​Stellenbosch University (SU) will welcome 5 300 newcomer students to the campuses  this week (21–25 January). 

The University is well aware of the fact that the new students arriving this week might feel somewhat disorientated and lost and therefore urges them to participate in the programmes and activities that are put in place to support and guide the newcomers. For more information, visit the website at http://www.sun.ac.za/english/welcome/welcome-maties.

These orientation programmes over the next week will assist new Maties to familiarise themselves with the campus, other students, residences, classes and other responsibilities. When classes commence on 4 February, the newcomers will be much more at ease with the campus community.

Before then, the newcomers and parents should double check if they are aware of the following important information:
Registration

• The first thing to do is to register for 2019. The self-registration (e-registration) option opened on 14 January and you can register on any computer with internet access. The other option is to self-register once on campus in the Neelsie Student Centre.  Students who are unable to self-register should make use of assisted  registration in NARGA on the Stellenbosch campus, or GERGA on the Tygerberg campus for students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.  For more info on the assisted registration programme, click here.

Student fees

• SU does not have a registration fee but the first instalment of student fees is payable before or during registration. Students who receive NSFAS funding are exempt from this first instalment.  The same applies to students who receive other forms of financial aid – any student who presents proof of a bursary or loan covering outstanding debt (if applicable) and the first instalment of student fees may register without payment being required. Students who do not qualify for NSFAS funding, but have financial difficulties, may make arrangements to pay the first instalment over three months. For more info, click here.

Applications

•  *Students who have not been able to secure space to study in 2019 are advised to register on the Department of Higher Education and Training's Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) system. The system records information of students who want to enter a university or TVET college without them having to stand in long queues at each institution, and improves their chance of finding a space.​Prospective students can access the CACH by sending an SMS with their name and ID number to 49200, or by visiting https://cach.dhet.gov.za/ to register their details.    Applications to study at Stellenbosch University in 2019 closed last year, and we are unable to accept any new applications for this academic year. Applications for the 2020 academic year will open in March 2019.​ click here ​for  more info.

Welcoming Event for newcomer students and parents

• The Welcoming Event that will be held in the Danie Craven Stadium on Thursday (24 January), starting at 16:30, promises to be a fun-filled event with students getting to meet, among others, the University's mascot, Pokkel. Apart from being addressed by Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, and Student Representative Council (SRC) chair, Ms Carli van Wyk, the students will join student leaders on the field on conclusion of the programme to form a massive human “2019". This is representative of them forming part of a new community that they will be part of for the rest of their lives. For the Welcoming programme over the next week until classes commence on 4 February, click here.

Dream Launch

• New at the Welcoming Event on 24 January is a march by all newcomers from the Danie Craven stadium to Victoria Street at 18:50 on campus as part of a “Dream Launch" – a symbolic start to students realising their dreams at SU. The procession will move down Coetzenburg Street, cross Van Riebeeck Street into De Wall Street, and turn left in Hofmeyr Street, right into McDonald Street and left into Victoria Street. There will be music stations along the way.

In Victoria Street, the procession will pass under a banner displaying the words “Your Dream starts here" and will proceed to Admin B near Ryneveld Street. In Victoria Street, newcomers will pin their dreams that they have written down on cards, to the trees. These dreams will be displayed for two days with pedestrians walking past them. Students will return to their residences after they have pinned their dreams to the trees.

“Vensters"

• A further highlight of the week before classes commence, is the annual “Vensters" event taking place on Friday, 1 February. For these colourful outdoor performances, residences and private student organisations (PSOs) partner up to impress audiences with innovative and creative dance performances around a central theme. The performances take place at 15 min intervals on ten different stages across the Stellenbosch campus. It will kick off at 18:00 and will continue until 22:00.

Get the Guide for Newcomers 2019 booklet

• Newcomers should make sure that they get a copy of this guide when they register or at their first point of contact with faculties or departments. The guide contains information on subjects such as the registration schedule, transport, personal safety, the library, free writing advice and tips on saving water.