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Embark on your academic journey: UFS 2024 registration guide

14 December 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) warmly welcomes its future, present, and returning students to an exciting academic year, where opportunities for growth, learning, and community abound. As a proud member of the vibrant UFS family, get ready to dive into a world of knowledge and experiences that will shape your future. The UFS strongly urges all incoming first-year and senior students to frequent the registration website for a complete and detailed overview of essential information.

Important dates to remember

All new first-year students, mark your calendars for essential dates:

Curriculum advice and registration: 5-9 February 2024
Classes commence: 12 February 2024
Last date to add/change modules: 16 February 2024
Deadline to cancel modules with full credit: 31 March 2024

Senior students, your academic year begins with guidance from your faculties – starting from 22 January 2024, leading to these crucial dates:

Registration: 29 January-12 February 2024
Classes commence: 12 February 2024
Last date to add/change modules: 16 February 2024
Last date to cancel modules with full credit: 31 March 2024

Postgraduate students, your journey towards enrolment and progression includes:

Registration for new research master’s and doctoral students takes place throughout the year.
For returning master’s and doctoral students:
First semester: 29 January-12 February 2024
Second semester: 8-19 July 2024

Resources at your fingertips

Navigate your registration journey smoothly with these resources:

Registration Guide: 8 steps to take: https://ufsweb.co/3sZOOet
Online Registration Guide – User Manual: https://ufsweb.co/489Qf8O
Registration Guide – First-Year Students: https://ufsweb.co/4aeLQDF
Registration Guide – Senior Students: https://ufsweb.co/46RMWSC
Registration Guide – Postgraduate Students: https://ufsweb.co/3TnjeSm
Registration Activity Guide – User Manual: https://ufsweb.co/47Tvv5O
Service Request Management – User Manual: https://ufsweb.co/3t5cIFp

How to seek assistance

Should you require guidance or have enquiries regarding the registration process, multiple avenues are at your disposal:

Institutional Contact Centre: Call +27 51 401 9111 or WhatsApp +27 87 240 6370

Email Support: Reach out to studentadmin@ufs.ac.za

Faculty support tailored for you

Each faculty offers specialised support designed to cater to your needs:

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: https://www.ufs.ac.za/econ
Faculty of Education: https://www.ufs.ac.za/edu
Faculty of Health Sciences: https://www.ufs.ac.za/health
Faculty of The Humanities: https://www.ufs.ac.za/humanities
Faculty of Law: https://www.ufs.ac.za/law
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: https://www.ufs.ac.za/natagri
Faculty of Theology and Religion: https://www.ufs.ac.za/theology

Prepare to embark on an incredible academic expedition at the University of the Free State! As part of the UFS family, immerse yourself in a diverse, vibrant, and enriching community. Welcome aboard and get ready to thrive!

News Archive

Democracy and traditional leadership in rural areas explored

2017-09-22

Prof Lungisile Ntsebeza, recipient of the NRF Hamilton
Naki Award
Photo: Supplied

The Free State Centre for Human Rights held a presentation by Prof Lungisile Ntsebeza on 7 September 2017 at the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus on the topic of democracy and traditional leadership in rural areas. Prof Ntsebeza is the holder of the AC Jordan Chair in African Studies at the University of Cape Town and the holder of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Chair in Land Reform and Democracy in South Africa.

Conflict between democracy and traditional rule
The topic of democracy and traditional leadership in the rural areas is an example of the tension between democracy and customary law governing the appointment of traditional leaders (headmen) that is currently at play in many parts of the country. Prof Ntsebeza made reference to a court case in the Eastern Cape, where a community successfully challenged the appointment of a headman by the royal family of the area. The contention was whether royal families could appoint headmen in rural communities or if those communities ought to democratically elect their own leaders. He argued that in this specific case, the democratic imperatives of the Constitution did not conflict with customary law because of the particular communal practice of electing leaders.

The Constitution and customary law
The Constitution of South Africa recognises customary law provisions which are not in conflict with its fundamental values. Difficult legitimacy problems may arise where customary practices are different from those governing this particular case. Ultimately the Constitutional Court would be called upon to resolve inherent tensions and develop customary law in line with the direction foreseen in the Constitution.

Student engagement as a vehicle for change
The event was attended by UFS staff and fourth-year LLB students in the Faculty of Law, and was funded by the Free State Centre for Human Rights at UFS. The programme is one of several that the centre seeks to utilise in engaging students with researchers and scholars in the field of law and human rights. Prof Ntsebeza has given academic presentations on various related and trending topics in the current academic climate, such as decolonising the curriculum, Cecil John Rhodes and others. He was recently awarded the Hamilton Naki Award at the 2017 National Research Foundation Awards.

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