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Numerous support services are available to mature and postgraduate candidates from various units within the university.

If you need to discuss …

Your study career

When considering further study, contact our Office for Mature and Postgraduate Markets for guidance and assistance on study career decisions and services available.

Contact:
Tel: +27 41 504 9966
Fax: +27 41 504 1627
Email: postgrad@mandela.ac.za

Funding opportunities

FinancesThe Financial Aid Office administers all funding for undergraduate and honours studies.

Contact:
Tel: +27 41 504 2550
Email: financialaid@mandela.ac.za

Department for Research Capacity Development

The Department for Research Capacity Development administers funding of masters, doctoral and postdoctoral studies.

Research support

The Department for Research Capacity Development provides research staff and postgraduate students ample opportunities to develop their research skills. Such workshops support all other research skills and methodology training provided by the various academic departments.

Contact:
Tel: +27 41 504 2538
Fax: +27 41 504 2778
Email: RCD@mandela.ac.za

Academic skills development

Not only do postgraduate students often need a refinement of their academic skills to ensure success on an advanced level, but adults returning to study or starting university study for the first time at a mature age may also require some support and guidance into the world of formal academic studies.

The Department for Academic Development offers a wide range of support programmes in the fields of academic success, career development and employability, and leadership and personal development.

The department offers supplemental instruction programmes and academic assistance that contributes significantly to student performance.

The department’s Writing Centres aim todevelop and support the skills necessary for competency in academic writing. The writing consultants provide assistance at all stages of the academic writing process, from planning and writing to revising.

Contact:

Recognition of prior learning or work related experience

Mature applicants, who would like guidance on the acceptability of their qualifications and experience or on how to qualify for entry into our programmes, should first contact the programme leader or faculty where there wish to study. These enquiries should occur at least 6 months before the commencement of their studies.

Centre for Extended Studies
Extended curriculum programmeshave been designed to supply support to students who are identified with the necessary competencies to be successful in studies at Nelson Mandela University, but who need additional development to ensure they are fully prepared for the demands of degree, diploma and/or national higher certificate studies.

The programmes are longer than the standard programmes by one academic year, and provide additional support to students in addition to giving them more time to complete their studies.

Contact:
Tel: +27 41 504 2303
Email: Dr Maritz Snyders at Maritz.Snyders@mandela.ac.za

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Services

Postgraduate students can register at ICT Services to obtain access to various computing facilities. ICT Services can also assist candidates in converting their final research document in the required edited format for submission to the examination office.

 

Contact:

Library and Information Services

LibraryProfessional staff are available at all five campus libraries to assist with information retrieval, research requests and inter-branch and inter-library loans. Electronic access is offered to information resources such as library catalogues, online databases, e-books, journals and newspapers, subject gateways and internet search engines. Training in various aspects of information retrieval is also available to our students.

Contact:

Student Counselling Services

University life can be very exiting and rewarding, but may also create stress and other dilemmas that impact on your studies, career and personal life. The Student Counselling Career and Development Centre facilitates learning and life enhancement through various programmes and services, ranging from new student orientation programmes to study and life coaching, to career assessment, guidance and counselling and employability skills development.

Contact: 

International student support

The Office for International Students assists international visitors and students with information on travel, visas and academic studies; and offers a range of support services in the areas of admissions, financial services, accommodation facilities, safety and health matters, and settling-in arrangements.

Contact:
Tel: +27 41 504 2161
Fax: +27 41 504 2771
Email: international@mandela.ac.za

Student Development and Governance

This department is contributing towards the holistic development of students. Our core functions are training and development of student leadership, coordination of student life and events, supporting student governance structures such as the Student Representative Council (SRC), student housing council, faculty representatives and sport council, Oppidanni and Rag.

We also provide sound advice on which society to join. Other general information can be obtained from any one of the Student Centres on our various campuses. Our caring and supportive staff are only too glad to guide you in any student matter .

Contact:

Nelson Mandela University Sport Bureau

The Nelson Mandela University Sport Bureau strives to cater for the needs of club members who want to take part in their chosen sport for social and recreational purposesas well as the high performance athlete participating at the highest level possible.

Visit our website for an overview of our facilities and sport codes and the scientific sport support services available.

Contact:

Campus Health Services

Dedicated staff provides comprehensive primary health care, occupational health care and HIV and Aids services to all staff and students.

Contact:

Graduate and Student Placement Unit

This unit provides Nelson Mandela University graduates ample opportunity on campus to engage with companies and corporate student recruitment services regarding available positions in the job market.

The unit runs an annual graduate recruitment programme from mid-July to mid-September, including an exciting careers fair where prominent companies are invited to showcase their options and to interact with our students.

Contact:
Tel: +27 41 504 2619
Fax: +27 41 504 2950
Email: Ronel Rizzo at Ronel.rizzo@mandela.ac.za

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, adjustments concerning accessibility, examination and other academic concessions, to meet your needs. Currently services available involve recording of study materials, special work areas in the libraries equipped with magnification software and assistance 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 regarding your disability. 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.

What can we offer you?

  • Confidential, professional individual consultation sessions
  • Workshop and information sessions for students on all campuses
  • A link to support organisations and networks relevant to your disability
  • Training on specialised software

 

Contact:
Ms Ruth Barends
Nelson Mandela University South Campus
Embizweni, Ground Floor, Office Number 57
E-mail: ruth.barends@mandela.ac.za
Tel: 041 - 504 2562