What Are The Requirements for Teaching At Unisa?

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is one of Africa’s leading providers of open distance learning (ODL).

As a world-renowned institution, Unisa offers a large variety of qualifications, including those in the field of education.

If you’re passionate about teaching and plan on pursuing a rewarding career with Unisa, then understanding the specific requirements is necessary. 

Do you need a teaching qualification to teach at Unisa?

Yes, in most cases, a postgraduate teaching qualification is a requirement for teaching at Unisa.

The specific qualification required will depend on the teaching position you’re applying for.

  1. Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): This is the most common requirement for teaching undergraduate courses. The BEd specialization should ideally align with the subject area you wish to teach.
  2. Master’s Degree in Education: Holding a Master’s in Education can enhance your candidacy, particularly for positions involving postgraduate coursework or research supervision.

What Are The Requirements for Teaching At Unisa?

The specific qualifications for teaching at Unisa vary depending on the chosen role and teaching level.

These are the general qualification requirements:

  1. Undergraduate Teaching:
    • A bachelor’s degree in the subject you wish to teach, with a minimum of 60% for most programs.
    • Some programs might require a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a related teaching qualification.
  2. Postgraduate Teaching:
    • A master’s degree in the relevant field is usually mandatory.
    • A doctorate (PhD) may be advantageous for certain positions.
  3. Tutoring Positions:
    • A bachelor’s degree in the relevant field is typically required.
    • Relevant teaching experience or a PGCE can strengthen your application.

What subjects can I teach at Unisa?

Unisa offers a large range of subjects across various academic disciplines. 

While the specific needs can change, some of the in-demand teaching areas include:

  1. Business and Management
  2. Law
  3. Information Technology
  4. Education
  5. Humanities and Social Sciences
  6. Natural Sciences

To explore the current openings and the specific subjects sought after by Unisa, visit the university careers webpage or contact the relevant faculty directly.

What experience is required to teach at Unisa?

While a strong academic background is essential, Unisa also values relevant teaching experience.

This could include:

  1. Previous experience teaching at a university or college level (both on-campus and ODL environments)
  2. Experience in curriculum development and educational resource creation
  3. A proven track record of successful student engagement and learning outcomes

Is a PhD required to teach at Unisa?

While a PhD is not mandatory for all teaching positions at Unisa, it can be very advantageous. 

A PhD demonstrates a deep understanding of your chosen field and often positions you for senior lecturing roles or those involving postgraduate supervision.