Stellenbosch University (SU) is a public research higher institution situated in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Stellenbosch is claimed to be the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest extant university in Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside the University of Cape Town.
Stellenbosch University is an internationally recognized institution renowned for its high teaching standards and level of research. Founded in 1919, the university is located 50 miles from Cape Town in South Africa’s Western Cape province.
It is just about 30 km from Cape Town International Airport. Stellenbosch University (SU) is a highly esteemed center of learning, attracting students from all over South Africa and other countries.
The Stellenbosch university owns a museum, a botanical garden, and an art gallery designed by the renowned German architect Carl Otto Hager. Stellenbosch University has five campuses, with its main campus housing eight of its ten faculties. The other campuses are in Tygerberg, Bellville, Saldanha, and Ukwanda, all in Cape Town.
The Tygerberg campus houses the Health Sciences faculty. The city campus in Bellville houses the Graduate School of Business and the School of Public Management & Planning. The Saldanha campus houses the Military Science faculty (the first of its kind in South Africa). The Ukwanda campus in Worcester houses the Rural Clinical School ( home to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences).
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The Stellenbosch University Courses & Faculties
The ten faculties and their subjective departments available at Stellenbosch University include:
Economic and Management Sciences (Accounting & Finance, Business & Management, Economics & Econometrics), Medicine and Health Sciences (Clinical Medicine & Dentistry), Engineering (Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering),
Arts (Archaeology, Languages, Literature & Linguistics, History, Philosophy & Theology, Art, Performing Arts & Design), Social Sciences (Politics & International Studies, Geography, Sociology, Communication & Media Studies (including Development Studies),
Sciences which has two sub-faculties. The Life Sciences (Biological Sciences, Sport Science, Agriculture & Forestry) and Physical Sciences (Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Mathematics & Statistics, Chemistry), Military Science, AgriSciences, Education and Law.
All courses in the various disciplines are taught in English, including the required South African history and culture course, local and indigenous languages, liberal arts, and social sciences.
Stellenbosch University also runs a student exchange program where students can study abroad at one of its 100 partner institutions overseas located in France, Germany, the US, Japan, and many more.
Of its estimated 30,000 student body, 18.2% are black (5,629), and 81.7% are international students (about 25,000), hailing from around 100 countries worldwide. The students of Stellenbosch University are nicknamed “Maties,” coined from the Afrikaans colloquialism maat (meaning mate)
Stellenbosch University can accommodate about 6 500 students on the Stellenbosch Campus. SU has 34 residence halls in configurations for women only, men only, and mixed gender. The five hostel residences on the Tygerberg Campus can house about 1000 students. Most students enrolled on these two campuses reside in private accommodations around Stellenbosch.
The Stellenbosch University Rankings
Stellenbosch University is ranked the third African University according to the QS World University Rankings. The university is a public university in Western Cape Town. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked Stellenbosch University third in Africa.
SU is currently ranked among the top 200 academic institutions worldwide in law, politics, and geography. In development studies, theology, agriculture, and forestry, the university is ranked among the top 100 worldwide. In 2012,
Webometrics ranked Stellenbosch’s web footprint as 2nd largest in Africa. The University of Stellenbosch Business School’s MBA program was ranked 65 out of 100 MBA programs of the world’s leading business schools.
The Stellenbosch university business school is the only business school in Africa to be included on the Top 100 list. Financial Times also ranks the University of Stellenbosch Business School in the top 100 worldwide in executive education.
The University of Stellenbosch Business School has been awarded triple accreditation (AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB accreditation) and is been ranked second in Africa by Eduniversal. The Leiden University ranked the Stellenbosch university second in South Africa and Africa.
The Stellenbosch University Application Form
The Stellenbosch University Application Form for the 2024 academic session is now available online for download. Candidates can apply for multiple programs or courses via a single hardcopy or online application form.
Candidates must possess copies of their statements and other required documents, such as the ID required to fill out the application form for Stellenbosch University 2024.
