Stellenbosch University (SU) has the vision to be established as a leading research-intensive university on the African continent by pursuing excellence and remaining at the forefront of its chosen focus areas, gaining national and international standing on the basis of its research outputs, by being relevant to the needs of the community, and by being enterprising, innovative and self-renewing. SU is one of the top research-focused universities in South Africa.
The historical oak-lined university town amongst the Boland Mountains in the Winelands of the Western Cape creates a unique campus atmosphere, which attracts local and foreign students and staff alike. On the main campus, paved walkways wind between campus buildings – some dating from previous centuries; others just a few years old. Architecture from various eras attests to the sound academic foundation and establishment of an institution of excellence. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area; state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology, as well as visionary thinking about the creation of a sustainable 21st-century institution, makes for the unique character of Stellenbosch University. This character makes Stellenbosch a wonderful place to find a job or start a career.
Our support directly contributes to SU's four institutional goals as described in the institutional plan, in that it strengthens and grows the institutional knowledge base; ensures sustainability (in particular financial); promotes academic staff and postgraduate student success, and promotes diversity through research capacity development and support.
Our values
Our vision
Stellenbosch University will be Africa's leading research-intensive university, globally recognised as excellent, inclusive and innovative, where we advance knowledge in service of society.
Our mission
Stellenbosch University is a research-intensive university, where we attract outstanding students, employ talented staff and provide a world-class environment; a place connected to the world while enriching and transforming local, continental and global communities.
SU as a university rooted in Africa needs to bear fruit for the people of our continent. The challenge for us is to be locally relevant, with regional impact, while also globally competitive. To achieve this goal, we need to continuously focus on the unique areas in which we have developed expertise over time and build collaborative networks as a knowledge partner in South Africa, the rest of the continent and further afield.