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Stellenbosch University

Rooted in Africa with a global reach, Stellenbosch University (SU) has been shaping knowledge and innovation for over a century. As a leading institution, we drive world-class research, pioneering technological advancements, and transformative education. Our commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and collaboration empowers us to address society’s most pressing challenges—both locally and globally. Agile, forward-thinking, and impact-driven, we are moving forward, together.

Campuses and living in Stellenbosch
SU's dynamic and diverse campus community includes over 35,000 students and more than 4000 academic and support staff. Our undergraduate and postgraduate community includes over 4,000 international students from 100 countries, across ten faculties and five campuses.

The main campus, nestled along the historic, oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch and just 50 km from Cape Town, serves as the heart of this vibrant hub of learning, innovation, and collaboration.

The Tygerberg Campus, located in Bellville just 20 km from central Cape Town, is home to our Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. This campus includes the Tygerberg Academic Hospital, numerous clinical and educational facilities, five student residences, and the state-of-the-art Biomedical Research Institute, which was recently launched to further cutting-edge medical research.

Our Bellville Park Campus is home to the triple-accredited Stellenbosch Business School, a hub for future business leaders and innovators.

The Worcester Campus adds to our diversity of locations, while the Saldanha Campus, situated along the scenic West Coast (150 km from Cape Town and 170 km from Stellenbosch), hosts the Faculty of Military Science, playing a critical role in training the country's future military leaders.

As a residential university, Stellenbosch continues to prioritise in-person, classroom-based learning while embracing new technologies to enhance learning spaces and broaden access to knowledge. Students can choose from a variety of accommodation options, including undergraduate and senior residences, Private Student Organisation (PSO) wards, and our unique Listen, Live, and Learn (LLL) houses, which promote inclusive and collaborative living experiences.

Research for Impact
Our research agenda is shaped by five strategic areas:
  • The natural environment
  • Health and human security
  • Social justice and development
  • Human creativity and social innovation
  • Systems and technologies for the future
Each aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring SU's scholarship serves society locally, regionally and globally.

SU drives research for impact by building on our strengths and embracing transdisciplinary collaboration. Recent investments include the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking and the School for Climate Studies, both working across our ten faculties to tackle global challenges.

Research figures:
  • 9 Centres of Excellence in research
  • 50 Research Chairs
  • 509 Scientists with a National Research Foundation Rating
  • 320 Doctoral degrees awarded in 2023
EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe (2021-2027)
SU’s participation in the consortium-driven EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme has increased further in 2025. For the current Horizon Europe programme, SU has secured a total of 64 EU related projects, including EU framework programmes, joint EU-SA programmes, EuropeAid projects, Erasmus + Capacity in Higher Education (CBHE) programmes. Faculties with the highest numbers of participation are:
  1. Medicine and Health Sciences (Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) and Pediatric Tuberculosis),
  2. AgriScience with a focus on COST Actions, which support international research collaboration networks.
  3. Engineering, which includes the MSCA Staff Exchanges and Doctoral Networks programmes.
SU is the top South African university with the highest number of both COST Actions and Marie Curie Actions.

Internationalisation at Stellenbosch University
SU is a globally engaged research institution, actively fostering international collaboration through a dynamic network of over 350 partners across more than 60 countries. SU holds membership in:
  • EUTOPIA European Universities Alliance as global partner
  • The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC)
  • SGROUP – Universities in Europe (associated membership)
  • International Network of Universities (INU)
  • Venice International University (VIU)
  • The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)
  • Periperi U, a consortium focused on disaster risk reduction and resilience
Internationalisation at SU is embedded across all levels of the institution—from faculty-led initiatives to comprehensive institutional agreements. These collaborations support cutting-edge research, enrich the academic experience, and facilitate staff and student mobility that drives global engagement and intercultural exchange.

In 2024, SU welcomed more than 170 incoming exchange students per semester, while 49 international staff members visited SU through the Erasmus+ programme. Concurrently, 31 SU academic and PASS staff members participated in international mobility under the same programme, reflecting a growing culture of global learning and exchange.

In 2023, international students comprised 16% of SU's postgraduate student body, contributing to the diversity and global outlook of the university community. Through these efforts, SU continues to cultivate a transformative, globally connected learning and research environment for all Maties.

For more on SU’s international activities and support for staff and students, visit: www.sun.ac.za/english/SUInternational