Complete Guide to South Africa’s Public Universities
South Africa has a rich higher education landscape, divided into three types of public universities: Traditional Universities, Comprehensive Universities, and Universities of Technology. This guide provides a detailed overview of each, including contact details, campus locations, and institutional focus.
📚 Traditional Universities
These universities focus primarily on academic and theoretical education, often offering strong research programs.
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Website: www.uct.ac.za
- Contact: +27 21 650 9111
- Email: info@uct.ac.za
- Campuses: Rondebosch (Main), Hiddingh, Medical School, Breakwater
2. University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- Website: www.ufh.ac.za
- Contact: +27 40 602 2011
- Email: info@ufh.ac.za
- Campuses: Alice, Bhisho, East London
3. University of the Free State (UFS)
- Website: www.ufs.ac.za
- Contact: +27 51 401 3000
- Email: studentadmin@ufs.ac.za
- Campuses: Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, South Campus
4. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Website: www.ukzn.ac.za
- Contact: Durban: +27 31 260 1111 | Pietermaritzburg: +27 33 260 5111
- Email: enquiries@ukzn.ac.za
- Campuses: Edgewood, Howard College, Medical School, Pietermaritzburg, Westville
5. University of Limpopo (UL)
- Website: www.ul.ac.za
- Contact: +27 15 268 3332
- Email: enrolment@ul.ac.za
- Campus: Turfloop, Mankweng
6. North-West University (NWU)
- Website: www.nwu.ac.za
- Contact: 0860 169 698
- Email: studies@nwu.ac.za
- Campuses: Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark
7. University of Pretoria (UP)
- Website: www.up.ac.za
- Contact: +27 12 420 3111
- Email: ssc@up.ac.za
- Campuses: Hatfield, Groenkloof, Prinshof, Onderstepoort, Mamelodi, Hillcrest, GIBS
8. Rhodes University
- Website: www.ru.ac.za
- Contact: +27 46 603 8111
- Email: communications@ru.ac.za
- Campus: Makhanda (Grahamstown)
9. Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Website: www.sun.ac.za
- Contact: +27 21 808 9111
- Email: info@sun.ac.za
- Campuses: Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Bellville Park, Saldanha
10. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Website: www.uwc.ac.za
- Contact: +27 21 959 2911
- Email: info@uwc.ac.za
- Campus: Bellville
11. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Website: www.wits.ac.za
- Contact: +27 11 717 1000
- Email: askwits@wits.ac.za
- Campuses: Braamfontein East & West, Parktown
📓 Comprehensive Universities
Comprehensive universities offer a mix of academic and vocational qualifications.
1. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Website: www.uj.ac.za
- Contact: +27 11 559 4555
- Email: mylife@uj.ac.za
- Campuses: Kingsway, Bunting Road, Doornfontein, Soweto
2. Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- Website: www.mandela.ac.za
- Contact: +27 41 504 1111
- Email: info@mandela.ac.za
- Campuses: South, North, Second Avenue, George
3. University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Website: www.unisa.ac.za
- Contact: +27 12 429 3111
- Email: info@unisa.ac.za
- Campuses: Muckleneuk, Florida, regional centres nationwide
4. University of Venda (UNIVEN)
- Website: www.univen.ac.za
- Contact: +27 15 962 8000
- Email: info@univen.ac.za
- Campus: Thohoyandou
5. Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
- Website: www.wsu.ac.za
- Contact: +27 47 502 2844
- Email: info@wsu.ac.za
- Campuses: Mthatha, Butterworth, East London, Komani
6. University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
- Website: www.unizulu.ac.za
- Contact: +27 35 902 6000
- Email: info@unizulu.ac.za
- Campuses: KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
🛠️ Universities of Technology
These universities are focused on technical and vocational education.
1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Website: www.cput.ac.za
- Contact: +27 21 959 6767
- Email: info@cput.ac.za
- Campuses: Bellville, Cape Town, Mowbray, Wellington, Granger Bay, Athlone
2. Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Website: www.cut.ac.za
- Contact: Bloemfontein: +27 51 507 3911 | Welkom: +27 57 910 3500
- Email: info@cut.ac.za
- Campuses: Bloemfontein, Welkom
3. Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Website: www.dut.ac.za
- Contact: +27 31 373 2000
- Email: info@dut.ac.za
- Campuses: Steve Biko, ML Sultan, Ritson, City, Brickfield (Durban); Indumiso, Riverside (PMB)
4. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Website: www.mut.ac.za
- Contact: +27 31 907 7111
- Email: info@mut.ac.za
- Campus: Umlazi, Durban
5. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Website: www.tut.ac.za
- Contact: +27 12 382 5911
- Email: info@tut.ac.za
- Campuses: Pretoria, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa, eMalahleni, Mbombela, Polokwane
6. Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Website: www.vut.ac.za
- Contact: +27 16 950 9000
- Email: info@vut.ac.za
- Campus: Vanderbijlpark
For aspiring students and researchers, this list offers a helpful directory for making informed choices about higher education in South Africa. If you are looking to apply, explore your nearest institutions or research their faculties and support services directly through their official websites.