Rhodes University - RU
speciality: Biological Sciences

I chose Rhodes University because it was one of the few institutions that accepted me with my B-level matric results, and I will always appreciate that opportunity. One thing Rhodes does exceptionally well is allowing students flexibility. Even within a structured programme like a Bachelor of Science, I was able to mix my degree with Humanities modules, which is something not many universities offer. That academic freedom helped me shape a degree that aligned with my interests.

The campus itself is beautiful and easy to navigate. In terms of support, I would rate it around 70%. Many lecturers genuinely care, and the student governing structures do try, but there are areas where the university could improve. Rhodes is located in a very small town, and because of that, access to resources can be limited.

Academically, it’s easy to get in but very difficult to get out. The workload can be overwhelming, and many students end up repeating modules because of how tough the programme can be.

On a personal level, I experienced one of the hardest moments of my life when I lost my father during my studies. I approached the Dean of Science to pause my degree for a year, and although he shared his own experience of loss and encouraged me based on my grades, the emotional support I needed at the time still felt lacking. Rhodes does have counselling services, but the overall mental-health support throughout the academic journey isn’t as consistent or proactive as it should be. Sometimes communication from staff can feel nonchalant, delayed, or nonexistent, which adds to the stress.

The university fees are also very high, especially considering the state of many facilities. While there have been improvements such as the major science labs project, the residences are extremely old and have constant maintenance issues. As someone who was also in leadership, I saw firsthand how much needed fixing. Perhaps things have improved since I left in 2023, but at the time, a lot of the residences needed significant renovation.

Overall, Rhodes University offers a strong academic environment with a lot of potential, flexibility, and dedicated individuals but the journey is tough, mentally demanding, and not always supported in the way students need. With better resourcing, more consistent student support, and improved residential facilities, the experience could be much stronger.