2026 FACULTY AT A GLANCE

The University of Pretoria (UP) is one of Africa’s leading research-intensive universities and the largest contact university in South Africa. We produce relevant, socially impactful research to find solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. We believe that in every moment lies the potential to make a positive impact on the future and, in doing so, change the world for the better.
We have a high quality of teaching and learning in the classroom, online and in communities. We have support in place for our students to graduate on time as well-rounded, responsible citizens - fully prepared for the world beyond university. Our degrees are locally accredited and internationally recognised. We have agreements in place with the relevant legal accreditation bodies around the world to ensure the recognition of our academic programmes.
Guided by a vision for global research leadership, our mission is to excel in our core functions of research, teaching and learning — integrating engagement with society and the communities we serve. The University uses the following elements as its navigational markers:
UP’s research and collaborative efforts with its partners are key to transforming the lives of people by providing African solutions to global concerns. UP is rated among the top 1% of universities globally in 14 of the 22 Essential Science Indicator (ESI) fields. Our theme-based approach leverages knowledge fields and research platforms for the greatest impact. Transdisciplinary research projects with the potential to make a real-life difference are strongly encouraged.
Our educational approach has a strong focus on inclusivity and equitable access to education, but ultimately on equity of outcomes. Our committed academics have multiple approaches to teaching to ensure that students with a variety of learning strengths succeed. UP believes that a vibrant student experience encompasses more than successful grades. The University therefore offers a wide range of support services to foster resilient students. We believe our multi-layered support systems play a significant role in student success.
We produce graduates who understand the world of work and can make a valuable contribution to their communities. Our ready-for-work courses help our students to prepare for the workplace, and our entrepreneurship programmes foster the entrepreneurial spirit to encourage innovation.
NAS is the largest faculty of its kind in Africa. This diverse Faculty is renowned for its expertise in forestry and agriculture, food systems, biotechnology, life sciences, physical, mathematical and statistical sciences. Our broad range of disciplines allows us to tackle interdisciplinary societal problems by finding solutions to complex issues in modern society. The Faculty contributes substantially to building research and teaching capacity in South Africa by producing highly skilled graduates and generating new scientific knowledge through targeted research, and appropriate training focused on the latest technology and innovation.
30 116
Specialised undergraduate degree programmes
Specialised postgraduate degree programmes
BSc Meteorology (the only degree of its kind offered in sub-Saharan Africa)
BSc Culinary Science (the only degree of its kind in Africa)
specialised academic departments
in the world for Agriculture and Forestry (2ND in SA)*
in the world for Natural Sciences (4TH in SA)* in the world for Mathematics (1ST in SA)*
in the world for Physics and Astronomy (5TH in SA)*
in the world for Zoology (1ST in SA)** in the world for Chemistry (6TH in SA)*
in the world for Biological Sciences (2ND in SA)** in the world for Environmental Sciences (4TH in SA)**
*2025 QS Subject Rankings
**URAP 2024–2025
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK
Agriculture & Forestry NUMBER 23 (TOP IN SA)
Biological Sciences NUMBER 31
Mathematics NUMBER 49
Environmental Sciences NUMBER 79
Physics Chemistry
Plant & Animal Science
#75 GLOBALLY · #2 IN SA
Microbiology
#106 GLOBALLY · #2 IN SA
Food Science & Technology
#248 GLOBALLY · #3 IN SA
2025 US News Best Global Universities by Subject #1 in South Africa 2025 THE Impact Rankings
for Ecology (TOP 75 in the world)
2024 Shanghai Rankings
RECOGNISED FOR RESEARCH REPUTATION
Physics and Astronomy
RECOGNISED FOR RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY
Chemistry; Geology; Environmental, Earth, and Marine Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics
2025 THE Subject Rankings
92%
13
216
9 Academic staff members with a doctorate Research chairs NRF-rated researchers
Research centres and institutes
WORLD-RENOWNED
• Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics (CMEG)
• Mammal Research Institute (MRI)
• UP Natural Hazard Centre
Agricultural Sciences, Biology and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Environment/Ecology, Microbiology, and Plant and Animal Sciences
Essential Science Indicators
AGRICULTURE: Wide-ranging expertise in crop breeding, pre- and post-harvest applications, crop pests and pathogens, animal breeding, animal welfare, agricultural economics and extension, food production, consumer adoption, sensory evaluation, African crops, food systems and food security
BIG DATA AND DATA SCIENCE: Bioinformatics and computational biology, mathematical modelling in bioengineering and biosciences
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: Hazards modelling, environmental modelling, sustainable environmental management and biodiversity conservation
INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Human (Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria) and veterinary diseases (ticks and tick-borne diseases, rabies, Helminths, African Horse sickness, bluetongue disease, etc)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES: Radio astronomy, biophysics, green chemistry, drug discovery, separation science, renewable energy
BIOPROSPECTING AND BIODISCOVERY: Traditional medicines, natural product drug discovery, medicinal plant science
DSI/NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in Sustainable Malaria Control
York Timbers Chair in Wood Engineering