Do not hesitate to seek assistance. Frequently, assistance and encouragement provided earlier is more beneficial than assistance provided too late.
Talk to the right people
When considering further study, contact our Office for Mature and Postgraduate Markets for guidance and assistance on study career decisions and services available.
Once enrolled as a student, talk to your lecturers about any concerns regarding the course content and the workload. Friends and fellow students can provide valuable support and collaboration on difficult assignments and exam preparation.
Visit the following support centres to obtain the support needed:
Student Counselling, Career and Development Centre
This centre offers various services to our students to support and assist them through their study career. Our professionally-trained counsellors, mentors and peer helpers are committed to provide a wide range of intervention strategies and skills training to ensure your personal and academic wellness. Workshops, individual counselling and therapy, and self-help materials are available to our students free of charge.
It also offers among other services:
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Employability skills training to prepare you for the challenges of the career world;
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Psychometric testing in various areas such as career and personality profiling, intelligence and aptitude, and depression assessment;
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A career resource library consisting of materials on topics related to your personal and professional development, ranging from contact details of companies and employment agencies , to career guides and labour policies.
The Student Academic Development Centre (SADC)
SADC supports our students to cope better with the demands of academic studies by means of academic writing centres, supplemental instruction and life and academic skills training. We are offer the Keys to Success programmeto assist students to develop the skills they need to succeed at university.
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre which forms part of SADC, aims to identify, develop and support the skills necessary for competency in academic writing. Students are encouraged to visit the centres and discuss their writing assignments in a relaxed and non-judgmental environment before final submission to lecturers.
Centre for Extended Programmes (HEADS)
Nelson Mandela University provides alternative access routes to higher education studies for students who do not meet the standard admission’s criteria by means of extended programmes.
These programmes enable you to qualify for the mainstream programme of your choice by means of additional academic development built into the curriculum.
Library and Information Services
Nelson Mandela University has a central library and five branch libraries. Our libraries provide a wide range of services including, among others, a state-of-the art integrated on-line library which provides access to off-campus users and the internet, an extensive collection of books, multimedia, video, periodicals and other elective resource materials. Please visit our site for an overview of all the services available to students.
Unit for Graduate and Student Placement
This unit provides our graduates with ample opportunity to familiarise themselves with the world of work through company presentations and interviews on campus.
By participating in our graduate recruitment programme you get the chance to present yourself advantageously and to market yourself to potential employers.
Co-operative Education and Service Learning
The unit coordinates the placement of experiential learning students in industry.
Office for International Education
The Office for International Education on South Campus serves all international students attending the university.
It assists international visitors and students with information on travel, visas and academic studies; and offers a range of support services, such as: access and enrolment, financial services, accommodation, safety, health and settling-in arrangements.
Financial Support
Mature students who study full-time and are unemployed may consider applying for financial assistance from the University.
Most universities do no not finance part-time studies. It is therefore advisable to consult your employee for possible assistance.
Our Financial Aid Office (ext link) administered a wide range of bursaries and study loans provided by donors, trustees and national student funding bodies. The Office can also assist you in identifying companies, foundations and other organisations that award bursaries for studies in specific fields.
Support to students with disabilities
Nelson Mandela University would like to ensure that you do not experience any unfair discrimination as a result of your particular disability while you are a student at this university. The university will thus strive to make reasonable accommodation, reasonable adjustments concerning accessibility, examinations and other academic concessions, to meet your needs. Currently services available involve recording of study materials, special work areas equipped with magnification software, help with acquiring assistive devices.
As each case needs to be individually assessed, please register your special needs with the university’s senior disability officer as early as possible, preferably the year prior to registration and application, so that you can be assisted. At your first appointment you will be required to provide medical documentation from an appropriate professional. The goal of the consultations between students and the Disability Office is to identify the impact of a disability on study and to maximise opportunities for equitable and independent participation.