Summary of "2026 Pre-Registration Orientation"
UNISA 2026 Pre‑Registration Orientation — Summary
Overview
This orientation introduced new and returning students to UNISA systems, services and processes before registration. It explained how to register, where to get academic/personal/financial support, and what to do if you have prior learning or a disability.
Format: a series of short presentations from the program director and UNISA units (counselling, registration, RPL, disability support, work‑integrated learning, finance/funding, signature modules, academic support / FYE, regional offices, student communications). Chat was used for questions; attendees were reminded not to post personal data.
Agenda / main topics covered
- Welcome and high‑level orientation (program director and executive)
- Counselling & student support (resilience, study strategies, workshops)
- Registration process and rules (how to register online, module limits, cancellations, deferment)
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) — rules and application process
- Disability & inclusion services — declaration, documentation, accommodations
- Work‑integrated learning (WIL) — purpose and student responsibilities
- Finance & funding — payment methods, invoicing, sponsors, NSF/allowances
- Signature modules and academic workload expectations
- First‑year academic support and FYE (First Year Experience), mySkills hub
- Regional offices and library support (face‑to‑face + hybrid)
- Student communication channels, myUnisa account, MFA and case management
- Next steps: post‑registration orientation, follow‑up communication
Key points, lessons and instructions
A. General housekeeping and conduct
- Keep microphones and cameras muted unless asked to speak.
- Do not share personal or highly sensitive information in the public chat — use private inboxes or official channels instead.
- Use the chat to ask questions and direct them to the correct presenter when requested.
B. Counselling & student support — building resilience and study skills
- Theme: build resilience through three pillars:
- Effective study strategies
- Planning and time management
- Seeking support early
- Services/workshops: study skills, time management, exam preparation, interview/CV/job search workshops, grief/loss support, academic performance techniques.
- Access: book online appointments (regional or central), call/email counselling, use online resources and recorded workshops on UNISA’s YouTube channel.
- Practical advice: plan workload before registration, estimate weekly study hours, create a study schedule, and plan for setbacks (e.g., connectivity) with a Plan B.
C. Registration — how to register and important rules
- Read your programme structure and module prerequisites before registering.
- Use the web registration portal (myUnisa / registration page) to submit and verify selections.
- Module load: guidance was given up to a full‑time load = 120 credits/year; check the specific limit for your programme.
- Verify and correct personal details (name, contact info) during registration.
- Cancellation: can cancel within 10 calendar days for a full refund; cancellations after that may incur charges — keep proof of cancellation/communication.
- Deferment: there is a formal deferment process and closing dates — check registration/exams pages for deadlines.
- Proofs (proof of registration, invoices) are issued via your myUnisa email; paperwork can also be requested at regional offices/counters.
- Protect your myUnisa/myLife account (do not share passwords); claim myUnisa within ~24 hours of registration and enable multi‑factor authentication (MFA).
D. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Purpose: award credit for prior work‑based learning/experience aligned to module outcomes.
- Limits: up to 50% of a qualification may be obtained by RPL (example: for a 30‑module qualification, up to 15 modules).
- Not all modules/colleges accept RPL; signature/core modules are often excluded.
- Eligibility: must meet minimum entry requirements for the qualification; relevant work experience (sometimes multiple years) is required.
- Application process:
- Decide which qualification/program you will pursue.
- Identify modules whose learning outcomes match your work experience.
- Contact your college’s RPL coordinator for guidance.
- Prepare a portfolio of evidence (each document as a separate PDF): personal statement/introduction, CV, certified certificates, work records, and a clear mapping/motivation showing how experience meets module outcomes.
- Pay the RPL assessment fee (check up‑to‑date fees on the UNISA site).
- Submit the portfolio; the assessment outcome is recorded in the academic record.
- Practical tip: if relying on RPL for a final/critical module, register for that module until RPL is confirmed to avoid delaying graduation.
E. Disability & inclusion services — declaring and getting support
- You must declare a disability to access accommodations and support.
- Declaration: upload a recent medical report/certified document via the designated form or portal. Medical reports older than ~3 years may not be accepted — check current policy.
- Accommodations/services: exam extra time, alternative formats (Braille, large print, audio, e‑text), assistive technology training, human support, fee reduction (in some cases), and assistance applying for assistive devices or allowances.
- Fee reduction: if eligible and declared, the university may subsidize a portion of fees (example given: university pays 80%, student pays 20); often requires grant eligibility and coordination with student funding.
- Process: attach a doctor’s form for exam extra time, apply through the disability office; regional offices verify documentation and liaise with Student Funding as needed.
