ODeL is a different way of learning... there is a physical distance between you and your university. For most of us, this means that our previous learning experiences will not have prepared us for the Unisa study journey. In open distance e-learning, YOU are responsible for planning your studies and managing your time effectively. You don’t attend daily lectures. You learn from a distance and you connect to the university mostly via the internet. If you completed your previous qualification(s) at a residential institution, it is especially important that you think about the adjustments you need to make to be a successful Unisa student.
But this doesn’t mean that you are on your own. Unisa has several support services for our students - from tutorial support and counselling, to online tools. The "distance" in open distance e-learning means that most of your interactions with Unisa will take place at a distance - mostly in digital format.
Applying for an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma is an important step. Before you apply, take time to reflect on whether the qualification fits your career goals, study plans and personal circumstances.
Many of us don't know what it’s really like to study through open distance e-learning, because most of our schooling and post-school education was completed through contact or face-to-face learning.
Take a look at the journey that some of our successful students have experienced to get a realistic idea of what it takes to be a Unisa student.
Last modified: Tue Aug 04 12:18:12 SAST 2026