University of Fort Hare

About UFH

The University of Fort Hare is one of Africa's oldest institutions of higher learning and holds particular historical significance as the alma mater of several prominent African leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Robert Mugabe, among others.

Today it operates campuses in Alice and East London, offering programmes across the sciences, humanities, law and management with a continued focus on rural and regional development. Its National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre houses one of the most significant collections of African art and political history on the continent.

Fort Hare's legacy as a training ground for African liberation leaders is something the university actively preserves and teaches from, and its rural Eastern Cape setting keeps it closely connected to the communities it was originally built to serve.

Why students choose UFH

• Alma mater of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and other African leaders
• Home to a major African art and political history collection
• Deep historical role in African higher education

Fields of study

• Education
• Law
• Management & Commerce
• Science & Agriculture
• Social Sciences & Humanities

What you'll need to apply

Every South African public university sets its own admission point score and subject requirements per programme, so the details below are general guidance rather than UFH-specific rules — always confirm exact requirements on the official site before applying.

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) that meets the minimum admission point score for your chosen programme.
• Specific subject and mark requirements, which vary by faculty — competitive programmes like medicine or engineering typically set higher thresholds.
• An online application through the university's own portal, usually opening the year before you intend to start.
• Supporting documents such as certified copies of your ID and academic records, and proof of application fee payment where applicable.