Hi Duncan,

I thought I answered your question with my last post but I am happy to be more clear that no, I am not related to Helen99. This is why I explained why I replied to you in the first place.

The website you sent writes very clearly “UNICAF University offers many…” so to me it does say which university it is (it doesn’t mention USW anywhere on that page).

To answer you about disproving your comments: you said it’s a mailbox in Malawi, I told you that there are photos out there of the campus. You are also saying that it isn’t accredited which is a little misleading as a: if you mean UNICAF (the scholarship organization) then obviously it isn’t as it’s not a university (I’m not speaking about Unicaf University ) – you were talking about USW – but if b: you are talking about USW it appears they are accredited so your simple ‘no’ isn’t correct (see http://www.4icu.org/reviews/4781.htm/)

As far as I know, Unicaf University DOES offer programmes that are in cooperation with USW. I got an email a while back (I can’t include a screenshot here) that they offer students that study BA in Business Administration UU to switch to USW in the 4th year and earn a USW degree. I don’t know the costs involved in this but this somehow doesn’t look like they try to sell you a UU degree pretending it’s a USW degree.

Lastly, I think you got UNICAF mixed up with Unicaf University a bit. As I understand, UNICAF is a platform for the scholarships and Unicaf University is a university that was created by UNICAF but somehow works similar to the other partner universities (that UNICAF provides the scholarship and the university the degrees).

Hi mark100. Let me gow in order through your paragraphs.

1. Well, it's quite a coincidence that this thread is full of people who comment for the first time ever in the Forum, and that someone called helen99 should create a new account just a few moments before yours, and both comment on the same thread in support of UNICAF. That is quite a coincidence, especially with her taking the number 99 and you taking the number 100. What are odds?

2. Good, so we agree that it is not clear which university issues which degree since the programme descriptions cover courses that lead to multiple degrees.

3. The school's address is "Unit 1 Shoppers Mall (Opposite Fame & Shoprite), Area 4, Plot 67, Lilongwe, Malawi". Maybe they have a campus elsewhere, but I think you will agree that their mailbox is on a shopping mall. Your link to http://www.4icu.org/reviews/4781.htm/ is to a dead page, but remember my point is not that USW and Unicaf don't have any accreditation, but that they don't have meaningful accreditation in the terms used by this site: https://find-mba.com/mba-faq/mba-accreditation-why-is-it-important Obviously every organisation that calls itself a university is accredited by someone: the real question is does it have a meaningful accreditation.

4. Look at the title of this thread and all the mentions of Unicaf on this site. They all link Unicaf to USW. When you come to the site, the programmes don't mention that many of them are not from USW.

5. I don't have them mixed up: I think we all understand that division of labour.

hello, I read all the comments above, and now I have some concern about the degree itself it's from usw or uu that what u agree or disagree above, I get the scholarship in mph in usw, I am going to do 2things ...I will ask for the paper of offer that show they will pay the 80% of tuition ...and the paper from usw that show that I am a regular student in their college and they will give me their degree, so if usw does not give me the approve...... am going to drop this ,,,,,what do u think ,,,,!!!

Does anyone know of persons who actually graduated from USW through the UNICAF partnership? Can those persons say what is on their certificate? And comment on the programme quality?

Duncan,

UWS is actually on but like you said it's very low:
country rank 83
world rank 963

https://www.4icu.org/reviews/4781.htm

I don't see UNICAF University on there.

4icu is not a noted ranking. In the national rankings used in the UK, it is between 110th and 115th. The Wikipedia page is at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_South_Wales

[quote]4icu is not a noted ranking. In the national rankings used in the UK, it is between 110th and 115th. The Wikipedia page is at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_South_Wales [/quote]

Ehhh throughout my academic years I've learnt to take information from Wikipedia with a grain of salt. Anyone can edit or change the information on there.

Do you know of any more credible sources?

The original rankings are referenced in the article. Click on the links to see them.

Duncan, I don't see your problem with South Wales University. If out of over 287 universities in the UK it's ranked 110, have you done further check to see whether the rank is purely based on quality of research or teaching? Am a Ghanaian living in Ghana. I know that for example, the University of Ghana, Legon, is highly respected and recognized worldwide, BUT whereas it was ranked 1983 worldwide, University of South Wales ranked 963, whilst University of Cape Town ranked 209 in the same data. I believe all participants here are intelectuals, and we are all capable of researching about where we want to further our courses. However it becomes disgusting when one single individual has taken it upon himself to "crusade" against an institution just because of prejudice..

There are 121 universities in that ranking, take a look. 110 out of 121 is not very good. The CUG and Guardian rankings are very well respected and the criteria are explained on those pages.

If you spot any prejudice then let me know. I am simply presenting facts.

[quote] I know that for example, the University of Ghana, Legon, is highly respected and recognized worldwide [/quote]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWdd6_ZxX8c

In many ways, the University of Ghana is much better than USW. Of course a British degree always sounds nice to people in a Commonwealth country. I think the taught standards in graduate programmes could be much better at UG.

