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North-West University

Public university in South Africa

North-West University
Summary

Public university in South Africa

FieldValue
nameNorth-West University
native_name
imageNorth-West_University_logo.svg
mottoDit Begin Alles Hier (Afrikaans)
mottoengIt All Starts Here
established
(by merger of existing institutions)
typePublic university
chancellorDr Anna Mokgokong
vice_chancellorProf Bismark Tyobeka
students56,000
affiliationsAAU
ACU
HESA
former_namesPotchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education
Potchefstroom University
cityPotchefstroom
Mahikeng
Vanderbijlpark
countrySouth Africa
nicknameNWU
mascotEagi (main mascot)
Mafika, Pukki, Vuvu (siblings)
coloursPurple, turquoise and grey
campusSuburban
website

(by merger of existing institutions) ACU HESA Potchefstroom University University of Bophuthatswana Mahikeng Vanderbijlpark Mafika, Pukki, Vuvu (siblings)

Potchefstroom campus

The North-West University (NWU) is a public research university located on three campuses in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark in South Africa.

History

Main article: Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education

The university came into existence through the merger in 2004 of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, a large, historical university dating back to 1869, which also had a branch in Vanderbijlpark, and the University of North-West (formerly the University of Bophuthatswana). With its merged status, the North-West University became one of the largest universities in South Africa with the third largest student population (full-time and distance education) in the country.

As of 2023, NWU ranks among top universities locally, in Africa and globally. In 2024, NWU became a member and service provider of AGRIS. In 2025, construction began on the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine at the university’s Potchefstroom Campus. Once completed, it will become South Africa’s 11th medical school and is expected to enroll its first students in 2028.

Campuses

  • Mahikeng Campus
  • Potchefstroom Campus (main campus)
  • Vanderbijlpark Campus

Notable alumni

Among the notable alumni of the university following the merger are:

  • Dirk Hermann, trade unionist and head of Solidarity
  • Katlego Maboe, television presenter
  • Gerhard Mostert, rugby player
  • Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017
  • Mamokgethi Phakeng, former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town
  • Arrie Rautenbach, group CEO of Absa Group Limited since March 2022
  • Warren Whiteley, rugby player

Rankings

North-West University world ranking
NWU Times Higher Education ranking 2019 to 2024YearWorld rank
2024601–800
2023601–800
2022501–600
2021501–600
2020501–600
2019501–600

Faculties

The North-West University Gallery
The Great Hall at North West University, Mahikeng Campus

The university is home to eight faculties:

  • Economic and Management Sciences
    • Accounting Sciences
    • Business and Governance (Business School)
    • Economic Sciences
    • Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management
    • Management Sciences
    • Tourism
  • Education
    • Language Education
    • Psycho-Social Education
    • Professional Studies in Education
    • Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
    • Commerce and Social Studies in Education
  • Engineering
    • Chemical and Minerals Engineering
    • Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
    • Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
    • Industrial Engineering
  • Health Sciences
    • Human Movement Sciences
    • Kinderkinetics
    • Pharmacy
    • Psychosocial Health
    • Physiology
    • Consumer Sciences
    • Nutrition
    • Occupational Hygiene
    • Nursing
  • Humanities
    • Communication Studies
    • Government Studies
    • Languages
    • Music
    • Philosophy
    • Social Sciences
  • Law
    • BA (Law)
    • Bcom (Law)
    • LLB
    • LLM Course Work
    • LLD
  • Natural and Agricultural Sciences
    • Physical and Chemical Sciences
    • Biological Sciences
    • Geo- and Spatial Sciences
    • Agricultural Sciences
    • Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
    • Computer Science and Information Systems
    • Business Mathematics and Statistics
  • Theology
    • Christian Ministry and Leadership
    • Ancient Language and Text Studies

Chancellors

  • HM. Leruo Molotlegi, 2004–2019
  • Dr. Anna Mokgokong, 2019–2025 (vice chancellor)

Student profile

Ethnic enrolment, 2021PercentageTotal
number
African64,17%28 005
White30,85%13,466
Coloured3,67%1602
Asian1,18%516
Other0,12%53
Total100%43,642
RaceTotal numberPercentageFemaleMaleTotal6,644100%3,6842,960
African2,69440.54%1,3751,319
Coloured3805.72%221159
Asian1141.72%5955
White3,45652.02%2,0331,423

References

References

  1. "Chancellor".
  2. "NWU Mascots".
  3. "NWU @ a glance {{!}} NWU {{!}} North-West University".
  4. "Student statistics of the North-West University".
  5. (2023-06-29). "NWU excels again in QS World University Rankings – now 10th in Africa".
  6. "North-West University from South Africa joins AGRIS!".
  7. (26 July 2025). "NWU starts construction of new Desmond Tutu medical school".
  8. (25 April 2025). "North-West University medical school named NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine".
  9. "Our Campuses {{!}} Studies {{!}} NWU {{!}} North-West University".
  10. (7 August 2013). "Katlego Maboe".
  11. Scheppel, K.. (3 August 2011). "Mostert rugby institute's third Bok". NWU.
  12. Santana, M.. (27 March 2017). "NWU alumna crowned as Miss SA 2017".
  13. "Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng {{!}} University of Cap Town".
  14. Tech Central South Africa. (29 March 2022). "Arrie Rautenbach is new Absa CEO". NewsCentral Media.
  15. Pienaar, W.. (25 June 2016). "(Afrikaans)Warren Whiteley: Van Pukke 0.20 C-span na Springbok Agtsteman (translated : from university under twenty C team to Springbok Eightman)". Potchefstroom Herald Newspaper.
  16. "QS World University Rankings".
  17. (2024-10-20). "World University Rankings 2024 (South Africa)".
  18. (2023-10-20). "World University Rankings 2023 (South Africa)".
  19. (2022-10-20). "World University Rankings 2022 (South Africa)".
  20. (2021-10-20). "World University Rankings 2021 (South Africa)".
  21. (2020-10-20). "World University Rankings 2020 (South Africa)".
  22. (2019-10-20). "World University Rankings 2019 (South Africa)".
  23. (2018-10-20). "World University Rankings 2018 (South Africa)".
  24. (2017-10-20). "World University Rankings 2017 (South Africa)".
  25. (2016-10-20). "World University Rankings 2016 (South Africa)".
  26. (2015-10-20). "World University Rankings 2015 (South Africa)".
  27. (2014-10-20). "World University Rankings 2014 (South Africa)".
  28. (2013-10-20). "World University Rankings 2013 (South Africa)".
  29. (2012-10-20). "World University Rankings 2012 (South Africa)".
  30. (2011-10-20). "World University Rankings 2011 (South Africa)".
  31. [https://studies.nwu.ac.za/studies/our-faculties]
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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