The University of the Free State (UFS) is excited to welcome our students to campus next week. As a residential university, it remains important that our students experience an on-campus student life and that staff and students can learn, work, and socialise in a way that minimises risk while still complying with the necessary COVID-19-related protocols.

Lectures will commence on 21 February 2022 in a blended teaching and learning approach, where 67% of modules on offer will be in a face-to-face format – as approved by the Academic Committee in 2021.

Face-to-face lectures refer to those modules identified by faculties to be presented on campus. The university will continue with this blended approach; each faculty has identified and communicated modules that will be offered through an online approach.

Students attending lectures on campus must be vaccinated. Unvaccinated students must upload a negative SARS (COVID-19) PCR test (not older than one week), have an approved deferral or an approved exemption, in order to access campus. The necessary health regulations will apply in lecture halls, with everyone expected to wear a mask and to sanitise. More information on access to campus click here.

These arrangements apply for the first term of 2022; it will be monitored continuously, after which assessment will be done, and adjustments will be made to the academic programme where needed.

After almost two years of the national lockdown, the campuses are ready to receive our students, for them to experience student life and to commence with their academic activities.