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{{Short description|University in Western Cape, South Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Stellenbosch University
 | native_name            = Universiteit Stellenbosch or Stellenbosch Universiteit
 | image_name             = Stellenbosch University New Logo.jpg
 | image_size             = 
 | motto                  = {{langx|la| Pectora roborant cultus recti}}
 | mottoeng               = "A sound education strengthens the spirit"
 | established            = {{start date and age|1918|4|2|df=yes}}
 | type                   = Public university
 | endowment              = [[South African rand|ZAR]] 5.04 Billion<ref>{{Cite web |title=These are the richest universities in South Africa |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/712168/these-are-the-richest-universities-in-south-africa/ |website=BusinessTech}}</ref>
 | chancellor             = [[Lesetja Kganyago|Governor Lesetja Kganyago]]
 | vice_chancellor        = [[Deresh Ramjugernath|Professor Deresh Ramjugernath]]
 | academic_staff         = 1,028<ref name="sun.ac.za">{{cite web|url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/statistical-profile-2014-test|title=Statistical Profile|website=www.sun.ac.za|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409135624/http://www.sun.ac.za/english/statistical-profile-2014-test|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 2,183<ref name="sun.ac.za" />
 | students               = 
 | undergrad              = 25,042<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/english/Documents/Statistics/2015/Statistiese+Profiel+2015+-+Figuur+3en4.xlsx&action=default{{Dead link | date=August 2025 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 10,051<ref name="ReferenceA" />
 | city                   = [[Stellenbosch]]
 | province               = [[Western Cape]]
 | country                = South Africa (SA)
 | coordinates            = {{Coord|33|55|58|S|18|51|51|E|region:ZA_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = 2 suburban, 2 Urban area and 1 rural
 | colours                = {{color box|#74273b}}  Confident Maroon & {{color box|#b79962}} Brilliant Gold<ref>{{Cite web| title=Visual identity | url=https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/2023/Branding/visual_identity.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025184914/https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/2023/Branding/visual_identity.pdf | archive-date=2023-10-25}}</ref>
 | mascot                 = Pokkel<ref>[http://www.sun.ac.za/news/MatiesNewsItem_Eng.asp?Lang=2&ItemID=15171 "Meet Pokkel the Maties mascot"]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613015243/http://www.sun.ac.za/news/MatiesNewsItem_Eng.asp?Lang=2&ItemID=15171 |date=13 June 2011 }}, ''Matie News'', 18 February 2009</ref>
 | nickname               = ''Maties''
 | affiliations           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Association of African Universities|AAU]]
* [[Association of Commonwealth Universities|ACU]]
* [[Cape Higher Education Consortium|CHEC]]
* [[Higher Education South Africa|HESA]]
* [[International Association of Universities|IAU]]
}}
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.su.ac.za}}
 | logo                   = 
}}

'''Stellenbosch University''' ('''SU''') ({{langx|af|Universiteit Stellenbosch}}, {{langx|xh|iYunivesithi yaseStellenbosch}}) is a public [[research university]] situated in [[Stellenbosch]], a town in the [[Western Cape]] province of [[South Africa]]. Stellenbosch University received full university status in 1918 and is known for designing and manufacturing Africa's first microsatellite, [[SUNSAT]], launched in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Space in South Africa {{!}} Space Lab |url=http://www.spacelab.uct.ac.za/space-south-africa-0 |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=www.spacelab.uct.ac.za |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908202011/http://www.spacelab.uct.ac.za/space-south-africa-0 |archive-date=2022-09-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/sunsat|title=SUNSAT - eoPortal Directory - Satellite Missions|website=directory.eoportal.org|language=en-US|access-date=27 February 2017|archive-date=10 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510051222/https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/sunsat|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stellenbosch is organised in 139 departments across 10 faculties offering bachelor's ([[Education in South Africa#Higher education and training system|NQF 7]]) to doctoral degrees (NQF 10) in the English and Afrikaans languages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CHE {{!}} Council on Higher Education {{!}} Regulatory body for Higher Education in South Africa {{!}} Education {{!}} Innovation {{!}} University {{!}} South Africa |url=https://www.che.ac.za/#/moreite |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524181407/https://www.che.ac.za/#/moreite |archive-date=24 May 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020 |website=che.ac.za}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Language at Stellenbosch University |url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/about-us/multilingualism#:~:text=SU%20remains%20committed%20to%20using,backdrop%20of%20inclusivity%20and%20multilingualism. |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=www.sun.ac.za}}</ref> Across five campuses in the Western Cape, the university is home to 32,000 students.

The students of Stellenbosch University are nicknamed "Maties". 
Although the source of the term is unknown, it likely arises from the Afrikaans word "tamatie" (meaning tomato, and referring to the maroon sports uniforms and blazer colour). An alternative theory is that the term comes from the Afrikaans colloquialism ''maat'' (meaning "buddy" or "mate"), originally used diminutively ("maatjie") by the students of the [[University of Cape Town]]'s precursor, the [[South African College]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stellenbosch University – SEC CERT|url=https://seccert.org/portfolio-item/quisque-lobortis/|language=en-US|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023061928/https://seccert.org/portfolio-item/quisque-lobortis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Stellenbosch Ou Hoofgebou.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Ou Hoofgebou'' (Former Main Administration building, now the Law Faculty) on Stellenbosch University campus]]
[[File:Bloemhof 1.JPG|thumb|Stellenbosch University Museum]]
[[File:Stellenbosch University Crest.png|thumb|right|140px|Old emblem, used until 2021, incorporating the coat of arms granted in 1918]]The origin of the university can be traced back to the '''Stellenbosch Gymnasium''', which was founded in 1864 and opened on 1 March 1866. The first five students matriculated in 1870, but capacity did not initially exist for any [[tertiary education]]. However, in the 1870s, the Cape Colony's first locally elected government took office and prioritised education. In 1873, four of the five 1870 matriculates became the institution's first graduates by attaining the "Second Class Certificate" through distance learning, and the gymnasium's student numbers rose to over a hundred.

