Education can be expensive, even with full scholarships and free education, not because of the various bills to cover but because getting things right from the onset can take some time. We can all agree time is money, and therefore, time spent without yielding any better results is considered a waste.
When people prepare for higher education, they do not consider buying extra books for their courses. All they assume is to get books from the library and also depend on lecture notes. While all these may be good, getting the prescribed textbooks can help you understand the various topics better. It also helps you grasp topics ahead of time. When you have textbooks, you can learn before the class and even after the class.
If you have found yourself within the walls of the University of South Africa, then you need to prepare to get books for your course. Although some of the books may not be compulsory to buy, they are necessary for the course you are studying.
So, how can you get the prescribed books from your department or lecturer? How do you purchase these prescribed books?
Let us find out more as we explain common questions pertaining to textbooks at UNISA.
How to purchase Unisa prescribed books
When you start your academic journey at the tertiary level, it is important not to overlook the crucial aspect of getting the required books for your courses. Your professors and instructors have specifically recommended these books to enhance your learning experience and equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to excel in your studies.
To achieve academic excellence, students are frequently expected to thoroughly explore a wide range of recommended materials in order to fully understand the content of their courses. The act of reading assigned texts is an important part of students’ education. It helps them gain a thorough understanding of the subjects they are studying.
Before you look at how to get your prescribed books, just know the University of South Africa does not sell books. Although they have accredited booksellers, the institution is not involved in the sale of prescribed books.
So, how do you get your prescribed books? What is the way to purchase these prescribed books?
- Visit the official website of UNISA.
- Login into your myUnisa
- Click on books upon logging in; this can be found on the right-hand side under “important links.”
- Select “prescribed books”.
- Enter your module codes.
- This will display the prescribed books for the academic year
Get all the books and module codes by printing or saving a PDF copy on your device.
Reach out to any of the accredited bookseller stores and purchase your books.
You can use this link to view the various booksellers, their locations and contact information. – https://unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Books/Official-Booksellers
Where to get Unisa textbooks?
If you happen to be a student at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and find yourself in need of textbooks for your courses, you’ll be glad to know that UNISA offers a list of authorised book vendors on their official website. These sellers have been accredited and authorised to offer students the necessary course materials. This ensures that you have access to the right and current textbooks for your studies.
To find the details of different booksellers, you can easily visit the following link: https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Books/Official-Booksellers.
It is worth mentioning that when you buy textbooks from these authorised sellers, you can be assured that you are getting genuine and approved materials. When it comes to getting textbooks at the University of South Africa (UNISA), it’s worth mentioning that the university doesn’t sell these materials directly. At UNISA, they have a prescribed textbook approach, which means they recommend specific textbooks for each module or programme.
How much do Unisa students get for book allowance?
To be more emphatic, the University of South Africa does not give students allowance for books. What occurs is that the various funding programs provide UNISA students with allowance to cater for their books.
If you find yourself at the University of South Africa and looking to get an allowance for books, then you must know that this is only applicable to students receiving scholarships or being funded by certain institutions like NSFAS.
Regarding book allowance, there is an average for students studying at UNISA. And with NSAFAS being the biggest funding institution, they provide students with a small amount to cover the cost of their books.
UNISA students can receive an amount of R5200 and more for their book allowance.
How do I get free Unisa prescription books?
Getting free prescribed books for your courses at the University of South Africa (Unisa) can be quite challenging. These books are usually necessary for your studies, but unfortunately, they are not commonly available for free. There are a few strategies you can consider to lower the cost of your textbooks:
- Visiting the UNISA library to check on available books.
- Utilising online forums and chatgroups.
- Financial Aid.
- Other educational resource centres.
- E-learning platforms or reading joint.
- Checking with past students
There are instances where you may get free prescribed books at the UNISA publication, but there is no guarantee of that. It is important to thoroughly search for the books you need and visit the various suggested places to get the free prescribed books.