Ensure that you understand the University’s Admission Policy and the admission and selection criteria of the different faculties before you apply for the online form. The policy, criteria, and guidelines are available at the Undergraduate Prospective Student website at www.maties.com or contact the Client Service at +27 21 808 9111 or info@sun.ac.za. For information on the closing dates for postgraduate studies applications, visit the Prospective Postgraduate Student website at www.sun.ac.za/pg studies.
Stellenbosch University’s undergraduate Application begins on 1 March. Below are the important closing dates:
- 31 May: Applications close for the program MBChB in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
- 30 June: Applications close for all other undergraduate programs.
- 30 June: Residence applications close.
- 31 August: Applications close for Stellenbosch University financial assistance.
- 31 October: Applications close for Diploma in Public Accountability (Telematic Education).
- 30 November: Applications for NSFAS bursaries close.
Stellenbosch University Application Fees
An Application fee (R100) can be paid as part of the online application process. Cash payments can also be deposited at the cashier’s office in Administration building A (Stellenbosch Campus).
For more information about payment options, visit www.maties.com or contact the university’s Client Service at 021 808 9111 or info@sun.ac.za.
International students and applicants from schools with a quantile 1 to 3 (schools identified by the Department of Basic Education to be located at disadvantaged environments), do not need to pay the application fee.
Admission Requirements for Stellenbosch University 2020 Application Form:
School-leaving qualifications
Candidates must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or school-leaving certificate from the Independent Examination Board as certified by Umalusi with admission to bachelor’s (which requires that candidates obtain a mark of at least 4 (50-59%) in each of four designated university admission subjects).
Or a university exemption certificate issued by the South African Matriculation Board to students with other school qualifications could be used.
Minimum admission requirements for the Faculty’s degree programs
In addition to the school-leaving qualifications, candidates must have the admission requirements specified below for the following programs: BSc Agri, BSc For, BSc Cons Ecol, BSc Food Sc, and B Agri Admin, including an average performance level of 60% in the NSC or the IEB’s school-leaving certificate (excluding Life Orientation), or other school qualifications.
With a score of 50% in English or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) – 4, 60% in Mathematics – 5, and 50% in Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) – 4.
Admission requirements for the fields of study, BSc Agri with Soil Science and Chemistry as major subjects include an average performance level of 60% in the NSC or the IEB’s school-leaving certificate (excluding Life Orientation) or other school qualification.
With a 50% score in English or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) – 4, 70% in Mathematics – 6, and 50% in Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) – 4.
Admission requirements for the field of study, Wood and Wood Products Science, include an average performance level of 60% in the NSC or the IEB’s school-leaving certificate (excluding Life Orientation) or other school qualifications.
With a 50% score in English or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) – 4, 70% in Mathematics – 6, and 60% in Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) – 4.
Admission requirements for the field of study, B Agri (Elsenburg), include a minimum result of 50% in English or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) – 4, either a 50% in Mathematics – 4 or 60% in Mathematical Literacy – 5, 50% in Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) – 4 (50%), a 50% in Life Sciences – 4 or 50% in Agricultural Sciences – 4.
As a prospective undergraduate student, you must also write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) and the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test (AQL). If you apply for a program in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences or the Faculty of Law, you must take the NBT before the end of June.
If you take Mathematics as a subject, you must also write the Mathematics (MAT) test. However, if you are taking Mathematical Literacy as a subject and applying for a BAgri program at Elsenburg, then you do not need to write the Mathematics test.
When applying for a course to study, it is advisable to indicate three programs because there are programs with extensive selection processes. So if you are not accepted to your first choice, you could be considered for your second or third choice.
However, you can be admitted to only one program at a time. If you are initially admitted to your second choice and later on get admitted to your first choice, admission to your second choice will lapse.
If you would rather choose to study your second (or third) choice, you must inform the university administration desk by the end of September at info@sun.ac.za. Immediately you decline an offer; it will expire.
All programs at Stellenbosch University have selection criteria, except the following programs as they have extensive selection processes: All programs in the faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, and Law; BA (Visual Arts); BA (Drama); BA (Music); BMus; BA (Sports Science); BSc (Sports Science); BEd (GenEd); BCom (Actuarial Science); and BCom (International Business).
