Stellenbosch University Courses for 2028 Application

Stellenbosch University Courses for 2028 Application: List of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes

If you are planning to apply to Stellenbosch University (SU) for the 2028 academic year, choosing the right course is one of the most important decisions you will make before submitting your application. Continue to read more about Stellenbosch University Courses for 2028 Application.

Stellenbosch University offers a broad range of undergraduate programmes across fields such as agriculture, arts, business, education, engineering, law, medicine, health sciences, science and theology. The university’s official information groups its undergraduate offerings across nine faculties, giving prospective students a wide range of academic and career pathways.

This guide provides an overview of Stellenbosch University courses for the 2028 application, including programmes available across the university’s faculties, what prospective applicants should consider before applying, selection requirements and how to prepare for the 2028 application cycle.

Stellenbosch University Admission Requirement

Stellenbosch University Fees

What Courses Does Stellenbosch University Offer?

Stellenbosch University offers undergraduate qualifications ranging from traditional bachelor’s degrees to diplomas and other undergraduate qualifications.

The university’s main undergraduate faculties include:

Faculty of AgriSciences
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Theology

The exact programmes available can change as the university reviews its academic offerings, so applicants should always use the official programme catalogue for the relevant admission year.

Stellenbosch University Courses 2028 by Faculty

1. AgriSciences Courses at Stellenbosch University

The Faculty of AgriSciences is one of the distinctive academic areas at Stellenbosch University. Its programmes cover agriculture, food production, natural resources, conservation, forestry, wine science and agricultural economics.

The university says its AgriSciences programmes address areas including plant, soil and conservation sciences, animal production systems, food production systems, grape and wine sciences, and agricultural economics and management.

Prospective applicants can expect undergraduate study options including:

BAgric in Agricultural Production and Management
BAgric in Agri-business Management
BScAgric in Animal Science
BScAgric in Plant and Soil Science
BScAgric in Agricultural Economic Analysis
BScAgric in Agricultural Economic Analysis and Management
BSc in Conservation Ecology
BSc in Food Science
BSc in Forestry
BSc in Viticulture and Oenology
Bachelor of Data Science
Agricultural Economics-related programmes
Agronomy and crop-production programmes

The Faculty also offers programmes associated with areas such as crop production, soil and water management and agricultural economics.

Why consider AgriSciences?

These programmes can be particularly relevant to students interested in:

Agriculture
Food security
Environmental management
Conservation
Agricultural economics
Forestry
Horticulture
Viticulture
Food science
Sustainable development

Stellenbosch highlights Viticulture and Oenology, Forestry and Wood Sciences and Conservation Ecology among distinctive areas of its undergraduate offering.

2. Arts and Social Sciences Courses

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences provides programmes covering humanities, languages, social sciences, communication, psychology, social work, international studies and related disciplines.

3. Economic and Management Sciences Courses

If you are interested in business, accounting, economics, finance, management, statistics or entrepreneurship, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences is one of the key faculties to consider.

The faculty’s undergraduate offering includes programmes such as:

BCom
BCom Economic Sciences
BCom Management Sciences
BCom Mathematical Sciences
BCom International Business
Diploma in Public Accountability
Diploma in Sustainable Development
Advanced Diploma in Public Accountability
Other commerce-related study combinations

The university’s official academic information lists BCom programmes in areas including Business Management, Economic Sciences, Management Sciences and Mathematical Sciences, as well as BCom International Business.

Popular areas within Economic and Management Sciences

Depending on the programme and subject combination, students can pursue areas such as:

Accounting
Economics
Business management
Financial management
Marketing
Statistics
Actuarial science
Mathematical sciences
Information systems
International business
Entrepreneurship
Public accountability
Sustainable development

Students interested in careers in banking, finance, accounting, consulting, business management and related industries may find several suitable options in this faculty.

4. Education Courses

Students who want to become teachers can consider the Faculty of Education.

The university’s undergraduate teacher-training offering includes:

Bachelor of Education (BEd) Foundation Phase
Bachelor of Education (BEd) Intermediate Phase

The Foundation Phase programme prepares teachers to work with learners in Grades R to 3, while the Intermediate Phase programme prepares teachers to teach learners in Grades 4 to 6.

Applicants interested in education should carefully check the programme-specific requirements because subject combinations and selection criteria can apply.

The university also publishes programme-specific admission information for applicants from different educational backgrounds.

5. Engineering Courses

Stellenbosch University has a well-established Faculty of Engineering, making it an important destination for students interested in technical and engineering careers.

Engineering study areas include disciplines such as:

Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Engineering-related specialisations and streams

Engineering programmes generally require strong performance in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, alongside the relevant language requirements.

The Faculty’s current application information illustrates the importance of meeting both academic and selection criteria. For example, its 2027 information required applicants to satisfy specific language requirements and stated that candidates are subject to selection.

