About the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, also known as 'Wits,' is renowned for its intellectual leadership and its commitment to nurturing critical thinkers, creative innovators, problem-posers, and problem-solvers. “Witsies” are exposed to a comprehensive academic program, participate in leading research programs across the five faculties, and constantly engage in current developments in South Africa, the rest of Africa and the world.

The origins of Wits lie in the South African School of Mines established in 1896, with full university status granted in 1922. Wits, home to over 25,000 students, has produced more than 100,000 graduates and boasts 88 Rhodes Scholars and four Nobel Prize laureates. Spread over more than 100 hectares on seven campuses, Wits is an urban, comprehensive university. Illustrious Wits alumni include George Bizos, Nelson Mandela, Helen Suzman, Zanele Mbeki, and Nadine Gordimer. Wits is also home to the Origins Centre, a world-class museum facility comprising two independent, but closely linked, museums. The first of these is the South African Museum of Rock Art (SAMORA) and the second is the James Kitching Gallery (JKG).

With more than 1,500 international students registered from more than 90 countries and speaking more than 130 languages, Wits offers a unique mix of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and an exciting social life. The University is a cosmopolitan, exciting, vibrant place to live and study.

The University is structured into five faculties comprising 37 schools and has over 83 research entities (10 of which are recognized Medical Research Council units). The faculties are: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science. Almost a third of the 4,500 staff members are academics.