The faculty rules valid for the different qualifications, programmes and curricula of this faculty and contained in this faculty handbook are subject to the General Rules of the University, as determined from time to time by the Council of the University on the recommendation by the Senate.  The faculty rules should therefore be read in conjunction with the General Rules.

• General rules supersede Faculty rules. Therefore, the following applies:

1. Faculty rules should be in line with those of the University.
2. Where Faculty rules are in conflict with those of the University, General university rules will apply.

• Admissions

4. All applications for undergraduate programmes are done through the Central Applications Office (CAO), General rule G4.
5. General Admission Criteria is also stipulated on pp77-79 of the General Calendar as Categories from Category 1 to Category 7.

• Registrations

1. Once registered, a student is bound to all rules and regulations applicable to students; General Rule G5 (3)
2. Change of programme, modification of modules and interruption of study are clearly stated in General Rule G5 (15), (16) and (17).

• Modules

1. Subjects are presented in modules; of which everyone is awarded a specific credit value.
2. Each module must be passed individually.
3. Each module has a code and a descriptive name, for example 3LEL111 (English First Additional Language 1A).
4. The meaning of the digital codes of these names is explainable (first digit stands for the year, middle one number of papers and last one semester).

• Viability of Modules

1. A minimum number of 10 students must enrol at first year undergraduate level for a module to be considered viable.
2. Faculty may choose not to offer a module if the minimum number is not enrolled.

• Registration of last-outstanding modules at another institution (as shown on Pg.84; Rule 15C of the General Calendar)

1. A student may be allowed to register at another institution if she or he is a final year student who has 45 or fewer credits outstanding, excluding major modules.
2. If a student has one or two modules outstanding at the most to complete his/her degree, these modules may be completed with another institution e.g. UNISA, subject to the following conditions:

• The degree must be completed within five years.
• At least core modules must be completed at UNIZULU (refer to number 7(a).

• Continuation of studies.

1. On taking an appropriate Bachelor degree; students are not automatically admitted to the postgraduate programmes of the Faculty.
2. Admission and registration for postgraduate programmes take place in accordance with the General Rules.
3. Prospective postgraduate students are advised to consult the University’s Manual for Postgraduate Studies before applying for admission.

• Registration of additional modules

1. Apart from the prescribed modules of the relevant programme as shown in General Rule G6 (1), a student may take additional modules in terms of the provision in the General Rule G6 (2).
2. Request must be made to the Registrar’s unit for relevant forms and is subject to the approval of the Dean of Faculty.

• International Students

1. An international student must have his or her qualifications verified by USAf for undergraduates and SAQA for postgraduates who have foreign undergraduate qualifications.
2. For professional qualifications, students must register with the appropriate Professional Board.
3. The Office for international students should be contacted for additional information.

• Recognition of Prior Learning and Credits from other Institutions

1. The recognition of prior learning (RPL) may be considered subject to the policies of the University and acceptance by the University Senate.
2. In this regard guidance will be sought from the Office of the Registrar.

Brief explanation on RPL

Recognition of prior learning concerns the provable knowledge and learning that an applicant has acquired, whether by having completed formal education programmes or from experience. Recognition of prior learning takes place in terms of applied competencies demonstrated by the applicant in his/her application, taking into consideration the exit level outcomes that have to be obtained by means of the selected teaching-learning programme.

• Examinations and Pass requirements

1. Admission to examinations, the number of examination possibilities, pass requirements of modules and curricula, repetition of endorsed modules and
2. the requirements that mini-dissertations, dissertations and theses must conform to are extensively discussed in the General Rules and/or Postgraduate Guide.

• Relation between notional hours, credits and examination papers

1. The duration of an examination paper of 8 and 12-credit module is usually two hours and the duration of examination papers that count for 16, 24 or 32 credits is usually three hours.

• Examination sub-minimum

1. A final mark as stated in General rule G9 (1) for every module is calculated from the duly performance mark and the examination mark at the ratio of 1:1.
2. The subminimum for all modules in the examination is 40%, see General Rule G11.

