University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education

By | December 21, 2016
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Unisa - University of south africa

University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education

University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education strives to be the first choice provider of high quality Open and Distance Learning (ODL) education programmes in Africa and a recognized centre of excellence internationally for teaching, research and community engagement that focuses on the initial preparation of teachers and the continuous professional teacher development in:

  • Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Environmental Education;
  • Early Childhood Development Education;
  • Inclusive Education;
  • ABET;
  • Language Education;
  • and other subjects designated as national priorities.

University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education Mission

The College of Education is committed to reaching out to all of humanity by providing scholarship, service, learning and continuous professional development opportunities to aspirant and serving educators, managers and policy makers, and other practitioners in education at home and abroad.
In pursuit of its vision, the college further undertakes to provide its students, staff, and communities with a range of learning opportunities and knowledge through a variety of formal and non-formal Open and Distance Learning programmes that incorporate cutting edge learner support systems and approaches, innovative research initiatives and responsive community development interventions especially in the key focus areas identified in the college vision.
In its attempt to contribute to an education agenda for sustained development, special focus will be given to the recruitment and support of foundation phase educators through targeted marketing and communication initiatives.

University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education role and contribution

Currently the College is responsible for the initial professional education and training of close to 50% of all teachers in South Africa. The College of Education was established as a response mechanism to address the needs of learners, schools, communities, national and provincial education departments for well qualified and excellent teachers.

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University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education Qualifications

Formal qualifications

Formal qualifications refer to those qualifications that are subsidised by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and therefore offered under the DHET policies and legislation. The following formal qualifications are offered by the college:

Qualification information for everyone planning to start a new qualification:

  • Undergraduate degrees, higher certificates and higher diplomas, and postgraduate certificates
  • Honours degrees and postgraduate diplomas
  • Master’s & doctoral degrees

Qualification information for successful applicants and re-registering students:

The qualification information for the  registration is not yet available.

Short Learning Programmes (non-formal qualifications)

Short Learning Programmes offered by Unisa focus on “just in time” and “just enough” learning to meet a specific learning need identified by society. This need can focus on enabling access to other Short Learning Programmes or to improve access to the study of formal qualifications at Unisa, or it can address a specific need in the workplace.

Short Learning Programmes can update or broaden skills and knowledge in a specific area to enable life-long learning. In this manner, Short Learning Programmes assist students with their continuing professional development by upgrading their skills and knowledge in newly developed areas or by sharing the results of research.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

During your lifetime, you will have acquired various skills, competencies and experiences. This learning – which may have taken place outside of formal education and training – is valuable regardless of where or when it was obtained. You may have acquired skills or knowledge from a combination of training conducted while at work, experience you gained in the workplace, short courses or from community work in a relevant field.

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RPL permits you to gain credits within formal certificate, diploma and degree qualifications offered by Unisa based on the level and extent of your knowledge. Your prior learning will be measured against specified prescribed learning outcomes.

Educational research focusing on schools

Currently there are 26 Community Engagement (research) projects taking place across CEDU. The first grouping is those projects which are related to school management, governance and leadership, the next group are the projects related to gateway subjects and teacher development. These will feed into the development of the Teacher Centres, another CEDU project jointly embarked on with the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The third cluster of projects is related to Inclusive Education for which a new Centre of Excellence is going to be established at Unisa. The fourth group are those projects which are related to Early Childhood Development.

In the centre of the four groups or quadrants lies the 500 schools project which covers all these aspects. By means of the 500 Schools project much research information is being gathered, the outcomes of which will feed back into developing better practices at the schools and in how we train teachers, also at the teacher centres. The research is done together with the teachers who co-construct the knowledge about their situation and together they find ways of improving teaching and learning.

More information on some of these projects:

  • The 500 Schools research project investigates the underlying causes of under-performance in grades three and six with a view to developing an intervention approach
  • The Dynamics of Violence in Schools Project, has been embarked on jointly by the United Kingdom, Brazil, Pakistan and South Africa. The aim of the project is to facilitate international comparison of school violence through the generation of school-based indicators of violence and of security measures
  • The Vhembe Schools Project focuses on increasing learner performance in National Senior Certificate Examinations
  • The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Outreach Intervention is aimed at developing an understanding of the environment surrounding African, coloured and Indian students and investigates what the root causes are for the low success rate in BEd Foundation Phase and PGCE Foundation Phase courses
  • The Growing ECD Teachers in Rural Areas project is aimed at attracting and recruiting 100 young black females to register for a four-year Bachelor of Education degree in Foundation Education. The recruitment process will target learners in rural schools that have a good Grade 12 results
  • Ilima Lemfundo seeks to improve the teaching of indigenous languages in poorly performing schools
  • The Science Outreach in KwaZulu-Natal project aims to empower science teachers in rural areas through face-to-face contact sessions
  • An investigation into the teaching of science and mathematics to students in schools for the blind intends to evolve mathematics and science education for visually impaired learners
  • The Analyses of Mathematics Teacher Professional Development Programmes cross-continental collaborative study will analyse teacher professional development programmes with a view to improving the quality of these
  • A community project focused on the training of facilitators for persons living with hearing loss, which is aimed at developing a short learning programme in cooperation with the National Institute for the Deaf.
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Contact University Of South Africa Faculty Of Education

For College of Education specific student enquiries contact us via the telephone on one of the following numbers:

  • Mr  SM  Shabangu:  Acting  College  Coordinator
    012 429 2645
  • Mr  T  Moloto:  College  Student  Advisor
    012 429 4668
  • Ms M Dihangwane
    012 439 2537

Related Resources

🎓 Bursary Applications South Africa Latest bursary opportunities and application guides
🛡️ PSIRA Registration Guide Step-by-step PSIRA registration and renewal process
🏦 NSFAS Applications NSFAS funding applications and student finance guides

 

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
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🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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