UP IN A NUTSHELL 2025
OUR VISION
To be an impact-driven, research-intensive university committed to building just, sustainable and resilient futures
Researchintensive Impact-driven Just, sustainable and resilient futures
OUR GOALS ARE TO
Build a compassionate, inclusive and humancentered university
Strengthen impact-driven research, partnerships and global collaboration
Nurture future-fit graduates who are equipped to thrive and lead in a complex and dynamic world
Embed regenerative and sustainable institutional practices that secure our institutional future and contribute to a sustainable planetary future
Be a driver of positive change and societal advancement
OUR MOTTO IS
Make today matter
We believe that in every moment lies the potential to have a positive impact on the future and, in so doing, change the world for the better
AFRICA-BASED, GLOBAL OUTLOOK
50 in the world for impact
UP is ranked highly for its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to address the most serious and critical global challenges
#7 For SDG17
Partnerships for the Goals
#36 For SDG1
No poverty
#41 For SDG16
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
#45 For SDG8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
#1 in Africa for SDG 16
We are ranked as the top university in Africa and South Africa for our role in promoting peace, justice and good governance on the continent
ONE OF A KIND … IN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
As a leading university in Africa, we provide unique facilities or training opportunities that allow us to do groundbreaking research and provide unique solutions
NuMeRi
Africa’s only facility for nuclear medicine research
Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control
Africa’s lead laboratory in malaria control
Centre for Viral Zoonoses
A Centre of Excellence to study infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans
WHO Collaborating Centre
First of its kind in Africa for the prevention of deafness and hearing loss
Brain Tumour and Translational NeuroScience Centre
First of its kind in South Africa
Diabetes Research Centre
South Africa’s first exclusive Diabetes Research Centre at a public academic institution
ONE OF A KIND … IN PIONEERING STUDIES
Centre for Asian Studies in Africa
A pioneering opportunity for research in Africa
Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre
First hub for the continent that focuses on advancing sustainability science
Kumba VR Centre
First-ever Virtual Reality Centre for mine design in Africa
Engineering 4.0
Africa’s first independent transport reference and testing facility
Portable emissions measurement system
Developed the first on-road PEMS system on the continent to help set realistic carbon emission targets
Makerspace
First university in Africa to have a Library MakerSpace, a creative laboratory where students create prototypes and test ideas
Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR)
UP hosts the South African Centre for Industry and Technology, the first SA member of the WEF's global network of C4IR.
ONE OF A KIND … IN ANIMAL STUDIES
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
World’s leading laboratory in DNA typing of rhinoceros
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Only one of its kind in South Africa
DRIVER OF KNOWLEDGE CREATION
We collaborate with over 3 000 institutions across the globe and have some 250 international institution-wide partnerships across 70 countries and six continents
The 2025 QS World University Rankings rank UP highly for its commitment to advancing global partnerships
#26 in the world for research networks
TOP 1% of universities globally
We are ranked a top university in 14 of the 22 Essential Science Indicator fields, with UP researchers producing the most publications within the fields of Economics and Business, Microbiology, and Plant and Animal Science within South Africa. UP is also the only university in SA to feature in Economics and Business
308 Number of UP-published papers that were among the top papers in the world
Source: Web of Science Essential Science Indicators
PUTTING IDEAS TO WORK
New invention disclosures
48
4 South African patents granted New start-up businesses formed Intellectual property activity, 2020-2024
PATENTLY INNOVATIVE RESULTS
Some of our research that has been patented include:
A slow-release mosquitorepellent, applied to mosquito nets and socks
Diagnosing TB using a drop of blood
Producing animal vaccines from tobacco plants
Using sugarcane bagasse to create mushroom casing soil
The hearZA mobile screening app to test hearing
Creating graphene wool to help reduce environmental pollution
Developing electrowinning technology to extract copper
Asthma Grid, an asthma warning device
Using rejected fruit/vegetables to produce biodegradable food service items
DEEP RESEARCH FOOTPRINT
117 Research entities
These include Centres of Excellence, Research Chairs, Bureaux, Institutes and Units
SARChI chairs
SARChI = Department of Science and InnovationNational Research Foundation South African Research Chairs Initiative
46 Research chairs
22
24 Industry-funded research chairs
580 NRF-rated researchers
The highest number of all universities and research institutions
DEEP RESEARCH FOOTPRINT
7 Transdisciplinary research and innovation hubs generate new knowledge, helping to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges:
Future Africa
A dedicated campus for transformative research relevant to Africa’s development
Centre for the Future of Work
Addresses issues of youth unemployment, the gig economy and improved ways of flexible and hybrid work
Innovation Africa @UP
Integrates natural and agricultural sciences, technology and innovation
Javett-UP Art Centre
Focusing on the importance of Africa and its art
UP Institute for Sustainable
Malaria Control
Pioneers transdisciplinary research on innovative, safe and sustainable malaria control methods
Engineering 4.0
A research and training hub for Smart Cities and Smart transport systems
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)
World-class expertise in plant biotechnology and information technology to benefit forestry and agriculture
WE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS
Can a simple compound make chemotherapy hit harder against cancer, but go easier on the patient?
