal outline (MA, PhD)
Supervisor Agreement Form (PhD)
Experience certificate (MA, PhD)
IELTS Certificate
Student visa
Family Details
Resume/CV (graduate, postgraduate)
Proof of fee payment
Online Application form
Declaration for financial support

The University of the Western Cape (UWC; Afrikaans: Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland)

The University of the Western Cape (UWC; Afrikaans: Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland) is a public research university located in Bellville, near Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1959 by the South African government as a university exclusively for Coloured people, in accordance with the Extension of University Education Act, 1959. This legislation, part of the broader system of apartheid, enforced the segregation of higher education in South Africa, designating certain universities for specific racial groups.

During this era, other universities like the University of Zululand and the University of the North were also founded as ethnically segregated institutions. However, since well before the end of apartheid in 1994, UWC has transformed into an integrated and multiracial institution.

Ranking:
In 2014, Webometrics ranked the University of the Western Cape as the sixth-best in South Africa, seventh-best in Africa, and 885th in the world. The university’s Faculty of Law and Dentistry were specifically recognized as the best in Africa by Webometrics.

Application Process:
To apply to the University of the Western Cape, follow these steps:

Choose a program.
Press the “Apply now” button.
Send an application form.
Complete admissions tasks.
Go to study.

Applicants are required to submit various documents for admission, including letters of recommendation (for MA and PhD programs), application fees, TOEFL or IELTS certificates, experience certificates, photographs, research proposal outlines (for MA and PhD programs), passports, student visas, family details, resumes/CVs (for graduate and postgraduate programs), declarations for financial support, proof of fee payment, online application forms, supervisor agreement forms (for PhD programs), health and life insurance, and diploma evaluations from local authorities.

For more information about the university and the admissions process, prospective students can use the live chat to contact a university representative. It’s advisable to request a list of necessary documents directly from the university, as requirements may vary for different countries. Sample documents can also be obtained through the live chat.

Faculty of Community and Health Sciences:

Bachelor of Social Work:
Minimum of 30 UWC points.
English (home language) Code 4 OR English (first additional language) Code 5.
Another language (home or first additional) Code 4.
Maths Code 3 OR Maths Literacy Code 4.
Bachelor of Community Development:
Minimum of 30 UWC points.
Another language (home or first additional) Code 3.
Maths Code 3 OR Maths Literacy Code 4.
BA Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science:
Minimum of 30 UWC points.
Maths Code 3 OR Maths Literacy Code 4.
BSc Dietetics and Nutrition:
Minimum of 33 UWC points.
Another language (home or first additional) Code 3.
Maths Code 4 OR Maths Literacy Code 6.
Life Sciences Code 4.

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS):
Criteria subject to change for 2023; check UWC website after May 2022.

BAdmin, BCom, BCom (Financial Accounting), BCom IS (Information Systems):
Minimum of 30 UWC points.
English Code 3 AND Another language Code 3 (home or first additional language).
Maths Code 2 OR Maths Literacy Code 6.
BCom Accounting:
Minimum of 30 UWC points.
English Code 3 AND Another language Code 3 (home or first additional language).
Maths Code 3 AND Accounting Code 4 OR Maths Code 4.

Faculty of Natural Sciences:

BSc Environmental and Water Science, BSc Biotechnology, BSc Biodiversity and Conservation Biology:
Minimum of 33 UWC points.
Maths Code 4.
Physical Sciences OR Life Sciences Code 4.
BSc Medical Bioscience, BSc Chemical Sciences, BSc Applied Geology:
Minimum of 33 UWC points.
Maths Code 4.
Physical Sciences Code 4.
BSc Physical Science:
Minimum of 33 UWC points.
Maths Code 5.
Physical Sciences Code 4.
BSc Mathematical & Statistical Science, BSc Computer Science:
Minimum of 33 UWC points.
Maths Code 5.
Physical Sciences OR Life Sciences OR Information Technology Code 4.
Bachelor of Pharmacy:
38 UWC points.
Maths Code 4.
Physical Sciences AND Life Sciences Code 4.