The vision of the University is to be a leading research-intensive university in Africa that is recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact. We develop people, create knowledge and strive to make a difference locally and internationally.
WORLD FIRSTS AND FIRST IN AFRICA
A team at the Faculty of Health Sciences performed the world’s first middleear transplant using 3-D printed bones.
UP is the first university in Africa to collaborate with Initiatives for Science, Innovation, Territories, and Economy and the Montpellier University of Excellence (I-SITE MUSE).
UP IS RANKED HIGHLY
TOP 1%
UP is ranked in the top 1% in the world in eight subject fields:
Agricultural Sciences
Clinical Medicine
Engineering
Environment/Ecology
Immunology
Microbiology
Plant & Animal Sciences
Social Sciences
(Source: Web of Science (WoS)
Essential Science Indicators (ESI)
A lioness gave birth to two cubs conceived via non-surgical artificial insemination, the first in the world, thanks to a team of researchers from the Mammal Research Institute and the Faculty of Veterinary Science.
UP has the first client service robot known to be in use in any university library in Africa.
UP researchers were part of the international team that used a global network of antennas to make the first image of a black hole.
UP has the first Library MakerSpace in South Africa, a creative laboratory where people with ideas can get together with people who have the technical ability to make those ideas become a reality.
EXCELLENT ACADEMIC SUPPORT
67%
Academic staff with doctorates
TOP 5
UP is in the top five of South African universities
#1
UP rated top of all South African universities for research outputs
Source: Department of Higher Education and Training
#232
Employers rank our graduates highly
Source: QS World University Rankings for 2019/2020 employer reputation.
93%
of our students are employed or studying six months after graduation
528
NRF-rated researchers
82,4%
Examination pass rate
UP’s current facilities portfolio consists of more than 884 buildings and structures spread over 110 properties located on seven campuses that cover 1190 hectares of land. In the 111 years of its existence the University has produced over 285 000 alumni.
The University prides itself on producing well-rounded, creative graduates, responsible, productive citizens and future leaders. Great emphasis is placed on student life and support as well as the advancement of sport, art, culture and music.
291 International staff
53 Researchers in top 1% of ESI fields
Over
285 000
Alumni in 118 countries
201 Active research agreements across 70 countries and six continents
ACADEMIC
145 Undergraduate programmes
72 Research Institutes and Centres
1 175 Study programmes
257 Postdoctoral fellows
19 DST-NRF Chairs
STUDENT
53 131
Total number of students
3 278
Total number of distance learning students
3 699
Total number of international students
31 Industry Chairs
4 Centres of excellence
UP is the only representative from Africa in the new University Social Responsibility Network (USRN), an international group of 15 top universities
33 000 Students involved in community projects, or volunteering