History
The PE Technikon has its roots in the country’s oldest art school, the PE Art School founded in 1882; the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), the country’s first dual-medium residential university, came into being on 31 January 1964; and the Port Elizabeth campus of Vista university, which opened up access to higher education for disadvantaged students.
Education
- Mandela believed that education was a force of good and called on all South Africans to treasure knowledge and never stop learning. He valued diversity - especially the coming together of different minds, different backgrounds, different talents and different approaches to achieve greatness.
- He also made it clear that his contribution was just the beginning; calling on students, academics, and universities to forge new paths, and bring about new cycles of economic innovation, democratic change and equality.
Nelson Mandela University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #1201 Ranking
- 2 Masters
- 46 Scholarships
- 953 Academic Staff
- 1,130 Students (int'l)
Nelson Mandela University Overview
Nelson Mandela University Scholarships
Nelson Mandela University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Nelson Mandela University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2026
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-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
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
CryptoRunner Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2026
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2026
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2026
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-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
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
CryptoRunner Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2026
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Nelson Mandela University Student Reviews & Awards
4.4
Based on 75 reviews
- 5 Star 39 Reviews
- 4 Star 27 Reviews
- 3 Star 8 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.4
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.1
- Quality of Student Life 4.1
- Career Development 4.1
Enjoyed it
It really helped me when I was stressed on which course to take as I looked at my results.
Determination pays fresh fruits
The course keeps your mind thinking about good things to improves from what we have. We work from all sectors as there is no sector which does not requires improvement. They need to improve by adding skillfull tutors to assist some lecturers.
1/5
The mass media reports on Gender abuse. .
I enjoyed the media theories and the data collection section which included group interviews with news journalists.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
-
Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
-
Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
-
Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
-
Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?
Nelson Mandela University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 24% South Africa
Top 37.1% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1259
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 9 places compared to 2025
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.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1243 | 1268 | 1259 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
1201
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
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.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | 1201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Housing services
- The Nelson Mandela University provides different types of residences for students at different stages of their development. Residences are located on the Summerstrand North, South, Second Avenue and George Campus.
- In addition, three senior undergraduate residences and Post Graduate Student Village (PGSV) on the Summerstrand Campus exist.
Library services
- In pursuance of the Nelson Mandela University vision in becoming a dynamic African University that provides cutting edge knowledge for a sustainable future, Nelson Mandela University LIS aspires to be the global leading academic library and information service that is recognized as an innovative, creative and accessible partner in advancing the teaching and engagement goals of the University.
Campus life
- Nelson Mandela University is the largest higher education institution in the Eastern and Southern Cape, with some 27 000 students enrolled on seven different campuses or delivery sites – six located in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, and one in the beautiful city of George.
- The multi-campus structure enables Nelson Mandela University to be closely involved with, and geographically closer to, the communities it serves. The main campus of Nelson Mandela University is situated in Summerstrand, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
- The faculties are spread across the six campuses, and in some cases programmes are duplicated on more than one campus.
Sports facilities
Madibaz Indoor Sport Centre (South Campus), Madibaz Indoor Sport Centre Missionvale Campus
Accreditation
Yes, programmes offered at Nelson Mandela University are internationally recognised and accredited by the relevant professional bodies.
Nelson Mandela University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
South Africa Country
Port Elizabeth City