University of Pretoria - UP
speciality: Sociology

The courses are well strauctured and lecturers are knowledgeable and supportive. While some adminiostrative processes could be faster, overall it was a great experience that prepered me well for my career.

My experience with the University of Pretoria was extremely positive and transformative. I spent a year at the institution pursuing a postgraduate degree and it changed me in many ways. I was placed in many uncomfortable situations that allowed me to grow as a person and an academic.

My favourite part of my academic journey at UP was without a doubt writing my research paper. I loved the entire experience, presenting my proposal to my peers and mentors, going out and doing Field work and seeing my year’s worth of work printed out on paper.

However, my time at UP would not have been as great as it was without the vibrant campus life, the university has many social clubs that are welcoming to anyone and easy to access. Being a part different communities on campus was life changing as it was something I had never done in my undergraduate years when I mostly kept a very small circle. I think that it is very important that new students find a group or community that best align with them on campus. While academics are important, it is just as important to be surrounded by people that will help and look out of you. Being in a community will not solve every issue that one might encounter in university, but it will drastically improve their experience and their mental wellbeing.

My overall experience at UP has been positive, the only downside is the inaccessibility of mental health services, I and most students had to wait weeks and sometimes months to see a counsellor, something which most students needed during exam seasons and other challenging periods.

University of Pretoria is a diverse and inclusive university. There are always fun events being hosted(not during exams). Most of the buildings are pretty old though. It has numerous campus’ in different locations, but there is transport that will take you to and from your assigned campus. It is almost impossible not to make friends. The professors are good and interactive. However, some act like they are only doing it for the money and not for the love of teaching and sharing their knowledge. Their student accommodations are very old and not quite pleasing. I would recommend staying in a private student accommodation. It is a great school in total. One of the best in Africa.

The university is good, I was there during COVID so I was mostly online for my degree and only started attending in person classes mid 2023 and finished in 2024.
I learnt alot and I was blessed with the lecturers I had at the time, they were always willing to help and made the degree and all the subjects manageable. They adjusted to online well. I learnt alot in my degree.

The student center and admin staff were helpful when I was there and it was chilled.

I would suggest this university if you wanna study.

I disliked the fact that I was a student at the university and when applying for honours in psychology they didn’t accept me even though I met the requirements, I think they only take 100 students. So they forget about you after your degree. Sometimes you just a number and I don’t know what they expect you to do after you graduate, you have to apply else where.

I didn’t spend much time on campus I went to class and then went home but the campus and facilities are nice.

The parking situation is terrible when campus is full. Depending on the time you go you might not get on campus parking or student parking but you might have to park on the street and the random car guards are always harassing you for money. I wish they would build more student parking!

Their fees aren’t that bad to study there, but I didn’t stay on campus I drove in and out.

It is one of the best universities especially when it comes to opportunities given to students and graduates. They help students with career growth opportunities and assistance with entering the work environment.