Central University of Technology brand mark

Central University of Technology

Bloemfontein, South Africa Founded 1981 World Rank #2672

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: Central University of Technology, Free State
Acronyms: CUT
Founded: 1981
Institution Type: Institute of Technology
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #2672
Rank in South Africa: #18
Motto: Thinking Beyond
Central University of Technology brand mark

Founded in 1981, the Central University of Technology is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the medium city of Bloemfontein (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Free State.

This institution also has a branch campus in Welkom. Officially recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa, Central University of Technology (CUT) is a large-sized coeducational South African higher education institution.

Central University of Technology (CUT) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

CUT also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Central University of Technology's campus address and the ways prospective students can reach the institution. For visa queries, contact the international student services office directly rather than central admissions.

Address: Private Bag X20539 20 President Brand Street
Postal Code: 9301
Phone: +27 (51) 507 3911
Fax: +27 (51) 507 3199
Social Media:

Academic Details

Institutional vitals for Central University of Technology: how big, how staffed, and how recognised it is. Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) interacts with these metrics in shaping the daily academic experience.

Academic Year: January to November
Recognition: Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa
Accrediting Agency: South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); Higher Education Qualifications Committee (HEQC); Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
Admission Requirements: School leaving certificate and specific subject requirements
Student Enrollment: 15
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Memberships & Networks
Association of African Universities (AAU) Universities South Africa (USA) National Association of Distance Education and Open Learning in South Africa (NADEOSA)

Academic Structures

Central University of Technology's teaching organisation from faculties down to institutes. Faculty websites typically list their own programme catalogue, faculty bios, and contact information separately from the central site.

Unit 4 items
  • Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
  • Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Management Sciences

Degrees

Whether you're considering bachelor's, master's, or doctoral study at Central University of Technology, qualifications are sorted by level. Stackable credentials (microcredentials adding up to full degrees) appear separately where available.

Bachelor's 19 programs

Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.

  • Accountancy
  • African Languages
  • Afrikaans
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Education
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Studies
  • French
  • Health Sciences
  • Industrial Management
  • Laboratory Techniques
  • Management
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Radiology
  • Surveying and Mapping
  • Town Planning
  • Water Science
Master's 21 programs

Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.

  • African Languages
  • Afrikaans
  • Agricultural Management
  • Civil Engineering
  • Education
  • Educational Testing and Evaluation
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship
  • French
  • German
  • Higher Education Teacher Training
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial Management
  • Information Technology
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Media Studies
  • Radiology
  • Surveying and Mapping
  • Town Planning
Doctoral 17 programs

Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.

  • African Languages
  • Afrikaans
  • Civil Engineering
  • Education
  • Educational Testing and Evaluation
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship
  • French
  • German
  • Human Resources
  • Industrial Management
  • Information Technology
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Surveying and Mapping
  • Town Planning
Diploma & Certificate 18 programs

Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.

  • Agricultural Management
  • Agriculture
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Computer Networks
  • Design
  • Educational Testing and Evaluation
  • Health Administration
  • Hotel and Restaurant
  • Information Technology
  • Logistics Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Media Studies
  • Performing Arts
  • Physical Therapy
  • Public Administration
  • Tourism
  • Vocational Education

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa.

Kimberley (Campus) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Human Resources
  • Management
  • Marketing
Welkom (Campus) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Jewellery Art
  • Management
  • Marketing
Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (Faculty) 12 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Building Technologies
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physics
  • Software Engineering
  • Statistics

Common Career Paths

  • IT Consultant
  • Network Engineer
  • Cybersecurity Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Health and Environmental Sciences (Faculty) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agricultural Management
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Biomedicine
  • Environmental Studies
  • Fire Science
  • Health Sciences
  • Medical Technology
  • Medicine
  • Physical Therapy
  • Radiology

Common Career Paths

  • Environmental Consultant
  • Sustainability Officer
  • Climate Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Humanities (Faculty) 20 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business Education
  • Ceramic Art
  • Clothing and Sewing
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Education
  • Education
  • Fashion Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • Graphic Design
  • Humanities and Social Science Education
  • Jewellery Art
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Languages
  • Photography
  • Science Education
  • Social Sciences
  • Teacher Training
  • Technology Education

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Editor
  • Cultural Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Management Sciences (Faculty) 12 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business Administration
  • Business Computing
  • Finance
  • Hotel and Restaurant
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Public Administration
  • Sports Management
  • Tourism

Common Career Paths

  • Operations Manager
  • Project Manager
  • HR Manager

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

Central University of Technology's catalogue, with name search and level grouping. Capstone or dissertation requirements vary across programmes — confirm what you'll be assessed on before applying.

