Your higher education experience will help you develop academic and professional skills. You will also be able to develop your social and personal skills so that you can become a future game-changer.

‘My name is Divan du Plessis and I am a fourth-year Audiology student. I had no idea what an audiologist was until I did some research and discovered what an interesting and challenging field audiology is. To date my studies have been extremely rewarding in ways I could never have imagined. I have developed a passion for this field and a clear idea of my purpose in life. The knowledge that my training will enable me to change people’s lives for the better gives me a sense of fulfilment.

As a hearing health professional, I will be in a position to help people with hearing impairments connect and communicate with their loved ones and the world around them. There is no greater joy than being able to help a baby hear its parents’ voices for the first time, or watching a grandfather hear the sweet voice of his grandchild!

This is a growing profession and audiologists, with their scarce skills, are desperately needed. In developing countries, there is roughly one audiologist per 6.5 million people, so it is imperative that we grow our ranks! As an audiologist I will be working as a member of an innovative team of professionals who will change the lives of many people. We do not only help people to hear better, we help them to live better. Come and join us!’

Divan du Plessis – BA (Audiology)

UP is one of the largest research universities in South Africa and we have 9 highly regarded faculties.  As a UP student, you will be part of a larger academic community, surrounded by people with a real passion for their subjects. At UP you will be encouraged to take charge of your own learning, which means you can:

• Choose your subjects
• Manage your time
• Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you

The Faculty of Humanities offers courses in classic academic fields like Philosophy and Political Sciences as well as rapidly evolving fields of study like Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Our Arts and Humanities subjects are ranked among the top 400 in the world. Our Departments are equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities, technology, libraries and practical learning opportunities such as internships.

‘I have an interest in international relations and since enrolling in 2018, I have not only enjoyed my studies, I have furthered my language skills – I can now speak English, German, French and Spanish, which will be very useful in my international career. I value leadership and as a UP student I have practised my leadership skills by serving as Social and Networking Officer for the House Humanities Executive Committee in 2018/19, and as Chairperson in 2019/20, as well as Ex-Officio Academics Officer on the Student Representative Council in 2020. I have learned valuable skills that I am positive will take me far in the workplace. UP has an amazing Work Readiness Programme for students.

I cherish the exposure I have had to the broader UP community. I believe that the teaching and learning methods applied at UP are of a very high calibre. The content of the BPolSci (International Studies) degree has developed my insight into key political problems and has broadened my vision. I can apply the knowledge obtained from lectures, reading and tutorials in my everyday life. Thanks to the University of Pretoria, I can make worthwhile contributions to my community and to society in general.’

Lorrainga Mothokwa BPolSci (International Studies)

The Humanities are a group of academic areas that study what it means to be human. Our humanity is shaped by the literature we read, the history we share, the languages and cultures we encounter and the way our leaders wield their power.
Students in the humanities develop:

• Compassion and Empathy
• Critical thinking skills
• A better understanding of civic responsibility
• Appreciate different cultures and histories

With us, you will be able to question humanity’s most pressing problems and help produce research that can solve them!.

‘My name is James Paradza and I completed my Bachelor of Music degree (with distinction) in 2019. I am extremely grateful to the Hillensberg Trust, whose bursary award financed my studies. Having been a member of the University of Pretoria Youth Choir for three years, UP was my only choice for tertiary studies. While studying for my degree, I was a member of the University of Pretoria’s Symphonic Winds and Tuks Camerata, for which I served as chairperson in 2018. I was also fortunate to have been chosen as a soloist to sing with the University orchestra in various concerts, such as the annual EBIT concert and the School of the Arts: Music Concerto Festival, which is part of the annual UP Music Festival.

I thoroughly enjoyed the BMus degree offered at UP! The degree programme, with its diverse curriculum covers all major genres of music, from classical to popular music, and allowed me to develop my critical thinking skills. I also had the privilege of giving a public recital as a part of my final-year assessment. This allowed me to share with friends and family some of what I had learnt during my four years of study. I was fortunate to receive complimentary tickets to the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 Festival headlined by, among others, Beyoncé – it was a truly unique out-of-the-classroom and lifechanging experience and one I will always cherish! I am currently completing my Master’s degree in Music in Performing Art, specialising in classical voice and opera performance. The UP community is made up of wonderful staff members and students who allowed me to “FLY@UP”!’

James Paradza – Bachelor of Music (BMus)

The Faculty of Humanities is internationally recognized for the quality of teaching, research, and community work. The coursework combines academic and practical skills, embraces innovation, and encourages entrepreneurial thinking. The Faculty of Humanities is committed to helping students develop essential work experience that broadens their ability to think laterally and innovate. Through our Student Entrepreneurship Office, our students can access a range of internship, mentoring, and business development opportunities located in the broader UP community. The Faculty takes pride in the fact that many of the graduates go into successful careers as social workers, diplomats, artists, conservationists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists. 

We understand that your transition to a university can be overwhelming. UP and the Faculty of Humanities looks to support and help you navigate these challenges so that you can enjoy your time on our campuses and successfully graduate on time. We have excellent and compassionate academics and support staff to provide you with information, tips and resources to complete your degrees.

The Faculty also offers various academic support structures to help you cope with campus life and academic pressure. For example, there are excellent Faculty student advisors to help you manage your studies and careers goals, and there are also subject-specific librarians who will help you acquire the necessary study materials for your different programmes. The Faculty also houses various societies and sub-committees- such as House Humanities which help students to access these support structures and reach their full academic potential.  

In the words of our VC, Professor Tawana Kupe, UP is a place for you if you want to grow as a well-rounded and innovative graduate, productive citizen and future leader. So, make today matter. Choose UP!

‘My name is Keleabetswe Sedio. I am a fourth-year Social Work student in the Department of Social Work and Criminology. My passion is working with people and helping them reach their full potential.

After having spent some time in a corporate environment, I found my work unfulfilling and decided to return to university to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, which is my passion. I chose to study at UP because this institution has one of the best Social Work departments in the country. Being a student in the Faculty of Humanities has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to grow as a person and has challenged the way I think about the world and how I can contribute to making it a better place.

During my first three years at UP, I was a class representative, which contributed to the development of my leadership and interpersonal skills. The practical experience offered by UP’s programme helped to develop my confidence and taught me the skills I will need when I enter the workplace. The lecturers are always ready to assist whenever I feel uncertain, which shows me that I am not just a number here, but someone who matters.

Returning to university and being older than the average undergraduate student was hard, but I always reminded myself of Paulo Coelho’s words: “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its
dreams.” It is never too late to start again!’

Keleabetswe Sedio – Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)