Frequently Asked Questions

Use the search bar or category filters to quickly find the information you need. Select a question to expand the answer. If you still need help after reading this page, please contact the UFS Student Contact Services or your faculty directly.

Important: Always refer to official UFS communication for final dates, fees, and requirements. This page is for guidance and summary purposes.

General registration information for all students

Frequently asked questions

An email will be sent to you at the preferred address you have provided to the university. Please ensure that your email address is correct in case the university wishes to communicate with you.

You can log in on the UFS student self-service portal to track the status of your application; alternatively, you may contact the Student Contact Services via WhatsApp or chat: +27 87 240 6370 or call +27 51 401 9111 (press option 1).
You can accept your study offer by logging on to the UFS student self-service portal to accept an offer.

Enter your student number and corresponding password. If you have forgotten your password, please contact +27 51 401 9111 (press option 4).

To update your contact details, please do so on self-service or send an email to Student Admin Services, or call +27 51 401 9111 (press option 1).
Online registration is open from 2 January 2026 to 6 February 2026.

If you have any holds on your record, you will be able to submit your registration request; however, it will not be processed until the hold is cleared. If you receive any error messages, you need to contact the relevant department for assistance.

Finance hold – If your account has been settled and you have made the registration pre-payment, the hold will be removed in 24–48 hours after payment. You may access your account through the Student Self-Service portal.

Email: tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za | Call: +27 51 401 9111 (press option 3)

Academic advice hold – Relevant faculty adviser (see faculty list on the UFS website).

International holds (medical, VISA, etc.) – Office for International Affairs (contact details as per official UFS website).

For any other holds, please contact the Student Contact Services for further assistance on +27 51 401 9111 (press option 1).
An elective module is a pre-determined module within your curriculum that allows you some flexibility within a defined list.

If you are unsure which elective to choose, please contact your faculty adviser or the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for guidance.

Call: +27 51 401 9111 (press option 2) for academic advice and support.
If you don’t know which modules to register for, contact the faculty for academic advice before proceeding.

If you have already registered and afterwards realise that you registered for incorrect modules, visit the PeopleSoft Student Self-Service portal and select ‘drop modules’ for the modules you registered incorrectly.

Also contact the faculty if you need to deregister an entire programme or make major changes, as you might be required to complete a deviation form. All forms are available via the faculty or UFS forms webpage.
Students with confirmed financial aid (bursary/loan) that covers the required registration pre-payment do not need to pay the first payment personally, provided the funding is active and confirmed for the year of study.

Students who have applied or appealed for funding but have not yet received confirmation will be treated as self-paying students. Payments will be refunded when funding is confirmed, where applicable.

Students with financial aid that does not cover the first payment or does not cover the full cost of study will be treated as self-paying students for the purpose of first payments. The first payment is due five (5) working days prior to registration.
You will be able to submit your registration request; however, it will not be processed until the hold is removed. You therefore need to contact the relevant department for assistance.

Finance hold – If your account has been settled and you have made the registration pre-payment, the hold will be removed within 24–48 hours after payment. You may access your account through the Student Self-Service portal.

Email: tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za | Call: +27 51 401 9111 (press option 3)

Academic advice hold – Contact your relevant faculty adviser (see faculty contact list on the UFS website).

International holds (medical, VISA, etc.) – Office for International Affairs (see contact information on the UFS website).

For any other holds, please contact the Student Contact Services for further assistance on +27 51 401 9111 (press option 1).

Prospective and first-year students

Frequently asked questions

As a first-year student, you will register online via the Student Self-Service portal, as explained in the Registration and Orientation guides.

Make sure you have:

• Accepted your offer of admission
• Paid the required first payment (unless fully covered by confirmed financial aid)
• Cleared all registration holds on your record (if applicable)

Detailed step-by-step guides are available on the Registration and Orientation webpage.

Senior students

Frequently asked questions

Senior students register online via the Student Self-Service portal.

