Rhodes University

Rhodes University Rhodes University is an institution with a well-established reputation for academic excellence.

With just over 8200 students, Rhodes is a small University which enjoys the distinction of having among the best undergraduate pass and graduation rates in South Africa, outstanding postgraduate success rates, and the best research output per academic staff member. This is a testimony to the quality of students that Rhodes attracts and of academic provision, and to the commitment of Rhodes staff to student development and success. Of our more than 8000 students, 30% are postgraduates and over 18% are international students from 54 countries around the world, making Rhodes a dynamic and cosmopolitan knowledge institution. Students are able to undertake an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the faculties of Humanities, Science, Commerce, Pharmacy, Law, and Education. With the most favourable academic staff to student ratio among South African universities, Rhodes students are guaranteed easy access to academics and close supervision. The University takes pride in its motto, Where Leaders Learn, and producing graduates who are knowledgeable intellectuals, skilled professionals, and critical, caring and compassionate citizens who can contribute to economic and social development and an equitable, just and democratic society. Almost 50% of Rhodes students and the majority of undergraduates live in the University residences, while there also special residences for postgraduates. Through a well-established structure of wardens, sub-wardens and residence committees, the residences play an important role in overall student development, including developing leadership skills. Numerous clubs and societies provide extensive opportunities for students to participate in a variety of intellectual, social, cultural, and sports activities and further develop valuable skills. Rhodes University looks to the future with confidence, secure that as indawo yolwazi (a place of knowledge) and through the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and community engagement it produces outstanding graduates that are sought after and makes a vital contribution to human and social development. At our Open Day, you can find out more about the wide range of attractive and flexible programmes we offer in our six faculties – Commerce, Law Education, Pharmacy, Humanities, and Science. At Rhodes, you will have an opportunity to participate in programmes across all faculties. Our graduates perform well in an increasingly competitive job market and are highly regarded by employers around the world. During your time here, we will help you prepare for your chosen career. The employability of our graduates continues to increase and rates up there with the very best the world has to offer. Our degree offering prepares students for the job market by ensuring they develop the skills employers want, whether through work experience, volunteering or social activities.

The dusky kob can grow as large as a human and live for more than 40 years. Its population has still fallen by about 98%...
07/10/2026

The dusky kob can grow as large as a human and live for more than 40 years. Its population has still fallen by about 98%.

At the third and final Vice-Chancellor's AI Conversation of 2026, Rhodes University researchers showed how machine learning is helping marine scientists listen more closely. PhD candidate Nicole Oyetunji is helping ecologists spot unusual patterns in millions of tracking data points, while MSc candidate Nkosinathi Ntuli is teaching a model to make sense of the Eastern Cape's underwater soundscapes.

As Oyetunji put it, the aim is not to replace ecologists but to assist them.

Read the full story: https://www.ru.ac.za/latestnews/ai_conversations_3-1.html

Centre for Postgraduate Studies
University of Pretoria

📸 Vusumzi Tshekema

06/10/2026
[IN PICTURES] Some photos from our Spring Graduation that took place last week Friday. Our graduates looked amazing, and...
05/10/2026

[IN PICTURES] Some photos from our Spring Graduation that took place last week Friday. Our graduates looked amazing, and we are proud of each and every one of them!

📸 Vusumzi Tshekema

Rhodes University proudly congratulates its Chancellor, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, on being conferred with an honorary ...
02/10/2026

Rhodes University proudly congratulates its Chancellor, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, on being conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Fort Hare (UFH) today, Friday, 2 October 2026, during its Spring Graduation ceremony in Alice.

We are immensely proud to see Justice Madlanga’s distinguished contribution to constitutionalism, human rights and the law recognised through this prestigious honour. His remarkable career across the judiciary, legal education and public service, including his service on the Constitutional Court until his retirement in July 2025, reflects an enduring commitment to justice, the rule of law and South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

As Chancellor of Rhodes University, Justice Madlanga’s leadership and record of service are a source of great pride for our University community. His commitment to advancing justice, knowledge and the public good resonates deeply with the values we hold as a university.

Rhodes University celebrates this well-deserved recognition of our Chancellor and his exceptional contribution to society.

Congratulations Rhadebe! We’re proud of you!

Read the UFH article about the conferral here: https://www.ufh.ac.za/news/justice-madlanga-challenges-universities-to-turn-access-into-opportunity

(Photo courtesy of UFH, credited to Tim Wilson)

Congratulations, Dr Wendy Knowler, on a well-deserved recognition!Dr Knowler received an honorary Doctor of Laws at Rhod...
02/10/2026

Congratulations, Dr Wendy Knowler, on a well-deserved recognition!

Dr Knowler received an honorary Doctor of Laws at Rhodes University's 2026 Spring Graduation in recognition of her outstanding and sustained contribution to consumer journalism in South Africa.

[LIVE SOON] Rhodes University Spring GraduationJoin us in celebrating 212 postgraduates and consumer journalist,  Wendy ...
02/10/2026

[LIVE SOON] Rhodes University Spring Graduation

Join us in celebrating 212 postgraduates and consumer journalist, Wendy Knowler.

đź”—

Celebration of 212 postgraduate achievements.Honouring Wendy Know...

As Rhodes University prepares to celebrate our Master’s and PhD graduates this week, we also shine a light on the resear...
02/10/2026

As Rhodes University prepares to celebrate our Master’s and PhD graduates this week, we also shine a light on the research, innovation and scholarship that underpin our identity as a research-intensive university.

We are particularly pleased to spotlight Rhodes University’s selection by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to host one of five Presidential PhD Programme Hubs nationally, and the only hub dedicated to Advanced Biotechnology. This initiative places Rhodes University at the centre of an ambitious national effort to reimagine doctoral education in South Africa.

Professor Janice Limson, DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and Engagement, will lead the hub. “Building on outstanding training in biotechnology, the programme will further equip our graduates with the wider set of skills that will be needed to address societal challenges in a rapidly changing world,” she said.

As graduates walk across the stage on Friday, 2 October 2026, Professor Limson will be on Algoa FM at 10:45 am, speaking about the Presidential PhD Programme, the Advanced Biotechnology Hub and what this initiative means for the future of doctoral education.

More about the Presidential PhD Programme in Advanced Biotechnology

Following a highly competitive national process, Rhodes University was selected to host the Advanced Biotechnology Hub. Over three years, the hub will support approximately 45 PhD candidates, with funding of around R21 million. The first cohort is expected to enrol in 2027.

The success of the Presidential PhD Programme bid also reflects the collaborative strength of Rhodes University. While biotechnology is at the heart of the new hub, its development draws on expertise from across the University’s faculties, centres and institutes. These include Community Engagement, the Environmental Learning Research Centre, the Centre for Postgraduate Studies, the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning, the Centre for Biological Control and the Institute for Water Research.

"This level of collaboration and established thought leadership around doctoral studies training, sustainability and transdisciplinarity really helped cement Rhodes University as one of the five hubs," said Professor Limson.

01/10/2026

Tomorrow, we celebrate our graduates! đź’ś

As we prepare for Rhodes University’s 2026 Spring Graduation, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela shares a special message with our graduands.

We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you.

Congratulations!

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Drostdy Road
Grahamstown
6140

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