The University of the Free State (UFS) is one of the oldest
universities in South Africa; it opened its doors in Bloemfontein in 1904 as
the Grey University College, with six students in The Humanities.
Today, Kovsies is a multi-campus institution with more than
39 000 students across two diverse campuses in Bloemfontein and one in Qwaqwa
in the scenic Eastern Free State – with an ever-widening scope of active
involvement in and contribution to its surrounding communities. The
university’s seven faculties (Economic and Management Sciences, Education,
Health Sciences, The Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences,
Theology and Religion) also attract a significant number of international
students and associates.
What sets the university apart is its holistic student
support initiatives, enabling it to achieve some of the highest success rates
in the country – delivering students who are in high demand in the global job
market, as well as internationally renowned researchers.
An established network of industry partners and close
collaboration with the public and private sectors, as well as a continuous
process of transformation and curriculum renewal, dovetail to produce highly
employable graduates.
ONE UNIVERSITY, THREE CAMPUSES
One of the University of the Free State’s unique
characteristics – and part of the essence of who it is – is the fact that it is
one university spread across three diverse campuses in the Free State
province. The Bloemfontein Campus is the
oldest and largest campus where all seven faculties are represented. All campus
facilities are available in one location, characterised by unique architecture
and artworks, state-of-the-art research, learning, teaching, and sports
facilities, and eco-friendly, waterwise gardens. Braille-guided areas, ramps,
and elevators for visually and mobility-impaired students contribute to our
culture of care and social justice.
The South Campus, nestled in the hills to the south of
Bloemfontein, is home to the university’s Blended Learning Innovation and
Support Services (BLISS), a subdivision of the Centre for Teaching and Learning
(CTL). Utilising the South Campus’ multimedia production studio, BLISS has the
primary goal of providing holistic, integrated services and support towards a
new blended learning future for the UFS. The BEd Foundation Phase programme is
also offered on this campus, providing a well-rounded education that equips
graduates with an integrated knowledge and understanding of teaching learners
between the ages of six and nine. The South Campus formed part of the former
Vista University and was incorporated into the UFS in 2004.
The beautiful Qwaqwa Campus at the foot of the Maluti
Mountains in the Eastern Free State serves students from the immediate area and
surrounding provinces. The campus has a strong focus on socio-economic
development, informed by the rural context in which it is located. Programmes,
underpinned by a strong research agenda, focus on identifying the best possible
strategies to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in this area. The
campus is home to the internationally acclaimed Afromontane Research Unit (ARU),
a high-excellence multi-disciplinary mountain research ‘community of practice’
leading African mountain research on the continent. The campus was incorporated
into the UFS in 2003.
