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14 December 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied
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

Resources at your fingertips

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

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:

  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

The silent struggles of those with invisible disabilities
2016-12-13

Description: Dr Magteld Smith, invisible disabilities Tags: Dr Magteld Smith, invisible disabilities 

Dr Magteld Smith, researcher and deaf awareness
activist, from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology
at the UFS.

December is International Disability Awareness Month. Despite equality before the law and some improvements in societal attitudes, people with disabilities are still disadvantaged in many aspects of their lives. They are more likely to be the victims of crime, sexual abuse, are more likely to earn a low income or be unemployed, and less likely to gain qualifications than people without disabilities.

Demystifying disabilities is crucial

Dr Magteld Smith, a researcher at the University of the Free State (UFS) School of Medicine’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology, says that often people think the term “disability” only refers to people using a wheelchair, etc. However, this is a misperception because some individuals have visible disabilities, which can be seen, and some have invisible disabilities, which can’t be seen. Others have both visible and invisible disabilities. There is an ongoing debate as to which group has the greatest life struggles. Those with visible disabilities frequently have to explain what they can do, while individuals with invisible disabilities have to make clear what they cannot do.

Invisible disability is an umbrella term that captures a whole spectrum of invisible disabilities and the focus is not to maintain a list of specific conditions and diagnoses that are considered invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities include debilitating fatigue, pain, cognitive dysfunctions, mental disorders, hearing and eyesight disabilities and conditions that are primarily neurological in nature.

Judging books by their covers
According to Dr Smith, research indicates that people living with invisible disabilities often suffer more strained relationships than those with visible disabilities due to a serious lack of knowledge, doubts and suspicion around their disability status.

Society might also make serious allegations that people with invisible disabilities are “faking it” or believe they are “lazy”, and sometimes think they are using their invisible disability as an “excuse” to receive “special treatment”, while the person has special needs to function.

Giving recognition and praise
“One of the most heartbreaking attitudes towards persons with invisible disabilities is that they very seldom enjoy acknowledgement for their efforts and accomplishments. The media also seldom report on the achievements of persons with invisible disabilities,” says Dr Smith.

Society has to understand that a person with a disability or disabilities is diagnosed by a medical professional involving various medical procedures and tests. It is not for a society to make any diagnosis of another person.

Dr Smith says the best place to start addressing misperceptions is for society to broaden its understanding of the vast, varying world of disabilities and be more sensitive about people with invisible disabilities. They should be acknowledged and given the same recognition as people with visible disabilities.

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