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University of the Free State

· Public University

Admissions open
Type
Public University
Founded
Students
International

University of the Free State: the applicant's brief

6 findings
  1. The short answer

    The University of the Free State is a public university in South Africa, based in Bloemfontein and operating across multiple campuses. It suits students who want a public South African university and are willing to check current programme and admission details directly on the university website.

  2. What you can study

    The university is a multi-campus public university, but no subject areas or programme list is given here. Its programme catalogue should be confirmed on the official website before applying.

  3. Getting in

    International applicants should use the university website to confirm entry requirements, document lists, deadlines, and whether their qualifications are accepted. The university does not publish a detailed international admissions procedure in the information available here, so confirm the current process with the admissions office.

  4. What it costs

    The university does not publish a tuition fee range for international students; confirm the current rate with its admissions office. Living costs in Bloemfontein will depend on housing, transport, and personal spending, so check current local costs before applying.

  5. Coming from abroad

    The university is in South Africa, with its main campus in Bloemfontein and two satellite campuses. The language of instruction is not stated here, so confirm it on the official website, along with visa requirements, entry documents, accommodation options, and whether your chosen programme is available to international students.

  6. How it compares

    South Africa has 29 universities, and the University of the Free State sits among them as a public, multi-campus institution in Bloemfontein. Its main practical difference is its structure and location; the details that matter next are the programme list, language of instruction, and international entry requirements, which need to be checked directly.

Written from this university's catalogue entry and its cited encyclopedia summary. Figures are only shown where the institution or a cited source publishes them — always confirm fees and entry requirements with the university itself before applying.

Questions about University of the Free State

What type of university is the University of the Free State?

It is a public university.

Where is the University of the Free State located?

It is based in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa.

Does the university have more than one campus?

Yes. It is a multi-campus university with two satellite campuses.

What should international applicants check before applying?

They should confirm entry requirements, deadlines, accepted qualifications, the programme catalogue, and the current tuition fee with the university's admissions office.

Overview

The University of the Free State is a multi-campus public university in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa. It was first established as an institution of higher learning in 1904 as a tertiary section of Grey College. It was declared an independent Afrikaans-language university in 1950 and the name was changed to the University of the Orange Free State. The university has two satellite campuses. Initially a whites-only precinct, the university was fully de-segregated in 1996. The first black university vice-chancellor was appointed in 2010.

Tuition fees & costs

Indicative annual tuition

On request

Indicative living cost

Fees vary by programme and are indicative. Confirm exact fees with the university before applying.

Admission requirements

How to apply

  1. 1Check the entry requirements and intake dates for your chosen programme on the official university website.
  2. 2Confirm you meet the academic requirements (high-school certificate, bachelor’s degree or equivalent) for the programme.
  3. 3Apply directly through the university admission portal, or via its official application platform.
  4. 4Submit your transcripts and English-proficiency scores (IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo English Test) and pay the application fee.
  5. 5On receiving your offer letter, accept it and begin your student-visa process for South Africa.

Related universities

Last updated 29 Aug 2026. Information is provided for guidance — verify with official sources before applying.

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