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Disruption of academic activities on the UFS Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on 12 February 2025

12 February 2025 | Story Lacea Loader

On 12 February 2025, disruption of academic activities occurred on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS); this followed the disruptions that occurred on 11 February 2025. On the Qwaqwa Campus, attempts to disrupt academic activities also occurred on 12 February 2024.

A memorandum of demands from the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) was handed over to the university management on 11 February 2025, to which management responded; these demands are related to registration and funding.

Financial concessions have been granted to students on two occasions so far this year to enable them to register. On 10 February 2025, the university granted follow-up concessions.

Furthermore, the institution’s Financial Working Group (FWG) – which includes representatives from the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) – met regularly to determine how it could best assist students to register, taking into consideration the financial constraints of the university.

On the Bloemfontein Campus, 15 students were arrested on 12 February 2025 for transgression of the interdict; internal disciplinary processes are being instituted.

The university’s Protection Services has activated its protest management security escalation plan in accordance with the UFS Protest Management Policy; the situation on the campuses is being closely monitored.

All classes are continuing as normal, and no classes have been suspended.

It is important to note the NSFAS-related progress made up until now:

NSFAS funding has been confirmed and allocated to 25 551 students.
22 246 of these students have already been successfully registered for the academic year.
NSFAS allowances were paid to 14 303 registered students on 3 February 2025.
On 17 February 2025, interim allowances will be paid to 7 943 students who were not registered at the time of the first round of payments.

Financial concessions have been granted to students during two occasions so far this year. On 10 February 2025, the university granted the following follow-up concessions:

1. NSFAS-funded students

Criteria:

NSFAS funding for 2025 must be confirmed and reflected on the acknowledgement of debt (AOD) or registration verification document.
Historic debt may not exceed R35 000.

Concessions:

No payment is required.
Students will be eligible for full registration.

Criteria:

NSFAS funding for 2025 must be confirmed and reflected on the acknowledgement of debt (AOD) or registration verification document.
Historic debt exceeding R35 000 but not exceeding R50 000.

Concessions:

No payment is required.
Students will be eligible for provisional registration. Provisional registration applications must be submitted, and all other terms and conditions will apply.

2. Returning self-paying South African students:

Criteria:

Historic debt must not exceed R35 000.
Must sign an acknowledgment of debt (AOD).

Concessions:

No payment is required.
Students will be eligible for provisional registration. Provisional registration applications must be submitted, and all other terms and conditions will apply.

3. Final-year students:

Students with an average mark of above 60% were assisted with Monitoring bursaries.
2025 final-year students with an average mark of between 50% and 60% will be assisted with the following concessions.

Criteria:

Final-year students with a pass rate of between 50 and 60% and with outstanding fees up to a maximum of R60 000 to register provisionally.

Concessions:

No payment is required.
Students must complete a provisional registration application and attach an AOD, covering historic debt plus the first payment required for 2025 registration.

4. Postgraduate students

The Department of Finance is in contact with the Centre for Postgraduate Support to fast-track funding confirmations.
Postgraduate students who have studied at other institutions and wish to register at the UFS must contact Student Finance for possible assistance with registration.

News Archive

The UFS warmly welcomes 2016 first-years

2016-01-06

The University of the Free State (UFS) is ready to offer a warm welcome to all first-year and senior students for the 2016 academic year. In striving for excellence, we intend to provide an environment that is conducive to students enjoying their learning experience. To ensure that you, as new Kovsies, are able to navigate all three campuses easily, and receive the assistance you need, we have compiled a list for your information and convenience below.

Gateway Pocket Guide 2016

To assist you in finding your way on campus and to answer frequently asked questions, please read this document and refer to the accompanying map:
Information Sheet and Registration Map 2016.

Important dates

Bloemfontein Campus

18 - 22 January 2016: First-year student registration (Yearbooks) (view the full academic advice programme here)
25 - 29 January 2016: Senior resident student registration (Yearbooks) (view the full academic advice programme here)
20 January 2016: First-year athletics
23 January 2016: First-year sports tournament
30 January 2016: Rag procession
1 February 2016: Lectures start

South Campus

Registration and Orientation dates for the South Campus
1 February 2016: Lectures start

Qwaqwa Campus
Pre- and post-registration information for the Qwaqwa Campus
19-22 January 2016: Registration - first-year undergraduate students
22-25 January 2016: Gateway Orientation - first-year undergraduate students (Gateway Pocket Guide 2016)
25-29 January 2016: Registration - senior residence students (undergraduate and honours)
25 January 2016: Registration - International students
26 January 2016: Official welcoming - first-year students
18 January – 5 February 2016: Registration - master’s and doctoral students
1-5 February 2016: Module and Qualification changes (all faculties)

1 February 2016: Lectures start

Stepping to success at UFS Qwaqwa Campus
Programme for other Gateway activities

Contact numbers

Bloemfontein Campus

Switchboard: +27(0)51 401 9111	Admissions: +27(0)51 401 9864/ 3693/ 3696	Financial Aid: +27(0)51 401 7175/ 9359/ 2103
Tuition Fees: Accounts/amounts payable: Undergraduate: +27(0)51 401 2806 / 3003 Postgraduate, BML and e-Learn students: +27(0)51 401 9537	Bursaries: +27(0)51 401 9160/ 3603	Loans: +27(0)51 401 9359/ 3202
Female Residences: +27(0)51 401 3455	Male Residences: +27(0)51 401 3562	Postgraduate Bursaries: +27(0)51 401 2045

South Campus

Switchboard: +27(0)51 401 9111	Tuition Fees: +27(0)51 401 2806/ 3003
Female Residences: +27(0)51 401 3455	Male Residences: +27(0)51 401 3562
Admissions: University Preparation Programme (UPP): +27 (0)51 505 1201/ 1362 Advanced Certificate in Teaching (ACT): +27 (0)51 505 1378 National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE): +27 (0)51 505 1221 Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE): +27 (0)51 505 1342 Varsity College: +27 (0)51 505 1378 Short Learning Programmes: +27 (0)51 505 1436

Qwaqwa Campus

Switchboard: +27 (0)58 718 5000	Admissions: +27 (0)58 718 5011/ 5012/ 5022
Tuition Fees: +27 (0)58 718 5024/ 5119	Financial Aid: +27 (0) 58 718 5062/ 5061/ 5038
Accommodation: +27 (0) 58 718 5030/ 5016

Payments and registration

Registration fees are payable five days before the registration date.

Once you have registered, you will be able to access your official timetable. Use our campus maps to easily find your way around.

For detailed payment information, visit our Tuition Fees website.

Student card

Students on the Bloemfontein Campus have to obtain a student card from the Card Division on the Thakeneng Bridge. Your student card is your official university identification, and allows you access to:

campus
residence
events
library
computer labs.

With your student card, you are also able to pay for:

meals
books
electronic items.

General

Once you are registered, important announcements will be emailed to your student email account (studentnumber@ufs4life.ac.za). Information regarding assessments and electronic study material related to the modules you are registered for at the university will be posted on Blackboard - an online learning management system. For Blackboard-related queries, dial +27 (0)51 401 9452.

Safety and security is a priority here at the UFS. Protection services are available 24 hours a day on +27(0)51 401 / 2911. In addition, the Health and Wellness Centre is here to cater for your health needs.

Please like the University of the Free State and the Kovsie2B Facebook pages to stay up-to-date about what is happening at the UFS.

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