Fast facts

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences prepares students to flourish in a constantly transforming society and economy. How we live, learn and work continues to evolve, and success depends on our ability to meet complexity with clarity, and uncertainty with understanding. By fostering critical thinking and creative problem solving, the Faculty strives to produce graduates who possess the essential skills to seek answers and solutions to the pressing problems of our time.

National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researchers

NRF SARChI chairs funded by the national Department of Science and Technology

Research and service centres

Vision & Mission

Mis​sion

​The mission of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is the discovery, transfer and application of knowledge for the promotion of the human sciences, and the enrichment ​​​and enhancement of the quality of life of the people of this region, country and continent.

Vision

​The Faculty wishes to be a dynamic and internationally acknowledge centre of academic leadership in the Western Cape, South Africa and the rest of Africa that:

  • is considered a sought-after base for training in the humanities, in particular the Arts, Languages and Social Sciences;
  • provides excellent teaching and research that is relevant to the region, country and continent, and is internationally competitive;
  • implements innovative initiatives in community service and makes a contribution towards developing a just society;
  • is accessible to all members of the South African population who qualify for university admission,
  • and is enriched in its teaching, research and service provision by a representative staff, with an institutional culture that promotes the optimal fulfilment of human potential and characterised by a participative, empowering ethos that exploits language and cultural differences as an asset.​​

Statistical profile

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences consists of 18 departments and 10 research centres representing three broad disciplines: Arts, Languages and Social Sciences.

In 2022, we enrolled 3 966 undergraduates, 1 380 postgraduate students, and 226 occasional students (students who enrol for a specific module but not a full degree). Our permanent staff complement consists of 190 academic and 83 professional administrative support services (PASS) staff members.

We have 79 researchers rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF), of whom 25 are B-rated researchers, and one is an A-rated researcher. A-rated researchers are internationally recognised by their peers as having made a substantial and significant contribution through their research.

The Faculty also has four NRF SARChI chairs funded by the national Department of Science and Innovation. These research chairs focus on studies in transformation and historical trauma; gender politics; the sociology of land, the environment and sustainable development; and science communication. In addition, one of the University’s seven centres of excellence, the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, can be found in our Faculty.

History

When Stellenbosch University first opened its doors in 1866, it was known as the Stellenbosch Gymnasium. Fifteen years later, its name was changed to Stellenbosch College, whereafter it was changed to Victoria College in 1887. In February 1916, a law called “De Universiteit van Stellenbosch-wet” (Law nr 13 of 1916) was published and on 2 April 1918, it came into effect, leading to the institution’s final name change to Stellenbosch University.

The Arts Department of the Gymnasium was founded eight years after the Gymnasium was established. By 1879 about 69 students were enrolled for a BA degree at the Gymnasium. The first professor employed in the Arts Department was Prof Archibald MacDonald who lectured Greek, Latin and English literature. He was later joined by Prof Thomas Walker who was appointed as Professor in English and Philosophy in 1878, and in 1879 Prof Nicolaas Mansveldt became a Professor in Modern Languages (Dutch, French and German) and History.

The law which led to the final name change in 1918, also made provision for a Faculty of Arts. After being known as such for many years, in 2007 the Faculty’s name was changed to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Social Impact

Our social impact endeavours are aligned to Stellenbosch University’s commitment to advance knowledge in service of society. At the University, we pursue social impact through engaged research, engaged teaching and learning, and engaged citizenship. Our students and staff demonstrate their engaged citizenship through their involvement in volunteer opportunities and partnerships that deepen relationships with communities and contribute to developing human skills in our students and staff.

Our social impact initiatives are aligned to the international, national, and regional goals set out in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, South Africa’s National Development Plan and the Western Cape’s Provincial Strategic Goals.