1. How do I know if I have been accepted to study at the UFS?

An email will be sent to you on the preferred address you have provided the University with. Please ensure your contact detail are always correct in a case whereby the University should want communicate with you. 

You can log in on the UFS student self-service portal to track the status of your application. If you have been accepted to study at the UFS, we will load an offer to your online profile. For further assistance, you are welcome to contact the Student Contact Services on studentadmin@ufs.ac.za or call +27 51 401 9111(press 1).

WATCH: How to track your application status

2. How do I accept an offer from the UFS?

You accept your study offers on our main registration landing page. Log into https://www.ufs.ac.za/studyoffer to accept an offer.
Enter your student number and corresponding password. If you have forgotten your password, please contact 051 401 9111 (select number 4).

WATCH: How to accept or decline your UFS study offer.

3. When must I register?

30 January-17 February 2023: Curriculum advice and registration for senior students
30 January-17 February 2023: Curriculum advice and registration for postgraduate (honours and PGDip) students unless communicated otherwise by your faculty)
6-17 February 2023: Curriculum advice and registration for first-year students
20 February 2023: Classes start
24 February 2023: Last date to add or change modules 
21 March 2023: Last date to cancel modules with full credit 
31 March 2023: Last date to add or change modules (master’s and doctoral)

4. How do I register ?

You will need to contact your respective faculty for information on the faculty specific mode of registration and curriclum advise dates, please visit the faculty pages

5. Who will help me to register?

We have prepared several step-by-step guides. There is also a helpline that you can call (051 401 9111).
    
Click here for the Quick-reference Registration guides, and for important UFS contact details and support.

You will find all the registration information on our registration site. The online registration steps are available here.

For further registration enquiries, contact the Central contact centre: +27 51 401 9111 (if you want to speak to one of our agents). You are welcome to message our registration BOT at 087 240 6370 for assistance via WhatsApp.

6. Where do I find the module code that I must register for?

You need to contact your faculty advisor for curriculum advice:

Click here for information

7. I don’t know which elective module to pick?

An elective module is a pre-determined module within your curriculum that you can select in order to complete the credits you need to register for in a specific academic year. In some programmes, there are up to four electives to choose from; look at your programme under each faculty for details on what electives are offered in your programme.

8. What can I do if I have registered for the wrong course/module?

If you don’t know which modules to register for, contact the curriculum adviser in your relevant faculty. You should also contact your curriculum adviser for help if you have proceeded to register and only afterwards realised that you had registered for incorrect modules.

Also contact the faculty if you need to deregister an entire programme/course. If you need to change programme/course, you must complete a deviation form. All forms are available on this link.

Visit the PeopleSoft Student Self-Service portal and select ‘drop modules’ for the modules you registered incorrectly.

9. How much is the first payment for registration 2023?

Click here for more information.

10. May I register if I have outstanding fees?

Historic debt from the previous year must be paid off. First payments are due five (5) working days prior to registration.  Click on the link in paragraph 9. for the amounts payable. 

11. I have a bursary, what must I pay?

Students studying with financial aid from recognised and reputable funders are exempted from paying the first payment after all the following conditions have been met: 

• Historic debt from the previous year has been paid off. 

• The funding must be officially confirmed by the funder. Proof of confirmed funding must be submitted to Student Finance five (5) working days prior to registration. Please email the confirmation letter to tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za 

• The funding awarded must cover the full cost of study for the year. 

The above excludes: 
• International students who are studying with the assistance of financial aid are NOT EXEMPT from paying the first payment as indicated for SELF-PAYING STUDENTS.

• Students who applied/appealed for funding but have not yet received funding confirmation, must pay the first payment as indicated for SELF-PAYING STUDENTS, five (5) working days prior to registrations. Payments will be refunded when funding is confirmed. 

• Students with financial aid (i.e. NSAFA/bursary/loan) which does not cover the full cost of study for the year, MUST pay the first payment as indicated for SELF-PAYING STUDENTS, five (5) working days prior to registration. 

12. I cannot complete my registration due a hold(s) on my record; What should I do?

There are different holds and therefore you need to contact the relevant department before proceeding:

-  Finance hold If your account has been settled and you have done the first payment, you should not have any financial holds. You may access your account through the Student Self- Service portal.

