Faculty of Health Sciences
First Year Information Guide
I extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning students. We are excited to be part of your journey into this new stage of your life, where you will begin to craft your future career. This is an important stage of maturity where you feel young, look young, have the energy to match your appearance but the world still expects you to take on some of the responsibilities of being an adult. You will learn to self-regulate and self-manage as you navigate your way around your chosen study area.
Remember, you don't have to do it alone. You don't have to struggle. We have buddies, we have mentors and we have caring lecturers and tutors because we are a caring University. The Mandela Way is to help you nourish your qualities ubuntu while providing you with the opportunities to shine as you discover and nurture your talents. We know that some of you will be facing challenges with funding.
We don't expect you to have all the answers for every challenge you meet, so we have systems set up for you to reach out to if in trouble. Student Finance will be able to point you in the right direction so that you don't struggle without guidance. For those days when you are worried about your basic needs, we also have a Faculty contact person who can assist. More details about important contacts will be shared with you during your orientation period. Our quest is to make sure that your transition into university life is seamless, yet life changing in ways that will support you as you grow with us. Welcome to our institution and thank you for choosing our faculty to travel this road of self-discovery and self-discipline with. Let's change the world together.
How to work on Moodle;
Assign modules on Moodle;
Set up Student Email Address;
Set up emails on devices (Android Phones, iPhones and Laptop);
How do download MS Teams, Moodle, MS Office, and Upload documents for assignments devices (Android Phones, iPhones and Laptop);
Some operating systems assistance;
How to access labs on campus;
How to access and use VPN from home;
Troubleshoot help and referral to ICT Helpdesk.
You are probably wondering what your life-changing educational experiences will look like in the 2024 Academic Year (2024AY).
You will have face-to-face (F2F) lectures in our venues on campus. You will also extend your learning experience with some virtual lectures via collaborative platforms, such as MS Teams, and several learning activities, including videos, on our online Learning Management System (LMS). This is also referred to as Moodle or iLearn.
There will also be small group learning experiences, such as tutorials and supplementary instruction (SI) sessions. Some will be F2F, and others online.
You will receive a timetable at registration that includes lecture and some small group activities, venue numbers, and time-slots.
Depending on what programme you are studying, there could also be experiential learning activities, such as laboratory or studio work, clinical training, school-based learning, and work integrated learning. These activities are offered F2F and some are undertaken in workplace settings, or and schools. Some of the preparation and supervision for these experiential learning activities takes place online.
Become acquainted with the Faculties Academic Administrative Team!
A right hand on your academic journey, seeing you through first year
registration to graduation.
Familiarise yourself with your relevant Faculty Academic Administration below.
School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences
School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences
Student Success Resources
This material is designed to help students cope with the demands of higher education, and to maximise their chances of being successful. Within tertiary education, success is measured in terms of academic achievement, personal growth and increased student retention.
Because students' success is multifaceted, the learning material presented in these resources is designed with a holistic education approach in mind. The content offers students the opportunity to develop and grow intellectually, personally and socially.
The overall aim of this content is to support and empower students to be purposeful, successful and able to engage meaningfully with the challenges of tertiary education and, thereafter, the workplace and their communities.
Emthonjeni Student Wellness
Emthonjeni Student Wellness consists of a team of professionally trained psychologists, counsellors and intern psychologists who are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Our services are confidential and free to Nelson Mandela University students and are available on all campuses.
Our vision is to provide students with support, guidance and professional counselling that contributes to holistic student success and the achievement of desired Nelson Mandela University graduate attributes.
Student Success Coach
Student Success Coaching at Nelson Mandela University is about collaborating with you to develop your ability to persist and build resilience in order to achieve personal growth and success in the academic environment. Your Coach will encourage meaningful conversations that can help you to:
Find effective ways to deal with academic challenges; Develop and improve strategies and skills, your level of self-awareness and self-responsibility; and Create a personalised academic success plan to achieve your academic and career goals.
Navigating the Student Portal
Learn how to navigate through the Student Portal.
