Teaching and Learning 

The University of Pretoria (UP) has earned the well-deserved reputation for teaching excellence for more than a century. Highly qualified academics, actively engaged in research and the generation of new knowledge, teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Their teaching, student engagement and assessment skills are honed with the support of the Department for Education Innovation.

The University attracts a significant percentage of the top NSC students annually from increasingly diverse backgrounds. Students come from South Africa, Africa and abroad. Students thus learn in an intellectually stimulating environment that promotes inquiry, critical thinking and consideration of multiple perspectives. Students develop interpersonal skills and networks that will stand them in good stead after graduation.

UP comprises nine faculties that offer a range of professional and more general formative qualifications. All programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and professional programmes are, in addition, accredited by professional councils such as the Engineering Council of South Africa and the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Faculties offer educational pathways from undergraduate to postgraduate qualifications up to the level of the doctorate. The faculties are located on different campuses with Education at Groenkloof, Health Sciences at Prinshof and Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort. The rest of the faculties are housed on the Hatfield campus.

Additional support is provided for first-year students. The year starts with an orientation programme and students are enrolled in an online module that extends academic orientation and support across the first year. More senior students are trained as mentors for first- year students. Faculty Student Advisors in each faculty provide ongoing assistance with study and examination skills, time management and other co-curricular issues. The University also offers extended programmes for students needing additional support in the Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences and Engineering, Built Environment and IT. Many of these programmes are offered at the Mamelodi campus. In the first year, students do the AIM (Academic Information Management) modules, which include computer literacy.

UP students can expect a holistic experience that includes academic work, community engagement for credit and opportunities to participate in sport and cultural activities.

If you wish to apply to study at UP or to learn more about student life, accommodation, finances and other topics, go to the New Student page.