In 1874, a series of government acts provided for colleges and universities, with generous subsidies and staff. A personal intervention by the Prime Minister in the same year ensured that Stellenbosch qualified, after initially being allocated to be purely a secondary school. Later in 1874, the institution acquired its first professor and, in the following few years, its capacity and staff grew rapidly. Its first academic senate was constituted at the beginning of 1876, when several new premises were also acquired. The first MA degree (in Stellenbosch and in South Africa) was completed in 1878. That same year, the Gymnasium's first four female students were enrolled.<ref name="Smuts">{{cite book | title=Stellenbosch. Three Centuries | publisher=Stellenbosch Town Council & Oude Meester Group | author=Smuts, Francois | year=1979 | location=Stellenbosch | isbn=978-0620039215}}</ref><ref name="Malherbe">{{cite book | title=Gedenkboek van het Victoria-Kollege | publisher=Nationale Pers |author1=Brümmer N. |author2=Smith J.J. |author3=Malherbe W.E. | year=1918 | location=Cape Town }}</ref>

The institution became the '''Stellenbosch College''' in 1881 and was located at the current Arts Department. In 1887, this college was renamed '''Victoria College'''; when it acquired university status on 2 April 1918 it was renamed once again, becoming '''Stellenbosch University'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/place/stellenbosch-university|title=Stellenbosch University|last=Nolundi|date=4 May 2017|work=South African History Online|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906140042/http://www.sahistory.org.za/place/stellenbosch-university|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially, only one university was planned for the Cape, but after the government was visited by a delegation from the ''Victoria College'', it was decided to allow the college to be a university if it could raise £100,000.<ref name="Pretorius">{{cite book | title=A History of South Africa: From the Distant Past to the Present Day | publisher=Protea Book House | author=Pretorius, Fransjohan | year=2014 | location=Hatsfield, Pretoria | isbn=978-1-86919-908-1}}</ref>{{rp|290–1}} [[Jannie Marais]], a wealthy Stellenbosch farmer, bequeathed the money required before his death in 1915.<ref name="Pretorius" />{{rp|291}} There were certain conditions to his gift, including that [[Dutch people|Dutch]]/Afrikaans have equal status to English and that the lecturers teach at least half their lectures in Dutch/Afrikaans. By 1930, very little, if any, instruction was delivered in English.<ref name="Pretorius" />{{rp|291}}

In December 2014, specialists at the university performed the first successful penis transplantation on a 21-year-old man.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-31876219 | title=South Africans perform first 'successful' penis transplant | work=BBC News | date=13 March 2015 | access-date=15 March 2015 | author=Gallagher, James | archive-date=17 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317173847/https://www.bbc.com/news/health-31876219 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Stellenbosch University was the first African university to sign the [[Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities]].<ref>{{cite thesis |title=Signing of the Berlin Declaration |last=Botman |first=H. Russel |author-link=Russel Botman |date=20 October 2010 |hdl=10019.1/4828}}</ref>

=== Name ===
Although the university was originally named the University of Stellenbosch (Afrikaans: Universiteit van Stellenbosch), it nowadays uses two forms: the English version ''Stellenbosch University'' (abbreviated SU) and the Afrikaans version ''Universiteit Stellenbosch'' (abbreviated US).<ref>[http://www.sun.ac.za/university/ciguidelines_new/ciguidelinesafrikaans/IDElements/Naam/naam1.html SUN.ac.za] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116035459/http://www.sun.ac.za/university/ciguidelines_new/ciguidelinesafrikaans/IDElements/Naam/naam1.html |date=16 November 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/management/statute|title=Statute of Stellenbosch University|website=www.sun.ac.za|language=en|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223043952/http://www.sun.ac.za/english/management/statute|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Facilities ==

=== Location ===
[[File:UniStellenbosch.jpg|thumb|upright|View over the "Red Square" of Stellenbosch University with the peak,"The Twins" beyond]]
Stellenbosch is located about 50 kilometres from Cape Town, and is situated on the banks of the ''Eersterivier'' ("First River") in the famous wine-growing region and is encircled by picturesque mountains. Teaching at Stellenbosch University is divided across five campuses.

* Main campus in Stellenbosch
* [[Bellville, Western Cape|Bellville Park]] Campus (Business School)
* [[Saldanha Bay|Saldanha]] Campus (Military Science)
* [[Tygerberg Hospital|Tygerberg]] Campus (Medicine and Health Sciences)
* Ukwanda Rural Clinical (Medicine and Health Sciences)

=== Faculties ===
Stellenbosch University consists of 139 departments across 10 faculties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Faculties |url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=www.sun.ac.za}}</ref>
* AgriSciences
* Arts and Social Sciences
* Economic and Management Sciences
* Education
* Engineering
* Law
* Medicine and Health Sciences (Tygerberg)
* Military Science ([[Saldanha Bay]])
* Science
* Theology

The Southern African node of the [[Pan-African University]] is based in South Africa and will concentrate on space sciences.<ref name="Nganga20100704">{{cite web |author=Gilbert Nganga |date=4 July 2010 |title=Pan-African University close to starting |url=http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20100702185259944 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610185712/http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20100702185259944 |archive-date=10 June 2012 |access-date=1 December 2011 |work=University World News}}</ref>

This decision was connected with South Africa's bid to host the [[Square Kilometre Array]] of radio telescopes. In September 2009 Jean-Pierre Ezin, [[African Union]] commissioner for science, said the node at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa was hoped to open in February 2010.<ref name="Nordling20090902">{{cite web |author=Linda Nordling |date=2 September 2009 |title=Pan-African University could launch early next year |url=http://www.scidev.net/en/news/pan-african-university-could-launch-early-next-yea.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215111229/http://www.scidev.net/en/news/pan-african-university-could-launch-early-next-yea.html |archive-date=15 December 2011 |access-date=1 December 2011 |work=SciDev}}</ref> According to ''University World News'', however, "The PAU project continues in other regions although Southern Africa has been lagging behind."<ref>[http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20131121160549119 University World News, 22 November 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503185241/http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20131121160549119|date=3 May 2014}}, retrieved 3 May 2014</ref>

=== Sports facilities ===
Stellenbosch University has the facilities for the more than 30 competitive and recreational sports that are supported by the university include [[Danie Craven Stadium]], Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools, the Coetzenburg Centre, a multi-purpose center for ceremonies and indoor sports, playing fields, including two artificial hockey fields, a gymnasium, and a new football complex.

