University of the Free State
About the University of the Free State
Basic information and contact details for the University of the Free State
The University of the Free State is a public university in Bloemfontein which was founded in 1904.
It was founded as English-only and began to offer its first classes in Afrikaans in 1911. From 1948 was Afrikaans-only and in 1993 adopted a Parallel Language policy. It declared English its main language in 2016 and in 2021 formed the academy of multingualism, promoting in particular Sesotho, Afrikaans and isiZulu.
Students can study at the faculties of health science, law, education, theology and religion, humanities, economics and management science.
The undergraduate microscope laboratory is the largest in Africa and the robotic telescope at the observatory is one of only seven of its type.
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Key Student Statistics
A breakdown of student statistics at the University of the Free State
- Student gender ratio
- 64 F : 36 M (1)
- International student percentage
- 2% (1)
- Students per staff
- 30.9 (1)
- Student total
- 31599 (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2026
Subjects Taught at the University of the Free State
See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of the Free State
Arts and Humanities
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art, Performing Art and Design
- History, Philosophy and Theology
- Languages, Literature and Linguistics
Business and Economics
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Economics and Econometrics
Computer Science
- Computer Science
Education Studies
- Education
Engineering
- General Engineering
Law
- Law
Life Sciences
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Biological Sciences
- Sport Science
Medical and Health
- Medicine and Dentistry
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
Psychology
- Psychology
Social Sciences
- Communication and Media Studies
- Geography
- Politics and International Studies
- Sociology