Nelson Mandela University is a South African university that has welcomed students for various academic programmes since its establishment in 2005. The university emerged from the merger of three institutions: The PE Technikon, the University of Port Elizabeth, and Vista University’s campus in Port Elizabeth. Initially known as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, the school assumed its current name in 2017. Modelled to reflect the legacy of South Africa’s foremost liberation icon, Nelson Mandela University, which is situated in the Port Elizabeth region, is a multi-campus institution spread across various locations in Gqeberha, George, and Summerstrand. This article presents detailed information on the institution, focusing on the application process in particular.
Track application status NMU
Individuals applying to Nelson Mandela University for admission placement may sometimes not receive a response from the school on the status of their application, which is typically communicated days after the end of the application cycle. However, the school allows individuals to check up on the status of their admission applications online at its website and dedicated portal.
Anyone interested in checking up on the status of their applications at the Nelson Mandela University can do so by following the under-listed steps:
- Log on to the university’s admission dashboard by following the link https://www.mandela.ac.za/Apply/Admission/Check-your-admission-status
- Input the student number and pin in the subsequent window
- Click on ‘Next Year’ and ‘Search’ button
As is evident already, only students who have created an account with Nelson Mandela University and have applied to the school for admission placement can proceed to track their applications.
Nelson Mandela University considers and processes applications for 500 courses offered by its seven faculties. The university’s seven faculties are as follows:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering, The Built Environment and Information Technology
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Science
NMU residence application
Nelson Mandela University has a number of on-campus residence options open for applications for students. However, applications for residence cannot be lodged alongside admission applications: rather, it comes after the completion of the admission application process is completed. For residence applications, the university’s policy stipulates that students must meet the following important conditions to be able to apply:
Admission: This criterion stipulates that interested individuals applying for residence must have had their acceptance confirmed by their faculty.
Deadline: Nelson Mandela University accepts residence applications lodged within the application cycle, that is, before the end of September each year.
Applicant Score: For residence applications, Nelson Mandela University assigns priority to applications from individuals with high applicant scores.
Residence: In addition to applicants with high applicant scores, another set of applicants given priority consideration by Nelson Mandela University are individuals who live outside the vicinity of the university’s campuses, that is, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Port Elizabeth.
Individuals who are not accepted as a result of space constraints are reassigned to the university’s authorized residence options outside of campus.
The application methodology for Nelson Mandela University residences differs across various student categories. For newly registered students, the application route runs through the Central Admissions Office of Nelson Mandela University. Returning students apply through the university’s student portal, which is available online.
Rooms at Nelson Mandela University usually feature the following amenities and services: bed and mattress, desk, chair, cupboard, bookshelf, curtains and trash can.
When do NMU applications close
Nelson Mandela University admission applications open and close on different dates. Individuals intending to study at the institution are advised to commence and lodge their applications early enough, owing to constraints imposed by limited spaces. For 2024 admission hopefuls, the following dates are important:
April – Commencement of application cycle for admission placements into Nelson Mandela University.
June- The following programmes have their deadlines scheduled for this period:
MBChB
Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic)
August – Early application deadlines for all courses, excluding the first two courses listed above
September – The following categories of applications have their deadlines scheduled for the end of September:
Late applications apart from MBChB and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic)
Applications from international students
Applications for Student Housing close.
How much is the application fee at NMU
Nelson Mandela University charges a fee for all admission applications made to the school. Each admission application is subject to a charge of 500 South African Rand. Payments can be made locally at the Standard Bank branch in Port Elizabeth (for South African residents) or online with credit cards (excluding manual credit cards). The university does not consider admission applications made without payment of the application fee. This application fee charge applies to international students, however.
NMU residence application status
Nelson Mandela University’s accommodation options are available in different forms and to students from all academic backgrounds. These options are situated in the Summerstrand North, South, Second Avenue and George Campus areas. Additionally, the university operates undergraduate and postgraduate residences in designated areas on the Summerstrand Campus. In the event that space constraints do not interfere, the university strives to allocate residences in line with applicant preferences and proximity to lecture venues. Students studying for degree programmes are typically assigned to Melodi Residence (for females) and Xanadu Residence (for males) on the South Campus and suitable locations on George Campus.
Regardless of the route used for Nelson Mandela University residence application, applicants can check up on the status of their applications by visiting the university’s dedicated online portal for residential applications. This portal is accessible at https://studenthousing.mandela.ac.za/.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nelson Mandela University have an application fee waiver policy?
Applications for admission placements into any course at the Nelson Mandela University are usually subjected to a charge of 500 South African Rand. However, this application fee charge provision applies to admission applications from international students. South African citizens are exempted from paying this fee charge.
Does Nelson Mandela University have financial aid available?
Nelson Mandela University offers financial aid to students in the form of bursaries and scholarships. Students with proven sporting abilities can benefit from the university’s sports bursaries. These bursaries are applied for physically and before the end of October every year. The university also hosts the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), a South African government loan scheme for indigent students with excellent academic profiles: this financial aid is open for applications between May and October every year. A number of privately funded bursaries and financial assistance schemes are also hosted by Nelson Mandela University as well.
What is the cost of studying at Nelson Mandela University?
Tuition fee charges vary across disciplines. For the 2024 session, tuition fee charges at Nelson Mandela University may cost between 6300 South African Rand and 25,000 South African Rand. The University allows home students to pay tuition fee charges in phases (down payment to be eligible to register at the university, with the complete payment payable subsequently). International students may be required to make full payment before registration. Other fees should also be factored in, like application fee (for international students), residence fee and additional financial charges that may apply.
What type of residence is available at Nelson Mandela University?
Nelson Mandela University accommodation options come in various types. Typically, they come in double bedrooms (with shared bathrooms) and single rooms.
