North-West University


The North-West University is a public research university located on three campuses in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark in South Africa.

History

The university came into existence through the merger in 2004 of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, a large, historical university dating back to 1869, which also had a branch in Vanderbijlpark, and the University of North-West. With its merged status, the North-West University became one of the largest universities in South Africa with the third largest student population in the country.
As of 2023, NWU ranks among top universities locally, in Africa and globally. In 2024, NWU became a member and service provider of AGRIS. In 2025, construction began on the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine at the university’s Potchefstroom Campus. Once completed, it will become South Africa’s 11th medical school and is expected to enroll its first students in 2028.

Campuses

  • Mahikeng Campus
  • Potchefstroom Campus
  • Vanderbijlpark Campus

    Notable alumni

Among the notable alumni of the university following the merger are:

Faculties

The university is home to eight faculties:
Ethnic enrolment, 2021PercentageTotal
number
African64,17%28 005
White30,85%13,466
Coloured3,67%1602
Asian1,18%516
Other0,12%53
Total100%43,642

RaceTotal numberPercentageFemaleMale
African2,69440.54%1,3751,319
Coloured3805.72%221159
Asian1141.72%5955
White3,45652.02%2,0331,423
Total6,644100%3,6842,960