Table of Contents
History
The University of Witwatersrand was first founded in the year 1896, and as a result it’s one of the oldest universities in the country, originally known as the South African School of Mines, it is one of many institutions created in South Africa with the intention to both support the mining industry and prepare the next batch of professional for the demands the mining rush of South Africa would require.
1922 would see the institution receive on of it’s biggest milestones, the school know was officially a full university, and as a result of the process t formally changed it’s name to the University of Witwatersrand, while the institution face criticism in the early 2000s due to a series of reforms in it’s practices, it’s efforts paid off and nowadays it is considered one of the best institutions the country has to offer.
Programs Offered
Through it’s 5 faculties, the University of Witwatersrand counts with over 70 programs aimed at undergraduate students, as such the following list is just a small sample of the full catalog the university has to offer:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Law
- Marketing
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Architectural Studies
- Digital Arts
- Mining Engineering
- Biokinetics
- Dental Science
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
Admission requirements
Admission to the University of Witwatersrand is based on a student’s scores during high-school, however since cut-offs vary a lot from program to program and depending on the qualification system in a student’s country, its important to check in detail the required scores.
Generally speaking math is one of the most important subjects for enrollment into Witwatersrand, and most courses will demand English proficiency, additionally some courses particularly those in the Humanities might require an audition.
Student Life
The University of Witwatersrand counts with a wide selection of facilities that students wouldn’t usually find in other campuses, in the school premises students can find the country’s first and main planetarium, visit the multiple museums which include fossils and recreations of species unique to the region, or go see a play at the wits theatre to see some of the best professionals in the country.
Through the years Witwatersrand has managed to perfectly combine entertainment with it’s educational offer.
Part-time work
The University of Witwatersrand does not count with it’s own centralized student work portal, when it comes to the idea of studying and working simultaneously the institution recommends it’s part-time studies programs for those who already have a job.
This does not means that it’s against the rules to job hunt for a student enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course, but it does mean that students will largely have to do so on their own.
Fees
The average Tuition Fee at the University of Witwatersrand is on average R55000 per year, however this doesn’t include the fees that textbooks, excursions and use of the labs will incur, so the expenses will rise beyond that number.
Applicants to the university can use their online fee estimate calculator to have a closer idea of the real costs they’ll face in their chosen course.
Ranking
The University of the Witwatersrand is currently ranked as the 437th best college level institution in the world, making it the overall second best university in it’s home country of South Africa.
University Contact
Address: 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
Phone: +27 (0)11 717 1000
Email: [email protected]
Summary
The University of Witwatersrand is one of the best institutions in the country, and it’s selection of courses is one of the most abundant too, while students will definitely want to properly determine the full extent of their fees before enrolling, the course selection and it’s unique and nationally renowned facilities make it one of the strongest contenders for national students who plan to remain in the country for their studies.