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

- Academic advice hold – Relevant faculty adviser https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/faculty-list

- International holds (medical, VISA, etc.) – International Office niemannaja@ufs.ac.za / tshabalalal@ufs.ac.za

13. I cannot access my UFS profile.

Please contact our IT Helpdesk for technical issues on +27 51 401 9111 (select option 4). Alternatively, you can reset your password here – click on ‘Forgotten Password’ at the bottom left of the page.

You will receive ALL information from the university on your ufs4life email – make sure that you check your inbox regularly, as this is the only official communication channel used by the university to communicate with students.

Remember to check the UFS website and social-media platforms regularly to stay updated.

14. Can I still apply for 2023?

No. The university has reached its admissions capacity and is not able to take walk-in applicants in 2023.

Walk-in applicants are those prospective undergraduate students
- who did not submit an application for admission;
- who do not have an acknowledgement letter for 2023 study;
- who have submitted an application after the closing dates
or
- who do not have an offer to study.

15. What can I do if I have not applied yet and want to study?

First-year students without an acknowledgement letter for study in 2023, or who have submitted an application after the closing date of 30 September 2022, or who do not have an offer to study, should apply to the Central Application Clearing House (CACH).

CACH is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training, offering a service to assist applicants who wish to study at one of the many South African universities or colleges in 2023, but who have not yet applied or who have not been offered a place at the institution where they applied.

16. How do I register for studies on the UFS South Campus?

Take note that registration will take place from 30 January 2023 for Higher Certificate students in the Access Programme. Follow our registration steps.

17. I was placed on the faculty’s waiting list; when will I know if I have been accepted or not?

An offer will only be given to you if there is still space available, and if you meet the admission requirements of your designated faculty of interest.

18. Does the UFS recognise prior learning?

In principle, yes. However, you need to apply to undergo the RPL process. Click here for more information regarding the RPL process, or send an email to RPL@ufs.ac.za

19. I need curriculum/academic advice. I need clarity about my degree/programme/modules.

Curriculum compilation takes place in accordance with faculty rules. If there is any uncertainty about degree/module codes, please obtain curriculum enrolment advice before registration.

Module codes have been changed to a large extent and students must ensure that they are knowledgeable of the changes that will influence their registration. The faculty rulebooks can be found on the UFS website at https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/rule- books.

Contact your faculty’s academic adviser directly or send an email to advising@ufs.ac.za (Bloemfontein Campus) | advisingqq@ufs.ac.za (Qwaqwa Campus) I advisingsc@ufs.ac.za (South Campus) for assistance, and like the Facebook page for frequent updates. Click here for more information.

20. What is a merit award?

Merit awards are automatically allocated to students on the basis of performance.

21. How will I know if I qualify for a merit award?

If you have qualified for a merit award, you will receive an allocation that will be reflected in your Academic Data Summary under Student Documents in the Self-Service portal. The fee accounts of students who qualify for academic merit awards will be credited with the amount of the award after they have registered as UFS students.

22. Must I pay the first payment for registration if I have a merit award?

If you qualify for an academic merit award, it may be used partially or fully to cover the first payment.

23. How can I change my degree if I am already a student at the UFS?

A prospective and/or existing student who wants to change a qualification before registering, must complete a DV2 or DV3 form and personally see to it that the necessary approval from the programme director and the qualification code, as required on the DV form, is obtained. Students should also ensure that they obtain the necessary academic advice regarding the relevant module code(s) for which they need to register for the new qualification.

Click here for more information.

24. How can I change my location/campus of study?

You will need to contact your faculty adviser for guidance on the approval process, as this is dependent on the programme you have enrolled for, as well as the general rules.

25. Is the UFS Postgraduate School taking late applications?

The UFS cannot accept late applications. You are welcome to contact Student Academic Services (SAS) to enquire about the status of your application at studentadmin@ufs.ac.za/ 051 401 9111. Take note that a fee per module may be charged for later registration.

The UFS International Affairs Office offers specialised administrative support to ease international students into their new environment and beyond.

All students who are not South African citizens must present either a permanent residence permit, study visa, asylum seekers permit, refugees visa, research visa, or exceptional skills visa, which should have been obtained from the South African Department of Home Affairs, SA High Commission, or a SA embassy or consulate. Generally, it must be obtained prior to arrival in South Africa.

