University of Limpopo (UL)

The University of Limpopo (UL), popularly known as Turfloop, is a public university in Mankweng, east of Polokwane in Limpopo. UL was established with college status in 1959 and says it has grown into one of Africa’s most innovative universities, offering industry-relevant qualifications that respond to the developmental needs of its communities.

Registered name

University of Limpopo (UL)

Type

Public university

Website

ul.ac.za

Between Magoebaskloof and the Wolkberg

UL’s campus sits in the foothills of the Hwiti (Wolkberg) range, close to the green slopes of Magoebaskloof. UL describes itself as a gateway to and from Africa, close to major agricultural areas, mines and national roads that students use to reach industry for practical training.

Firsts and innovation

UL says it was the first institution in South Africa to establish a medical school after the advent of democracy, and that the school produced the country’s youngest medical doctor. UL also launched a cathode materials centre and South Africa’s first pilot plant in manganese beneficiation, an R30 million investment aimed at adding value to the country’s manganese ore.

UL’s centres include the Limpopo Agro-Food Technology Station, a technology transfer office, a materials modelling centre, a risk and vulnerability centre, a population health research centre and an animal production unit. UL notes that in 2022 it had produced four sitting judge presidents and two sitting heads of state, of South Africa and Malawi.

Fees, funders and international students

UL charges a non-refundable application fee of R200 for South African applicants and R750 for international applicants. Students with a funder must ask the funder to send UL a promissory note before or on registration day, and email the funder’s details to UL’s private or government bursaries office. Self-funding students must send proof of payment four working days before registration.

Under the SADC Protocol on Education and Training, students from SADC countries pay normal fees plus an international levy, students from elsewhere in Africa pay twice the normal fee, and students from the rest of the world pay three times the normal fee.

Turfloop dates for 2027

Applications for 2027 opened on 1 April 2026, and most undergraduate programmes close on 30 September 2026.

Budgeting for Turfloop

Check the 2026 tuition fee list by qualification on UL’s website to estimate costs, and confirm whether your bursary provider will send a promissory note in time for registration. Health sciences and agriculture applicants should apply early, since those programmes fill quickly.

Limpopo students can also look at our Limpopo Government Bursaries.