University of the Witwatersrand
About the university
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is one of Africa’s leading research universities, located in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub. Established in 1922, Wits is internationally recognized for excellence in mining engineering, health sciences, business, law, and social sciences. The university plays a major role in research addressing African and global challenges, including public health, urbanization, and technology. With strong industry links and a central location, students benefit from access to internships, innovation hubs, and multinational companies. Wits combines academic rigor with real-world relevance, making it a top choice for ambitious students.
Key information
- Location: Johannesburg, ZA
- Ranking #2
- QS #267
- THE #250
- US News #180
- National ranking #2
- Institution type: public
Popular faculties
- Mining Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Business
- Law
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Social Sciences
Programs (29)
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Finance and Accounting
- Marketing
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Law
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Philosophy
- History
- Linguistics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Music
Student body
- Total students: 40,000
- Undergraduate: 26,000
- Graduate: 14,000
- International students: 12%
Campus life
Wits offers a vibrant urban campus experience in Johannesburg, with strong academic, cultural, and social opportunities. Students engage in diverse clubs, innovation hubs, and leadership programs. The university provides modern facilities, libraries, and research centers. Its location in a major economic hub allows students to connect with industries, attend events, and build professional networks while enjoying a dynamic city life.
Housing & accommodation
Housing cost: $200 - $600 / per month
Housing options
- On-campus residences
- student dormitories
- off-campus apartments
- private housing
Student clubs and organizations
- Debate club
- business club
- engineering society
- cultural clubs
- international student association
- entrepreneurship club
Sports
- Rugby
- soccer
- cricket
- athletics
- swimming
- basketball
Career & internships
Employment rate: 90%
Partner companies
- Deloitte
- PwC
- KPMG
- EY
- Anglo American
- Sasol
- Standard Bank
- ABSA
- MTN Group
- Vodacom
- IBM
- Microsoft
Internships: Wits provides strong internship and industry engagement opportunities, particularly in mining, finance, healthcare, and technology sectors. Students benefit from partnerships with leading companies and access to career services that support internships, job placement, and professional development.
Admission requirements
Required documents
- Academic transcripts
- school leaving certificate
- English proficiency test
- passport copy
- personal statement
Minimum GPA: 3.2
Tuition costs
- $4,000 - $10,000 / per year
- Acceptance rate: 45.00%
- Scholarships available: Wits offers scholarships and bursaries for high-performing students, including international applicants. These may cover tuition fees partially or fully and sometimes include accommodation support. The university also partners with government and private organizations to fund students in priority fields such as engineering, health sciences, and research. Scholarships are competitive and awarded based on academic excellence and leadership potential.
Quick facts
- Founded: 1922
- Teaching languages: english, afrikaans
- Study formats: offline
Contact
- [email protected]
- +27 11 717 1000