Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
31 January 2024 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo ANJA AUCAMP
Dr Martin Laubscher
Dr Martin Laubscher’s thesis, crowned with the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize, is testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to scholarly excellence.

In a historic triumph that reverberates over four decades since its inception, the UFS has clinched the coveted Andrew Murray Prize – now renamed the Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu Prize – for the first time. Standing shoulder to shoulder with institutions such as the University of Pretoria (UP) and Stellenbosch University (SU), this achievement marks a significant milestone in the UFS’ journey.

At the heart of this accomplishment lies the profound contribution of Dr Martin Laubscher, distinguished Senior Lecturer specialising in Practical and Missional Theology in the Faculty of Theology and Religion. Dr Laubscher’s dedication and scholarly prowess culminated in the groundbreaking work titled Publieke teologie as profetiese teologie? (Public theology as prophetic theology), a revised edition of his doctoral thesis, which was originally crafted at Stellenbosch University in 2020, with a focus on the eminent Karl Barth.

Dr Laubscher received the Andrew Murray Prize for Theological Books in Afrikaans for his research and insightful analysis. The journey started when he realised, under the guidance of his study leader, Prof Dion Forster, that his script had the potential to be published in Afrikaans. Sun Media’s interest in publishing this work in Afrikaans, led to it being the first-ever published thesis in Afrikaans. Dr Laubscher recalls, “I was grateful and excited about Sun Media’s interest. The book emerged within a year, and during a celebratory launch Prof Forster suggested I submit it for the Andrew Murray Prize.”

Earlier this year, Dr Laubscher was excited to learn that he was being shortlisted for the prestigious award. Reflecting on the significant moment, he shares, “The elation I felt upon receiving the news was unparalleled. I was not only celebrating a personal triumph, but also etching my name as the first laureate from our faculty to secure this prestigious accolade.”

News Archive

Funding available for Research Master’s and Doctoral studies
2015-11-30

The University of the Free State (UFS) has announced the availability of tuition bursaries for full-time and part-time studies in 2016.

All research master’s and PhD students who register in 2016 will receive funding to cover their tuition fees. South African and international students are eligible to apply.

The total value of the funding is equivalent to the annual tuition fees applicable for students from the SADC region, while the tuition of international students will be covered for 33% of the value of their studies.

Funding is available for two years for master’s students, and three and four years respectively for full-time and part-time PhD students. Renewal of the funding will be dependent on the previous year’s academic progress. To qualify, students must meet all academic requirements of the UFS and must have been provisionally admitted to an academic programme.

The UFS also recently announced that final-year undergraduate students, as well as students from other universities, may apply and pay no application or registration fees for an Honours degree in 2016. Click here for more information about Honours studies in 2016.

The Postgraduate School in the Johannes Brill Building can provide more information about all the scholarships, bursaries as well as offer research training support available for postgraduate studies.

The deadline for applications for Honours bursaries was 30 November 2015. There is no deadline for master’s and PhD bursary applications, as postgraduate students can register for these qualifications throughout the year.

All postgraduate application enquires can be directed to Ms Joy Nogabe on +27(0)51 401 7161 or nogabesj@ufs.ac.za.


We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept