“Unisa Is Questionable”: SA Shares Reasons Why Institution’s Qualifications Are Looked Down On

• A social media user on X (formerly Twitter) wondered why people looked down on qualifications from the University of South Africa (Unisa)
• Unisa is the largest open distance-learning institution in South Africa, offering vocational and academic programmes
• While local online community members shared why they didn't think much of the South African institution, Briefly News reached out to a former Unisa student, who shared her experience

After a social media user shared why it was difficult to comprehend why some members of society don't feel that qualifications from the University of South Africa (Unisa) are on par with other tertiary learning institutions, the internet didn't hold back their thoughts.

X user @dracosrevenge wrote on his account on Monday, 21 July 2025:

"I'll never understand why people look down on Unisa qualifications. That person literally had to teach themselves, stay disciplined, figure things out alone, and still managed to graduate. If anything, that takes more grit than most."

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What does Unisa offer?

Unisa, which dubs itself as a comprehensive university, offers vocational and academic programmes, awarding students undergraduate and postgraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees.

It is also the largest open distance-learning institution in South Africa, with its main campus based in Pretoria.

Former Unisa student shares her experience

A woman who previously studied at Unisa told Briefly News that she felt the institution's administration, communication, and lecturers were not the best.

"In essence, they are over-prescribed and because of that, they can't maintain admin and communication regarding student enquiries. The lecturers have a tough task and don't offer worthy lectures."

The former student added:

"It's like reading out of a study guide."

SA shares thoughts on Unisa qualifications

Hundreds of local social media users entered the comment section with their thoughts about the tertiary institution and what it had to offer. While some online community members defended Unisa, many shared why they didn't think much of it.

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@TheRealZeeNkosi said to internet users:

"It's funny how it's always people who've never obtained any degree from there that discredit it. Okay, buddy. If it is that easy to graduate from Unisa, then why don't you have a degree from there as proof that it's easy 'from experience?' It's evil envy, and it's pathetic."

@GiftKho88498193 wrote in the comments:

"Effort. I did engineering at UP and my brother is doing law at Unisa. I've never seen this chap study once or seem active. It’s always soccer, but every six months, a pass? I've seen how lawyers grind at UP and have sleepless nights. Being a lawyer at Unisa seems like a hobby degree."

@Mabelane_W revealed their experience:

"Hai, Unisa is questionable. I remember writing code on a piece of paper in my first year."

@mutuki_MR shared their opinion of the learning institution, writing:

"As a graduate of Unisa, I can tell you now that the Unisa brand and reputation have gone down because of management. Companies only hire me because of my proven track record, and the quality of my qualifications is always questioned because of management and reputation. It’s a Unisa thing."

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@Big_Kabz added in the comments:

"How do you learn when there is no one to teach you? For the majority of students, it’s just a place to obtain qualifications. Let’s be honest."

@Mpendulo4550453 alleged to the online community:

"I've seen many people paying for assignments to be written by others. Even for online exams, people receive assistance. It was better when exams were written physically. In other words, some people cheat to pass, not everyone."

Take a look at the X post below:

3 Other stories about Unisa

• In more news, Briefly News reported on a student who shared his struggles with studying at the national higher education institution. He repeated a module for nearly 10 years.
• Unisa considered taking legal action against a self-proclaimed prophet and denied that it awarded the man an honorary doctorate, condemning the false claim.
• Last year, a Unisa graduate showed that after doing everything the right way regarding her education, she ended up working at Woolworths, packing shelves. Her direction in life shocked the internet.

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Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.

Source: Briefly News