The University of Pretoria (UP), founded in 1908, is one of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Located in the country’s capital city, UP has grown into a leading research-intensive institution with more than 53,000 students, including thousands of international students from across Africa and the world.

UP consistently ranks among the top universities in Africa and is widely recognized for its academic excellence, innovation, and contributions to research in fields such as engineering, veterinary science, law, economics, and health sciences. The university is also known for its strong student culture, sporting achievements, and its commitment to building future leaders through quality education.

UP operates across seven campuses in Pretoria and surrounding areas, each with its own specialized academic and cultural focus.

List of Campuses

1. Hatfield Campus – Pretoria

• Address: Lynnwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria

• Faculties/Programs: Engineering, Built Environment & IT; Law; Economic & Management Sciences; Humanities; Natural & Agricultural Sciences; Theology & Religion

• Facilities: Main library (Merensky Library), student residences, computer labs, sports grounds, amphitheatre

• Established: 1910s – historic core of UP

• Notable Facts: The main campus of UP and the administrative centre of the university

2. Hillcrest Campus – Pretoria

• Address: South Street, Hillcrest, Pretoria

• Faculties/Programs: Primarily used for sports sciences and training

• Facilities: High-performance centre, athletics stadium, swimming pool, sports laboratories, residences

• Established: Developed as the hub for university sport and high-performance training

• Notable Facts: Hosts the High Performance Centre (hpc), a world-class training venue for professional athletes and teams

3. Groenkloof Campus – Pretoria

• Address: George Storrar Drive, Groenkloof, Pretoria

• Faculties/Programs: Education

• Facilities: Lecture halls, education resource centres, sports fields, residences

• Established: Originally the Pretoria College of Education, incorporated into UP in 2000

• Notable Facts: Dedicated entirely to teacher education and training

4. Prinshof Campus – Pretoria

• Address: Bophelo Road, Prinshof, Pretoria

• Faculties/Programs: Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Professions)

• Facilities: Clinical training labs, dental hospital, anatomy labs, student residences

• Established: Expanded in the mid-20th century as UP’s medical hub

• Notable Facts: Closely linked with major hospitals such as Steve Biko Academic Hospital

5. Onderstepoort Campus – Pretoria North

• Address: Soutpansberg Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria

• Faculties/Programs: Veterinary Science

• Facilities: Veterinary hospital, animal clinics, diagnostic labs, research facilities, residences

• Established: Faculty of Veterinary Science established in 1920

• Notable Facts: The only veterinary faculty in South Africa and one of the most advanced in Africa

6. Mamelodi Campus – Pretoria East

• Address: Hans Strijdom Drive, Mamelodi, Pretoria

• Faculties/Programs: Foundation Programmes (bridging students into mainstream degrees)

• Facilities: Lecture halls, science labs, residences

• Established: Incorporated into UP in 2004

• Notable Facts: Focused on improving access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

7. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) – Johannesburg

• Address: 26 Melville Road, Illovo, Johannesburg

• Faculties/Programs: Business and Management (MBA, Executive Education, Doctoral programmes)

• Facilities: Modern lecture halls, conference rooms, business library, innovation labs

• Established: Founded in 2000 as UP’s business school

• Notable Facts: Ranked as one of Africa’s top business schools, with strong global reputation

Closing Notes

The University of Pretoria operates across seven campuses, each playing a vital role in its academic, cultural, and social life. From its main Hatfield campus at the heart of the university, to its specialized veterinary, health, education, and business schools, UP provides one of the most comprehensive educational offerings in South Africa.

UP continues to strengthen its status as a research powerhouse and a university of choice, both locally and internationally.

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