History
- From a humble start in 1904, the UFS became a well-known institution, boasting 164 NRF-accredited researchers and 2 521 staff members.
- Our students can participate in 22 different sport disciplines and study from 671 182 library books, including 14 000 ebooks.
- Our ever-expanding facilities and knowledge base present many opportunities for scholars to impact locally and globally.
Education
- Since 1904, the UFS has grown steadily as an internationally recognised university, with scholars who continue to influence global growth.
- Today, we have several international partnerships and a growing number of international students gracing our campuses. This all contribute to a rich, diverse body of knowledge and skills.
Research
- The next stage in the evolution of universities has been the ‘entrepreneurial university’, with universities partaking in the creation of a business future, and issues such as venture creation, incubation, and risk management becoming important.The fourth stage, in which some are already participating, but which for many remains a ‘future stage’, is the ‘knowledge platform university’.
- This type of university sees its responsibility to build the knowledge markets and platforms of the knowledge society.
- And so the university and parts of the university form partnerships to establish research consortia and research platforms, industry clusters and platforms, and creative commons and open-source platforms.
University of the Free State Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of the Free State. 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
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2025
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
02 Jul 2025
Jewish Heritage 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
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2025
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
02 Jul 2025
Jewish Heritage 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
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
-
2024
801
2023
801
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.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
-
2023
-
2022
901
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.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
1001
2024
1001
2023
-
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
912 -37
2023
875
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
- A variety of accommodation options exist, both on the campuses and in the residential areas surrounding the university. Accommodation is not guaranteed when an applicant is accepted as a student.
- The UFS has only single-sex residences which cater for senior and junior students in single or double rooms, with shared bathrooms.
- Senior students may also qualify for on-campus apartments. Rooms in residences are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, and curtains and are equipped with central heating and Internet access. Residences for women have access control.
Library services
- Sasol Library
- Frik Scott Library (in the Medical Faculty)
- Music Library (in the Odeion School of Music)
- Neville Alexander (South Campus) Library
- Computer Laboratory – Thakaneng Bridge
Campus life
- The University of the Free State (UFS) receives visitors on a daily basis throughout the year. The Bloemfontein campus of the university is easily accessible from all parts of the city.
- The vibrant Qwaqwa Campus in the picturesque Eastern Free State serves a rapidly growing number of rural students from the immediate area and surrounding provinces.
- Our South Campus provides alternative access to higher education for promising students who did not obtain the required marks in their final school examinations. Several programmes are in place that off er students the opportunity to access higher education.
Sports facilities
- With 22 sporting codes to choose from, the UFS is an important incubator for participants in team and individual sports. We have produced more than 80 national athletes, of which 15 were world champions and/or participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than 100 Springbok and sevens rugby players studied with us, and UFS netball delivered three national captains and a total of 20 Proteas.
- We have also been the national university tennis champions for twelve years running.
Student clubs
- The Social Work Student Association (SWSA) is a student body representing registered social work students. The SWSA exist, in its own right and according to the rules, regulations and Constitution of the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) and the Department of Social Work of the University of the Free State (UFS), even in the event of changes to its membership or executive committee members”.
- The primary aim of the SWSA is to guide students of the Department of Social Work towards excellence by improving their educational standards and promoting the moral and ethical code of the profession.
Accreditation
- Council on Higher Education (CHE)
- Central and East European Management Development Association
- International Accreditation (CEEMAN IQA)