What You Need to Know About University of the Free State
UFS sits in Bloemfontein and runs 142 programmes across 8 faculties, from Built Environment to Theology and Religion. It's ranked #9 in South Africa and between #1001-1200 globally on the THE 2026 rankings, so it's a name that carries real weight without the sky-high entry marks of some bigger universities.
If your APS sits somewhere between 28 and 34, UFS has a genuine shot at working for you. Programmes like Health Sciences and Physiotherapy push higher, up to 32-33 APS, while some Humanities options open from as low as 20 APS. This makes UFS a practical pick if you want options without needing top marks in every subject.
What APS Do You Need?
UFS uses your best six subjects on an 8 point ladder, plus Life Orientation, which adds exactly 1 point once you hit 60%, however high your actual LO mark is. Your total maxes out at 49 APS, so don't expect the same numbers you'd see at a university using a standard 42-point scale.
Most Built Environment programmes, like Architecture and Quantity Surveying, want 30 APS. Science-heavy degrees push higher: Optometry needs 32 APS, Physiotherapy needs 33 APS, and Mathematics and Applied Mathematics wants 32 APS with at least 70% for Maths. Watch out for subject-specific traps too, Geography and Environmental Science requires 60% for both Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, not just a high APS total.
Fees and Funding
Exact tuition figures depend on your specific programme, so check the official UFS Student Financial Services page for exact costs and the current fees quotation. Figuring out funding is stressful, but if your household earns R350,000 or less per year, you likely qualify for NSFAS, which can cover tuition, registration, accommodation or transport, and learning materials.
UFS also runs Postgraduate Tuition Fee Bursaries through its Centre for Graduate Support if you're heading into further study. It's worth reaching out to UFS Student Financial Services directly if your funding situation isn't straightforward.
Life on Campus
Check the official UFS Kovsie Life page for exact details on res options, costs, and how to apply for a spot. Res spaces at any university tend to fill up fast, so it's safer to sort your accommodation application as early as you can once you're accepted.
Not sure if your marks are enough to get in? Use our free UFS APS calculator to check exactly where you stand before you apply.
