NAS at a Glance 2026

Page 1


2026 FACULTY AT A GLANCE

MAKE TODAY MATTER

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:

QUALITY RELEVANCE DIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY

PROMOTING RESEARCH WITH REAL-WORLD IMPACT

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.

FOSTERING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

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.

FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

NAS

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.

ACADEMIC OFFERING

30 116

Specialised undergraduate degree programmes

Specialised postgraduate degree programmes

UNIQUE DEGREES

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

SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND

#1 IN AFRICA

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%

FACULTY RESEARCH PROFILE

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

TOP 1% GLOBALLY

Agricultural Sciences, Biology and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Environment/Ecology, Microbiology, and Plant and Animal Sciences

Essential Science Indicators

RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

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

INTERFACULTY RESEARCH CHAIRS

DSI/NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in Sustainable Malaria Control

York Timbers Chair in Wood Engineering

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
NAS at a Glance 2026 by University of Pretoria - Issuu