Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education, ensuring that students and scholars uphold values such as honesty, fairness, and responsibility. The University of South Africa (Unisa) has made it mandatory for all undergraduate and postgraduate students (NQF 5 to NQF 8) to complete the Academic Integrity Course by 30 March 2025. This initiative aims to foster a culture of ethical scholarship and maintain the credibility of Unisa’s qualifications.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, digital learning tools, and online assessments, ethical academic conduct has never been more critical. This course equips students with essential knowledge to navigate their academic journey responsibly, covering plagiarism, AI ethics, and research integrity.
Why is Academic Integrity Important?
Academic integrity ensures that your qualifications and achievements are credible. Without integrity, the value of Unisa’s degrees would be compromised. Upholding academic honesty helps in:
- Building a trustworthy academic environment by ensuring fairness in assessments and research.
- Preventing plagiarism by educating students on how to correctly cite sources and acknowledge intellectual property.
- Promoting ethical AI use by ensuring students use artificial intelligence responsibly in their studies.
- Developing responsible professionals by preparing graduates for ethical decision-making in their careers.
Course Details and Completion Steps
The Academic Integrity Course is a compulsory requirement for all Unisa students registered for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at levels NQF 5 to NQF 8. The course is online and accessible via mooc.unisa.ac.za.
Course Objectives
The course is designed to:
- Equip students with knowledge and skills to uphold academic honesty.
- Provide strategies to avoid plagiarism and correctly reference sources.
- Offer guidelines for ethical AI use in research and coursework.
- Teach students the importance of fairness, respect, and accountability in their academic journey.
Course Duration and Format
- Duration: 4 hours
- Platform: mooc.unisa.ac.za
- Login Credentials: Use your myLife Unisa email and password
How to Access the Course
To successfully complete the Academic Integrity Course, follow these steps:
- Log in to the Platform
- Click on “Log in” at the top right-hand side of the screen.
- Click on the “Use My Unisa Email Account” button.
- Enter your Unisa myLife email address and click Next.
- Enter your myUnisa password and click Sign in.
- Accessing the Course
- Click on the “My Courses” menu.
- Scroll down and select the Academic Integrity Course.
- Navigating the Course
- Watch the Academic Integrity Navigation Guide to understand the course layout.
- Complete all units and click “COMPLETED” at the end of each unit.
- Ensure that a green circle appears on the left of each unit to verify completion.
- Course Completion Deadline
- The final due date for course completion is 30 March 2025.
- Failure to complete the course may affect your ability to continue your academic journey at Unisa.
What You Will Learn in the Course
The course covers essential topics, including:
- Understanding Academic Integrity and why ethical behavior is crucial in academia.
- Plagiarism Awareness to learn how to cite sources correctly and avoid accidental plagiarism.
- Ethical Use of AI in Academics with best practices for using AI tools in research and assignments.
- Responsible Research Practices to conduct ethical research and adhere to Unisa’s academic policies.
- Ethical Decision-Making in Assessments to avoid misconduct and dishonest academic practices.
Related: How to Use AI Tools Without Committing Plagiarism in 2025
Why You Should Complete the Course
- Mandatory Requirement – It is compulsory for all undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Enhances Academic Credibility – Helps maintain the value of Unisa’s qualifications.
- Prepares You for Ethical Challenges – Provides practical knowledge for academic and professional integrity.
- Improves Your Writing and Research Skills – Learn to reference properly and avoid plagiarism pitfalls.
Need Help?
If you experience any issues accessing or completing the course, you can reach out for assistance at:
Email: mymodules22@unisa.ac.za
Final Reminder: Complete the Course by 30 March 2025
Ensuring academic integrity is a shared responsibility. By completing this course, you are not only complying with university regulations but also investing in your ethical and professional development. Don’t wait until the last minute. Log in, complete the course, and contribute to a culture of honesty and fairness at Unisa.
Learn More: UNISA Pre-requisites and Co-requisites Modules – Simplified Guide 2025
