Over the last few years, eBooks have grown in popularity. eBooks can be downloaded onto phones or tablets, making them much easier to access and transport wherever you go. The good news for South African students is that there are free textbook downloads available.
Many websites offer free downloads of Unisa textbooks. One of them would be accessible via the myUnisa website.
Obtain Your Unisa Textbook
You will need the book information once you have registered on the myUnisa website (Title, author, and edition). Then you can get it here:
Visit the Unisa website.
Select Library.
Scroll down the page and search for PDF or eBook in the “Search the Library” box. Every book will be listed. You can always look up a name in your book.
If all of the information is correct, press the “Request It” button.
Access the myUnisa website. Continue the steps, and you’ll have your book in no time.
The Together We Pass website also has ten simple steps for downloading your ebook.
Where Can You Download Free Textbooks in South Africa?
The majority of UNISA textbooks are available for download. However, you may not be able to find all of your textbooks on a single website. Takealot.com may have one book and Van Schaik Bookstore may have another.
The following is a list of bookstores that sell Unisa ebooks.
Bookboon
GetFreeEbooks
BookLending
JustFreeBooks
Open Library
Project Gutenberg
When you want to download a book, you must first register on their websites.
Another list of free textbook download websites can be found in the Unisa Library Guides.
Textbook Download At A Price
Not every student prefers to get their books for free. Some students wish to pay for their textbooks.
The list of Unisa Official Booksellers has you covered. Booksellers offer both printed books and ebooks. They have their own method of obtaining the books. If you require assistance, please contact the website from which you are downloading. For example, if you purchase an ebook from Takealot.com, you must contact them for assistance with the download.
Something to Keep in Mind
Always ensure that your device is equipped with anti-virus software. No matter how trustworthy a supplier is, there is always the risk of downloading a virus with a book if the supplier has not yet discovered a problem with the book.
If this occurs and your anti-virus software prevents you from downloading or opening the book, notify the supplier. They should be able to resolve the issue and provide you with a new copy of the ebook.
Other Websites to Visit
If you can’t find your textbooks on any of those websites, here are a few more places to look for free textbook downloads:
Library Genesis
OpenStax
Open Textbook Library
ScholarWorks
PDF Search Engine
Textbooksfree
LibreTexts
Free-Ebooks.net
Manybooks
Freeditorial
Is it illegal to get free textbooks?
Downloading textbooks violates their intellectual property rights. A textbook is similar to a copyrighted song or movie that is illegally downloaded online. That is, downloading a textbook violates its copyright protection by duplicating and distributing it online without the permission of the creator.
Is it illegal to take a screenshot of a textbook?
No, in most cases. Most people who use and create screenshots benefit greatly from fair use. They are classified as ‘transformative use.’
Why don’t students buy textbooks?
Students, particularly those who are already in debt or come from low-income families, may find the cost prohibitive. Some students look for bargains and buy used materials. Others rent from book publishers, many of which offer discounted leases to students.