The permit must be valid for 2023. If you cannot provide the study visa or other residence permit at registration, you will not be permitted to register. For unblocking, you are urged to contact the International Office to submit the required documents. Send documents via email to niemannaja@ufs.ac.za / tshabalalala@ufs.ac.za . The International Office will also support you should you experience immigration challenges, including challenges with the visa application process.

NB: The Department of Home Affairs has granted institutions of higher learning permission to provisionally register international students who have applied for a study visa in South Africa if they can present a receipt from the VFS as proof of application.

Medical Schemes

In terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 as amended and its regulations, any prospective student in the Republic of South Africa MUST provide proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998.

View medical-aid schemes that are accepted in South Africa here.
For more information about the medical-aid providers in South Africa, please contact: Simeka Health or Momentum Health:

Simeka Health:
Joseph Brown: +27 51 400 3801 / +27 82 453 7939 or joseph@simekahealth.co.za

Momentum Health:
Nikita.balram@momentum.co.za

Click here for important 2023 registration information for international students.

Academic advising at the UFS focuses on helping students to plan and manage their educational journey, and to guide them through decision-making processes related to their study modules.

For the 2023 registration process, academic advising support will take place as follows:
- 30 January-17 February 2023: Senior and postgraduate students
- 6-17 February 2023 : First-year students

Contact your faculty or the Central Advising (CTL) office for any academic advice or queries.

26. Where can I find out about finances?

Please click here for helpful links regarding finances.

27. What will my fees be?

Click here for more information.
Online quotation: https://quote.ufs.ac.za/ModuleQuote/Create

Bloemfontein and South Campuses:
Email: tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za | call: 051 401 9111 (select option 3) 

Qwaqwa Campus
Email:  MoengNM@ufs.ac.za | mofubePM@ufs.ac.za | zuluA@ufs.ac.za l call: +27 58 718 5024 / 5262 / 5295

28. What are the payment options and banking details?

- Click here for banking details for cash deposits or EFTs;
- Click here for online credit card payments:

29. Are NSFAS applications still open?

Yes, NSFAS applications are open until 31 January 2023. Please visit the NSFAS website  to apply online.  

Visit the UFS website for more information relating to Financial Aid.

Students are welcome to contact the UFS Financial Aid office for your designated campus here:

Bloemfontein Campus
Email: FinAidenquiriesbfn@ufs.ac.za or call: +27 51 401 9111 (option 3)

South Campus
Email: FinAidenquiriessouth@ufs.ac.za or call: +27 51 401 9111 (option 3)

Qwaqwa Campus
Email: FinAidQwa@ufs.ac.za or call:  24 51 401 9111 (option 3)

30. Where can I get assistance with financial aid for 2023?

Click here for more information about NSFAS and other bursaries offered by the UFS.

NSFAS also does not fund the University Access Programmes (UAP), as it is a bridging programme. You must fund your own studies and apply for mainstream studies the following year if you have successfully passed your UAP year. NSFAS funding ONLY applies to the Higher Certificates presented via the UFS South Campus.

32. I would like to be placed in an on-campus UFS residence; what do I need to do?

The UFS Housing and Residence Affairs (HRA) placement policy is based on the following criteria:
- Bloemfontein Campus: minimum AP score = 30, and younger than 22;
- Qwaqwa Campus: minimum AP score = 25;
- South Campus: admission to a full-time programme.

For senior students to be considered for on-campus placement and to continue staying in the residence, you need to go through a process referred as ‘renewal of placement’. Every year, all students staying in junior/undergraduate residences must re-apply for renewal of placement for the following year. Academic and age criteria are applicable in this regard.

For general enquiries about housing placement, please contact resapplications@ufs.ac.za or 051 401 9111 (select option 6).

For South Campus accommodation queries, contact SCresapplications@ufs.ac.za 

33. Who do I contact if I need to find out something about my residence?

Contact details are supplied on each residence’s home page.

You can also contact the Central contact centre on +27 51 401 9111.

Contact details
      
For further assistance, please contact our Housing and Residence Affairs Office:


Residence Placement
resapplications@ufs.ac.za

34. Is there any off-campus residence or accommodation where I can stay?

Visit the Residences home page for more information.