• Pass requirements of a module

10. The terms and conditions for passing modules are set out in the General Rule G10.

• Access to and review of marked examination work

1. With reference to General Rule G16, a student can officially apply at the Registrar’s Unit, Examination section for the access to marked examination work as well as remarking if not satisfied with rechecking.

• Exclusion Rules (as shown on G20A (5); pg 86 of the General Calendar)

A student, who fails to obtain the minimum credits at the end of each semester, as detailed below, shall be excluded from the Faculty and University as per Rule G21A:

1. In the case of a three-year degree programme:

• Three years, a minimum of 180 credits.
• Four years, a minimum of 300 credits.
• Five years, if a degree has not been obtained.

1. In the case of a four-year degree programme:

• Three years, a minimum of 240 credits.
• Four years, a minimum of 384 credits.
• Five years, a minimum of 420 credits.
• Six years, if a degree has not been obtained.

An excluded student may apply to the Dean for re-admission. This may be granted under special circumstances, and the student will have to satisfy certain specified conditions. An excluded student is not permitted to register for any module in the Faculty, unless required by a programme (in another Faculty) in which the student is registered.

• Attainment of Qualification

A degree is obtained when a student has passed all modules in the prescribed curriculum.  

• Qualification with distinction

1. With reference to General Rules, a B-degree is conferred with distinction, where the student completes the degree in the minimum period of study and has achieved a weighted average of at least 75% in the modules of the major subjects during last period of study, designated by C in each curriculum (core modules).
2. For purposes of calculating the average, modules completed at other institutions and that which are recognised as such by UNIZULU, must be taken into account.

• South African Council for Educators

All student teachers are strongly advised to apply for SACE during their final year of registration which is the Professional Council for Educators, that aims to enhance the status of the teaching profession through appropriate Registration, management of Professional Development and inculcation of a Code of Ethics for all educators.

• Professional status (SACE) and School Experience

Any student who has obtained a qualification in the Education field at any University in South Africa and has acquired experience during Teaching Practice may register as a Professional teacher with the South African Council of Educators (SACE).

• School Experience Modules

It is very important that students submit their assessments before deadlines in order to speed up the process of mark capturing; should the student miss the submission dates this will lead to them having to register extra year and may have impact in their funding. Students who are repeating year level 2, semester 2 modules are not allowed to go out on Teaching Practice.

• Pre/Co requisites

A pre/co- requisite rule is very important and should be applied for the purpose of smooth auto promotion. A pre-requisite is a module that a student should register before registering in the associated module in the next level. Pre-requisite modules give students the knowledge which is required in the next level. A co-requisite is a module that a student must register at the same time as another associated module.

• Module changes/ Modification of courses

Cancellations and additions (Add & Drop cycle) of modules is done once per semester during the official modification period through the registration office. No changes are done once the system is closed. Applications during modification are issued by registration office and should be approved by the Lecturer concerned and Head of Department before being captured by officials in the registration office.

• Leave of absence for student teachers

Students who have been away due to sickness during lecturing periods and missed tests and deadlines for submission of assignments should report and provide supporting documents to the Lecturer involved and copies to the HoD or Programme Coordinator, Faculty Manager’s office and Student Services Division (SSD). Should leave of absence affect examination periods, those documents should be submitted directly to exams office for the purpose of applying for Aegrotat examinations.

• Education Bursary Schemes (FUNZA LUSHAKA)

Funza Lushaka applications are done on line. Prospective and returning applicants should apply online. Visit http://www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/. Selection Committee has been out in place to execute selection matters. The Committee consist of the following members: –

1. Faculty Manager
2. Faculty Officer for administrative support to the Faculty Manager
3. Financial Aid Officer who manages claims for Funza Lushaka and interacts with NSFAS
4. Deputy Dean – Teaching and Learning
5. Provincial Department of Education Representative or Official
6. Two Academic Staff for academic advice