Universities
Choosing what to study and where to study can feel like a huge task. To help make it easier, we have compiled a list of faculties and departments in eight of South Africa’s major universities. There is also a note of which are the most popular courses in each faculty.
- UNISA (University of South Africa)
- UJ (University of Johannesburg)
- UWC (University of the Western Cape)
- UCT (University of Cape Town)
- Wits (University of the Witwatersrand)
- US/Stellies (University of Stellenbosch)
- TUT (Tshwane University of Technology)
- NWU (North-West University)
Faculties At The University Of South Africa (UNISA)
The faculties at UNISA are as follows:
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
Accounting Sciences
- Department of Auditing
- Department of Financial Accounting
- Department of Management Accounting
- Department of Taxation
- Department of Financial Governance
- Department of Financial Intelligence
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting.
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
- Department of Environmental Sciences
- Department of Geography
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences Psychology and Physiology (with Genetics).
Economic & Management Sciences
- Department of Decision Sciences
- Department of Economics
- Department of Finance, Risk Management and Banking
- Department of Business Management
- Department of Human Resource Management
- Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- Department of Marketing and Retail
- Department of Applied Management
- Department of Public Administration and Management
- Department of Operations Management
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Commerce.
Education
- Department of Adult Community and Continuing Education
- Department of Educational Foundations
- Department of Psychology of Education
- Department of Inclusive Education
- Department of Educational Leadership and Management
- Department of Mathematics Education
- Department of Science and Technology Education
- Department of Language Education, Arts and Culture
- Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies
- Department of Early Childhood Education
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching English.
Human Sciences
- Department of African Languages
- Department of Afrikaans and Theory of Literature
- Department of Art and Music
- Department of Communication Science
- Department of English Studies
- Department of Information Science
- Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
- Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies
- Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
- Department of History
- Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology
- Department of Religious Studies and Arabic
- Department of Development Studies
- Department of Health Studies
- Department of Political Sciences
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Social Work
- Department of Sociology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Arts.
Law
- Department of Criminal and Procedural Law
- Department of Jurisprudence
- Department of Mercantile Law
- Department of Private Law
- Department of Public, Constitutional and International Law
- Department of Criminology and Security Science
- Department of Corrections Management
- Department of Police Practice
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Laws.
Science, Engineering & Technology
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Department of Physics
- Department of Statistics
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Department of Mining Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Industrial Engineering
- School of Computing departments
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Science General.
Faculties At The University Of Johannesburg (UJ)
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
College of Business and Economics (CBE)
- Department of Accountancy
- Department of Commercial Accounting
- Department of Applied Information Systems
- Department of Information and Knowledge Management, which contains the Centre for Information and Knowledge Management
- Department of Marketing Management
- Technopreneurship Centre
- Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED)
- Centre for Local Economic Development (CENLED)
- DST-NRF, South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARCID)
- Research Centre for Public and Environmental Economics (PEERC)
- Economic Development and Well-being Research Group (EDWRG)
- SARChI-Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation (TRCTI)
- Department of Business Management, which contains the UJ Centre for Entrepreneurship
- Department of Finance and Investment Management
- Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, which contains the Centre for Work Performance
- Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, which contains the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (Africa)
- Public Management and Governance
- School of African Studies
- Programmes in Tourism Management and Hospitality Management
- Programme in Food and Beverage Operations
- Hospitality Operations
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Com. Marketing Management.
Faculty of Art, Design And Architecture
- Architecture
- Design Studies
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
- Jewellery Design and Manufacture
- Multimedia
- Visual Arts
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Department of Graphic (Communication) Design.
Faculty of Education
- Academic Administration
- Childhood Education
- Education and Curriculum Studies
- Education Leadership and Management
- Educational Psychology
- Science and Technology Education
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Post Graduate Certificate in Education 2022 (Contact Programme).
Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
- Department of Civil Engineering Science
- Department of Civil Engineering Technology
- Department of Construction Management & Quantity Surveying
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning
- Department of Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying
- Department of Chemical Engineering Technology
- Department of Metallurgy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Science
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology
- Department of Quality and Operations Management
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the CCEUP(SA) Certification Programme.
Faculty of Health Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Chiropractic
- Emergency Medical Care
- Environmental Health
- Complementary Medicine
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (Radiography)
- Nursing
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Sport and Movement Studies
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery.
Faculty of Humanities
- LanCSAL (Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Applied Linguistics)
- African Languages
- Communication and Media
- Strategic Communication
- Anthropology and Development Studies
- English
- History
- Department of Philosophy
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychology
- Religion Studies
- Social Work and Community Development
- Sociology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor Of Social Work (BSW)
Faculty of Law
- Mercantile Law
- Practical Business Law
- Private Law
- Procedural Law
- Law Clinic
- Public Law
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Law (LLB)
Faculty of Science
- Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology and Food Technology
- Department of Botany & Plant Biotechnology
- Chemical Sciences
- Geography, Environmental Management & Energy Studies
- Geology
- Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. Information Technology.