=== Sporting codes ===
The university offers several sports to its students. Some of them are athletics, bouldering, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cricket, cross country running, cycling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, field hockey, judo, kendo, netball, rowing, rugby union, soccer, squash, surfing, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, underwater hockey, volleyball, water polo, and yachting.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Facilities and services ===

==== Libraries ====
The Stellenbosch University Library has collections scattered around the campus outside of the main facility, and all of which are catalogued on a computerized database, using the university's original mainframe, a [[UNIVAC]]. There are several other satellite libraries servicing the different faculties, including the Theology Library, Law Library and Tygerberg Medical Library.

==== University facilities ====
Stellenbosch University also has a Conservatory, with two concert halls. The Conservatory is the home of the internationally acclaimed<ref>{{cite web |title=World Rankings - INTERKULTUR |url=http://www.interkultur.com/leftnavi/world-rankings/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212021130/http://www.interkultur.com/leftnavi/world-rankings/ |archive-date=12 February 2013 |access-date=20 March 2013 |publisher=interkultur.com }}</ref> [[Stellenbosch University Choir]], who, along with being the oldest South African choir have received numerous awards overseas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/entities/choir |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=www.sun.ac.za}}</ref> The university also has a 430-seat theatre, known as the HB Thom Theatre and an open-air amphitheatre. Accompanying these facilities is the university's own Drama Department, under the guidance of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The department regularly puts on plays, dramas, productions, cabarets and musicals.

==== Botanical garden ====
[[File:Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden - Bonsai.jpg|thumb|Botanical Garden – Bonsai Collection]]
The [[Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden]] is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa.

==== Student center ====
The [[Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven|Langenhoven]] Students' Centre (''Neelsie'') houses the [[Students' representative council|Student Representative Council]], a food court, a cinema, a post office, a shopping centre, an advice office and all the student societies' offices. Student bands and various entertainment and activity promotions usually appear in the main food court during lunch hour.

==== Campus radio ====
The university has its own radio station known as [[MFM 92.6|MFM]] (Matie FM), situated in the Neelsie. It broadcasts a mix of music, news, entertainment and campus news over the entire Stellenbosch area at 92.6 FM.

==== Campus newspaper ====
The university also distributes regular publications, ''[[Die Matie]]'' (appearing every fortnight) for its students and ''Kampusnuus'' (appearing monthly) for its staff. An official yearbook, ''Stellenbosch Student'', is published annually and presented to all graduating students. ''Matieland''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/matieland/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504161210/http://www.sun.ac.za/english/matieland/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=4 May 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 |website=www.sun.ac.za |language=en}}</ref> is the name of the official alumni magazine. It is published twice a year and distributed to some 100 000 alumni and friends of the university.

== Language ==
Stellenbosch University has historically been a predominantly Afrikaans-medium university. However, as the student body grew more diverse, demand increased for more classes taught in English. Today, the university's language policy<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.sun.ac.za/language|title=Language at Stellenbosch University|website=www.sun.ac.za|language=en|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-date=17 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217054624/http://www.sun.ac.za/language/|url-status=live}}</ref> promotes multilingualism as a means to increase equitable access for all students and staff. Afrikaans, English and Xhosa are used in academic, administrative, professional and social contexts, and classes are offered in Afrikaans and English.

In 2021, the university reported that 48.7% of its students stated English as their home language, 37.4% stated Afrikaans, 6.8% stated another of South Africa's official languages, and 7.1% stated an international language as their home language.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Language at Stellenbosch University | url=https://www.sun.ac.za/english/about-us/multilingualism | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=www.sun.ac.za}}</ref> Between 2017 and 2021, the percentage of undergraduates who preferred English as the language of learning and instruction increased from 68.2% to 80.8%.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Language at Stellenbosch University | url=https://www.sun.ac.za/english/about-us/multilingualism | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=www.sun.ac.za}}</ref> At postgraduate level, the language of instruction is determined by the composition of the class, provided all students are suitably proficient in the chosen language. Most advanced postgraduate courses are taught in English.

