University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is one of South Africa’s newest public universities. The government established UMP in 2013, together with Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley, to give Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape their first universities. UMP’s main campus is in Mbombela, and it also has a campus at Siyabuswa.

Registered name

University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

Type

Public university

Website

ump.ac.za

Why a new university mattered

Before 2013, Mpumalanga was one of two provinces without a university of its own, so school leavers had to move to Gauteng, Limpopo or KwaZulu-Natal to study. Travel and accommodation costs kept many talented young people out of higher education. A university in the province lets students study closer to home and keeps skilled graduates in the region.

UMP’s programmes reflect Mpumalanga’s economy and needs, with qualifications in agriculture, education, business and commerce, and the humanities, according to our application guide. Agriculture is especially relevant in a province known for citrus, macadamias, timber and vegetables, and teacher education responds to the shortage of qualified teachers in rural schools.

A university still growing

As a young institution, UMP is still expanding its campuses, residences and range of programmes. Newer universities often offer smaller classes than the older universities, but they may also have fewer postgraduate options, so students planning honours or master’s study should check which qualifications UMP currently offers.

UMP’s website returned very little readable content when BursariesAfrica checked on 15 September 2026, so this profile relies mainly on our own application guides and on the university’s publicly known history.

A late-closing window at UMP

UMP applications for 2027 were expected to open on 1 June 2026. Undergraduate, honours, advanced diploma and postgraduate diploma applications are expected to close on 30 November 2026, and master’s and doctoral applications on 30 January 2027. Undergraduate applicants need an NSC with a bachelor’s pass, at least level 4 in four 20-credit subjects and the Admission Point Score (APS) for their programme.

Use the prospectus guide below to find UMP’s current edition before checking programme requirements.

Mbombela or Siyabuswa?

Download UMP’s current prospectus to confirm the APS for your programme and which campus offers it, since Mbombela and Siyabuswa offer different qualifications. Apply to NSFAS at the same time as you apply to UMP, and ask the university about residence availability early.

Mpumalanga students should also check our Mpumalanga Government Bursaries.