Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
22 January 2025 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Supplied
University of the Free State - Main Gate
The THE rankings are known to guide potential students to identify the best institutions for their chosen field of study, allowing them to compare different universities based on the strength of their academic offerings in specific study fields.

The recently published Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025 shows that the University of the Free State (UFS) is ranked among the top 1 000 global higher learning institutions in its nine evaluated subjects, with most subject areas showing improved results from those recorded in 2024. 

The annually published THE World University Rankings by Subject is a highly regarded, trusted global benchmark for academic excellence in specific disciplines. Its methodology is designed to evaluate universities by employing a range of performance indicators categorised under five core pillars, namely Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook. 

Under Teaching, factors such as reputation, student-to-staff ratio, doctorate-to-bachelor ratio, and institutional income are considered. The Research pillar focuses on aspects such as productivity, citation impact, and influence. Among the other considerations are the income generated from industry partnerships and patents, as well as the number of international students, staff, and co-authored publications.

The methodology is carefully adjusted for each subject, ensuring fairness and accuracy by considering field-specific research cultures and publication practices.

The complete list of UFS subject rankings is as follows:

Law: 301+  *
Arts and Humanities: 501-600 # 
Education Studies: 501-600  #
Psychology: 501-600  #
Life Sciences: 601-800  #
Social Sciences: 601-800 #
Medical and Health: 801-1 000  #

Physical Sciences: 801-1 000 #

*The “+” label indicates that there is no upper limit and is used in instances where the THE does not provide exact ranks for universities beyond this position, therefore grouping institutions together to avoid overly fine distinctions at lower ranking tiers. (Eg. 801+ indicates 801st or lower.)

# The range label (eg. 801-1000), indicates that a university is ranked somewhere within this narrower range, (eg. between 801st  and 1000th. )

For more detail, visit: www.timeshighereducation.com

The THE rankings are known to guide potential students to identify the best institutions for their chosen field of study, allowing them to compare different universities based on the strength of their academic offerings in specific study fields. It also often paves the way for research collaboration, as companies are more likely to partner with highly ranked institutions in a specific sector for research and development projects. Furthermore, strong subject rankings enhance the international reputation of universities and enable comprehensive comparison in particular disciplines.

“This type of global benchmarking is extremely valuable in enhancing the international reputation of the UFS, enabling us to ultimately recruit and attract the most talented students and staff from our region and from across the globe. This aligns with our institutional strategy contained in Vision 130, whereby we aim to grow and extend our impact and influence locally, regionally, and globally,” says Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal. “Valuable knowledge and insights are also garnered during each evaluation process, allowing us to remain a globally competitive force in higher education, and to take the UFS to even greater heights in the years to come.”

Click to view document Click to view UFS Times Higher Subject Scores

News Archive

Campus-wide poll to determine preferences among current staff and students for language models
2015-10-28

New dates: Campus-wide poll to determine preferences among current staff and students for language models – 29 October to 4 November 2015


Due to the past week’s national #Feesmustfall student protest action, the language poll has been moved to 29 October 2015-4 November 2015 on all three campuses.

The poll will take place at the following venues from 29 October to 4 November 2015, 08:00-16:30, including the weekend:

Bloemfontein Campus:

Kestell Residence Gazellie
(Map from Main Gate to Kestell Residence: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zpxto53qbJos.kvfli1pCFvWQ&usp=sharing

Fish Tank, SRC Building, Thakaneng Bridge

(Map from Main Gate to the SRC Building: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zpxto53qbJos.kJMo3STc445g)

Qwaqwa Campus:

VIP Lounge
(Map from the Main Gate to the VIP Lounge: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zpxto53qbJos.ka4YghcxZVxc&usp=sharing)

South Campus:

Conference Hall
(Map from the Main Gate to the Conference Hall:  https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zpxto53qbJos.klMitM9RWCnA&usp=sharing)


Online option available:

Go to http://www.ufs.ac.za/language to participate. This URL will be active as from Thursday 29 October at 08:00. Staff to log in with their username and password and students to use their UFS credentials (your username is your student number and your password is the one you use to log in on Blackboard).

Please note that the campus-wide poll is NOT a formal voting process or referendum and will form only one part of many deciding factors that will be referred to the UFS Council on 4 December 2015 for their deliberations regarding the future of the language policy at the UFS. The poll, conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), will be indicative of the preferences of staff and students for possible language model options, with specific focus on language of instruction.  

To take part in the polling at the allocated venues, a valid staff or student card must be produced. Polling will take place on the basis of one poll per current staff member/student.

We look forward to your participation in the poll and hereby thank the entire university community for their ongoing interest and responsible engagement with the review process.

For enquiries send an email to language@ufs.ac.za or call +27(0)51 401 3422.


Q & A:


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