The language policy is an ongoing issue for the university, since it is one of the few South African tertiary institutions offering instruction in Afrikaans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lejournalinternational.fr/Afrique-du-Sud-Stellenbosch-bastion-de-l-ombre-de-l-apartheid_a1180.html |title=Afrique du Sud : Stellenbosch, bastion de l'ombre de l'apartheid |date=20 August 2013 |access-date=20 December 2015 |language=fr |author=Arthur Cerf |newspaper=Le Journal International |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208103126/http://www.lejournalinternational.fr/Afrique-du-Sud-Stellenbosch-bastion-de-l-ombre-de-l-apartheid_a1180.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is situated in the Western Cape province, where 41% of the population state Afrikaans is their home language per the 2022 census,<ref>{{Cite web | title=The languages of South Africa - South Africa Gateway | url=https://southafrica-info.com/arts-culture/the-languages-of-south-africa/#afrikaans | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=southafrica-info.com}}</ref> and it is the only one of four universities in the province to offer degree courses in Afrikaans. The university annually hosts the SU ''Woordfees'', a predominantly Afrikaans-language festival of the written and spoken word.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4497|title=News - SU Woordfees launches its 2017 programme...|website=www.sun.ac.za|language=en|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223212325/http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4497|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Student profile ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Student enrollment by race<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Power BI |url=https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiY2UzMThjNjktYzk4YS00ODg0LTk3MTMtMmM5OTI3OTE4NTI0IiwidCI6ImE2ZmEzYjAzLTBhM2MtNDI1OC04NDMzLWExMjBkZmZjZDM0OCIsImMiOjh9 |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=app.powerbi.com}}</ref>
|-
! Year !! White (Number) !! White (%) !! Black African (Number) !! Black African (%) !! Coloured (Number) !! Coloured (%) !! Indian (Number) !! Indian (%) !! Withheld (Number) !! Withheld (%) !! Total
|-
| 2015 || 18,764 || 62.2% || 5,355 || 17.8% || 5,238 || 17.4% || 793 || 2.63% || - || - || 30,150
|-
| 2016 || 18,907 || 61.3% || 5,629 || 18.2% || 5,443 || 17.6% || 875 || 2.84% || - || - || 30,854
|-
| 2017 || 18,937 || 59.9% || 6,018 || 19% || 5,718 || 18.1% || 952 || 3.01% || - || - || 31,625
|-
| 2018 || 18,447 || 58.1% || 6,375 || 20.1% || 5,757 || 18.1% || 996 || 3.14% || 136 || 0.43% || 31,711
|-
| 2019 || 17,935 || 56.6% || 6,665 || 21% || 5,747 || 18.1% || 1,005 || 3.2% || 244 || 0.77% || 31,596
|-
| 2020 || 17,607 || 55.5% || 6,873 || 21.8% || 5,679 || 18% || 1,004 || 3.2% || 370 || 1.17% || 31,533
|-
| 2021 || 17,541 || 54.4% || 7,270 || 22.5% || 5,794 || 18% || 1,087 || 3.4% || 443 || 1.37% || 32,135
|-
| 2022 || 16,788 || 51.6% || 7,590 || 23.3% || 5,766 || 17.7% || 1,106 || 3.4% || 1,163 || 3.6% || 32,413
|-
| 2023 || 16,770 || 49.8% || 8,270 || 24.6% || 5,735 || 17% || 1,186 || 3.52% || 1,541 || 4.6% || 33,502
|-
|}

== Student housing ==
Stellenbosch has 34 residence halls in configurations for women only, men only and mixed gender. Each residence is supervised by a resident head assisted by a House Committee of senior students. The House Committee assists students with security, maintenance, and social programs. Each first year student on campus gets access to a be-well mentor who assist them with their social-emotional transition from school to university. Each residence for undergrads incorporates a laundry room, a common living room and a dining hall where meals are provided for which students book beforehand on their student account.

The number of available rooms in university residences is limited, which requires some students to find private boarding.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Provision of Student Housing at South African Universities |title=Report on the Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Provision of Student Housing at South African universities. |date=2011 |others=Ihron Lester Rensburg, South Africa. Department of Higher Education and Training |isbn=978-0-621-40731-0 |location=Pretoria |oclc=795184064}}</ref> Students in private lodgings are assigned to one of 6 Commuter Student Organisations (CSO), also known as Private Wards. These CSOs give private students exposure to the same campus experience as students residing in residences. The oldest residence is Wilgenhof men's residence, established in 1903.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilgenhof Manskoshuis |url=http://www0.sun.ac.za/willows/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806202141/http://www0.sun.ac.za/willows/ |archive-date=6 August 2017 |access-date=8 June 2018 |website=www0.sun.ac.za |language=en-US}}</ref>

The CSO wards along with the Residence Halls are grouped into six clusters with nearby residences to form student communities (a seventh cluster is on the Tygerberg campus).<ref>{{cite web |last=Smorenburg |first=Mathew |title=Clusters |url=http://www0.sun.ac.za/ssg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=529&lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020121918/http://www0.sun.ac.za/ssg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83&Itemid=529&lang=en |archive-date=20 October 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018 |website=www0.sun.ac.za}}</ref> For each of these clusters, a hub facility is being built, of which three have already been completed, namely amaMaties, Wimbledon and Victoria.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2023 |title=A sense of belonging for Victoria Cluster |url=https://diematie.com/2023/05/a-sense-of-belonging-for-victoria-cluster/ |access-date=19 July 2023 |language=en-ZA}}</ref> In this way, commuter students can enjoy the same benefits as residence students, such as mentor support, meals and a well-appointed place to go to between classes.