One distinctive feature of Stellenbosch’s engineering structure is that several engineering programmes share a common first year, allowing students some flexibility to change their focal area after successfully completing first-year requirements.

Engineering careers

Graduates can pursue careers in areas such as:

Construction
Manufacturing
Energy
Telecommunications
Mining
Technology
Industrial systems
Transport
Infrastructure
Engineering consulting

6. Law Courses at Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University offers several pathways into legal studies.

Prospective students may encounter programmes such as:

LLB
BA Law
BCom Law

An important point for applicants is that BA Law and BCom Law are not technically housed in the Faculty of Law. According to the university’s information, BA Law falls under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, while BCom Law falls under Economic and Management Sciences, although students take a significant number of law modules and engage with the Law Faculty.

Students considering a legal career should therefore compare the different qualifications carefully before selecting their programme choices.

Law programmes are also subject to selection, meaning meeting minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission.

7. Medicine and Health Sciences Courses

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences offers some of the most competitive health-related undergraduate programmes at Stellenbosch University.

Major undergraduate programmes include:

MBChB
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Speech-Language Therapy
Bachelor of Dietetics

Admission to these programmes is highly competitive and involves structured selection.

The university explains that places in health sciences are limited because of factors including professional regulatory requirements, available infrastructure, budgets and the demanding nature of the programmes.

Applicants should therefore not assume that meeting the minimum academic requirements guarantees admission.

Health Sciences applicants

Students considering these courses should pay close attention to:

Mathematics requirements
Physical Sciences requirements
Life Sciences requirements
Language requirements
Selection criteria
Application deadlines
Programme-specific requirements

Health-related courses should be researched well before the application period because the selection process can be considerably more competitive than simply meeting the minimum academic threshold.

8. Science Courses

The Faculty of Science offers programmes in biological, physical and mathematical sciences.

Current undergraduate options include:

Biological sciences

BSc Biodiversity and Ecology
BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
BSc Human Life Sciences
BSc Sport Science

Physical sciences

BSc Chemistry
BSc Earth Sciences
BSc GeoInformatics
BSc Physics

Mathematical and interdisciplinary sciences

BSc Computer Science
BSc Applied Mathematics
Bachelor of Data Science
Biomedical Mathematical Sciences
Applied Medicinal Chemistry
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Biomathematics
Other interdisciplinary study options

The Faculty of Science currently lists ten degree programmes grouped broadly into biological, physical and mathematical sciences, alongside interdisciplinary options.

For example, the BSc Computer Science programme covers areas such as programming, computer systems, databases, networks, operating systems and concurrent programming.

The Faculty also offers the Bachelor of Data Science, an interdisciplinary programme involving faculties including Science, Economic and Management Sciences, AgriSciences and Arts and Social Sciences.

Science subject requirements

Science programmes can have demanding subject requirements. For example, current programme information shows that certain BSc programmes require Mathematics at Level 5 or 6 and Physical Sciences at Level 4 or higher, depending on the qualification.

Applicants should therefore check the exact requirements for their preferred 2028 programme.

9. Theology Courses

The Faculty of Theology provides undergraduate options for students interested in theological studies, ministry, youth work and related areas.

The university currently lists four undergraduate programmes:

Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv)
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) General
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) Youth Work
BTh Part-time

The BDiv is a four-year programme, while the full-time BTh options are generally three-year programmes. The part-time BTh is structured for students who may need a more flexible study arrangement.

The Faculty notes that theology graduates can pursue careers beyond traditional church ministry, including youth work, community development, pastoral care, education, academia and other areas.

Stellenbosch University Bachelor of Data Science

One of the notable interdisciplinary options at Stellenbosch University is the Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSci).

The programme combines disciplines from several faculties and provides training in areas such as:

Data collection
Data processing
Data analysis
Data visualisation
Computer science
Applied mathematics
Statistics
Economics
Geoinformatics
Statistical genetics

Current university information lists focal areas including Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistical Physics, Statistical Learning, Analytics and Optimisation, Behavioural Economics, Geoinformatics and Statistical Genetics.

The programme has particularly demanding academic requirements. Current information specifies an NSC aggregate of 80%, excluding Life Orientation, Mathematics at 80%, plus a specified language achievement.

Applicants targeting this course for 2028 should verify the final requirements when the 2028 programme information becomes available.

Are Stellenbosch University Courses Selected?

Yes. Applicants should understand that admission to Stellenbosch University is not simply based on meeting minimum requirements.

The university states that large numbers of prospective students apply while available places are limited. Consequently, even applicants who meet the admission requirements may not necessarily receive an offer.

Some programmes have particularly structured selection processes, including programmes in:

Medicine
Health Sciences
Law
Engineering
Science
Arts and Social Sciences
AgriSciences
Education

This makes it important to prepare a strong application rather than applying based solely on the minimum requirements.