[quote]In my opinion it isn't right to discredit UNICAF as a credible source of a good online education and one that poses value for money, you get to study at your own set pace and pay your fees in installments, giving you a chance to study while you work . The opportunity UNICAF is presenting is one that many have only dreamed of, quality and affordable international education, and yes ACCREDITED internationally as well.I have done my research thoroughly and would like for you to do the same.
[/quote

Hi...my son is a Master Mariner and working as Marine Superintendent in one of Singapore shipmanagement company. He enrolled USW MBA but only allowed to take UNICAF's MBA, he took it and now attending the course. The lectures and assignments are with certain standard and lecturerers are quite attentive and friendly. He has finished two modules and going on his third modules. But I am a bit worrying about his further education. University from Cyprus accepted him for distance MBA COURSE, but exam will take two full days at Singapore British Council and exams are six monthly etc..not suitable with his job nature. After MBA with Unicaf only way he see now is DBA from USW. Any suggestions from you guys?

[quote]In my opinion it isn't right to discredit UNICAF as a credible source of a good online education and one that poses value for money, you get to study at your own set pace and pay your fees in installments, giving you a chance to study while you work . The opportunity UNICAF is presenting is one that many have only dreamed of, quality and affordable international education, and yes ACCREDITED internationally as well.I have done my research thoroughly and would like for you to do the same.
[/quote

Hi...my son is a Master Mariner and working as Marine Superintendent in one of Singapore shipmanagement company. He enrolled USW MBA but only allowed to take UNICAF's MBA, he took it and now attending the course. The lectures and assignments are with certain standard and lecturerers are quite attentive and friendly. He has finished two modules and going on his third modules. But I am a bit worrying about his further education. University from Cyprus accepted him for distance MBA COURSE, but exam will take two full days at Singapore British Council and exams are six monthly etc..not suitable with his job nature. After MBA with Unicaf only way he see now is DBA from USW. Any suggestions from you guys?

Unicaf does not offer PhD degrees from USW, it offers its own doctorate instead.

I'm not sure who your post is replying it. I'm not saying that Unicaf University isn't accredited in Malawi: that is why it has the post office box in the shopping mall.

Hi Duncan and the rest opposing to him,

I don't usually sign up and post messages, but in this regard, I have to make it an exception.

Duncan, appreciate your efforts and going through the justifications you have highlighted; is a simple conclusion that for those whom seeks an accredited degree, MBA etc...unicaf is NOT the way to go.

Accredited universities' fees are going at the minimum of USD50K above at an average and there's NO way this UNICAF can be made comparable.

For those whom are running on a tight budget would definitely look for alternatives as such and those whom enrolled should know what are they up against. I believe that is what Duncan has been trying to put across.

In short, enrolling into unicaf and getting your certification to put a tick in your bucket lists, go for it...but don't go for an interview and think you would get the job while there is an interviewee next to you whom are certified by more established universities.

Don’t meant to offend anyone but am glad this thread was created for the benefit of those whom are in search and seek verification and views. Truly helps in making quicker analysts and decision.

In the distance learning space almost all the options discussed on this board are under 50, and with Illinois, Bradford, Durham, Strathclyde and Henley there are world class options for 20. For those on a budget, the LSE graduate diploma and the University of the People are excellent nonprofit options although they have national, rather than international, accreditation.

[quote]Unicaf does not offer PhD or DBA degrees from USW, it offers its own doctorate instead. That is a great example of the mistaken impression created by USW partnering with Unicaf.

I'm not sure who your post is replying it. I'm not saying that Unicaf University isn't accredited in Malawi: that is why it has the post office box in the shopping mall. [/quote]

Upon seeing this thread, I registered with the hope to clarify things out as I feel that there is a need to do so. I'm currently taking up the USW MBA program through UNICAF so what I am sharing below is based on my experience and personal knowledge.

1. Is UNICAF the same with Unicaf University?
Absolutely not. UNICAF is the provider of the online platform and Unicaf University is one of its partners along with University of South wales, University of Nicosia etc. So the two are separate entities.

2. Is UNICAF - USW partnership legit?
Yes. UNICAF is responsible for the recruitment, admission, enrollment and support of online learners while USW is in charge with the program content and will award the degree. Learning materials used are also coming from the USW. In fact, an online student will be given a USW credentials to access their online library. Furthermore, all academic requirements are governed under USW policies. I encourage anyone who is in doubt to confirm this from USW directly. You can also search this through the USW official website.

3. How much is the cost?
Less than GBP3,000 for the whole program as I am paying only 20% of the regular tuition fee. Not bad for me considering a UK MBA which is QAA approved. I'm living outside EU and US so it means I can't afford even the lowest ranking US or UK MBA. So this one is a great deal for me.

Getting USW degree for GBP3000 is reasonable price. It is very good value for money (and USW is most definitely many times better than university of people)
For many people in poor countries (where this scholarship is addressed to) it may be the only option. In fact even 3000 may be too high for some of those countries

Keep in mind though, you get what you pay for, which is.... not much.

Queen Mary UoL has great pricing for those countries. Developing countries get it for GBP8700. It the best recommendation for cheap MBA