== Rankings ==
{{see also|Rankings of universities in South Africa|}}
{{Infobox university rankings
| ARWU_W = 401–500 | ARWU_W_year = 2023 | ARWU_W_ref =<ref name="arwu">{{cite web|url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/stellenbosch-university|title=ARWU World University Rankings 2023 |website=www.shanghairanking.com|access-date=24 February 2024|archive-date=24 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224021004/http://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/stellenbosch-university|url-status=live}}</ref>
| THE_W = 301–350 | THE_W_year = 2024 | THE_W_ref =<ref name="the-rank">{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/stellenbosch-university
|title=Stellenbosch University |work=Times Higher Education World University Rankings |date=26 January 2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>
| QS_W = 302 | QS_W_year = 2026 | QS_W_ref =<ref name=":QSW2026">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings|title=QS World University Rankings}}</ref> 
| ARWU_Africa = 3-5 | ARWU_Africa_ref =<ref name="arwu" />
| THE_Africa = 2 | THE_Africa_ref =<ref name="the-afr">{{cite web |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-africa |title=Best universities in Africa 2022 |work=Times Higher Education World University Rankings |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=15 October 2017 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619035723/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-africa |url-status=live }}</ref>
| QS_Africa = 4 | QS_Africa_ref =<ref name="qs-afr">{{cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/top-universities-africa |title=Top Universities in Africa |work=Top Universities |date=21 June 2019 |access-date=14 October 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204172155/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/top-universities-africa |url-status=live }}</ref>
| THE_BRICS =  | THE_BRICS_ref = 
| QS_BRICS = 51 | QS_BRICS_ref =<ref name="qs-brics">{{cite web |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/brics-rankings/2019 |title=QS World Universities- Brics |access-date=3 October 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217061019/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/brics-rankings/2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|CWUR_W=450|CWUR_W_ref=<ref name="-rank">{{cite web |url=https://cwur.org/2024/stellenbosch-university.php |title=Stellenbosch University CWUR |work=Top Universities |date=2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>|CWTS_W_ref=<ref name="cwts-rank">{{cite web |url=https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2023/list |title=Stellenbosch University CWTA |work=Top Universities |date=2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>|CWTS_W=461|USNWR_W_ref=<ref name="usn-rank">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/stellenbosch-university-500980
|title=Stellenbosch University USN |work=Times Higher Education World University Rankings |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>|USNWR_W=304|URAP_W=362|URAP_W_ref=<ref name="urap-rank">{{cite web |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/740953/ranking-the-top-22-universities-in-south-africa-in-2024/ |title=Stellenbosch University URAP |work=Top Universities |date=2024 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>}}
[[File:20190202 Stellenbosch University.jpg|thumb|left|Theological Faculty with the statue to founders academics John Murray and Nicalaas Jacobus Hofmeyr]]
The university is one of three public universities in the Western Cape and one of about 20 universities in the country.

In the latest edition of the [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]], Stellenbosch University was ranked in the 251-275 category in the world and third in Africa. Another reputable ranking system, [[QS World University Rankings]] recently ranked the university at 390 in the world and also third in Africa.<ref name="QS World University Rankings">{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116004633/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2016 |archive-date=16 November 2017 |access-date=9 November 2014 |publisher=topuniversities.com}}</ref>

[[Leiden University]] ranked Stellenbosch 395th out of the top 500 universities worldwide on its [[CWTS Leiden Ranking]] list of 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=CWTS Leiding Ranking 2013 |url=http://www.leidenranking.com/ranking |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704040921/http://www.leidenranking.com/ranking |archive-date=4 July 2015 |access-date=21 May 2013 |publisher=Leiden University}}</ref> This list also ranked the university second in both South Africa and Africa, behind only the University of Cape Town.

[[File:Stellenbosch University World Ranking.png|thumb|Stellenbosch University World Ranking]]

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |'''Stellenbosch University Times Higher Education Ranking 2012 to 2024'''
|-
!Year
!World Rank
|-
|2024
|301–350
|-
|2023
|251–300
|-
|2022
|251–300
|-
|2021
|251–300
|-
|2020
|251–300
|-
|2019
|251–300
|-
|2018
|351–400
|-
|2017
|401-500
|-
|2016
|301-350
|-
|2015
|276-300
|-
|2014
|301-350
|-
|2013
|301-350
|-
|2012
|251-275
|-
| colspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2024 |title=World University Rankings 2024 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2024/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2023 |title=World University Rankings 2023 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2022 |title=World University Rankings 2022 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2021 |title=World University Rankings 2021 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2021/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2020 |title=World University Rankings 2020 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2020/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2019 |title=World University Rankings 2019 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2018 |title=World University Rankings 2018 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2018/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2017 |title=World University Rankings 2017 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2017/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2016 |title=World University Rankings 2016 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2016/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2015 |title=World University Rankings 2015 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2015/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=World University Rankings 2014 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2014/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2013 |title=World University Rankings 2013 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2013/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2012 |title=World University Rankings 2012 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2012/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2011 |title=World University Rankings 2011 (South Africa) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2011/world-ranking#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>
|}
Stellenbosch University consistently ranks in the top 200 worldwide in law, politics and geography.

Stellenbosch University is ranked in the top 100 worldwide in development studies, theology, agriculture and forestry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS Rankings - Stellenbosch University |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/stellenbosch-university#sub |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225035527/https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/stellenbosch-university#sub |archive-date=25 December 2017 |access-date=24 December 2017}}</ref>

In 2012, [[Webometrics]] ranked Stellenbosch's web footprint 2nd largest in Africa, again behind the University of Cape Town.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.webometrics.info/details.asp?univ=sun.ac.za | title=Details of Stellenbosch University | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221224850/http://www.webometrics.info/details.asp?univ=sun.ac.za| archive-date=21 February 2010}}</ref>

The University of Stellenbosch Business School's [[Master of Business Administration|MBA program]] was ranked 65th out of 100 MBA programmes of the leading business schools in the world the Aspen Institute's 2011-12 edition of its Beyond Grey Pinstripes survey. The USB is also the only business school in South Africa, as well as the rest of the continent, to be included in the Top 100 list.<ref>{{cite web |title=MBA Degrees and Business Schools in South Africa |url=http://www.mba.co.za/article.aspx?rootid=6&subdirectoryid=2222 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115051420/http://www.mba.co.za/article.aspx?rootid=6&subdirectoryid=2222 |archive-date=15 November 2010 |access-date=20 March 2013 |publisher=Mba.co.za}}</ref>

The University of Stellenbosch Business School has triple accreditation ([[Association of MBAs|AMBA]], [[EQUIS]] and [[AACSB]] accreditation) and is ranked second in Africa by [[Eduniversal]]. The University of Stellenbosch Business School is ranked in the top 100 worldwide in executive education by Financial Times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USB rankings and accreditations |url=http://www.usb.ac.za/Pages/AboutUs/Accreditations-and-rankings.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225091921/http://www.usb.ac.za/Pages/AboutUs/Accreditations-and-rankings.aspx |archive-date=25 December 2017 }}</ref>

