University in South Africa
Thohoyandou, Limpopo, South Africa
University profile
The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is a public comprehensive university in Thohoyandou, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. It opened in 1982 and states a vision of "a university leading in engaged scholarship", with a mission of producing graduates who are locally relevant and globally competitive. Its own pages describe a niche in problem-oriented, project-based curricula and a strength in developing under-prepared students into nationally competitive graduates. The university also describes itself as one of two universities in the world located within a UNESCO biosphere, the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve.
Teaching is organised in four faculties. The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education covers education, languages, media, history, theology, social work, youth development and indigenous knowledge systems. The Faculty of Health Sciences covers nutrition, psychology, public health, nursing-related programmes and biokinetics, recreation and sport science. The Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law includes accountancy, business management, economics, public administration, tourism and hospitality, human resource management and a School of Law with a Law Clinic and the Ismail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples' Rights. The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, formed in 2021 from three former schools, covers the natural and mathematical sciences, agriculture, engineering and the built environment, forestry and the Institute for Rural Development.
The 2027 undergraduate prospectus states 218 undergraduate and 95 postgraduate programmes, with qualifications from NQF level 6 to level 10 and 16,600 registered students in the 2025 academic year. Qualifications range from higher certificates and diplomas through bachelor's degrees to master's and doctoral study, including extended degree programmes in commerce.
On campus, the prospectus reports 13 residences with capacity for 4,140 students, a library with over 154,000 physical books and more than 37,000 digital resources, a campus clinic and health and wellness services (including mental health support), free internet access across campus, and student support services such as academic advising, career development, counselling and disability support, offered free of charge. It lists 26 sporting codes and extracurricular activities including soccer, netball, rugby, tennis, basketball, chess, dance, debate, drama, choir and athletics. The prospectus reports over 250 security personnel and more than 600 cameras on campus.
Applicants from outside South Africa apply online like all others and must supply a study and residence permit, medical insurance and a SAQA evaluation certificate. The prospectus reports 22 international students in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education faculty and 25 in Science, Engineering and Agriculture (2025).
The university states it is committed to ensuring that no deserving student is excluded from academic participation because of financial constraints. Its Student Finance and Financial Aid section covers international students, NSFAS and pre-funders, internal UNIVEN bursaries, external scholarships and bursaries, private and government sponsors, student matters, study loans and study fees. See Student Finance and Financial Aid and Scholarships and Bursaries.
The Scholarships and Bursaries page lists university bursaries, external bursaries from sector bodies, foundations and companies, NSFAS and student loans. Confirm eligibility, documents and deadlines with the Financial Aid office: [email protected], +27 15 962 8245.
NSFAS-funded students are exempt from the R5,000 academic registration fee, though the R4,900 residence deposit may be required until accommodation funding is confirmed. First-time students may register while funding confirmation is pending. See NSFAS information.
Students can access education finance through Capitec (up to R500,000, repayment up to 84 months), Nedbank (R2,000 to R400,000, 6 to 72 months) and Standard Bank (loan without surety for listed funded qualifications). Loans are credit agreements subject to lender approval. Student loan options.
Browse the scholarships listed for University of Venda and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for University of Venda →The minimum for degree study is a National Senior Certificate with a bachelor's pass, an achievement rating of 4 (50-59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects, and a minimum admission point score of 26. Life Orientation is excluded from the score, subjects below 40% are not counted, and if more than seven subjects appear only the seven highest are used. The Senate may review the minimum of 26. Minimum requirements do not guarantee admission.
Diploma: NSC with an achievement rating of 3 (40-49%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects. Certificate: an NSC as certified by Umalusi. Programme-specific requirements are published per qualification, for example NSC 30 for most BA degrees with 50-59% in English, NSC 35 plus 50% in Mathematics for the BCom Accounting Sciences, NSC 38 for the Bachelor of Nursing with 60-69% in Life Sciences, English and Physical Sciences, and APS 28 for the Diploma in Nursing.
The prospectus converts NSC percentages to scores: 90-100 = 9.0-10; 80-89 = 8.0-8.9; 70-79 = 7.0-7.9; 60-69 = 6.0-6.9; 50-59 = 5.0-5.9; 40-49 = 4.0-4.9; below 40 = 0. Each programme lists its own point threshold, and some programmes use a selection test (for example the Bachelor of Psychology).
The Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law offers extended degree programmes; applicants who meet degree requirements with an APS of 28-31 (excluding Life Orientation) may be considered.
Grade 12 applicants upload ID or passport and Grade 11 final (Term 4) results with the school stamp; current or former tertiary students upload an academic record and certificate of good conduct; international applicants upload a copy of study and residence permit, medical insurance, SAQA evaluation certificate and passport or student reference.
All undergraduate, postgraduate, South African and international applicants apply online. Postgraduate entry is per programme, for example master's study usually requires a relevant honours or four-year qualification, normally with an average of at least 60%, subject to research fit, supervisor availability and departmental selection, and PhD admission requires a relevant master's degree, an approved research topic and suitable supervision. Mature-age and RPL routes are described programme by programme (for example the Advanced Diploma in Sport Management and the Bachelor of Theology); no general mature-age rule was found.
For 2027 study, the online application opened on 1 May 2026 and closed on 30 September 2026. Applicants need a South African ID number (or passport), cell phone number and email address, may save and return, create a 5-digit PIN, upload PDF documents and submit. The university states the application is free. Applications: How to apply; 2027 prospectus (PDF).
The standard academic registration fee is R5,000 (self-funded students and funded students whose sponsor confirmation has not arrived); NSFAS-funded students are exempt from it. A residence deposit of R4,900 is payable separately before a room is allocated. Tuition fees are in the Fees Booklet (study fees).
Thohoyandou main campus, University Road, Limpopo (0950): the university's physical address on its contact page; the pages read describe teaching, administration, residences and student services as located here. Postal address: Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950.
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