University of Venda (UNIVEN)

The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is a public comprehensive university in Thohoyandou, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. UNIVEN offers certificates, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, honours and postgraduate programmes, and serves a largely rural region close to the borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Registered name

University of Venda (UNIVEN)

Type

Public comprehensive university

Website

univen.ac.za

A university shaped by its history

UNIVEN was established in 1982 in the former Venda homeland, one of the territories apartheid created to separate black South Africans by ethnicity. After 1994 the university was reoriented to serve all South Africans, and it now describes itself as a comprehensive rural-based university. Its location means many students are the first in their families to attend university and come from villages across Vhembe and wider Limpopo.

Why a rural university matters

For young people in Vhembe, studying at UNIVEN can cost far less in travel and accommodation than moving to Gauteng. A rural university can also focus research on local challenges, such as water scarcity, agriculture, rural health, indigenous knowledge and environmental management in the Limpopo River basin, and train teachers, nurses and professionals who are more likely to stay and work in the region.

UNIVEN’s website returned only style code to BursariesAfrica’s research tool on 15 September 2026, so this profile relies on our own application guides and on the university’s publicly known history. Confirm programme details on UNIVEN’s official pages.

One 26 September closing date at UNIVEN

UNIVEN opened 2027 applications on 1 April 2026 through its online portal, and all applicants, including international students, must apply online. The closing date for most qualifications, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, honours and postgraduate diplomas, is 26 September 2026. Late applications are usually not accepted and are considered only where programmes still have space.

Bachelor’s degree applicants need an NSC with a bachelor’s pass and the required levels in four 20-credit subjects, plus the APS for their programme. UNIVEN’s APS guide below lists the scores for its degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Studying close to home in Vhembe

Download UNIVEN’s current prospectus to confirm your programme’s APS and subject requirements before 26 September, and apply for NSFAS at the same time. Ask UNIVEN about residence places early, since student housing near Thohoyandou is limited. If you live in Vhembe, speak to UNIVEN graduates in your community about their experience.

Limpopo students can also read our guide to tuition-free study in South Africa.