== Controversies ==

=== Racism incident ===
In October 2022, an incident of alleged racism occurred where a white student urinated onto the study material of a black student.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=Stellenbosch urination incident: Theuns du Toit loses appeal against expulsion from university |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/stellenbosch-urination-incident-theuns-du-toit-loses-appeal-against-expulsion-from-university-20221115 |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Vice-Chancellor nepotism case ===
In 2023, Vice-Chancellor Wim de Villiers was charged of nepotism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=Stellenbosch rector Wim de Villiers cleared of nepotism allegations, but faces financial consequences |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/stellenbosch-rector-wim-de-villiers-cleared-of-nepotism-allegations-but-faces-financial-consequences-20230701 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Makhafola |first=Getrude |date=2 July 2023 |title=Stellenbosch University vice-chancellor cleared in nepotism probe |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/stellenbosch-vice-chancellor-cleared-nepotism-probe-july-2023/ |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}</ref> He allegedly used his discretionary right to secure a place for his wife's nephew at the university's medical school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=Stellenbosch nepotism: VC apologises only for 'error of judgement', inquiry finds no breach |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/stellenbosch-nepotism-vc-apologises-only-for-error-of-judgement-inquiry-finds-no-breach-20230704 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCain |first=Nicole |title=Stellenbosch University nepotism claims: Motion of no-confidence in convocation committee under way |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/stellenbosch-university-nepotism-claims-motion-of-no-confidence-in-convocation-committee-under-way-20230602 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> An investigation into the case found that there was no misconduct that warranted his removal from office but that he would have to face financial consequences.

=== Wilgenhof residence scandal ===
In 2024, [[Wilgenhof]] men's residence faced scandal after concealed rooms were discovered containing artifacts tied to abusive [[Hazing|initiation]] practices.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/the-end-of-wilgenhof-as-stellenbosch-university-council-rules-it-must-be-shut-20240916 | title=The end of Wilgenhof as Stellenbosch University council rules it must be shut | date=2024-09-16 | website=www.news24.com}}</ref> An independent panel investigated the matter and recommended the residence's closure, citing its embodiment of the University's troubled and racist history. 

The University's council accepted this recommendation in September,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Stellenbosch University adopts recommendation residence be closed | url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-06-12-stellenbosch-university-adopts-recommendation-residence-be-closed/ | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=www.timeslive.co.za}}</ref> sparking legal challenges from Wilgenhof Alumni Association and the Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents (AWIR).<ref>{{Cite web | title=Wilgenhof residents & parents set to fight res closure in the court…. | url=https://www.biznews.com/interviews/2024/09/25/wilgenhof-fight-res-closure-court/ | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=www.biznews.com}}</ref> The residence was shut down for renovations in 2025, with the goal of reopening it as a reimagined male residence.

Further controversy arose when allegations emerged that key university officials had altered the investigation's findings before presenting them.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Wilgenhof Scandal: Calls for accountability amidst allegations | url=https://www.biznews.com/interviews/2024/10/29/wilgenhof-scandal-accountability-allegations-of-report-tampering/ | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=www.biznews.com}}</ref> In February 2025, the university and the Wilgenhof Alumni Association settled their dispute over the residence's naming process.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Wilgenhof Residence Naming Dispute Settled: Alumni and Stellenbosch University Reach Agreement {{!}} Central News South Africa | url=https://centralnews.co.za/wilgenhof-residence-naming-dispute-settled-alumni-and-stellenbosch-university-reach-agreement/ | access-date=2025-08-03 | website=centralnews.co.za}}</ref> The agreement included restoring archival materials and involving the alumni in the renaming, acknowledging the reputational damage suffered by past and present residents.

== Leaders ==

=== Current leaders ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="750px" style="border:" 1px
|-
! colspan="2" |General Management<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Management |url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/management |access-date=18 April 2024 |website=www.sun.ac.za}}</ref>
|-
|[[Deresh Ramjugernath|Prof Deresh Ramjugernath]]
|Rector and Vice-Chancellor
|-
|[[Lesetja Kganyago|Governor Lesetja Kganyago]]
|Chancellor
|-
|Prof Stan du Plessis
|Chief Operating Officer 
|-
|Prof Hester Klopper
|Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs
|-
|Prof Nico Koopman
|Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel
|-
|Prof Sibusiso Moyo
|Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies
|-
|Prof Richard Stevens 
|Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching
|-
|Dr Ronel Retief
|Registrar
|-
|Mr Mohamed Shaikh
|Executive Manager: Rectorate
|}

