Nelson Mandela University (NMU) was officially launched in 2005, following the merger of the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), Port Elizabeth Technikon, and Vista University’s Port Elizabeth campus. Named after the late former president and world icon, Nelson Mandela, it is the only university in the world to carry his name.

Based primarily in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), with an additional campus in George, NMU has grown into a comprehensive university with over 29,000 students, including a strong international student body.

The university is widely recognized for its academic excellence in marine sciences, engineering, business, health sciences, education, and the creative arts. NMU is also South Africa’s leading ocean and coastal sciences university, with world-class research initiatives.

NMU operates across seven campuses, most of them located in Gqeberha

List of Campuses

1. South Campus – Summerstrand, Gqeberha

• Address: University Way, Summerstrand, Gqeberha

• Faculties/Programs: Science, Engineering, Built Environment & Technology, Education, Business & Economic Sciences

• Facilities: Main library, research labs, computer centres, residences, sports complex

• Established: Originates from the University of Port Elizabeth (1960s)

• Notable Facts: The main campus of NMU and home to many faculties and administrative offices

3. Second Avenue Campus – Summerstrand, Gqeberha

• Address: Second Avenue, Summerstrand, Gqeberha

• Faculties/Programs: Education, Business and Economic Sciences (selected programmes)

• Facilities: Lecture rooms, admin offices, IT labs

• Established: Originally part of Port Elizabeth Technikon

• Notable Facts: Closely linked to teacher training and professional programmes

4. Bird Street Campus – Central, Gqeberha

• Address: Bird Street, Central Gqeberha

• Faculties/Programs: Arts (Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Creative Media)

• Facilities: Art studios, exhibition spaces, cultural centres

• Established: Historic site linked to UPE’s former city presence

• Notable Facts: Serves as the arts and culture hub of NMU

5. Missionvale Campus – Missionvale, Gqeberha

• Address: Missionvale, Gqeberha

• Faculties/Programs: Health Sciences, Business and Economic Sciences, Science (selected programmes)

• Facilities: Modern science labs, medical training centres, library, residences

• Established: Originally part of Vista University before 2005 merger

• Notable Facts: Central to NMU’s Health Sciences training, including its Medical School (launched in 2021 — the first in the Eastern Cape)

6. George Campus – George, Western Cape

• Address: Madiba Drive, George, Western Cape

• Faculties/Programs: Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Business Management

• Facilities: Forestry plantations, environmental labs, residences, sports grounds

• Established: Integrated into NMU from PE Technikon

• Notable Facts: Focuses on sustainability, nature conservation, and environmental sciences

7. Ocean Sciences Campus – Summerstrand, Gqeberha

• Address: Ocean Sciences Drive, Summerstrand, Gqeberha

• Faculties/Programs: Marine and Ocean Sciences, Environmental Studies, Research Programmes

• Facilities: State-of-the-art marine research labs, innovation hubs, teaching facilities

• Established: Officially launched in 2017

• Notable Facts: South Africa’s only dedicated Ocean Sciences campus, positioning NMU as a global leader in marine research

Closing Notes

Nelson Mandela University has seven campuses spread across Gqeberha and George, each with its own unique focus. From the iconic South Campus to the world-class Ocean Sciences Campus and the environmentally focused George Campus, NMU stands out as a modern, comprehensive institution with strong research and academic traditions.

As the only university named after Nelson Mandela, it carries a special responsibility to embody values of integrity, inclusivity, and innovation.

For more details on applications, programs, and campus life, visit the official website: https://www.mandela.ac.za