35. When is the 2023 orientation week for first-year students, and how will it work?

Visit the first-year orientation web page

The Gateway Orientation programme is purposefully designed to orientate new students effectively to the university environment. It will help you with the transition to higher education and is compulsory for all first-year students at the UFS. The orientation is packed with information that will help you to succeed at university.

You can also talk to the orientation team via WhatsApp and ask any questions related to orientation.

36. When is the 2023 orientation week for senior students, and how will it work?

Senior orientation will happen on Blackboard.

Senior orientation helps our students to successfully navigate their transition by grouping all the important information. The orientation gives you an opportunity to meet people in the campus community, to start planning your professional development, to establish realistic expectations aligned with those of the institution, and to foster a sense of belonging as senior students.

So, in addition to centralising important information, the orientation will connect you to dynamic support programmes that will enable you to achieve your full potential and to reach the finish line at the UFS.

You can look forward to learning more about:
- The UFS Graduation Positioning System (GPS@UFS) • Advising for seniors
- Student finances
- Academic support
- Career and wellness

Having trouble accessing the orientation?
Chat to us via WhatsApp on +27 87 240 6370.

37. What is GlobalProtect?

The UFS is proud to present Digital Life, a portal that links you to learning resources while off-campus. It is important that our students are connected and able to access academic resources. The GlobalProtect platform is your gateway to accessing zero- rated academic resources.

The GlobalProtect VPN portal links you to specific academic resources for free during these uncertain times. It hosts zero-rated resources, which means you are exempt from data fees when accessing these specific academic websites through the https://myaccess.ufs.ac.za GlobalProtect platform. If you are using a desktop/laptop, please refer to the site for full details on getting connected. You can also watch the video tutorials for free here.

38. What can I access with GlobalProtect?

All websites falling into the following categories: business and economy; educational institutions; financial services; government; health and medicine; philosophy and political advocacy; reference and research; and training and tools.

Examples of available resources: UFS website; Blackboard; Blackboard Collaborate; RIMS; Questionmark; UFS4Life email; Password Self-Service; UFS Library resources; KovsieApp (mobile app); Kovsie Scholar; M-Reader; My Academic, and many more.
  
39. Who can use this service?

All registered students of the UFS. You will be required to log in with your UFS username and password.

This service is available to students with Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, or Telkom Mobile coverage, even if you have a zero balance on your SIM card.

40. I am struggling to connect to GlobalProtect; what should I do?

Contact the Central contact centre: Contact details (during office hours: 07:45-16:30) T: 051 401 9111 (select option 4) or E: studentdesk@ufs.ac.za

41. I don’t have a device.

Owning or having regular access to a laptop has become a necessity, and therefore we urge you to prepare for this new reality. Ideally, you should have your own device. However, the UFS and the government know that some students will not be able to purchase a laptop and are therefore engaging with NSFAS and other bursars to include support to cover the purchase of a device within its funding allocation for 2021.

The following specifications for a laptop are recommended: Intel Core i3/ AMD Ryzen equivalent CPU, 4-8 GB Ram, and 500 GB/ 256 SSD hard disk.

All students (including students receiving bursaries from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)), will need to manage their bursary and funds carefully to ensure that they are able to purchase a laptop.

Your student card is proof that you are registered at the UFS and allows you to access university facilities. It can also be used to pay for meals and to purchase books from participating on- and off-campus service providers. A complete list of service providers accepting student card payments is available on the Student Finance webpage.

Student Cards: Click here for more information here

Steps to get your student card:

- Complete a student card application form.
- Provide proof of registration for the current academic year.
- Provide your ID/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 his/her card immediately.

How much does it cost?

- A student receives his/her first student card free of charge.
- All subsequent replacement cards cost R100. Proof of payment must be presented before a replacement card can be issued.
- The money can be deposited in 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 directly followed by student number

Get your student card here:

Bloemfontein Campus
Student cards for first-time entering students and senior students can be obtained at the following venues:
- 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 students and senior students can be obtained at the following venues:
- 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 students and senior students can be obtained at the following venue:
- Waiting area at the Main Gate – no access permit required.

Operating hours
Monday to Friday: 07:45-16:30
Find us on the web https://www.ufs.ac.za/kovsielife/unlisted-pages/tuition-fees/student-card-32

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)