Important information about Unisa's BEd and PGCE qualifications

When are the old BEd degree qualifications phasing out?

Students who are currently busy with the old BEd degree qualifications (pipeline students) have until 2025 to complete these qualifications. The old BEd degrees (02593, 02607 and 02615) are still accredited and will still be recognised for employment purposes.

When are the old PGCE qualifications phasing out?

Students who are currently busy with the old PGCE qualifications have until 2022 to complete the PGCE and/or to meet any outstanding requirements, such as modules registered for Non-Degree Purposes (NDP).

Is it compulsory for me to transfer to the new BEd degree if I have not yet completed the old BEd degree?

No, students will be given the choice as to whether they wish to remain on the old BEd programme or whether they wish to transfer to the new BEd programme. Personalised communication will be sent to each student registered under the old BEd programme to assist them in making an informed choice.

Will I lose any credits that I have already obtained if I remain on the old BEd degree programme?

No, students will not forfeit (lose) any credits obtained if they remain on and complete the old BEd degree programme.

Will I lose any credits I have already obtained if I decide to transfer to the new BEd degree programme?

We advise students to consider transferring to the new BEd programme if they have accumulated less than 20 modules (240 credits) towards the old BEd programme. Any student who has obtained more than 20 modules (240 credits) is advised to rather complete the old BEd programme, but with the new Educational Themes and Professional Studies modules. The College of Education has set up a module equivalence table to allow you to make it easy for you to select the correct modules if you transfer to the new BEd.

Why do I have to register for new Educational themes and Professional studies modules?

In an effort to expose as many students as possible to the new Education content, all students will be taking the new Educational Themes and Professional Studies modules from 2020. These modules were recently written and are very relevant to the school system.

What will the impact be for students registered for the old BEd programme when taking the new modules?

1. The new Educational Themes and Professional Studies modules are year modules.
2. Although the new modules are year modules, they will still cost the same as the old modules because they are also 12-credit modules.
3. Students will now have sufficient time to prepare for, submit assignments, receive feedback on assignments and study for examinations.
4. Students who have failed the Educational Themes or Professional Studies modules examination in 2019, will be granted an opportunity to write a supplementary examination in January 2020. If they fail the supplementary, they will be given the opportunity to register for outstanding year modules.
5. This arrangement is ONLY for the Educational Themes and Professional Studies modules. This does not include modules that are taught in other colleges.

I would have been in a position to complete my BEd degree in June/July 2020, but now I will only complete in October/November (due to Educational Themes and Professional Studies modules now being year modules). What special arrangements have been made?

Any final-year students who could have completed their qualifications in June/July 2020, but now have to register for the new Educational Themes and Professional Studies year modules, will be granted a special Portfolio which they will need to submit in May. This will enable them to still complete the module/s in June/July 2020. This special arrangement is only for students identified as being able to complete in 2020.

How do the new "year modules" impact on registration?

All other students are advised to register for the new Education Themes and Professional Studies modules at the beginning of the year, as these modules are now year modules and can't be added in the June/July registration period. (As in the past, students can register for a maximum of 10 modules, 120 credits per year.)

What if some of my school subject modules have changed to year modules?

Unfortunately, the College of Education can only accommodate students for special arrangements for modules developed and offered within the College of Education, that is, the Educational Themes and Professional Studies modules. However, students are advised to register for all year modules in January/February regardless of which college is teaching them, as these cannot be added in the June/July registration period.

My practical teaching module (for Senior Phase and FET ONLY) has now been replaced by two modules. What will the cost and time implication be for me?

The old practical teaching modules for the Senior and FET phase were 24-credit modules. The new practical teaching modules are 12-credit modules. This means that the two practical teaching modules were divided into four more appropriately formatted modules to enable students to become well-rounded teachers. The four new modules will not have any additional cost implications over that of the two old modules. Students will also be granted the opportunity to register for two of the new teaching practical modules in one year to ensure that no extra time is added to the completion period of their qualification.

I could complete my old BEd qualification, but I have modules outstanding that have pre-requisites I have not yet passed. Will I be given the opportunity to register these modules together to complete my qualification?

Yes, should a pre-requisite module and the follow-on module be outstanding to complete a qualification, final-year students will be granted admission to both to enable them to complete their qualifications.

Is the old BEd on a different NQF level from the new BEd?

No, both the old and new BEd degrees are on NQF Level 7 and both are recognised for employment as a teacher

The following video provides an overview of what it means to transfer from the old BEd to the new BEd. Click on the image to watch the video.