South Africa
beauty, you'll never forget

Stellenbosch University has been ranked on several world platforms and on one of them as the leading African University. These rankings are based on student pass rates, rated scientists and research productivity and is renowned internationally as an academic institution of distinction.

Stellenbosch is situated about 50 km from Cape Town and just 30 km from Cape Town International Airport in the charming Boland Mountains and the wine lands of the Western Cape.

Stellenbosch University sustains 28 000 students, 3 000 foreign students and employs 3 000 permanent staff, as well as 939 academic staff.

Academic Excellence and Innovation

The natural environment is matched inside the campus and is one of the aspects of the university that attracts students especially from foreign countries. The farsighted thinking of Stellenbosch University and its ultramodern facilities and technology brings this well established university into the 21st Century and beyond holding onto the motto of, "Academic Excellence and Innovation".

Faculties

Eight faculties are on the main campus:

  • Agri Sciences
  • Arts and Social Sciences
  • Economic and Management Sciences
  • Education
  • Engineering,
  • Military Sciences ( Saldanha Campus)
  • Law 
  •  Medicine and Health Sciences (Tygerberg Campus and Worcester) 
  • Science
  • Theology 

Other Campuses 

  • Belville
  • Saldanha Bay
  • Tygerberg
  • Worcester

Vision 

In a spirit of academic freedom and of the universal quest for truth and knowledge, the University as an academic institution sets itself the aim, through critical and rational thought: 

  • of pursuing excellence and remaining at the forefront of its chosen focal areas 
  • of gaining national and international standing by means of its research outputs 
  • its production of graduates who are sought-after for their well-roundedness and for their creative, critical thinking; 
  • of being relevant to the needs of the community, taking into consideration the needs of South Africa in particular and of Africa and the world in general 
  • of being enterprising, innovative and self-renewing.

Mission

The raison d’être of the University of Stellenbosch is to create and sustain, in commitment to the universitarian ideal of excellent scholarly and scientific practice, an environment in which knowledge can be discovered, shared and applied to the benefit of the community.

Core Values

  • Equity
  • Participation
  • Transparency 
  • Readiness to Serve 
  • Tolerance and Mutual Respect 
  • Dedication 
  • Scholarship
  • Responsibility
  • Academic Freedom

Notable Alumni

  • André du Pisani, political scientist and professor at University of Namibia.
  • Attie van Heerden, Olympian, rugby union, and rugby league footballer.
  • Beyers Naudé, theologian, student of HF Verwoerd and struggle hero.
  • Casper de Vries, is a South African actor, comedian, entertainer, 
  • Edwin Cameron, is a Rhodes scholar and High Court judge.
  • Lourens Wepener Hugo Ackermann, Constitutional Court Judge of South Africa.
  • Riaan Cruywagen, news reader and voice artist.
  • Nelson Mandela, awarded an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University in 1966. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".

Facilities

  • 2 Concert Halls
  • 430 seat Theatre
  • Botanical Garden
  • Cinema
  • Conservatory
  • Food court 
  • J.S. Gericke Library 
  • Open air Amphitheatre
  • Post office
  • Radio Station
  • Shopping Centre

Residences 

  • 6 Men’s
  • 14 Women’s
  • 12 Mixed
  • 10 Private Wards

History 

Stellenbosch University can be traced back to the 17th century, with the implementation of higher school education in the town in 1685.

  • 1859 higher education was brought about by the Dutch Reformed church’s Theological Seminary
  • 1866 establishment of the Stellenbosch Gymnasium
  • 1874 creation of the Department of Arts
  • 1886 Renaming of college to Victoria college is inaugurated 
  • 1918 Victoria college becomes Stellenbosch University
  • 1918 to present time the university has seen a growth that is phenomenal 
  • 1999 The Department of Ancient Studies was established in 1999 and offers courses in Latin, Hebrew, Ancient Cultures of the Near East and the Mediterranean

Created: ; Last updated: