Rhodes University
Grahamstown, South Africa • Founded 1904 • World Rank #2257
Overview
Established in 1904, the Rhodes University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the rural setting of the small city of Grahamstown (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Eastern Cape.
Officially recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa, Rhodes University (RU) is a medium-sized coeducational South African higher education institution. Rhodes University (RU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.
This 119-year-old South African higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
RU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Rhodes University's on-the-ground location and digital channels to engage with the institution. Library access for prospective students is often arranged separately through the main library team.
Academic Details
Below are the institutional metrics for Rhodes University: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.
Academic Structures
Rhodes University'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 6 items
- Faculty of Commerce
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Science
Degrees
Eligible students can pursue further postgraduate studies by contacting the respective faculty. Postgraduate studies in Law offered by Thesis only.
Bachelor's 59 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Administrative Law
- African Languages
- Afrikaans
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Civil Law
- Commercial Law
- Computer Science
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Dutch
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Environmental Studies
- Fine Arts
- Geography
- German
- Graphic Design
- Greek
- History
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Management
- International Law
- Journalism
- Labour Law
- Latin
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Media Studies
- Microbiology
- Music
- Pathology
- Performing Arts
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Law
- Science Education
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Systems Analysis
- Taxation
Master's 27 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Administrative Law
- African Languages
- Afrikaans
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Civil Law
- Computer Education
- Computer Science
- Environmental Studies
- French
- Geography
- German
- Greek
- Information Management
- International Studies
- Journalism
- Latin
- Law
- Music
- Special Education
Doctoral 22 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Accountancy
- Administrative Law
- African Languages
- Afrikaans
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Civil Law
- Computer Education
- Computer Science
- Environmental Studies
- Journalism
- Latin
- Music
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Special Education
Diploma & Certificate 3 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Business Administration
- Environmental Studies
- Investment Analysis
Other 14 programs
- Administrative Law
- Applied Mathematics
- Civil Law
- Environmental Studies
- Fine Arts
- Geography
- German
- International Law
- Journalism
- Law
- Music
- Physiology
- Political Sciences
- Software Engineering
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa.
Commerce (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business and Commerce
- Business Computing
- Economics
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Management
- Systems Analysis
Education (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Education
- Education
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
- Special Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities (Faculty) 20 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- Afrikaans
- Anthropology
- Arts and Humanities
- Chinese
- Classical Languages
- English
- Fine Arts
- French
- German
- History
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Theatre
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Commercial Law
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Pharmacy (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Entomology
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social and Economic Research (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
- Social Sciences
Sol Plaatjie (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Leadership
- Media Studies
Study of English in Africa (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- English
Water Research (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Water Science
Biopharmaceutics (Research Division) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
Business (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Look through Rhodes University's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.
Bachelor's Degree
3 programmes
There are 3 programmes to choose from at Rhodes University for undergraduates. A bachelor's degree builds the broad disciplinary foundation most employers and postgraduate courses expect.
Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and FET Teaching Arts
Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Business Science Business & Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
1 programme
Explore 1 programme of postgraduate study at Rhodes University. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.
Master of Arts in Chinese Studies Linguistics & Language Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
14 programmes
These 14 programmes group Rhodes University's shorter and preparatory qualifications together: associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and foundation courses that suit focused or transitional study.
Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Learning
Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management Business & Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Community Engagement Education & Teaching
Postgraduate Diploma in Heritage Management Business & Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analysis Business & Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Advancement and Resource Mobilisation Natural Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior Phase and FET Teaching Arts
Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Foundation Phase Teaching Education & Teaching
Advanced Certificate in Foundation Phase Literacy Teaching Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Education Honours in Primary Education Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Education Honours in Mathematics Education Mathematics
Bachelor of Education Honours in Geography Education Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Leadership and Management Business & Management
Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis Business & Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Rhodes University
A short guide to applying to Rhodes University — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Rhodes University runs 18 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to Rhodes University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for South Africa.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Rhodes University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Submit your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.ru.ac.za). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +27 (46) 603 8111. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rhodes University
Common questions about Rhodes University answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
How old is Rhodes University?
The institution opened in 1904 (approximately 122 years ago).
Where is Rhodes University located?
Rhodes University is located in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Is Rhodes University public or private?
Rhodes University operates as a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Rhodes University?
Student enrolment at Rhodes University is around 6,000-6,999.
What is Rhodes University's ranking?
Rhodes University holds rank #2257 globally and #16 in South Africa.
What qualification levels does Rhodes University offer?
Rhodes University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is Rhodes University's academic structure?
Rhodes University has 6 academic units.
Who recognises Rhodes University?
The institution holds recognition from Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET); Higher Education Quality Committee; Council on Higher Education; South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Where can I learn more about Rhodes University?
Rhodes University's official website is www.ru.ac.za.
Top-Ranked Universities in South Africa
Ranking methodologies vary across South Africa — national rankings, subject-specific rankings, and international tables can each tell different stories about the same universities.
Members of Association of African Universities (AAU)
Network reputation can differ from individual institutional reputation. Association of African Universities (AAU) membership may enhance or moderate the perceived standing of Rhodes University depending on how the network is regarded.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Students considering Rhodes University often compare it against universities in the same region. Below are nearby institutions with comparable academic departments and student support structures, useful for cross-shortlisting.
Where Else to Study Business & Management
Programme-level scholarships for Business & Management students vary substantially across South Africa institutions. Often the less-marketed scholarships are the easiest to secure for qualified applicants.
Universities Often Compared with Rhodes University
Cross-peer scholarship reciprocity exists in some systems where peer institutions accept each other's scholarship students. Worth checking for Rhodes University if location flexibility matters.