Johannesburg Business School
- Centre for African Business
- JBS Centre for Entrepreneurship
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) with a Digital Transformation lens.
Faculties At The University Of The Western Cape (UWC)
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
Faculty Of Arts And Humanities
- Department of African Language Studies
- Department of Afrikaans and Nederlands
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of English
- Department of Foreign Languages
- Department of Geography, Environmental Studies and Tourism
- Department of History
- Department of Library and Information Science
- Department of Linguistics
- Department of Philosophy
- Department of Religion and Theology
- Department of Sociology
- Department of Women’s and Gender Studies
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Arts.
Faculty Of Community And Health Sciences
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition
- Department of Occupational Therapy
- Department of Physiotherapy
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Social Work
- Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the BA Honours Psychology.
Faculty Of Dentistry
- Department of Community Oral Health
- Department of Conservative Dentistry
- Department of Craniofacial Biology (including Forensics + Genetics)
- Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Pathology
- Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery and Anaesthesiology and Sedation
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Department of Oral Hygiene
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology
- Department of Orthodontics
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Oral Health.
Faculty Of Economic And Management Sciences
- Department of Accounting
- Department of Economics
- Department of Industrial Psychology
- Department of Information Systems
- Department of Political Studies
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the BCom.
Faculty Of Education
- Department of Educational Psychology
- Department of Educational Studies
- Department of Language Education
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the PGCE.
Faculty Of Law
- Department of Criminal Justice & Procedure
- Department of Mercantile and Labour Law
- Department of Private Law
- Department of Public Law and Jurisprudence
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the LLB.
Faculty Of Natural Sciences
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
- Department of Biotechnology
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Computer Science
- Department of Earth Sciences
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
- Department of Medical Biosciences
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Department of Statistics and Population Studies
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. Computer Science.
Faculties At The University Of Cape Town (UCT)
The faculties at UCT are as follows:
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED)
- Academic Development Programme (ADP)
- Careers Service (CS)
- Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT)
- Centre for Educational Assessment (CEA)
- Dean’s Office Projects
- Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking – d-school
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Undergraduate Teaching.
Commerce
- College of Accounting
- Department of Finance and Tax
- School of Economics
- Education Development Unit
- Information Systems
- School of Management Studies
- African Institute of Financial Markets & Risk Management (AIFMRM)
- The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Com.
Engineering & the Built Environment (EBE)
- Departmental Overview
- Academic Support Programme
- CPD
- Communication Studies
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. Electrical Engineering.
Health Sciences
- Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine
- Health Sciences Education
- Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
- Human Biology
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences
- Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Paediatrics & Child Health
- Pathology
- Public Health & Family Medicine
- Psychiatry & Mental Health
- Radiation Medicine
- Surgery
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is Family Medicine.
Humanities
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Centre for African Studies
- Centre for Film & Media Studies
- Centre for Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies
- Department of Knowledge & Information Stewardship
- English Language & Literature
- Environmental & Geographical Science
- Historical Studies
- Languages & Literatures, School of
- Law
- Linguistics
- Mathematics & Applied Mathematics
- Michaelis School of Fine Art
- Organisational Psychology
- Philosophy
- Political Studies
- Psychology
- School for African & Gender Studies, Anthropology & Linguistics (AXL)
- School of Economics
- School of Education
- Social Development
- Sociology
- South African College of Music
- Statistical Sciences
- Study of Religions
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the PGCE.
Law
- Commercial Law
- Public Law
- Private Law
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the LLB.
Science
- Archaeology
- Astronomy
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Environmental & Geographical Science
- Geological Sciences
- Mathematics & Applied Mathematics
- Molecular & Cell Biology
- Oceanography
- Physics
- School of IT (incorporating Computer Science and Information Systems)
- Statistical Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. Computer Science.
Faculties At The University Of The Witwatersrand (Wits)
The faculties at Wits are as follows:
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
Commerce, Law and Management
- Accountancy
- Business Sciences
- Economics and Finance
- Law
- Wits Business School
- Wits School of Governance
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Com.
Engineering and the Built Environment
- Architecture and Planning
- Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering
- Construction Economics & Management
- Electrical & Information Engineering
- Mechanical, Industrial & Aeronautical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. Civil Engineering.
Health Sciences
- Anatomical Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Oral Health Sciences
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Public Health
- Therapeutic Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Dental Science.
Humanities
- Wits School of Arts
- Wits School of Education
- Human and Community Development
- Literature, Language and Media
- Social Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the BA General.
Science
- Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Chemistry
- Computer Science and Applied Mathematics
- Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Sciences
- Geosciences
- Mathematics
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Physics
- Statistics and Actuarial Science
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. Biological Sciences.