If your first program choice was mentioned above then, programs it is recommended you make a second choice. And if both your first and second choices are listed among the selection programs above, you should also indicate a third choice that is not on the list.
Certain programs such as BA, BSc, B Com, or B Eng have various fields of study. For instance, in BA, you can choose amongst other BA courses like Social Dynamics, Law, or Language and Culture. You must indicate the program, as well as the field of study if you do not your application is incomplete.
To change your program choice, send an email containing your request to info@sun.ac.za. After the closing date, you can only be considered only if there are places available on the program.
In order to place your program choice in the correct order, bear in mind the following:
The faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences and Education will only consider your program choice if it is indicated as your first choice. Selection of Law programs such as BA (Law), BCom (Law) or BAccLLB will only be considered as your first program choice. And the undergraduate four-year LLB program will only be considered if indicated as a first or a second choice on your application.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will consider only your first and second choices. Third choices will only be considered if the first and second choices are on the list of selection programs above. Also, you will only be considered for BA (Sports Science) if it is your first or second choice.
The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) will consider all your program choices in your order of preference. This condition does not apply to BCom (International Business), BCom (Actuarial Science), BAccLLB, and BCom (Law). Your application will be considered only as a first choice for these programs.
The Faculty of AgriSciences will consider your application for any program as a first, second, or third choice, except the BSc Food Science (or any program with Food as a subject) and BScAgric (Animal Science) programs. Your application will only be considered a first or second choice for these programs.
The Sciences, Engineering, and Theology faculties will consider your application for any program as a first, second, or third choice.
However, the programs available in Biological Sciences will not be considered a third choice. You can apply for more than one B Eng program at a time since their selection criteria may differ. For instance, you may apply for a BEng (Civil) as your first choice and BEng (Industrial) as your second.
Completing The Online Application Form
You need a valid email address and cell phone number to apply online. Correspondence messages will be sent to the email address and SMS to the cell phone. As soon as you register for your online application, you will receive a username and an 8-digit password to continue your application. All compulsory screens with red ‘Outstanding’ buttons must be completed.
To finalize the application, click on the ‘Finalise’ button. Please note the ‘Finalise’ button is only available once ALL the compulsory screens have been completed (a green ‘Completed’ button will then be displayed).
Your application will only be processed AFTER the application has been finalized AND all the correct supporting documents have been uploaded at your Application Status link on www.maties.com before the closing date.
You will receive your username (student number) and official SUN password to access your Application Status. Make sure that the information you provide is correct, if it’s not the University is entitled to reject your application or cancel your registration immediately.
If you cannot complete the application in one session, data will not be lost, and the application can be completed later before the closing date. Please do not apply by the hard copy form and the online application system. Only the online application will be accepted as the intended one.
Ensure you upload all the required application documents. Read more on the requirements regarding compulsory application documents, your contract, and the application fee payment options in the relevant sections of the online application.
Your signed contract, application documents (including your academic results), and proof of payment should be uploaded online at your Admission Status link on www.maties.com before the closing date for your program. Your application will not be considered if we do not receive all your documents by the closing date.
You are responsible for ensuring that the University receives these documents in time. You can monitor your application on www.maties.com to ensure that your application is complete.
Use the personal student number and SUN password to be issued to you as soon as you complete your application to sign in.
Once you have completed the application and received an acknowledgment, you can be considered for admission.
Use your student number and SUN password to sign in and monitor your Admission Status on www.maties.com. If you need help with your application or you require more information, please get in touch with the University at 021 808 9111, send an e-mail to info@sun.ac.za, or visit www.maties.com
To apply to Stellenbosch University using the hardcopy application, visit or contact 021 808 9111 or info@sun.ac.za. To get the form. Once you receive the form, fill in the required information and post your completed application with your required application fee or proof of payment to Stellenbosch University
- c/o Banhoek Road & Joubert Street
- Stellenbosch
- 7600
- South Africa
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