Nelson Mandela University (NMU) is one of South Africa’s leading comprehensive public universities, located in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape. The university is known for its innovative teaching, research excellence, and career-focused qualifications across a wide range of academic disciplines.
Whether you’re planning to study business, engineering, education, health sciences, law, humanities, or science, this guide provides a complete overview of the courses offered at Nelson Mandela University, faculty information, admission requirements, and where to access the official NMU Prospectus and Faculty Prospectuses (Course Outlines).
Why Choose Nelson Mandela University?
Nelson Mandela University offers students a high-quality education supported by modern facilities and industry partnerships. Some of the key benefits of studying at NMU include:
- Internationally recognized qualifications
- Modern campuses and research facilities
- Strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship
- Industry-focused academic programmes
- Excellent graduate employability
- Student support and career development services
- Extensive undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities
Faculties and Courses Offered at Nelson Mandela University
Nelson Mandela University offers qualifications through seven academic faculties. Each faculty publishes an official prospectus containing programme structures, module information, admission requirements, and academic regulations.
1. Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
Popular programmes include:
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Accounting
- Economics
- Business Management
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing Management
- Financial Planning
- Logistics
- Tourism Management
- Information Systems
2. Faculty of Education
Education programmes include:
- Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase)
- Bachelor of Education (Intermediate Phase)
- Bachelor of Education (Senior Phase and FET)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Education Honours
- Master’s and Doctoral Programmes
3. Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology
Engineering and technology programmes include:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Construction Management
- Quantity Surveying
- Architecture
- Information Technology
- Engineering Technology
4. Faculty of Health Sciences
Health-related qualifications include:
- Nursing Science
- Emergency Medical Care
- Dietetics
- Human Movement Science
- Biokinetics
- Radiography
- Clinical Care
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
5. Faculty of Humanities
Students can pursue qualifications in:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Political and Governmental Studies
- Journalism and Media Studies
- History
- English
- African Languages
- Philosophy
- Music
- Visual Arts
6. Faculty of Law
Law programmes include:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctoral Law Programmes
7. Faculty of Science
Science programmes include:
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Zoology
- Botany
- Environmental Science
- Geology
Postgraduate Programmes
Nelson Mandela University offers an extensive range of postgraduate qualifications, including:
- Honours Degrees
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Master’s Degrees
- Doctoral (PhD) Programmes
- Research-based qualifications
- Professional postgraduate programmes
Short Courses and Continuing Education
NMU also offers continuing education and short learning programmes through various faculties and specialized centres. These programmes may include:
- Business Management
- Leadership
- Project Management
- Information Technology
- Education
- Healthcare
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Management
Availability varies by faculty and academic year.
Official Nelson Mandela University Course Outlines
Nelson Mandela University publishes a General Prospectus together with Faculty Prospectuses, which serve as the official course outlines for prospective students.
These publications include:
- Programme structures
- Module descriptions
- Course codes
- Admission requirements
- Faculty regulations
- Assessment policies
- Graduation requirements
- Academic rules
- Application procedures
Prospective students should review the relevant Faculty Prospectus before applying, as it contains the official curriculum and regulations for each qualification.
Download the Official Nelson Mandela University Prospectus and Faculty Prospectuses
Prospective students can access the latest official Nelson Mandela University publications below:
- General Prospectus: https://www.mandela.ac.za/Study-at-Mandela/Prospectus
- Faculty Prospectuses (Course Outlines): https://www.mandela.ac.za/Study-at-Mandela/Prospectus
These official resources provide:
- Undergraduate Prospectus
- Faculty Prospectuses
- Programme structures
- Module descriptions
- Admission requirements
- Application guidelines
- Academic regulations
- Registration information
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements differ depending on the qualification. Applicants should carefully review:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification
- Admission Point Score (APS), where applicable
- Subject-specific requirements
- English language proficiency
- Mathematics and Physical Sciences requirements for selected programmes
- Faculty-specific admission criteria
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not automatically guarantee admission into programmes with limited spaces.
Tips for Prospective Students
Before applying to Nelson Mandela University:
- Research your preferred career path.
- Compare programme admission requirements.
- Download the latest General Prospectus and relevant Faculty Prospectus.
- Review module structures and curriculum information.
- Prepare certified supporting documents.
- Submit your application before the official closing date.
- Check the university website regularly for application updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I download Nelson Mandela University course outlines?
The official course outlines are available through the General Prospectus and Faculty Prospectuses published by Nelson Mandela University. These documents contain programme structures, module descriptions, admission requirements, and academic regulations.
Does Nelson Mandela University offer postgraduate programmes?
Yes. NMU offers Honours, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s, Doctoral, and research-based qualifications across all seven faculties.
Does Nelson Mandela University offer Engineering and Computer Science?
Yes. The Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology offers several engineering programmes, while the Faculty of Science offers Computer Science, Information Technology, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and related disciplines.
Final Thoughts
Nelson Mandela University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across business, education, engineering, health sciences, humanities, law, and science. Its official General Prospectus and Faculty Prospectuses provide detailed information on programme structures, module descriptions, admission requirements, and academic regulations.
Before submitting your application, download the latest Nelson Mandela University Prospectus and the relevant Faculty Prospectus to understand your chosen programme, entry requirements, and curriculum. Reviewing these official resources will help you make an informed decision and prepare a successful application to one of South Africa’s leading comprehensive universities.

Conversation
0 Comments