Ensure that:

• There are no holds on your record (finance, academic, or other)
• You have paid the required first payment or your funding is confirmed
• You have consulted with your faculty if you need curriculum advice

International students

Frequently asked questions

Academic advice and support

Frequently asked questions

Student finance and financial aid

Frequently asked questions

Who to contact

Frequently asked questions

Housing and Residence Affairs information

Frequently asked questions

The UFS Housing and Residence Affairs (HRA) placement policy is based on the following criteria for junior residences:

Bloemfontein Campus: minimum AP score = 30, and younger than 22
Qwaqwa Campus: minimum AP score = 25
South Campus: admission to a full-time programme.

Criteria for senior/postgraduate residences:

• 23 years or older
• Admission to a full-time postgraduate programme.

For senior students to be considered for on-campus placement and renewal of residence, they must comply with the residence rules and must re-apply for renewal of placement for the following year.

First-year Orientation

Frequently asked questions

Connectivity

Frequently asked questions

How and where do I get a student card?

Student card, FTEN T-shirt, campus life

Your student card is proof that you are registered at the UFS and is used for access control, exams, the library, meals, and purchases from participating on- and off-campus vendors. More information about student card payments is available on the Student Finance webpage.

To obtain your student card:
- Complete a student card application form.
- Provide proof of registration for the current academic year.
- Provide your ID or passport.
- A colour photo of the student is taken and the card is printed on site*. No card may be issued without a photo.
- The student receives their card immediately.
A student receives their first student card free of charge.

All subsequent replacement cards cost R100R125. Proof of payment must be presented before a replacement card can be issued.

Payments can be made to the following account:
- Name of account: University of the Free State (main account)
- Branch code: 632005
- Account number: 1570850071
- Swift code for international transfers: ABSAZAJJ
- Reference: 413 followed directly by your student number
Bloemfontein Campus

Student cards for first-time entering and senior students can be obtained at:
- Visitors Centre at Gate 5 – no access permit required.
- Card Office on the Thakaneng Bridge – access permit is required to gain access to campus.
Access cards: Click here for more information.

South Campus

Student cards for first-time entering and senior students can be obtained at:
- Operational Room at Security Services – no access permit required.
- Cashier’s Office – access permit is required to gain access to campus.
Qwaqwa Campus

Student cards for first-time entering and senior students can be obtained at:
- Waiting area at the Main Gate – no access permit required.
Operating hours

Monday to Friday: 07:45–16:30

Find us on the web:
Student card information

Contact details (Bloemfontein Campus)
- Central Contact Centre: +27 51 401 9111 (if you want to speak to one of our agents)
- WhatsApp chatbot: +27 87 240 6370 (if you want to conduct an online chat conversation via text messages)
Produce the following documents:
- Proof of registration
- Student card
All FTEN T-shirts can be collected at the Kovsie Village.

Note: Only one T-shirt per student.
Information about borrowing books from the library will be communicated by the UFS Library and Information Services. In the meantime, please visit the Library webpage or your campus library information desk for help with:
- Activating your library account
- Loan periods and limits
- How to find and check out books
Follow these steps:
1. Go to www.ufs.ac.za.
2. Click on Students.
3. Click on Current students.
4. Click on Student self-service (scroll down to access your student self-service).
5. Enter your credentials. Your username is your student number and your password is the one you have set for your UFS account.
6. Go to your timetable section to see your class times and venues. Modules that you have successfully added during registration will appear on your class timetable.
And there you have it.
Kovsie Week is an event dedicated to introducing first-year students to life at the University of the Free State. It focuses on helping students navigate university life and access available support.

It takes place across all three campuses from 09 – 13 February 2026.

For more information, visit the Gateway Blackboard Organisation.
A lecture is a large, one-way session where a lecturer presents new content to many students at the same time.

A tutorial is a smaller, more interactive session where students can ask questions, discuss content, and work through examples to deepen their understanding of the work covered in lectures.

Lectures focus on delivering material, while tutorials emphasize understanding and practical application.