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Monday 07:45 - 16:30 Tuesday 07:45 - 16:30 Wednesday 07:45 - 16:30 Thursday 07:45 - 16:30 Friday 07:45 - 16:30

University of the Free State

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University of the Free State

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Welcome! UFS, with campuses in Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa, hosts 39 000+ students across seven faculties. We also have a vibrant student life.

A research-led, student-centered and regionally-engaged university that produces globally competitive graduates and knowledge. Picture a friendly, hip and happening university campus, nestled right in the heart of the Free State capital, Bloemfontein; a university that has produced some of the country’s top thinkers and academics; a university that continues to stand out as a beacon of academic excellence. Of course, this is the University of the Free State, or UFS, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in South Africa. To our students, staff, alumni, and friends, we are known as Kovsies. Besides our Bloemfontein Campus, we also have a beautiful campus in the rural sandstone mountains of Qwaqwa in the Eastern Free State, and a smaller Open and Distance Learning Campus in Bloemfontein. On these three campuses, a multicultural and diverse student population of more than 30 000 students are educated in English and Afrikaans across seven faculties, connected not only to the rest of the continent but also to the world. Feel free to come take a stroll on campus and experience our way of life, where academic culture, critical scientific reflection, relevant scientific education, pure and applied research, community service, and the development of the total student as part of our academic culture are the building blocks in the creation of tomorrow’s leaders. Many cultural and sporting events make this an exciting place to be, as does our awesome student centre and the special events hosted by all our residences.

28/10/2026

Happening today and tomorrow: 5th African Liberation Heritage Indaba

The University of the Free State (UFS) is hosting the 5th African Liberation Heritage Indaba on 28 and 29 October 2026 at its Bloemfontein Campus, South Campus, under the theme “Reimagining Our Heritage Institutions for a New Era”.

The Indaba creates corridors of collaboration among the Nelson Mandela Museum, the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and the UFS, bringing stakeholders together to exchange ideas on the future of heritage institutions and the preservation of liberation legacies.

Discussions focus on reimagining heritage institutions through innovation and modernisation, strengthening collaboration, and exploring how heritage can contribute to social and economic development while remaining relevant for future generations.

28/10/2026

The 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) raises an important question from South Africans: what does improved management of government finances mean for a household struggling to buy groceries, a young graduate searching for work, or a small business battling rising operating costs? Will life finally get a little easier? For South Africans, economic policy is not an abstract debate about deficits and debt.

It is about whether a monthly salary can cover food, electricity, transport, school expenses and housing.

The real test of South Africa’s 2026 MTBPS is not simply whether government can manage its debt. It is whether that management helps create jobs, reduce economic pressures and improve the everyday lives of ordinary people, writes UFS’ Dr Eugene Buthelezi.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4dY6Kub

28/10/2026

The University of the Free State is highlighting the growing reach and societal impact of its research through its newly published Research Review 2022-2024, which showcases how researchers are addressing some of the most pressing health, environmental, agricultural and social challenges facing South Africa and the African continent.

Spanning disciplines from health sciences and food security to environmental sustainability, disaster risk management and social justice, the review reflects a research culture increasingly shaped by collaboration, innovation and responsiveness to society’s needs. More than a record of academic achievements, the publication offers an opportunity to assess the University’s research progress, recognise its contributions, and consider how its expertise can help shape the future.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4iqUpA7

27/10/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁!

The University of the Free State (UFS), through its Centre for Teaching and Learning, will celebrate the exceptional colleagues and teams whose dedication, scholarship and innovation continue to advance the university’s core mandate.

The UFS Exceptional Academic Achievers Awards 2026 will recognise outstanding contributions across various categories, including learning and teaching, research, collaboration, innovation and academic leadership.

Join us in celebrating this year’s nominees and award recipients by watching the ceremony live: https://ufsweb.co/3ZN4kXx
Time: 17:30

27/10/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴?

At the University of the Free State (UFS)’s Dean’s Distinguished Guest Lecture, SARB Deputy Governor Dr Rashad Cassim explained how inflation expectations shape monetary policy – and why interest rate decisions involve difficult trade-offs. UFS students put pressing questions about the cost of living and university fees directly to the Deputy Governor.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/48jT1KO

26/10/2026

The University of the Free State is strengthening its research capacity, with 22 researchers receiving new National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings and a further 13 improving their existing ratings. The achievements span multiple disciplines, reflecting the breadth of research expertise at the University and the work being undertaken to advance scientific knowledge, develop innovative solutions and address complex societal challenges.

The NRF rating system recognises researchers whose work has demonstrated quality and impact in their fields. Through a rigorous peer-review process, independent experts assess researchers’ contributions to knowledge and their standing among national and international peers. The NRF rating system is one of South Africa’s most important measures of research excellence, recognising researchers whose work has made a significant impact nationally and internationally. The outcomes of 17 rating applications are still pending.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/47B3uRX

26/10/2026

𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁!

Kovsies, exam season is here. Take a page from tshepo Panda's book and make the most of the Sasol Library as you prepare for your exams.
Stay focused, put in the work and believe in yourself. Your future self will thank you!

Good luck, Kovsies! You’ve got this.

26/10/2026

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work and learn, but what remains uniquely human? At SAIMS 2026, hosted by the University of the Free State, scholars and industry experts explored why judgement, curiosity, accountability and ethical decision-making matter more than ever in the age of AI.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4zRFS7s

26/10/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

Balancing studies and healthy eating isn’t always easy. For Aphiwe Ndtombela, busy test weeks meant skipped meals or grabbing junk food because there was no time to cook. The result was feeling drained and unfocused.

Her highlight came when she and her friends started sharing Sunday meals. Cooking together saved time and money – and made eating healthier feel effortless.

Check out our website for more food ideas and tips! https://ufsweb.co/4i10fI8

&Succeed

Address

UFS, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive
Bloemfontein
9301

Opening Hours

Monday	07:45 - 16:30
Tuesday	07:45 - 16:30
Wednesday	07:45 - 16:30
Thursday	07:45 - 16:30
Friday	07:45 - 16:30

Website

http://www.ufs.ac.za/

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