How can we uncover superbugs in our food and what can be done to stop them?
What happens inside our bodies when we watch wildlife?
Do mammals hold the secret of longevity?
Can we develop something more attractive than humans upon which mosquitoes can feed?
What are the eating habits of black holes?
Can we turn fungi’s own biology against them to stop them from killing our forests?
What if Gen Z could help us achieve equality?
UP
– PROVIDING
A WORLD OF ANSWERS
We ensure the knowledge and solutions we discover are both relevant today, and robust enough to have a
LASTING, POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR WORLD
WHY CHOOSE UP?
A top-tier SA university
The 2026 QS World University Rankings rank UP highly for:
2nd Employer Reputation
3rd
• Sustainability
• International Research Network 4th
• Academic Reputation
• International Faculty
• International Students
75.5% We have the highest number of permanent academic staff with a PhD
EXTENSIVE ACADEMIC OFFERING
We offer the widest variety of study opportunities in South Africa
1 175 academic programmes
1 030
145 Undergraduate Postgraduate
DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE
Many of our faculties are over 100 years old
Economic and Management Sciences
First faculty of its kind in Africa to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Education
Ranked No. 1 in South Africa for Mathematics*
Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Ranked No. 1 in SA for Electrical and Electronic Engineering*
Law
Ranked as the top law school in Africa, and among the top law faculties in the world**
Source:
Humanities
Offers Africa’s only Master’s programme in Tangible and Heritage Conservation
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Largest of its kind in Africa and home to Sci-Enza, UP’s premier science centre and the first of its kind in Africa
Theology and Religion
Rated as the No. 1 faculty of in Africa and among the Top 100 in the world (#76)***
Veterinary Science
Only faculty of its kind in South Africa and ranked among the Top 60 in the world (51-60)*
WORLD-CLASS SUBJECTS
TOP 100 in the world
The 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject rates UP as a top university to study
Mineral & Mining Engineering (#41)
Veterinary Sciences (#51-60)
#1 in South Africa
Six UP subjects are ranked as the best in SA
Development Studies (#51-100)
Accounting and Finance
Business & Management Studies
Economics and Econometrics
Mathematics
Mechanical
Engineering
Veterinary Sciences
DIVERSE AND INTERNATIONAL
62%
Female students
4 233 international students
421 International academic staff
56 453
Total number of students
69% Black students
402 International postdoctoral fellows
334 174 Number of UP alumni around the world
FACILITATING ACCESS
R2 552.8 m Financial aid to 26 950 UP students
R1 675.6 m From NSFAS to fund 13 166 students
R378.6 m External Bursaries to support 5 109 students with bursaries and scholarships
R214.6 m 5 269 students benefited from bursaries paid from UP’s Internal Funds
R132.9 m UP’s Giving Matters campaign assists 1 687 ‘missing middle’ students financially
R151.19 m UP Control assists 1 719
AN ENABLING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Hybrid teaching & learning model
Prepares students for a workforce increasingly dependent on AI technologies
FlyHigher@UP
Improves postgraduate success rate
FLY@UP
Supports students to graduate in minimum time
Interactive spaces
Learning through innovation and technology
Academic Success
Coaches
Provide comprehensive support to encourage the academic development of first-years
Social learning spaces
Encourages problem-solving by mimicking real-world work environments
Connected campuses
Fibre optic connectivity across all campuses
Tutoring support
Provides accessible services, including 24/7
AI tutoring support
SMART LEARNING RESOURCES
We develop the skills students need to function in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Immersive Technology Lab
A three-dimensional learning environment to make learning more hands-on and information easier to recollect
Mobile robots at work
Stevie – A telemedicine mobile robot, based at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, helps treat intensive care unit patients
