Rhodes University (RU or simply Rhodes) is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is one of four universities in the province. Established in 1904, Rhodes University is the province’s oldest university, and it is the fifth or sixth oldest South African university in continuous operation, being preceded by the University of the Free State (1904), University of Witwatersrand (1896), Stellenbosch University(1866) and the University of Cape Town (1829). Rhodes was founded in 1904 as Rhodes University College, named after Cecil Rhodes, through a grant from the Rhodes Trust. It became a constituent college of theUniversity of South Africa in 1918 before becoming an independent university in 1951.
The university had an enrolment of over 8,000 students in the 2015 academic year, of whom just over 3,600 lived in 51 residences on campus, with the rest (known as Oppidans) taking residence in digs (off-campus residences) or in their own homes in the town.
The six faculties are further subdivided into 30 academic departments, of which 11 form part of the humanities faculty. The humanities faculty, being the largest in the university, consists of 40% of the student intake of undergraduate and postgraduate studies, enrolling 2669 students as of 2009.
Departments and Faculties
- Accounting
- Afrikaans and Netherlandic Studies
- African Languages
- Anthropology
- Biochemistry, Microbiology
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre
- Botany
- Business School
- Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Classical Studies
- Computer Science
- Drama
- Economics and Economics History
- Education
- English
- English Language and Linguistics
- Environmental Science
- Extended Studies Unit
- Fine Art
- French
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- History
- Human Kinetics and Ergonomics
- Ichthyology and Fisheries Science
- Information Systems
- Journalism & Media Studies
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics (Pure and Applied)
- Modern Fiction
- Music & Musicology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics and Electronics
- Political and International Studies
- Psychology
- School of Languages
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology and Entomology
How to Apply
Requirements for admission
Your application will only be considered for admission to the University if you qualify for Bachelor’s degree study AND you satisfy the faculty requirements. To qualify for with a Bachelor’s pass status, learners are required to take seven subjects, four of which are compulsory (two languages, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy) and three of the learner’s own choice from the subjects on offer at the school.
To qualify for degree studies at a University at least four of the seven subjects must be from the list of ‘designated subjects’ set out below and the student must have obtained an achievement rating of 4 (adequate achievement 50 – 59%) or above in these four subjects.
NOTE: If you meet the minimum admission requirements this only means that you are eligible for selection; it does NOT mean that you will necessarily be accepted.
The minimum entry requirements for admission to Rhodes University in 2017 are set out in the following table below. Note (a) the point levels that are required (b) the differences in the achievement levels that are needed for Mathematical Literacy, (c) the need for Life and/or Physical Sciences for degrees in Science or Pharmacy.
Click here to read more about minimum requirements to study at Rhodes University.
| Degree | Points | Dean’s Discretion | Extended Studies | |
| BACHELOR OF COMMERCE and ECONOMICS | Mathematics 50% | 45 | 38 – 44 | 34 – 37 |
| BACHELOR OF BUSINESS SCIENCE | Maths 70% | 45 | 40 – 44 | |
| BACHELOR OF EDUCATION | 40 | 35 – 39 | ||
| BACHELOR OF ARTS, BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE,BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM, B FINE ARTS and B MUSIC | ———— | 45 | 37 – 44 | 33 – 36 |
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE | Maths 60%,Life Science/Physical Science 50% | 45 | 38 – 44 | 33 – 38 |
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE(Inf Sys) and BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (Software Dev) | Mathematics 70% | 45 | 40 – 44 | |
| BACHELOR OF PHARMACY | Maths,Physical Science & Life Science 70% | 45 | 40 – 44 | |
| LAW | First year candidates are not accepted directly into law. They are required to obtain 3 non-law credits through either Commerce, Humanities or Science Faculties. A minimum of Maths level 4 or Maths literacy level 5 is required to be considered for law studies. | |||
| BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS | Submit a porftolio | |||
| BACHELOR OF MUSIC | Audition and Music theory test | |||
| ALL FACULTIES | Life Orientation is not counted for points, but you are required to obtain at least 50% for acceptance |
Candidates who completed the South African Senior Certificate before 2008: you must send a certified copy of your matriculation exemption certificate with your application form. Please note you need to have passed with an exemption to be accepted.
Contact Details
Physical Address
Grahamstown Student Bureau
Student Bureau
Rhodes University
Eden Grove Building
Lucas Avenue
Grahamstown
6139
046 – 603 8276 (Phone)
046 – 603 8300 (Fax)
[email protected] (E-mail)
Postal Address
Student Bureau
Rhodes University
P O Box 94
Grahamstown
6140
Fees Office
046 – 603 8153/8253/8743/8152 (General queries)
046 – 603 8165 (Special fee arrangements)
046 – 603 7019/7020 (Fax)
[email protected] (E-mail)
Telephones
Tel: (046) 603 8755
Fax: (046) 603 8822
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ru.ac.za