Walter Sisulu University
Mthatha, South Africa • Founded 2005 • World Rank #2139
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 2005, the Walter Sisulu University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Mthatha (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Eastern Cape.
This institution also has branch campuses in East London, Queenstown and Butterworth. Officially recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is a large-sized coeducational South African higher education institution.
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. This 19-year-old South African higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
WSU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Walter Sisulu University's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
The basic academic profile of Walter Sisulu University, including enrolment and faculty composition. Total student count fluctuates intake-to-intake; treat the figure as approximate rather than precise.
Academic Structures
The internal academic structure of Walter Sisulu University — by faculty, school, and unit. Research-only units exist alongside teaching units; their function and student involvement differ.
Unit 5 items
- Faculty of Business Management Sciences and Law
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Degrees
Browse Walter Sisulu University's degree offerings by level. Programmes within a single level often share entry requirements and study durations.
Bachelor's 25 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Applied Mathematics
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dietetics
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Health Sciences
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medical Science
- Medicine
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Pest Management
- Physics
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Statistics
- Surgery
Master's 34 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Arts and Humanities
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Consumer Studies
- Criminology
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Geography
- Health Education
- Health Sciences
- Human Resources
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medical Science
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Social Work
- Surgery
- Zoology
Doctoral 3 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Natural Sciences
Diploma & Certificate 21 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Accountancy
- Analytical Chemistry
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Journalism
- Management
- Marketing
- Mechanical Engineering
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Public Administration
- Public Relations
- Tourism
Other 18 programs
- Administration
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Education
- Geography
- Health Sciences
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Physics
- Physiology
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Social Sciences
- Zoology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa.
Buffalo City (Campus) 23 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Analytical Chemistry
- Business Administration
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Consumer Studies
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Government
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Management
- Marketing
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nutrition
- Office Management
- Police Studies
- Public Relations
- Small Business
- Software Engineering
- Sports Management
- Tourism
Butterworth (Campus) 18 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Adult Education
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Fashion Design
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Information Technology
- Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Office Management
- Public Administration
- Software Engineering
- Tourism
Komani (Campus) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Management
- Management
- Public Administration
Mthatha (Campus) 59 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- African Languages
- Anaesthesiology
- Anthropology
- Applied Linguistics
- Applied Mathematics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Clinical Psychology
- Computer Science
- Criminology
- Cultural Studies
- Curriculum
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- English
- English Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Health Administration
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Internal Medicine
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Library Science
- Literature
- Management
- Mathematical Physics
- Mathematics
- Medical Science
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Physics
- Physiology
- Political Sciences
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Relations
- Science Education
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Zoology
Commerce and Administration (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Human Resources
- Public Administration
Educational Sciences (Faculty) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Adult Education
- Business and Commerce
- Consumer Studies
- Continuing Education
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Music Education
- Natural Sciences
- Science Education
- Teacher Training
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (Faculty) 21 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anaesthesiology
- Biochemistry
- Community Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Social Work
- Surgery
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities, Social Sciences and Law (Faculty) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- Afrikaans
- Anthropology
- Criminal Law
- Demography and Population
- English
- Geography
- History
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Library Science
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Natural Sciences (Faculty) 18 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Analytical Chemistry
- Applied Mathematics
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Computer Science
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Physics
- Statistics
- Technology
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Directorate of Research Development and Innovation (DRI) (Research Division) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anatomy
- Automotive Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Medical Science
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- Sustainable Development
- Water Science
Programs Offered
Every programme Walter Sisulu University currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable. Status and intake details vary by programme — verify with the institution before committing to applications.
100 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in South Africa
Bachelor's Degree 17 programmes
Showing 10 of 17.
Honours Degree 14 programmes
Showing 10 of 14.
Master's Degree 32 programmes
Showing 10 of 32.
Doctorate 3 programmes
Diploma 26 programmes
Showing 10 of 26.
Postgraduate Certificate 1 programme
Postgraduate Diploma 7 programmes
How to apply to Walter Sisulu University
How to apply to Walter Sisulu University — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Identify the right programme
Walter Sisulu University's catalogue includes 100 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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2
Check entry requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Walter Sisulu University's admissions process.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
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4
Submit via the institution
Submit your completed application through Walter Sisulu University's official website at www.wsu.ac.za. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +27 (47) 502 2111. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Walter Sisulu University
Frequently asked questions about Walter Sisulu University, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.
How old is Walter Sisulu University?
The institution opened in 2005 (approximately 21 years ago).
Where is Walter Sisulu University located?
Walter Sisulu University is located in Mthatha, South Africa.
Is Walter Sisulu University public or private?
It is a public higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at Walter Sisulu University?
Student enrolment at Walter Sisulu University is around 25,000-29,999.
How is Walter Sisulu University ranked?
Walter Sisulu University holds rank #2139 globally and #14 in South Africa.
What degrees does Walter Sisulu University offer?
Programmes at Walter Sisulu University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Walter Sisulu University have?
The institution comprises 5 academic units.
Is Walter Sisulu University accredited?
Walter Sisulu University is accredited by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA); Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
What is Walter Sisulu University's official website?
Walter Sisulu University's official website is www.wsu.ac.za.
Top-Ranked Universities in South Africa
South Africa's leading universities appear below, useful for benchmarking Walter Sisulu University's academic standing. Use this list as the upper-bound reference for academic prestige within South Africa.
Members of Universities South Africa (USA)
Membership in Universities South Africa (USA) signals a shared commitment to academic quality and cross-institutional exchange. These other members of the same network sit alongside Walter Sisulu University in that ecosystem, and may offer mobility benefits or programme partnerships.
Faculties at nearby universities
Alumni networks within a region often outlast individual institutional choice. Universities near Walter Sisulu University share post-grad employer connections that benefit students from any of them.
Where Else to Study Medicine
Medicine is taught at multiple universities across South Africa — these alternatives to Walter Sisulu University are worth weighing. Each programme reflects different academic traditions, industry connections, and research priorities.
Universities Compared with Walter Sisulu University
Cross-peer scholarship reciprocity exists in some systems where peer institutions accept each other's scholarship students. Worth checking for Walter Sisulu University if location flexibility matters.
Studying in South Africa: guides and resources
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