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Welcome to Research Matters

Welcome to Research Matters. This curated site highlights some of the University of Pretoria’s most impactful and innovative research which addresses some of our society’s most pressing concerns so that we can transform lives and communities. We are rated as the number one university in South Africa for research outputs. Our vision is to be a leading research-intensive university in Africa that is recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact. We develop people, create knowledge and strive to make a difference locally and internationally.

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image showing cancer cells
Stories
February 04, 2026

University of Pretoria researchers revolutionise cancer care in global study

What if a simple compound could make chemotherapy hit harder against cancer but go easier on the patient? In a remarkable global collaboration, scientists have...
Picture of cover of RE.SEARCH 13
February 03, 2026

RE.SEARCH 13: One Health

The 13th issue of RE.SEARCH magazine (One Health) is available now. The digital versions of this award-winning magazine are interactive and include a host of...
footballer kicking a soccer ball
Stories
January 27, 2026

Extra Time: Keeping football players in the game longer

Football boasts the largest global following of any sport, and while research has focused on players’ injuries while active and when retired, a new study...
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Stories
November 19, 2025

Better brain health: UP neurosurgeon develops non-invasive, eye-based method to measure intracranial pressure

Paediatric neurosurgeon Professor Llewellyn Padayachy, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Steve Biko Academic Hospital...
brain-thumbnail-zp275729
Infographic

Minds matter

Africa faces immense challenges in neurosurgery, such as severe underfunding, a lack of training positions and a high burden of disease. There is one neurosurgeon per four million people, far below the WHO’s recommendation of one per 200 000. This shortage, compounded by the lack of a central brain tumour registry and limited access to diagnostics, severely impacts patient outcomes.
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Stories
October 29, 2025

UP scientists win Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for global research into particle discovery

Two University of Pretoria (UP) researchers have been awarded the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, along with colleagues from the European...

UP Research Facts

Undergraduate modules available online
51
Research chairs in 8 disciplines
NRF rated researchers
600+
NRF rated researchers
Study programmes
82
Research institutes, centres and units
Undergraduate pass rate
3500+
International students
up award
#1
University in SA in Engineering, Economics & Business, Microbiology and Plant & Animal Sciences
Alumni
Top 1%
Globally in 14 of the 22 Essential Science Indicator (ESI) fields