History
The NWU officially came into being on 1 January 2004 as part of the South African government’s plan to transform higher education. The former University of North-West merged with the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. A third party was the Sebokeng Campus of another mainly black university, Vista, whose staff and students were incorporated.
Education
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Law
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Theology
Research
Research Focus Areas:
- Ancient Texts: Text, Context and Reception
- Chemical Resource Benefication (CRB)
- Community Psychosocial Research (Compres)
- Enabling Optimal Expression of Individual, Social and Institutional Potential (OPTENTIA)
- Human Metabolomics
- Material Science Innovation an Modelling (MaSIM)
- Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI)
- Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)
- Population and Health
- Pure and Applied Analytics
- Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ)
- Social Transformation
- Trade and Development (TRADE)
- Understanding & Processing Language in Complex Settings (UPSET)
Career
Career Centre - While we strive to stay engaged locally, it is our purpose to remain relevant nationally and be recognised internationally in everything we do. The Career Centre adds value by offering continuous support in the production of quality graduates. This is accomplished by closing the gap between students and other role players, as well as by opening doors in various professional industries.
North-West University (NWU) Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to North-West University (NWU). Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2025
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
27 Dec 2024
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2025
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
965 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Dr. Martin Blank – SYB Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2025
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
27 Dec 2024
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2025
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
965 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Dr. Martin Blank – SYB Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
601 -100
2023
501 100
2022
601
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
801 -200
2024
601
2023
601
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
851 -50
2024
801 200
2023
1001
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
540 -53
2023
487
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Housing services
- Biko House
- Dr Nelson Mandela
- Mbada
- Ngaka Modiri Molema
- Sedibeng
- Sol Plaatje
- Dr James Moroka
- Lost City
- Khayelitsha
- Hopeville
- Kgosi Dick Montshioa
Library services
- Mahikeng Library
- Potchefstroom Library (also known as the Ferdinand Postma Library)The Ferdinand Postma Library has four branch libraries, namely: Education Library, Music Library, Natural Sciences Library, Theology Library (Jan Lion Cachet Library)
- Vanderbijlpark Library
Medical services
The health centre is a primary healthcare unit that provides essential healthcare services to students and staff of and visitors to the NWU.
- Primary Healthcare
- Occupational Healthcare
Campus life
- Mahikeng Campus - An innovative institution with a proud heritage, an exceptionally rich culture and an unwavering strife towards excellence - that is the Mahikeng Campus.
- Potchefstroom Campus - A unique student experience coupled with a research-driven dynamic, the Potchefstroom Campus is where all are geared towards bringing a brighter future to all.
- Vanderbijlpark Campus - As picturesque as it is productive, as pioneering as it is progressive. The Vaal Campus is the epitome of what quality entails.
Sports facilities
- The Mahikeng Campus offers excellent sporting facilities which include a soccer institute, swimming pool, outdoor facilities and an indoor sports hall. Both the Soccer Institute and Great Hall have a well equipped gymnasium for circuit and aerobic training.
- The great hall also caters for badminton, martial arts, squash, boxing, sport dance, indoor soccer and hockey, volleyball, netball and basketball.
- The swimming pool is a perfect venue for students to learn to swim as well as to improve their different swimming strokes.
- The Vanderbijlpark Campus sport facilities include a gymnasium, three soccer and rugby fields, two cricket fields, two hockey fields, two netball courts and a basketball court.
The NWU-BS had a virtual re-accreditation visit by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) on 20 and 21 October 2021.