F. Work‑Integrated Learning (WIL)
- WIL connects theory to practice through placements, practical sessions and industry exposure (required for some programmes, e.g., social work).
- Benefits: industry‑relevant skills, workplace protocols, time management, networking and employability.
- Student responsibilities:
- Check whether your programme includes WIL and note placement requirements.
- Contact your WIL coordinator/college academic to express interest and find placements.
- Prepare a CV and maintain communication with coordinators while on placement.
G. Finance & funding — payments, invoices, sponsors
- Payment methods: credit card, EFT (bank transfer), sponsor payments (employer/sponsor references). Always use the correct UNISA payment reference code plus your student number.
- Quotation/invoice: an invoice is generated once registration is confirmed/fully completed.
- Sponsors making bulk payments should use the specified bulk payment format/form to facilitate allocation.
- Keep records (screenshots, transaction references) and send proof to the correct UNISA email/finance office if allocation is delayed.
- Cancellation/refund rules apply (see registration section).
- Student funding agencies (e.g., NSFAS/Funza): follow application steps and provide required verification (income, household, academic status). Disability students may have special allowances for devices/support.
H. Signature modules & academic workload
- Each college may have one or more signature/compulsory modules with heavy assessment loads — check which apply to your programme.
- Signature modules often require frequent submissions and significant time; plan accordingly.
I. Academic support — FYE, mySkills hub, library and academic literacy
- mySkills hub and FYE (First Year Experience) resources are free and available online; strongly recommended for new students.
- FYE module (example: FORE1500) is a non‑credit orientation/survival guide — free and recommended after registration.
- Academic development services: academic literacy, writing, numeracy, assignment preparation, exam preparation, referencing help; workshops are available online and at regional offices.
- Library services: main library (Pretoria) with branch/partner libraries in regions; librarians assist with referencing and accessing resources. Library training sessions are offered online or at regional offices.
J. Regional offices — face‑to‑face and hybrid support
- Regional offices provide local services: counselling, registration help, library access, study spaces, free Wi‑Fi, computer access and basic digital literacy assistance.
- Most regions offer hybrid/online services as well; check the regional page on the UNISA portal for locations, contacts and available services.
- Use regional centers for reliable electricity/connectivity, group work and study spaces.
K. Student communication, myUnisa, and case management
- Official communication uses your myUnisa/myLife account — claim it after registration (usually within 24 hours).
- When emailing or raising a case: include your student number, module code (if relevant), a clear subject line and screenshots/error messages to speed resolution.
- MFA protects accounts. To change contact details you may need to submit the DSR3 form with an ID copy.
- UNISA uses a case number system (hash number) for queries; escalate via supervisors/managers if a case is unresolved.
Practical tips & next steps (action items)
- Read your qualification structure and module prerequisites before registering.
- Estimate study hours and plan your semester schedule in advance.
- Update and confirm your contact details (phone and email) in the application/registration system.
- Claim and protect your myUnisa account and enable MFA; do not share passwords.
- If seeking RPL or disability accommodations, prepare and submit documentation early — keep copies as PDFs.
- Register for modules on time; if relying on RPL for crucial modules, register until the RPL outcome is finalized.
- Use regional offices, counselling, FYE and the mySkills hub early — attend workshops and watch recorded materials on YouTube.
- Keep payment receipts and use the correct reference formats; contact finance with proof if allocation delays occur.
- Expect a post‑registration orientation (in this session it was scheduled for late February) for deeper support — register/attend.
Speakers / presenters
(Spellings reflect the transcript; some names were unclear in the auto‑generated subtitles.)
- Ziyanda Pebkila / Ziyanda Mkila — Program Director (host)
- Prof. Magharo / Profana — Executive welcome speaker
- Lerie — Counselling/student support presenter
- Eugen Mwash — RPL / RPA unit
- Disability services presenter (name not clearly captured)
- Mr Likho Rashidi — Signature modules
- FYE / mySkills hub presenter(s) (name not clearly captured)
- Mr Abam Ano / Abam — Regional offices presenter
- Kwanele — UNISA Student Communication Service Center
- Zinhleala and Caroline — Finance / funding presenters (spellings approximate)
- Additional registration and finance presenters (names not clearly captured)
Follow‑up options provided
- Produce a concise “what to do now” checklist tailored to your student type (first‑time undergraduate, returning student, postgraduate, or international).
- Extract the URLs and exact contact emails/phone numbers mentioned in the orientation (pulled from UNISA’s official website rather than the subtitle text).
- Create a one‑page checklist for registration, payments and documentation you should prepare now.
Category
Educational
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