Welcome to the University of Pretoria! Congratulations on being conditionally admitted to one of our world-class academic programmes. I am certain your decision to #ChooseUP will prove to be one of the best decisions you could have made for yourself and your future.

At the University of Pretoria you will learn in many different ways, because we have many different methods of teaching. We have traditional lectures, practical classes, additional notes, and plenty of resources available online for you to prepare before class so you can engage during class discussions and consolidate and revise at your own pace after class.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all to be more tech-savvy and how to adapt to new challenges. It’s also shown us the power of the internet, and how much we can do online and remotely.

UP cares about your well-being and that of your family, which is why we’ve decided to have a Virtual #ChooseUP Day this year – because we encourage social distancing and complying with the rules of lockdown, so that we can all meet again next year. We really do look forward to giving you all one of UP’s traditionally warm welcomes at Welcome Day in 2021!

At UP there’s one thing on which we do not compromise – and that is quality. We breathe and live quality, and we give 100% in everything we do. It’s the driver of our institutional strategy, and it’s why UP is a leading research-intensive university in South Africa and Africa.

The world urgently needs good leaders in every sector: leaders with foresight and wisdom who are well-educated, well-skilled and well-rounded citizens; leaders who see the way forward to creating a new normal during this difficult time. Many of our academic programmes require you to apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world situation and give back to the community. Our primary driving force is to make a difference in society; that is one of the key ways in which we live THE UP WAY of life.

We are committed to having a positive impact on the environment and the economy in and around the areas surrounding all our campuses. This means we do as much as possible to ensure we have a relatively safe and beautiful environment, while also being socially responsible, supporting local businesses and community projects, and caring about our people.

When you #ChooseUP you will be given all the support you need to help you graduate on time. This means you will learn how to choose your modules wisely, maintain a good average, and be responsible with the choices you make. Graduating on time is really important, because it saves you money on fees, interest on loans, and allows you to get a job or start your own business.

To help you on this path we offer you free, online courses which will give you all the skills you need to be ready for the world beyond university. All our beautiful campuses and residences have easy wi-fi access and amazing spaces for you to live, learn and grow as a person.

We know that life is much more than studying, and if you #ChooseUP you will have access to many different activities like sports and arts, as well as cultural options which will help you broaden your horizons and become a more well-rounded person.

These are just some of the many ways in which we support you to be the best you can be so that you can graduate as a creative, curious, innovative thinker who is respectful, kind, makes a difference and has an impact on the world, strives for personal excellence in your life, and never gives up. We teach, learn, innovate, have an impact and live up to all of these qualities. This is THE UP WAY and this is what makes us so special.

As a conditionally admitted student, you’re already among some of the country’s top achievers, so work hard in this final stretch of your academic year at school, and do the best you can. If you #ChooseUP, you will be graduating from one of the world’s top universities, which will place you among the world’s top graduates.

So work hard, keep your eye on the finish line, and #ChooseUP. I hope to see you next year, because your success matters.

Professor Tawana Kupe

Vice-Chancellor and Principal