=== Historical ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="750px" style="border:" 1px
|-
! colspan="8" |Rector<ref>{{cite web |title=Stellenbosch University 100 years |url=http://www0.sun.ac.za/100/en/timeline/1960/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910165009/http://www0.sun.ac.za/100/en/timeline/1960/ |archive-date=10 September 2018 |access-date=9 September 2018 |publisher=Stellenbosch University}}</ref>
|-
! style="white-space: nowrap;" width="45" |
! width="80" | Period
! width="210" | Surname
! width="400" | Name(s)
! width="210" | Date of Birth
! width="210" |Date of Death
|-
|1
|1919-1925
|Cillié
|Gabriël Gideon
|10 September 1870
|1 April 1958
|-
|2
|1925-1934
| Wilson
| Douglas George
| 25 April 1856
|
|-
|3
|1934-1955
|Wilcocks
|Raymond William
|23 January 1892
|16 March 1967
|-
|4
|1955-1970
|[[H. B. Thom|Thom]]
|Hendrik Bernardus
|31 December 1905
|4 November 1983
|-
|5
|1970-1979
|de Villiers
|Jan Naude
|17 August 1923
|
|-
|6
|1979-1993
|de Vries 
|Michiel Josias
|5 May 1933
|5 July 2002
|-
|7
|1993-2002
|van Wyk
|Andreas Hercules
|17 September 1941
|
|-
|8
|2002-2007
|[[Chris Brink|Brink]]
|Chris
|31 January 1951
|
|-
|9
|2007-2014
|[[Russel Botman|Botman]]
|Hayman Russel
|18 October 1953
|28 June 2014
|-
|10
|2014-2025
||[[Wim de Villiers|de Villiers]]
|Willem Johan Simon
|26 September 1959
|
|-
|11
|2025-Present
|[[Deresh Ramjugernath|Ramjugernath]] 
|Deresh
|26 July 1972
|
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" width="750px" style="border:" 1px
|-
! colspan="6" |Chancellor
|-
! style="white-space: nowrap;" width="45" |
! width="80" | Period
! width="210" | Surname
! width="400" | Name(s)
! width="210" | Date of Birth
! width="210" |Date of Death
|-
|1
|1918-1919
|Marais
|Johannes Izak
|23 August 1848
|27 August 1919
|-
|2
|1919-1931
|Vos
|Pieter Jacobus Gerhard
|29 October 1842
|31 October 1931
|-
|3
|1931-1932
|[[Jacob de Villiers|de Villiers]]
|Jacob Abraham Jeremias
|14 December 1868
|16 September 1937
|-
|4
|1932-1939
|Moorrees
|Adriaan
|18 August 1855
|17 November 1938
|-
|5
|1939-1941
| Kestell
|[[John Daniel Kestell]]
|15 December 1854
|9 February 1941
|-
|6
|1941-1959
|[[D. F. Malan|Malan]]
|Daniel Francois
|22 May 1874
|7 February 1959
|-
|7
|1959-1968
|[[Eben Dönges|Dönges]]
|Theophilus Ebenhaezer 
|8 March 1898
|10 January 1968
|-
|8
|1968-1983
|[[John Vorster|Vorster]]
|Balthazar Johannes
|13 December 1915
|10 September 1983
|-
|9
|1983-1983
|Thom
|Hendrik Bernardus
|31 December 1905
|4 November 1983
|-
|10
|1984-1988
|[[P. W. Botha|Botha]]
|Pieter Willem
|12 January 1916
|31 October 2006
|-
|11
|1988-1998
|van der Horst
|Johannes Gerhardus 
|19 September 1919
|23 April 2003
|-
|12
|1998-2008
|Botha
|Elizabeth
|19 November 1930
|16 November 2007
|-
|13
|2008-2009
|[[Frederik van Zyl Slabbert|Slabbert]]
|Frederik Van Zyl 
|2 March 1940
|14 May 2010
|-
|14
|2009-2019
|[[Johann Rupert|Rupert]]
|Johann Peter
|1 June 1950
|
|-
|15
|2019-2025
|[[Edwin Cameron|Cameron]]
|Edwin
|15 February 1953
|
|-
|16
|2025-present
|[[Lesetja Kganyago|Kganyago]]
|Lesetja
|7 October 1965
|
|-
|}
[[File:Edwin Cameron in robes.jpg|thumb|Edwin Cameron, chancellor (2019-2024)]]

== Notable alumni ==
{{main|List of alumni of Stellenbosch University}}
{{Alumni|date=February 2025}}
===Science===
* [[James L Barnard]], civil engineer and pioneer of biological nutrient removal in wastewater treatment
* [[Johannes Christiaan de Wet]], legal scholar, professor, recognized as South Africa's most influential jurist.
* [[Friedel Sellschop]], physicist and pioneer in the field of nuclear physics.
* [[James Leonard Brierley Smith]], ichthyologist, organic chemist and university professor. First to identify a taxidermied fish as a [[coelacanth]], at the time thought long extinct.
* [[Leopoldt van Huyssteen]], [[Soil science|soil scientist.]]
* [[Lulu Latsky]], first woman to earn a PhD at Stellenbosch (1930); zoologist and writer.
* [[Novel Njweipi Chegou]], molecular biologist and winner of the [[Royal Society]] Africa Prize in 2022.
* [[Henda Swart]], mathematician<ref>{{mathgenealogy|id=72354}}</ref>
* [[Taryn Young]], physician and epidemiologist.

===Law===
* [[Fritz Brand]], judge of the [[Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa]].
* [[Baron Steyn]], British [[Law Lord]], [[Lord of Appeal in Ordinary]].
* [[John Dugard]], professor of international law at Leiden University former member of the [[International Law Commission]] ad hoc judge of the [[International Court of Justice]].
* [[Lourens Ackermann]], former justice of the [[Constitutional Court of South Africa]].
* [[Edwin Cameron]], [[Rhodes scholar]] and justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
* [[Johan Froneman]], lawyer and justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
* [[Jacob de Villiers]], judge, [[Chief Justice of South Africa]] from 1929 to 1932.
* [[Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet]], politician, lawyer, and judge. Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General from 1943 to 1945.
* [[Henry Allan Fagan]], judge, Chief Justice of South Africa from 1957 to 1959.
* [[Monique Nsanzabaganwa]], economist, politician and Deputy Governor of the [[National Bank of Rwanda]].
* [[Lucas Cornelius Steyn]], judge, Chief Justice of South Africa from 1959 to 1971.
* [[Pieter Jacobus Rabie]], judge, Chief Justice of South Africa from 1982 to 1989. 
* [[Barend van Niekerk]], lawyer and academic.
* [[Pierre de Vos]], constitutional law scholar. 
* [[Brian Currin]], human rights lawyer.
* [[Billy Downer]], public prosecutor.

