The University of Pretoria (UP) is celebrating the graduation of 12 950 students this autumn, and nearly half of them – about 6 270 (48.4%) – made it to the finish line with the help of financial support from UP.

Taking place between 2 May and 29 May this year on Hillcrest campus, the graduation ceremonies will mark a proud moment for thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Behind the celebration is a deeper story, one of access, support and determination.

“This is more than just a graduation season ­– it is a powerful reminder of the transformative role that financial aid can play in a student’s life,” said Professor Francis Petersen, UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal. “Knowing that almost 50% of our graduates received some form of support through UP’s financial aid ecosystem highlights the University’s commitment to helping students overcome financial barriers and succeed academically.”

This season, almost 7 000 bachelor’s degrees, more than 2 400 honours degrees, 1 519 master’s, 258 doctorate degrees, and nearly 2 000 postgraduate diplomas and advanced certificates will be awarded. Many of these students have overcome significant obstacles, from financial strain and food insecurity to mental health challenges, making their achievements all the more meaningful.

“We understand that the journey to acquiring a quality education involves far more than just registration and tuition fees,” Prof Petersen said. “It includes access to nutrition, academic support, psycho-social services and more, and we continue to invest in these areas to support our students holistically.”

One of the initiatives that made this possible was UP’s Giving Day campaign, which was launched in 2022 to raise R100 million to support “missing-middle” students – those ineligible for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and bank loans. UP also ran a raffle as part of its Giving Matters fundraising initiative in 2024, offering a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle as the prize. These initiatives form part of the University’s commitment to increasing access to higher education and fostering student success.

This year’s ceremonies will see distinguished individuals awarded with honorary doctorates and Chancellor’s medals in recognition of their contributions to society and academia. Their stories, alongside those of UP’s graduates, reinforce the University’s mission to inspire impact through knowledge.

As UP sends off the Class of 2025, it celebrates not just academic achievements but also the collective effort that made it possible.