Textbooks 2026: Buying New vs. Second Hand vs. PDFs

Key Takeaways: The Textbook Strategy

• Golden Rule: Do NOT buy any books until you have attended the first lecture.
• “Prescribed” vs. “Recommended”: Only buy Prescribed. Ignore Recommended.
• The “Access Code” Trap: Some new books come with codes for online homework. You cannot buy these second-hand.
• Second Hand: The best way to save money (50% cheaper).
• NSFAS: You can use your allowance at accredited merchants (Van Schaik, Protea, etc.).

You walk into the campus bookshop. You have your booklist. You scan the prices.

• Psychology 101: R850.
• Economics 1A: R1,100.
• Commercial Law: R980.

Suddenly, your R5,000 allowance looks tiny.

Textbooks are a massive industry, and if you aren’t smart, you will waste thousands of Rands on books you will open twice. Here is the veteran student’s guide to hacking the textbook system in 2026.

Rule #1: The “First Lecture” Rule

Universities send you a “Provisional Booklist” with your registration info. It often lists 4 or 5 books per module.

Do not buy them yet.

Wait until you are sitting in the first lecture. The lecturer will usually say:

• “Okay guys, the official textbook is ‘Principles of Economics 5th Edition’. You absolutely need this one.”
• “The other three books on the list are just for extra reading—don’t buy them, just use the library copies.”

Lesson: If you bought the whole list beforehand, you just wasted R2,000 on “Recommended” books you don’t need.

Option A: Buying New (When is it necessary?)

Sometimes, you have to buy a brand new book.

Why? Because of Online Access Codes.

In subjects like Accounting, Mathematics, and Physics, publishers often include a sealed code inside the front cover. This code gives you access to an online platform (like MyLab or WileyPLUS) where you submit your weekly homework.

• The Trap: If you buy a second-hand book, the code has already been used. You will fail the module because you can’t submit homework.
• Advice: Always check your module guide to see if “Online Access” is mandatory before buying second-hand.

Where to buy New:

• Van Schaik / Protea: The big campus bookstores. Expensive, but convenient.
• Takealot / Loot: Often R100 – R200 cheaper than the campus store. Order online and wait 3 days.

Option B: Second Hand (The Smart Choice)

For subjects like Humanities, Law, or Education where there are no “Access Codes,” buying second-hand is the way to go. You can get the book for 50-60% of the price.

Where to find them:

1. Facebook Marketplace: Join groups like “Wits Second Hand Books” or “UJ Textbook Trader”. Meet on campus in a public place.
2. Seniors: The best source. Find a 2nd-year student who just passed your module. They are desperate for cash and will sell it cheap.
3. Bookstore Resellers: Some stores (like Pimp My Book or Book Express) buy and sell used copies.

Warning: “The Edition Trap”

Lecturers love to change the “Edition” every year.

• Lecturer: “You need the 8th Edition.”
• Second Hand: Selling the 7th Edition.
• The Truth: Usually, the only difference is the page numbers and a few diagrams. The content is 95% the same. Ask your lecturer if the old edition is acceptable. (They will usually whisper “Yes”).

Option C: E-Books and PDFs

In 2026, carrying a 3kg law textbook is outdated. Many students prefer digital copies on their tablets or laptops.

Pros:

• Searchable: Ctrl+F to find “Photosynthesis” instantly.
• Cheaper: eBooks are usually 30-40% cheaper than print.
• Lightweight: Your entire library is on your iPad.

Where to get them (Legally):

• Snapplify: The biggest academic eBook store in Africa.
• Kortext: Another major player used by universities.
• VitalSource: Great for international textbooks.

A Note on “The Google Drive Link”:

You will likely be added to a WhatsApp group where someone shares a Google Drive link full of free PDFs.

• The Reality: This is piracy. While extremely common (and free), it is illegal.
• The Risk: Some PDF files are corrupted or contain malware. Also, you cannot take a tablet into an “Open Book Exam”—you often need the physical book for that.

For NSFAS Students: How the Allowance Works

If you are funded by NSFAS, you receive a Learning Material Allowance (approx. R5,000 – R6,000 per year).

• Cash vs. Card: Historically, this was paid as a voucher (Intellicard/Celbux) that could only be used at accredited stores like Van Schaik.
• The Shift: Recently, NSFAS has moved towards paying this allowance as Cash into your bank account.
• Responsibility: This puts the power in your hands. You can choose to buy a cheap second-hand book for R400 and spend the rest on food, OR buy the brand new one. Use this money wisely. Do not blow your book allowance on sneakers in February, or you will fail in June.

Summary: Your Buying Strategy

1. Wait for the first lecture.
2. Check if you need an Access Code.
   • Yes? Buy New.
   • No? Go to Step 3.
3. Check prices on Facebook Marketplace / Seniors.
4. Compare with Takealot/Loot prices.
5. Buy.

Disclaimer: Prices and allowance structures are subject to change. Always verify the required edition with your specific faculty guide.