The University of Pretoria is renowned as one of South Africa’s finest higher educational institutes offering a wide variety of programs in both English and Afrikaans. Since its establishment as an offshoot of the Transvaal University College in Johannesburg with only 32 original students, the university has grown to house around 39,000 students. The main campus of the University of Pretoria is located in Hatfield, a suburb of Pretoria.
At the University of Pretoria, there is much to see and do for both students and visitors. The university’s extensive art collection can be explored in one of its many museums including the Van Tilburg Collection, while the university also houses important historical artefacts in museums including the Mapungubwe Museum and the Van Gybland-Oosterhoff Collection which exhibits ceramics. Aside from its many unique museums, the University of Pretoria is home to many interesting buildings and has numerous off-location campuses.
The University of Pretoria is situated within the suburb of Hatfield and is linked to the rest of Pretoria by shuttle buses and trains. Pretoria itself is served by public transportation networks including popular minibus taxis, although many visitors can easily hop in a private taxi to get somewhere directly. For those looking to fly into the region, O. R. Tambo International Airport is the nearest airport situated 50 kilometres south of central Pretoria.
First established in 1908 as a satellite of the Transvaal University College in Johannesburg with 32 students, the University of Pretoria became a university in its own right in 1930 and soon grew to become one of South Africa’s premier educational institutes. As well as boasting a reputation for academic excellence with a particular focus on research, the University has a proud sporting heritage with over 9,000 of its students competing each year in a variety of sports.