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2024 Registration
Join the vibrant University of the Free State family and embark on an exciting academic journey! Regularly visit our comprehensive registration website for all the key info you need to thrive.

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

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Navigate your registration journey smoothly with these resources:

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

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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

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

  1. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: https://www.ufs.ac.za/econ
  2. Faculty of Education: https://www.ufs.ac.za/edu
  3. Faculty of Health Sciences: https://www.ufs.ac.za/health
  4. Faculty of The Humanities: https://www.ufs.ac.za/humanities
  5. Faculty of Law: https://www.ufs.ac.za/law
  6. Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: https://www.ufs.ac.za/natagri
  7. 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

Louzanne Coetzee breaks 16-year-old world record
2016-03-24

Description: Louzanne Coetzee kampioen Tags: Louzanne Coetzee kampioen

Louzanne Coetzee (left) running the 5 000 m at the Nedbank National Championships at the Free State Athletics stadium with her guide, Khotatso Mokone (right)
Photo: Celeste Klopper Photography

Whether it’s the 5 000 m or the 1 500 m, Louzanne Coetzee is breaking records in all her races. Fans of the University of the Free State (UFS) student were elated at her triumph with the 5 000 m T11 world record at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled on Wednesday 23 March 2016.

The record, which has stood for 16 years, was shattered by Coetzee’s stellar 19:17.06 performance. Sigita Markeviciene’s long-standing mark of 20:05.81, set at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, was bettered by 48.75 seconds when Coetzee and her guide, Khotatso Mokone, sprinted hand in hand past the finish line. 

Coetzee’s coach is as elated as the world-class athlete’s fans over her officially becoming the first totally blind female to clock sub-20 minute in the 5 000 m. "I am proud and grateful. She earned it through and through. She worked hard for this,” said Rufus Botha.

The experience was a surreal one for Coetzee. “It was unreal but it is exciting to be the fastest in Africa and the world. I could not have done it without the support system that I have,” she said.

"I have seldom met a student with the character and humanity of Louzanne Coetzee; she represents the best of campus and country, and is a stunning example of what we canal  achieve despite the great challenges of the present," said Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.

New African record holder

Two days before breaking the 5 000 m world record, Coetzee set a new African record in the 1 500 m. She lowered the mark from 5:27:21 to 5:18:44, which placed her at the number nine spot in the world.

On Friday 18 March 2016 Coetzee had broken her own South African record when she ran 5 000 m in less than 20 minutes at the Free State Championships. However, the race is not an official (International Paralympic Committee) meeting, and hence remains unofficial.

What’s next?


The gold medallist is currently preparing for the Athletics Grand Prix to be held in Switzerland in May for which she is raising funds. If she is selected by SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee), her next stop is the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which is just six months away.

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