UP spreads more than 1,200 fully accredited undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across nine faculties, plus the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), its Johannesburg-based business school. The UP Study Programmes Finder lists specific programmes, entry requirements, and an APS calculator for narrowing down options by faculty.
The Nine Faculties
Humanities. Covers languages, the arts, social work, psychology, and several law-adjacent specialisations, making it one of UP’s broadest faculties by subject range.
Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Runs degrees across biological, physical, mathematical, and agricultural sciences, and includes extended foundation programmes for students who need an additional year of academic support before entering mainstream coursework.
Health Sciences. Home to Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), Nursing, Dentistry, and Physiotherapy: professional programmes that combine rigorous entry requirements with clinical training at teaching hospitals linked to the university.
Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). Covers accounting, economics, financial sciences, and data science, with degrees ranging from general commerce qualifications to more specialised, high-APS options like Accounting Sciences.
Law. Offers the LLB both as a direct-entry undergraduate degree and as a postgraduate route for students who complete a different first degree before switching into law. UP’s law programme is regularly ranked among the strongest on the continent.
Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT). Runs demanding engineering and IT programmes, generally requiring some of the highest APS scores at the university, alongside strong Mathematics and Physical Science results.
Theology and Religion. A smaller, specialised faculty focused on theological study and religious studies.
Veterinary Science. Based at the Onderstepoort campus, this is the only Faculty of Veterinary Science in South Africa, which is part of why its admissions are especially competitive and its application window closes earlier than other faculties.
Education. Trains teachers and education specialists across a range of qualification levels, from undergraduate education degrees through to postgraduate diplomas.
UPOnline: Fully Online Programmes
UP also offers a growing range of fully online programmes through UPOnline, including Higher Certificates and Professional Online Development (PODs) short courses, such as:
- Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences
- Bioentrepreneurship, Event Management, Business Rescue, Contract Management, Risk Management
- Information Security, Project Management, Procurement
UPOnline fees are charged per module, and no financial aid is offered directly through UPOnline. Students must seek external funding or employer sponsorship.
Qualification Levels Explained
| NQF Level | Qualification | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NQF 5 | Higher Certificate | 1 year |
| NQF 6 | Diploma | 2–3 years |
| NQF 7 | Bachelor’s Degree | 3–6 years (depending on programme, e.g. MBChB, BVSc) |
| NQF 8 | Honours / Postgraduate Diploma | 1 year |
| NQF 9 | Master’s Degree | 1–2 years |
| NQF 10 | Doctoral Degree (PhD) | 2–5 years |
Finding the Right Programme for You
With this many faculties and qualification types, narrowing things down usually comes down to a few questions:
- Which faculty or career path are you drawn to?
- Are you starting an undergraduate degree, or looking at postgraduate study?
- Do you need contact learning, or would UPOnline’s flexible intakes suit you better?