

I’m extremely disappointed with the service I’ve received from Varsity College. As a distance student, I’ve faced numerous challenges, including poor communication, lack of accountability, and incompetence from staff members.
My issues began last year when I was a first-year student pursuing a Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practices. I experienced problems from the beginning of the year with registration, it almost felt as if there was no one there to help me, I had a student advisor, who ignored my messages and calls which left us no choice but to go to the campus itself. I later faced several other issues with a supplementary exam. It was an accounting software exam which took place on sage accounting. I was unable to write that exam because of login creditials. But prior to that I sent out several emails to varsity making it known it was a problem before the exam. I was left stranded with no help and knowing I wasn’t going to be able to write that exam but I still went. I was then advised to leave the exam room due to this situation. I was scheduled to write a supplementary exam because of this issue, which I successfully completed although I noticed I was charged a fee of R550 for the exam even though that is the right amount although I couldn’t understand why I was been charged for something that was the colleges problem as it was a technical issue with the resources they had provided me with, so I logged a ticket with the finance department. The person that answered to that ticket maybe took the impression that I was being rude and decided to dig through my financial background to find out there was payments outstanding, although this conversation was based on a supplementary exam but because I said what needed to be said and he/she took it upon themselves to be nosey, and notice I say he/she because no one took accountability for that email, in saying that, they didn’t state there name or any other info.
This year, I attempted to register for a new qualification(Bachelors in business administration in logistics and supply chain) but the process was marred by delays, false information, and a lack of communication from staff members. Everytime I got a call from these people they would tell me the problem has been escalated but we get honest people like the lady who I spoke to recently, who has been one of the most honest people I’ve worked with someone who helped me get as far as I am with my registration. A few weeks ago I had received the offer letter for the new qualification where I had accepted it and made a payment of R2500, which I was told by one of the managers of the registration department that once the fee has been paid, it would take varsity 5 working days to get back to me, today(18/02/2025) is the 12th day that no one has gotten back to me, I had to take the initiative to email them in order to find what’s happening.
The lack of accountability and communication from Varsity College staff is appalling. Many staff members seem unsure of their roles and responsibilities, and there’s a clear lack of training and expertise.
As a well-known institution in South Africa, I expect much better service. Unfortunately, my experience has been disastrous, and I would not recommend Varsity College to anyone. I have made these problems known to varsity college but they seriousness towards the situation is actually disgusting and what’s the sad part is that I can’t even change colleges because they not willing to take in consideration my first year.
As much as I thought I would have the most comfortable ride on this journey with varsity college it turned out to be one of the worst nightmares. I don’t wish this experience on anyone and I advice you before making your decision to join varsity college you should think twice. Many people may read this and think it’s just me going through this,but it’s not, there’s thousands of people, that are suffering in silence…….
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