How Many Stellenbosch University Courses Can You Apply For?

For undergraduate applications, Stellenbosch University currently allows applicants to apply for up to three undergraduate programmes. Applicants are considered for their programme choices and may receive more than one offer, although only one offer can be accepted at a time.

This is an important strategy consideration for 2028 applicants.

Rather than selecting three programmes randomly, applicants should consider choosing:

Their preferred programme.
A second programme that aligns closely with their interests and academic strengths.
A realistic alternative for which they satisfy the requirements.

However, applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements for each programme they select.

When Will Stellenbosch University 2028 Applications Open?

The exact dates for the 2028 application cycle should be confirmed by Stellenbosch University when the university publishes its official 2028 application information.

For comparison, the university’s current undergraduate application process begins from 1 April, while its 2027 undergraduate application terms listed 31 July as the closing date.

Applicants should not automatically assume that the same dates will apply to 2028.

Instead, prospective students should check the official Stellenbosch University application page when the 2028 cycle opens.

How to Choose the Right Stellenbosch University Course for 2028

Choosing a course should involve more than selecting a programme because it is popular.

Consider the following:

1. Your school subjects

Some programmes require Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences or particular language results.

2. Your academic performance

Competitive programmes can attract applicants whose results exceed the minimum requirements.

3. Your career plans

Research the careers associated with your qualification before applying.

4. Programme duration

Check whether the programme takes three, four or more years.

5. Selection requirements

Some programmes require additional selection procedures.

6. Campus and learning environment

Consider where your programme is offered and what the study environment will be like.

7. Financial considerations

Investigate tuition fees, accommodation, bursaries, scholarships and other funding options before accepting an offer.

Extended Curriculum Programmes at Stellenbosch University

Students who do not initially meet all mainstream programme requirements should not automatically conclude that university study is impossible.

Stellenbosch University has Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs) and other academic support pathways in selected faculties.

The university’s academic information indicates that EDPs are available in faculties including Arts and Social Sciences, Science, AgriSciences, Economic and Management Sciences and Engineering. The requirements differ by faculty.

However, applicants should check the latest programme-specific information to determine whether an extended programme is available for their preferred course in 2028.

How to Apply for Stellenbosch University Courses in 2028

Once applications open, prospective students should follow the official university application process.

Step 1: Research your programme

Use Stellenbosch University’s official What can I study? catalogue to identify your preferred qualification.

Step 2: Check admission requirements

Make sure you satisfy the academic requirements for every programme you select.

Step 3: Check selection criteria

Some programmes have additional selection processes beyond the minimum requirements.

Step 4: Prepare supporting documents

Ensure that your academic results and other required documentation are available and correctly prepared.

Step 5: Submit your online application

The university’s undergraduate application process is completed online.

Step 6: Monitor your application

After applying, monitor your application communication and respond to requests from the university.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stellenbosch University Courses for 2028

How many courses can I apply for at Stellenbosch University?

Under the current undergraduate application rules, you can apply for up to three undergraduate programmes.

What courses does Stellenbosch University offer?

Stellenbosch offers courses across AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science and Theology.

Does Stellenbosch University offer Medicine?

Yes. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences offers the MBChB as well as programmes in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech-Language Therapy and Dietetics.

Does Stellenbosch University offer Computer Science?

Yes. The Faculty of Science offers a BSc in Computer Science, with areas including general Computer Science, Computer Systems and Data Science.

Does Stellenbosch University offer Data Science?

Yes. The university offers a Bachelor of Data Science, an interdisciplinary programme involving multiple faculties.

Does Stellenbosch University offer Engineering?

Yes. Engineering is one of the university’s major undergraduate faculties, with programmes across several engineering disciplines.

Can I be admitted if I meet the minimum requirements?

Not necessarily. Stellenbosch University explicitly states that meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission because places are limited and selection applies to programmes.

Stellenbosch University Postgraduate Courses

Stellenbosch University offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes across its 10 faculties. Postgraduate study includes Postgraduate Diplomas, Honours degrees, Master’s degrees and Doctoral (PhD) programmes, depending on the faculty and field of study.

Below is a faculty-by-faculty list of major postgraduate study areas and programmes. Programme availability and names can change, so applicants should confirm the specific programme in the official Stellenbosch University postgraduate catalogue for the year they intend to apply.

1. Faculty of AgriSciences

Postgraduate study areas include:

Agricultural Economics
Agronomy
Animal Sciences
Conservation Ecology
Entomology
Food Science
Forestry and Wood Science
Genetics
Horticultural Science
Plant Pathology
Soil Science
Viticulture and Oenology
Sustainable Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Security

Examples include MSc Sustainable Agriculture, MSc Food and Nutrition Security and PhD programmes in agricultural and related sciences.

2. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Postgraduate programmes cover areas such as:

African Languages
English Studies
History
Sociology
Psychology
Political Science
International Studies
Social Work
Philosophy
Visual Arts
Music
Drama and Theatre Studies
Journalism
Communication
Development Studies
Linguistics
Science and Technology Studies
Monitoring and Evaluation

Examples of postgraduate qualifications include BA Honours, MA, MPhil and PhD programmes. The Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), for example, offers postgraduate qualifications in Monitoring and Evaluation and Science and Technology Studies.

3. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Postgraduate options include:

Accounting
Actuarial Science
Business Management
Economics
Financial Accounting
Financial Management
Industrial Psychology
International Business
Logistics Management
Mathematical Sciences
Statistics
Public Administration
Public Leadership
Business Administration
Development and Sustainability
Management Sciences

Qualifications include:

BCom Honours
MCom
MPhil
PhD
MBA
MPA

The faculty’s postgraduate structure includes master’s and doctoral pathways across its departments and schools.

4. Faculty of Education

Postgraduate courses include:

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
BEd Honours
MEd Educational Psychology
MEd Educational Support
Master of Education programmes
Doctor of Education
PhD programmes

The Faculty of Education specifically lists PGCE, BEd Honours, MEd Educational Psychology, MEd Educational Support, Master’s and Doctoral programmes among its postgraduate offerings.

5. Faculty of Engineering

Postgraduate engineering programmes include fields such as:

Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Engineering Management
Data Science
Smart Grid Technology
Power Systems
Computer Systems
Telecommunications
Signal Processing
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Biomedical Electronics
Control Systems
Satellite Systems

Examples of qualifications include:

Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering
MEng
MSc
PhD

For example, Electrical and Electronic Engineering offers research and structured MEng programmes, postgraduate diplomas in Smart Grid Technology and Power System Planning and Operations, and PhD study.

Industrial Engineering also offers Research Master’s programmes in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, as well as structured Master’s programmes in Data Science and Engineering Management.

6. Faculty of Law

Postgraduate law programmes include:

LLM
LLD
MPhil programmes in selected legal fields
PhD programmes

Potential areas of specialisation include:

Commercial Law
Constitutional Law
Public Law
Private Law
Mercantile Law
International Law
Human Rights Law
Intellectual Property Law
Environmental Law

Applicants should check the current Law Faculty postgraduate programme list for the available specialisations in their intended year.

7. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Postgraduate study is available across numerous medical and health-related disciplines, including:

Medicine
Surgery
Clinical Medicine
Public Health
Health Systems
Nursing
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy
Dietetics
Biomedical Sciences
Clinical Psychology
Human Nutrition
Medical Sciences

Programmes include postgraduate diplomas, Master’s degrees and PhD qualifications. The Faculty is based primarily at Tygerberg Campus, with additional academic and clinical activities at other sites.

8. Faculty of Science

Postgraduate study areas include:

Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Statistics
Computer Science
Physics
Chemistry
Botany
Zoology
Genetics
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Earth Sciences
Biodiversity and Ecology
Geoinformatics
Polymer Science
Mathematical Biology
Bioinformatics
Computational Biology

Students can progress through Honours, Master’s and PhD programmes, depending on the discipline.

9. Faculty of Theology

Postgraduate programmes include:

Honours-level theological studies
Master of Theology
Master of Divinity-related studies
MPhil programmes
Doctoral studies
PhD in Theology

Research areas can include:

Systematic Theology
Practical Theology
Biblical Studies
Missiology
Religious Studies
Church History
Theology and Development

10. Faculty of Military Science

Stellenbosch University also has a Faculty of Military Science, based at the South African National Defence Force Military Academy in Saldanha. The university identifies it as a distinctive faculty focusing on areas related to military science, security and defence.

Postgraduate study can include fields such as:

Military Science
Defence Studies
Security Studies
Strategic Studies
Military Technology
Disaster and Risk-related studies
Peace and Security
Defence Management

Important for 2028 Applicants

If you are preparing for Stellenbosch University postgraduate applications for 2028, don’t rely on a general list alone. Postgraduate admission is normally programme-specific, and individual departments can have different academic requirements, application procedures, closing dates and supporting-document requirements.

For example, the Department of Economics indicates that applicants for its Master’s programmes normally need an Honours degree or an equivalent qualification, while PhD applicants are considered after completing a Master’s degree or equivalent.

Likewise, Engineering departments may require departmental application forms, CVs, academic records and a formal application through SUNStudent.

For the complete and current list, Stellenbosch University’s official faculty directory provides separate links for Postgraduate Programmes under each of its 10 faculties.

Main postgraduate qualification types: Postgraduate Diploma, Honours, Master’s, MPhil, MEng, MSc, MBA, MEd, LLM, MCom and PhD.