Faculties At Stellenbosch University
The faculties at Stellies are as follows:
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
AgriSciences
- Agricultural Economics
- Agronomy
- Animal Science
- Conservation Ecology and Entomology
- Food Science
- Forest and Wood Science
- Genetics
- Horticultural Science
- Plant Pathology
- Soil Science
- Viticulture and Oenology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. in Conservation Ecology.
Arts & Social Sciences
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts
- African Languages
- Afrikaans and Dutch
- Ancient Studies
- English
- General Linguistics
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Geography and Environmental Studies
- History
- Information Science
- Journalism
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology and Social Anthropology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Social Work.
Economic & Management Sciences
- School of Accountancy
- Business Management
- Economics
- Industrial Psychology
- Logistics
- Statistics and Actuarial Science
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Com. Management Sciences.
Education
- Curriculum Studies
- Education Psychology Studies
- Educational Psychology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the PGCE.
Engineering
- Civil
- Electrical and Electronic
- Industrial
- Mechanical and Mechatronic
- Process (Chemical)
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Eng. Electrical and Electronic.
Law
- African Procurement Law Unit
- Pavocat Stellenbosch Academy (PSA)
- The Development and Rule of Law Programme (DROP)
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the LLB.
Medicine & Health Sciences
- Anaesthesiology and Critical Care
- Biomedical Sciences
- Centre for Health Professions Education
- Family and Emergency Medicine
- Global Health
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology
- Medicine
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics and Child Health
- Pathology
- Psychiatry
- Sport Science
- Surgical Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery.
Military Science
- Human Resource Development
- Security and Africa Studies
- School for Science and Technology
- Geospatial Studies and Information Systems
- School for Organisation and Resource Management
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Mil. in Human and Organisational Development.
Science
- Biochemistry
- Botany and Zoology
- Chemistry and Polymer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Applied Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Physics
- Physiological Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Sc. in Sports Science.
Theology
- Old & New Testament (ONT)
- Practical Theology & Missiology (PTM)
- Systematic Theology & Ecclesiology (STE)
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Th.
Faculties At Tshwane University Of Technology
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
Business School
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership and Governance
- Agri-Impact
- Technology and Innovation
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.
Arts & Design
- Design Studies
- Fine & Studio Arts
- Interior Design
- Performing Arts
- Visual Communication
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Diploma in Fine and Applied Arts.
Economics And Finance
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Economics
- Finance and Investment
- Public Sector Finance
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Diploma in Accounting.
Engineering And The Built Environment
- Architecture and Industrial Design
- Building Sciences
- Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Geomatics
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Diploma in Electrical Engineering.
Humanities
- Applied Languages
- Integrated Communication
- Journalism
- Law
- Public Management
- Safety and Security Management
- School of Education
- Distance Education
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Diploma in Law.
Information And Communication Technology
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems Engineering
- Informatics
- Information Technology
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Diploma in Multimedia Computing.
Management Sciences
- Business and Information Management Services
- Business School
- Hospitality Management
- Management and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Sport Management
- Operations Management
- People Management and Development
- Tourism Management
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Diploma in Hospitality Management.
Science
- Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science
- Animal Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Biotechnology and Food Technology
- Chemistry
- Crop Sciences
- Environmental Health
- Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences
- Horticulture
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Nature Conservation
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Physics
- Sport, Rehabilitation and Dental Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Environmental Health.
Faculties At North-West University
The faculties at NWU are as follows:
Departments In Each Faculty
Each faculty has many departments. These departments are listed by faculty below.
Economic and Management Sciences
- Accounting Sciences
- Business School
- Economic Sciences
- Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management
- Management Sciences
- Tourism Management
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the B.Com. Economics.
Education
- Language Education
- Psycho-Social Education
- Professional Studies in Education
- Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
- Commerce and Social Studies in Education
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the PGCE.
Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering: Minerals Processing
- Computer and Electronic Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Nuclear Engineering
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is Electromechanical Engineering.
Health Sciences
- Consumer Sciences
- Dietetics
- Human Movement Sciences
- Nursing Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Physiology
- Psychosocial Health
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Social Work.
Humanities
- Communication
- Government Studies
- Languages
- Music
- Philosophy
- Social Sciences
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Arts.
Law
- Law
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the LLB.
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Physical and Chemical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Geo Sciences and Spatial Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
- Computer Science and Information Systems
- Business Mathematics and Informatics
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the Bachelor of Biological Sciences.
Theology
- Ancient Language and Text Studies
- Honours
- Minister Training
- Pastoral Care
- Theology: Open Distance Learning
One of the most popular courses in this faculty is the BA Honours in Theology.
What Are The Top 10 Universities In South Africa?
The top 10 universities in South Africa are:
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of the Western Cape
- North-West University
- Rhodes University
- University of Pretoria
- University of the Free State
How Many Universities Does South Africa Have?
There are currently 26 public universities all around the country. There are also more than 50 TVET colleges.
What Is The Smallest University In South Africa?
The smallest university in South Africa is Rhodes University, with roughly 8 000 students.
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 4, 2022