Enrolment Numbers At The University Of Pretoria Revealed

The University of Pretoria (UP) is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, South Africa. It was established in 1908 with just 32 students and has since grown to become one of the largest universities in the country. The university is organised into nine faculties and a business school, with approximately 53,000 students enrolled in 2019. UP offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study options and is known for its diverse and dynamic research contributions.

The University of Pretoria's student population in 2019

The University of Pretoria, commonly referred to as UP, is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, South Africa. In 2019, the university had approximately 53,000 students enrolled, a significant increase from its original 32 students in 1908.

The university is organised into nine faculties and a business school, with academic programmes offered in 140 departments and 85 research centres, institutes and units. The nine faculties include Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Veterinary Science. The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) is the university's business school, consistently ranked as the top business school in Africa for executive education.

The University of Pretoria is one of the largest universities in South Africa and is known for its impressive research output. It has been recognised as a top research-intensive university in the country, producing the highest number of graduates annually. The university's main campus and central administration offices are located in the suburb of Hatfield, with six of the nine faculties housed on this campus. The Hatfield campus covers 24 hectares of land and includes over 60 buildings of historical value.

The University of Pretoria offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study options across its faculties and is committed to providing high-quality teaching and learning. With its dynamic community of bright minds, the university strives to discover knowledge and find solutions to pressing societal concerns. The student population at the University of Pretoria in 2019 reflected the institution's diversity and growth, making it an essential part of South Africa's higher education landscape.

The number of international students at the university

The University of Pretoria (UP) is a diverse and dynamic research-intensive university in South Africa. It is one of the largest universities in the country, with a total enrolment of approximately 53,000 students in 2019. Among these, international students make up a significant portion, with their numbers reaching 4,500. This means that around 9% of the student population at UP are international students.

The University of Pretoria's international student body is predominantly made up of students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, accounting for 67% of all international students. This is unsurprising given the university's location in Pretoria, South Africa's capital, and its proximity to the SADC region. The university's main campus is situated in the heart of the city, with six of its nine faculties based there.

UP's diverse and dynamic nature is further emphasised by its standing as a bilingual, multiracial, and inclusive institution. The university has transformed to accommodate students from all races, and its commitment to inclusivity is evident. This commitment extends to its academic programmes, which are offered across 140 academic departments and 85 research centres, institutes, and units.

The University of Pretoria's reputation as a leading research-intensive university in Africa is well-established. It has been recognised as one of the top universities in South Africa for research output and impact. This reputation attracts students from around the world, contributing to its diverse and vibrant community.

With its rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1908, the University of Pretoria has come a long way from its humble beginnings with just 32 students. The number of international students choosing UP as their educational destination contributes to its dynamic and globally-minded community, enhancing the cultural exchange and diverse perspectives on campus.

The number of postgraduate students at the university

The University of Pretoria (UP) is a leading research university in South Africa, with a diverse and dynamic community of students and staff. As of 2024, the university has more than 50,000 contact students, with just over 13,000 of these being postgraduate students. This means that around 26% of the student population at UP are enrolled in postgraduate studies, reflecting the university's strong focus on research and advanced academic pursuits.

The university's commitment to postgraduate education is evident in its wide range of offerings for graduate students. UP offers numerous postgraduate programmes across its nine faculties and business school, providing opportunities for students to further their knowledge and expertise in their chosen fields. The faculties include Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Theology and Religion. The university also boasts the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), consistently ranked as the top business school in Africa for executive education.

The University of Pretoria has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1908, starting with just 32 students. Over the years, UP has grown significantly, not only in terms of student numbers but also in its academic offerings and reputation. The university is known for its high-quality teaching and research expertise, with a strong presence in the fields of Veterinary Science, Law, and Business.

UP's main campus is located in Hatfield, Pretoria, and the university has a total of seven campuses across the city and its surroundings. The university's growth and expansion over the years have led to the establishment of new facilities, residences, and infrastructure to accommodate the increasing number of students, including those pursuing postgraduate studies.

The University of Pretoria is committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive academic community. With its diverse range of postgraduate programmes and strong research focus, UP provides a stimulating environment for graduate students to pursue their academic goals and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.

The university's ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2025

The University of Pretoria (UP) is a diverse and dynamic research-intensive university in South Africa. It is one of the largest universities in the country, with around 65,297 scientific papers published and 920,420 citations received. The university has a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study options across nine faculties, including South Africa's only Faculty of Veterinary Science and Africa's top Faculty of Law and business school.

In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the University of Pretoria is ranked #354 in the world. This ranking places UP among the top 1.9% of universities globally and reflects its strong performance across various indicators.

In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, UP climbed to 323rd position, a significant improvement from its previous ranking of 591-600. This progress was attributed to the addition of new indicators, such as Sustainability, Employment Outcomes, and International Research Network, as well as improvements in existing indicators like Employer Reputation, Academic Reputation, and Citations Outcomes.

The University of Pretoria also performed strongly in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, with 16 of its subject offerings ranked in the top 450 globally and 18 ranked in the top three among South African universities. UP's Accounting and Finance research was ranked number one in the world on the QS Ranking's H-Index metric, which measures productivity and citation impact.

The University of Pretoria's high rankings reflect its commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, and research. With its diverse range of programmes and strong global standing, UP attracts students and scholars from around the world, fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating academic environment.

The number of academic departments at the university

The University of Pretoria is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, South Africa. It is one of the largest research universities in the country, with nine faculties and a business school. The nine faculties are:

• Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Theology and Religion
• Faculty of Veterinary Science

In addition to these faculties, the university also has a business school, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). GIBS has been ranked as the top business school in Africa for executive education and is placed in the top 50 worldwide.

The University of Pretoria's academic activities are organised into 140 academic departments and 85 research centres, institutes, and units. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study options across various disciplines.

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