University of Fort Hare (UFH)

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) in Alice, Eastern Cape, holds a profound place in African history. UFH describes itself as a university with the richest heritage on the African continent, and its motto is “Together in Excellence”.

Registered name

University of Fort Hare (UFH)

Type

Public university

Website

ufh.ac.za

Founded on a colonial fort

The South African Native College, later the University of Fort Hare, was founded in 1916 on the site of an earlier British military stronghold in a region shaped by more than a century of frontier conflict and dispossession. Missionary education brought ideas of “plain living and high thinking”, and while that education was Eurocentric, it did not assume, as Bantu Education later did, that black Africans deserved an inferior education.

Even before apartheid, Fort Hare was as racially inclusive as it could be: black, coloured and Indian students studied together, women studied from the beginning, and black academics such as Z.K. Matthews taught there. Fort Hare educated leaders from across Africa, among them Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Robert Sobukwe and Seretse Khama.

Under attack and surviving

After 1960 the apartheid state made a determined attack on Fort Hare, trying to turn it into an ethnic institution, and did immense damage. UFH says its traditions of non-racism, critical debate and excellence survived among students and progressive academics, and in the 1960s supporters of the ANC and Pan Africanist Congress kept a spirit of opposition alive. UFH now presents its history as integral to its future.

Research today

UFH’s vision is to be a distinctive African university advancing research, teaching and social engagement, with an emphasis on digital technologies. UFH recently brought traditional leaders, legal practitioners and academics together to advance discussions on consolidating African customary law. UFH music researchers presented work at the South African Society for Research in Music conference on topics from composer R.T. Caluza to women’s contributions to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the role of amagwijo songs in Xhosa initiation.

Beyond academics, UFH’s rowers and football teams compete in university and regional leagues.

A later start and later close at Fort Hare

UFH opened 2027 applications on 12 May 2026, and undergraduate applications close on 31 October 2026. Bachelor’s degree applicants need at least level 4 in English and in four 20-credit subjects, Life Orientation at level 4, and an APS of at least 26, with higher scores for many programmes.

Alice, East London or Bhisho?

Read UFH’s history pages before applying, and check which campus offers your programme, since UFH also teaches in East London and Bhisho. Use UFH’s APS tool with your mid-year Matric results.

Eastern Cape students can find more options on our University Bursaries page.