The University of Free State is a state university that boasts 2 campuses’ situated in Bloemfontein and another in QwaQwa. It was founded in 1904 and enrols approximately 31,000 students on more than 70 courses under its 7 faculties a year.
The Bloemfontein campus is the main campus, while the South campus serves as an extension for promising students who did not meet the academic requirements for their intended course and are thus serving a year through the extra-curricular programme before starting their course in Bloemfontein or QwaQwa. QwaQwa accommodates students living in the surrounding rural areas of the Eastern Free State.
How to Apply to UFS
The UFS online application process is done on their website (www.ufs.ac.za).
A soon as you fill out your details and follow the prompts, you will be assigned a reference number which will mean that your application has been processed. Applying online is the most efficient process as it is compatible with multiple devices, such as your phone; moreover, you can expect faster updates on your application through this process.
The offline application permits you to download the application through a PDF which you are expected to print out and attach the specified documents to.
The generic application deadline is 30 September for the following year; however, changes in application deadlines for certain courses will be found on the website.
Hard-Copy Application
The offline application is only available to some courses; therefore, one will have to check the faculty they plan on applying to on the website to see if it is available. The application form can either be posted to the university at, Director: Student Academic Services PO Box 339 BLOEMFONTEIN 9300 or University of the Free State George du Toit Building, office 163 205 Nelson Mandela Road.
Alternatively, it can be handed in directly to the admissions office on one of the three campuses. Currently, late walk-in applicants will not be considered at the university as they have reached their capacity. If you are a late applicant who wants to apply online, then you have to apply through the Central Application Clearing House (CACH).
Tracking Application Progress
To track your application, you should go to the university website and login with the temporary student number they have given you and your password. Once you have signed in, click on the application status tracking. The status of your application should be clear to you in a matter of days if you have received prior conditional acceptance and now await unconditional acceptance through your final matric results.
The National Benchmark Test (NBT)
For undergraduate studies, a National Senior Certificate with a bachelor’s pass to get into bachelor degrees, a diploma pass for diploma studies and a higher certificate for a higher certificate programme is a prerequisite for the University of Free State. The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is a compulsory test that is taken before students start university.
They are student placement processors and access you on your Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) first and then your Mathematics (MAT). The tests are done on the same day with a duration of three hours each to complete. Depending on the course you apply to, you may only need to do the AQL or both the AQL and the MAT.
The NBT website is www.nbt.ac.za, where you can apply to sit a test.
UFS Requirements
Academic requirements differ for each course, and therefore the interested individual would have to consult the universities’ prospectus to see what academic results the course expects of them. Additionally, international students will have to look through the prospectus to see what is required from their specific curriculum.
General requirements include electronic copies with verification stamps of personal identification such as your ID or passport (if you are an international student), as well as electronic copies of prerequisite qualification certificates. The electronic copies should be in PDF or JPEG format if you are uploading them online. Students who are transferring from a different tertiary institution need to provide the university with their academic record. The administration staff, through the email studentadmin@ufs.ac.za, should aid you in any questions you may have about requirements.
UFS Application Dates
University of the Free State (UFS) Application Form: Important Dates:
Important Dates: Opening date for all applications: 1 April
| Selection Programmes | Closing date |
|---|---|
| Architecture | 31 July |
| Health Sciences (MBChB and Allied Health Professions) | 31 May |
| Diploma School of Nursing | 31 July |
| Nursing | 31 July |
| Nursing Short Learning Programmes | 31 July |
| Quantity Surveying and Construction Management | 31 July |
| International Applications | 31 August |
| Forensic Science | 30 September |
| Geology | 30 September |
| Music | 30 September |
| Social Work | 30 September |
| Fine Arts | 1 November |
University of Free State (UFS) Registration
Registration will solely take place online for all students; this is due to COVID-19 regulations. This year first-year students have to register between 1-19 March and begin their first term studies on 23 March. The university website has given a set of instructions to register online through their guide. For further enquiries, there is also a helpline available at 051 401 9666. The registration BOT offered on Whatsapp will also assist you through the number 087 240 6370.
University of Free State (UFS) Fees
School fees and other related charges will differ for people as it depends on the modules you take and the resources you are prescribed. UFS offers cash deposits, EFT and credit card payments with banking details of each of them placed on their website. Financial aid through NSFAS, bursaries and scholarships are also available at the university but must be applied for at the specified time. Some scholarships will expect students to go beyond academic merit, for example, athletic excellence in a field of sport.
Residence Application
28 same-sex residences stretch through all the campuses at UFS. The placement policy set by The UFS Housing and Residence Affairs (HRA) requires prospective students to gain a minimum APS score of 30 and to be younger than 22 to be considered for residential placement at the Bloemfontein campus. QwaQwa campus expects a minimum APS of 25 while South Campus needs acceptance into a full-time programme.
For general enquiries about the residences, contact resapplications@ufs.ac.za or 051 401 2635. Residential general enquires that solely pertain to South Campus can be asked through SCresapplications@ufs.ac.za or call Hangwani Koko at 051 505 1564 or Lerato Masapo-Changwara at 051 505 1205. There are also options for residences that are off-campus that the university can provide information on; some of these residences may even be accredited by the university.
Also Read: UFS Application Status and Prospectus
Orientation
Orientation for first-year students will be held online on Blackboard from 8th to 9th March. Virtual orientation is a way of making students familiar with the university environment. It is compulsory for first-year students as they aim to get them to transition with ease into UFS. The virtuality of the university will be notable during the first semester as some lectures and assignments will solely be online, while others may require you to be on campus. If you are expected to return to campus by your faculty, then an access permit will be granted to you.
