UP University

UP University

The University of Pretoria turns 110 in February 2018. It is a world-class university which is one of the biggest research producers in South Africa and in Africa. It is unique as it is the only university in the country that has a Veterinary Science Faculty. This Faculty is highly recognised in Africa.

Spread over seven campuses, it now has more than 53 000 students, nine faculties and a business school. Faculties are set out below:

• Economic and Management Sciences
• Education
• Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
• Health Sciences
• Humanities
• Law
• Natural and Agricultural Sciences
• Theology
• Veterinary Science and the
• Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

The university has 120 academic departments and offers 1213 study programmes, 230 degrees, certificates and diplomas, 166 undergraduate programmes and 1047 postgraduate programmes, with more than 35 sporting codes. It has awarded more than 365 500 qualifications, while it has produced more than 267 000 alumni, many of whom hold high profile positions in business and in society.

It is producing high quality graduates who are equipped to succeed in a rapidly changing world. It was ranked 92nd in the world for law, according to the 2017 Times Higher Education Law subject ranking; and according to the QS World University Rankings 2018, it is now among the top 52% of ranked institutions.

The QS World University Rankings rate the top tertiary institutions around the world against several indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, the number of citations per faculty, the student-to-faculty ratio, and the number of international faculty and students.

The University also features in the top 40 universities in the BRICS region and the top three in South Africa, according to the QS University World Rankings 2018.

Vision, Mission and Values

To be a leading research‐intensive university in Africa, recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, as also for developing people, creating knowledge and making a difference locally and globally.

In pursuing recognition and excellence in its core functions of research, teaching and learning, and integrating engagement with society and communities into these, the University of Pretoria will use quality, relevance, diversity and sustainability as its navigational markers.

• The members of the University of Pretoria believe that:
  • our community of scholars must be founded on the pursuit of knowledge through research, teaching and learning, with membership acquired on the basis of intellectual merit, ability and the potential for excellence; and that
  • differing perspectives, arising from diverse backgrounds and histories that define our identities, deepen scholarly inquiry and enrich academic debate.

• We cherish:
  • academic freedom, creative and innovative thought, ethical standards and integrity, accountability and social justice; and
  • our staff and students as the University’s core asset.

• We foster:
  • an inquiry‐led and evidence‐based approach to creating knowledge; and
  • academic citizenship, whereby we commit ourselves to harnessing our intellectual abilities in the interest of our nation and humanity.

• We recognise that:
  • in a resource‐constrained world where vast disparities remain, the University must endeavour to produce graduates who appreciate the importance of community service, entrepreneurial endeavours and innovative actions in generating employment and development in our local communities.

Message from the Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the University of Pretoria (UP). We are a diverse and dynamic university community comprising students from all parts of South Africa and an increasing number of international students.

As a leading research intensive university, the University of Pretoria is proud of its academic excellence and the contributions of its researchers to finding solutions to local and global challenges. If you are an independent thinker who is eager to discover and create new knowledge that will help make a difference in your community and in the world, then UP is a place where you can excel.

UP students are fondly known as Tukkies, and as a Tukkie, your academic career and future job prospects are important to us. A UP degree is sought after in the job market because employers and industry experts know that they can rely on the quality of University of Pretoria graduates. Our degrees are internationally recognised and are structured similarly to those of the world’s great universities. Each year a growing number of students who graduated from UP, having been well prepared, go on to make an impact in industry, in government and the public sector as well as in nongovernmental organisations.

The University fosters a holistic approach to education. Our academic activities are enriched by meaningful community engagement and collaboration with other institutions, government and industry and we encourage all our students to participate in at least one of the very many arts, cultural and sporting activities offered by the University.

University of Pretoria: Maps & Directions

Management & Governance

The University of Pretoria is governed in terms of the Higher Education Act, Act 101 of 1997 as amended.

The management structures of the University consist of:

• Chancellor
• Vice-Chancellor and Principal
• Executive
  • Vice-Principals
  • Executive Directors
  • Registrar
• Council
• Senate
• Faculties, departments, schools and such other academic structures of the University as may be determined by the Council
• Various support services and such other offices, bodies or structures as may be established by the Council
• Institutional Forum
• Student Representative Council