Rhodes University is one of South Africa’s most respected public universities, renowned for its academic excellence, small class sizes, and research-driven teaching. Located in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape, Rhodes University offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications through six academic faculties.
If you’re planning to study at Rhodes University, this guide provides a complete overview of the courses offered at Rhodes University, faculty information, admission requirements, and where to access the official Rhodes University Prospectus and Faculty Handbooks (Course Outlines).
Why Choose Rhodes University?
Rhodes University has built a strong reputation for producing highly skilled graduates who excel in academia, business, science, law, journalism, and public service. Students choose Rhodes University because of its:
- Internationally recognized qualifications
- Small class sizes with personalized learning
- Excellent research opportunities
- Modern teaching and laboratory facilities
- High graduate employability
- Vibrant student life
- Strong academic support services
Faculties and Courses Offered at Rhodes University
Rhodes University offers undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications through six academic faculties. Each faculty publishes programme information outlining qualification requirements and curriculum details.
1. Faculty of Commerce
Popular programmes include:
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Accounting
- Economics
- Management
- Information Systems
- Human Resource Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Management
2. Faculty of Education
Education qualifications include:
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Foundation Phase Teaching
- Intermediate Phase Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Education Honours
- Master’s and Doctoral Programmes in Education
3. Faculty of Humanities
Students can pursue programmes in:
- Journalism and Media Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political and International Studies
- Philosophy
- History
- English Language and Literature
- African Languages
- Drama
- Music
- Fine Art
- Anthropology
4. Faculty of Law
Law qualifications include:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- LLB Honours
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Laws (LLD)
5. Faculty of Pharmacy
Programmes include:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Pharmacy Honours
- Master’s and PhD Programmes
6. Faculty of Science
Popular science programmes include:
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Zoology
- Botany
- Geology
Postgraduate Programmes
Rhodes University offers a wide variety of postgraduate qualifications, including:
- Honours Degrees
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Master’s Degrees
- Doctoral (PhD) Programmes
- Research-based Qualifications
Many postgraduate programmes combine coursework with supervised research.
Short Courses and Professional Development
Rhodes University also offers selected short courses and continuing professional development programmes through various faculties and centres. These courses may cover:
- Journalism and Media
- Education
- Leadership
- Environmental Studies
- Information Technology
- Business and Management
Availability varies by faculty and academic year.
Official Rhodes University Course Outlines (Faculty Handbooks)
Rhodes University publishes official Faculty Handbooks that serve as the university’s course outlines. These handbooks contain:
- Programme structures
- Module descriptions
- Course codes
- Admission requirements
- Faculty regulations
- Assessment rules
- Graduation requirements
- Academic policies
Prospective students should consult the relevant Faculty Handbook before applying, as it contains the official curriculum and regulations for each qualification.
Download the Official Rhodes University Prospectus and Faculty Handbooks
You can access the latest official Rhodes University resources below:
- Rhodes University Undergraduate Prospectus: https://www.ru.ac.za/admissiongateway/
- Rhodes University Faculty Handbooks (Course Outlines): https://handbook.ru.ac.za/
These official resources provide detailed programme information, admission requirements, curriculum structures, module descriptions, and academic regulations.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements differ depending on the programme. Applicants should carefully review:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification
- Faculty-specific admission requirements
- Required school subjects
- English language proficiency
- Mathematics and Physical Sciences requirements (where applicable)
- Programme-specific selection criteria
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not automatically guarantee admission, particularly for programmes with limited spaces.
Tips for Prospective Students
Before applying to Rhodes University:
- Research your preferred career path.
- Compare programme admission requirements.
- Download the latest Undergraduate Prospectus.
- Review the relevant Faculty Handbook.
- Prepare certified supporting documents.
- Submit your application before the official closing date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I download Rhodes University course outlines?
Course outlines are available through the official Rhodes University Faculty Handbooks, which include module descriptions, programme structures, academic regulations, and graduation requirements.
Does Rhodes University offer postgraduate programmes?
Yes. Rhodes University offers Honours, Master’s, Doctoral, and research-based qualifications across all six faculties.
Does Rhodes University offer Computer Science?
Yes. The Faculty of Science offers Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, Statistics, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and several other science programmes.
Final Thoughts
Rhodes University is one of South Africa’s most respected institutions, offering high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications across commerce, education, humanities, law, pharmacy, and science. Its official Faculty Handbooks and Prospectus provide comprehensive information on programme structures, admission requirements, module descriptions, and academic regulations.
Before applying, download the latest Rhodes University Prospectus and the relevant Faculty Handbook to review your chosen programme in detail. Doing so will help you understand the curriculum, meet the admission requirements, and prepare a strong application for admission.
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