smWoef – A robot dog works in the Engineering 4.0 research facility to collect data in remote or dangerous places
Makerspace
A creative laboratory where students create prototypes and test ideas using 3D printing and IoT technologies
SUPERIOR PASS RATES
100%
Pass rate in the 2024 SA Institute of Chartered Accountants ITC
90% Module pass rate in 2024
88% Examination pass rate in 2024
UP PREPARES STUDENTS WELL
Ready for
Work
online courses help students prepare for the workplace
An Entrepreneurship programme teaches students how to become job creators rather than job seekers
A Mentorship Programme helps final-year students hone their skills for the workplace
A Digital Capability Laboratory helps students with the skill-set needed for an evolving world of work
TuksNovation
a high-tech business incubator available to all UP students
Centre for the Future of Work researches new ways of working to create future-fit graduates
RECOGNISED FOR CREATING WORK-READY GRADUATES
#44 in the world for SDG8 221st in the world
#1 in South Africa
The South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA) rates UP’s Career Services and Work Readiness Programme as the best UP is ranked highly for producing graduates who understand the world of work and can make a valuable contribution immediately** UP’s strategy to ensure youth employment and equip students with the skills necessary for the evolving labour market, is rated as world-class*
* Source: 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
** Source: 2025 QS World University Rankings
A GLOBAL FORCE FOR GOOD
UP was the first university in Africa to belong to the global University Social Responsibility Network
Learning and sharing UP students earn credits toward their degrees while working in the community
19 967 226 students involved in community work modules that support compulsory community work
Safe student surrounds UP is a major contributor to the Hatfield City Improvement District to improve the quality and safety of the suburb beyond the University’s boundaries
DELIVERING WORLD-CLASS ATHLETES
Since the 2012 Olympic Games in London, TuksSport's athletes have won a total of 22 medals, making up half of Team South Africa’s haul.
Tatjana Smith
Most decorated South African Olympian of all time
Two gold and two silver medals
TuksSport Sportswoman of the Year for two consecutive years
Bronze in the men’s tennis quad doubles
First time African wheelchair tennis players have medalled at the Paralympic Games
TuksAthletics alumnus, former TuksSport High School learner and current TuksAthletics student
Silver in the 4 x 100m men’s relay
Donald Ramphadi
Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana and Shaun Maswanganyi
THE BEST OF THE BEST
UP was the overall winner in the 2024 University Sports South Africa (USSA) Championships
Men’s rugby USSA winners
A SPORTING CHANCE
UP offers 35 ways to become a champion
AQUATIC TEAM SPORTS
• Lifesaving
• Swimming
• Triathlon
• Underwater hockey
• Waterpolo
• Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Cricket
• Football
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rowing
• Rugby
• Volleyball
• Ultimate frisbee
Psychology student Pieter Coetze won the 100-meter backstroke at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore. His times were one of the three fastest ever in the 100-metre backstroke and set a new African record.
Pieter Coetze
Tuks Women’s basketball team
A SPORTING CHANCE
Sports Science student Marione Fourie is one of the fastest 100m hurdlers in the world
Swart
Medical student Charné Swart won the 2024 USSA Championships’ 800 m and 1 500 m for the third consecutive year
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
• Aikido
• Archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Canoeing
• Chess
• Cycling
• ESports
• Exploration
• Fencing
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Judo
• Karate
• Squash
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Trampoline
• Wrestling
• Yachting
Marione Fourie
Charné
“Universities that will thrive in a world dominated by intelligent systems and data science will be those that are most adaptable to change and can creatively navigate a new way forward. In this networked information age, creativity may well be the new human superpower.”
Justice Sisi Khampepe Chancellor
THANK YOU