===Politics===
* [[Naledi Pandor]], South African [[Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (South Africa)]].
* [[Sandra Botha]], former Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly for the [[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)]].
* [[James Barry Munnik Hertzog]], former Prime Minister of the [[Union of South Africa]].
* [[Magnus Malan|Magnus André De Merindol Malan]], last Minister of defence during the [[Apartheid|Apartheid era]].
* [[Gerhard Tötemeyer]], former [[Namibia]]n Deputy Minister of Local and Regional Government and Housing.
* [[Johannes Van Rensburg|Johannes Frederik Janse Van Rensburg]], former leader of the [[Ossewabrandwag]].
* [[Eben Dönges]], South African politician who was elected [[State President of South Africa]], but died before he could take office.
* [[Andries Treurnicht]], politician, Minister of Education during the [[Soweto Riots]], founded and led the [[Conservative Party of South Africa]].
* [[Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd]], former apartheid-era Prime Minister of South Africa.
* [[Balthazar Johannes Vorster]], former apartheid-era Prime Minister of South Africa.
* [[Daniel François Malan]], former apartheid-era Prime Minister of South Africa.
* [[Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom]], former apartheid-era Prime Minister of South Africa.
* [[Frederik van Zyl Slabbert]], former opposition politician who became chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
* [[Jan Smuts]], former South African Prime Minister.

===Business===
* [[Koos Bekker]], businessman, billionaire chairman of [[Naspers]].
* [[Sir David de Villiers Graaff, 3rd Baronet]] businessman.
* [[Markus Jooste]], businessman and the former CEO of [[Steinhoff International]].
* [[Christo Wiese]], businessman, former billionaire, chairman of [[Shoprite (South Africa)]].
* [[Jan Steyn]], judge and development leader.
* [[Beyers Naudé]], theologian and anti-apartheid activist.
* [[Jannie Mouton]], businessman, founder and chairman of PSG Group.
* [[Mark Patterson (investor)|Mark Patterson]], private equity investor and founder of [[MatlinPatterson Global Advisors]]
* [[Johann Rupert]], billionaire businessman, CEO of [[Richemont Group]] and [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of Stellenbosch University
* [[Japie van Zyl]], deputy director of the [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]].
* [[Ntsiki Biyela]], winemaker and businesswomen.

===Sport===
* [[Stuart Abbott]], rugby player.
* [[Mari Rabie]], Rhodes scholar, triathlete.
* [[Danie Craven]], prominent rugby player and sport administrator.
* [[Ashley Burdett]],  Zimbabwean cricketer
* [[Craig Tiley]], CEO of [[Tennis Australia]] and Director of the [[Australian Open]].
* [[Attie van Heerden]], Olympian, rugby union, and rugby league footballer.
* [[Jonathan Trott]], England Cricketer.
* [[Max Howell (educator)|Max Howell]], Australian educator and rugby union player
* [[Louis Schreuder]], rugby union player

===Arts and music===
* [[Etienne Leroux]], writer and member of the South African [[Sestigers]] literary movement.
* [[Paul Cilliers]], philosopher and complexity theorist.
* [[Casper de Vries]], actor and comedian.
* [[Abraham H. de Vries]], writer.
* [[Liza Grobler]], artist.
* [[Nick Hamman]], broadcaster, and digital content creator 
* [[Elsa Joubert]], novelist.
* [[Uys Krige]], playwright, poet and translator.
* [[Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven]], poet who composed words of Afrikaner anthem [[Die Stem van Suid-Afrika|''Die Stem'']].
* [[Willim Welsyn]], singer, songwriter, guitarist and podcaster.
* [[Rona Rupert]], musician and author of 33 Afrikaans books.
* [[Johannes du Plessis Scholtz]], philologist, art historian and art collector.
* [[Peet Pienaar]], performance artist.
* [[Cromwell Everson]], composer of the first Afrikaans opera.
* [[Zanne Stapelberg]], opera singer.
* [[Tom Dreyer]], novelist and poet writing in both English and Afrikaans.
* [[Deon van der Walt]], opera singer.
* [[Ernst van Heerden]], Afrikaans poet.
* [[Claudette Schreuders]], sculptor and painter
* [[Karlien de Villiers]], artist

===Academia===
* [[Mark Nigrini]], academic, accounting professor.
* [[Estian Calitz]], economics professor.
* [[André du Pisani]], political scientist and professor at [[University of Namibia]].
* [[Sampie Terreblanche]], former professor of economics at Stellenbosch and founder member of the Democratic Party.
* [[Hendrik W. (H.W.) van der Merwe]] founder of the [[Centre for Intergroup Studies]], University of Cape Town.
* [[Marina Joubert]], senior science communication researcher at Stellenbosch University
* [[Lydia Baumbach]], classical scholar
* [[Gisela Sole]], professor of physiotherapy at [[University of Otago]] in [[New Zealand]]
* [[Amanda Swart]], biochemist and professor Stellenbosch University

===Other===
* [[Mike Horn]], adventurer.
* [[Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari]], political scientist.
* [[John Laredo]], anti-apartheid campaigner.
* [[Riaan Cruywagen]], newsreader and voice artist.
* [[Johan Degenaar]], philosopher.
* [[Siegfried Ngubane]], Anglican bishop.
* [[D. C. S. Oosthuizen]], (Daantjie Oosthuizen), philosopher, Christian, critic of Apartheid.
* [[Vern Poythress]], [[Calvinism|Calvinist]] philosopher and [[New Testament]] scholar.
* [[Martin Welz]], investigative journalist and editor of South African investigative magazine [[Noseweek]].
* [[Stefanus Gie]], diplomat.
* [[Vuyokazi Mahlati]], social entrepreneur, gender activist and global director of the [[International Women's Forum]]
* [[Max du Preez]], author, columnist and the founding editor of [[Vrye Weekblad]]

==See also==
* [[Stellenbosch University Choir]]
* [[List of South African open access repositories]]
* [[Rankings of universities in South Africa]]
* [[University of Johannesburg]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{official website}}
{{Stellenbosch University|state=expanded}}
{{Varsity Sports (South Africa)}}
{{South African universities}}
{{South African Business Schools}}
{{Association of African Universities}}
{{Use South African English|date=March 2013}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Stellenbosch University| ]]
[[Category:Universities in the Western Cape]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1866]]
[[Category:Public universities in South Africa]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Stellenbosch]]
[[Category:Forestry education]]
[[Category:Forestry in South Africa]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in the Cape Colony]]