69 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in South Africa

Bachelor's Degree 4 programmes

Bachelor of Construction in Health and Safety Management
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor of Management Sciences in Internal Auditing
Accounting

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor of Radiography in Diagnostics
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Honours Degree 4 programmes

Bachelor of Education Honours in Education Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree 6 programmes

Master of Agriculture
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Construction
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Management Sciences in Entrepreneurial Management
Entrepreneurship

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Philosophy in Management Sciences
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master of Radiography
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctorate 7 programmes

Doctor of Agriculture
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctor of Communication in Language Practice
Communication Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctor of Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctor of Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health
Philosophy & Ethics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctor of Philosophy in Management Sciences
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Certificate 4 programmes

Higher Certificate in Information Technology
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Higher Certificate in Mathematics for Engineering Technology
Mathematics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Higher Certificate in Retail Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Diploma 27 programmes

Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Management
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Computer Networking
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Design Technology
Applied Design

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Health Management
Healthcare Administration

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management
Hospitality Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Information Technology
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Language Practice
Linguistics & Language Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Marketing Management
Marketing

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Advanced Diploma in Media Studies
Media Studies & Mass Media

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 27.

Postgraduate Diploma 17 programmes

Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management
Agriculture

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Art and Social Design
Applied Design

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Construction Management
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Health and Safety Management
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Quantity Surveying
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Urban Development
Civil Engineering & Construction

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Design Technology
Applied Design

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management
Healthcare Administration

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality Management
Hospitality Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 17.

How to apply to Central University of Technology

Step-by-step guidance for applying to Central University of Technology, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Central University of Technology offers 69 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Each programme at Central University of Technology has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Apply directly via Central University of Technology's online portal at www.cut.ac.za. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +27 (51) 507 3911. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Central University of Technology

The questions below summarise Central University of Technology's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.

When did Central University of Technology open?

Central University of Technology traces its founding to 1981 (approximately 45 years ago).

Where can I find Central University of Technology?

The institution is located in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

What is Central University of Technology's control type?

Central University of Technology is a public institution.

How many students does Central University of Technology have?

The institution has a student body of 15,000-19,999.

What is Central University of Technology's ranking?

Central University of Technology holds rank #2672 globally and #18 in South Africa.

What qualification levels does Central University of Technology offer?

Central University of Technology offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

How many faculties does Central University of Technology have?

Central University of Technology is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.

Is Central University of Technology officially recognised?

The institution holds recognition from South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); Higher Education Qualifications Committee (HEQC); Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

What is Central University of Technology's official website?

The institution's website is www.cut.ac.za.

Top-Ranked Universities in South Africa

Alumni network strength of South Africa's national leaders compounds over time. The peer-graduate networks at top institutions often outweigh academic differences in long-run career outcomes.

Members of Association of African Universities (AAU)

Other Association of African Universities (AAU) members offer mobility and exchange compatibility with Central University of Technology. Exchange compatibility is one of the more practical benefits of shared network membership.

Where Else to Study Business & Management

Other universities in South Africa that teach Business & Management appear below — useful for comparing programme depth against Central University of Technology. Programme structures differ even within the same country, so detailed comparison is worth the effort.

Universities Compared with Central University of Technology

Universities at a similar tier to Central University of Technology appear below, useful for cross-comparison on academic credentials. Comparable institutions often share faculty mobility patterns and external recognition signals.

Browse all articles →

Spotted something outdated or missing?

Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.

Explore More Universities in South Africa

Free calculators and converters to plan your study-abroad journey.

Latest Articles

Fresh guides and advice for studying abroad.

View all →

Compare Compare