SU celebrates record number of graduates at December ceremonies 

More than 6 000 graduands will cross the stage in the Coetzenburg Centre this week as Stellenbosch University (SU) hosts its largest-ever December graduation series. 

The University will award certificates, diplomas and degrees to 6 405 students across all faculties at 13 ceremonies. Graduation week runs from Monday 8 to Friday 12 December. This record-breaking occasion will also be the University’s final December graduation series before the transition to a single annual graduation period in March/April. 

Qualifications have increased at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with doctoral qualifications rising by a significant 11,8% from last year to 143. While doctoral degrees have traditionally been awarded to more men than women, this December, women will outnumber men among doctoral recipients. 

Overall, the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), Law, Science and Theology have shown significant double-digit percentage increases in the number of qualifications awarded this year. Education, Medicine and Health Sciences and Military Science also recorded increases. 

The Faculties of Law, Science and Military Science reported record numbers of postgraduate qualifications, while the Faculties of AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, EMS, Law and Science all recorded their highest number of undergraduate qualifications. 

The Faculty of Law will award a record 74 LLB (PG) and 96 LLB (UG) qualifications, up from 56 and 49 respectively in Dec 2024. A record number of 248 BAccounting qualifications will be awarded in the Faculty of EMS. A record number of 60 BA (Human Resources Management) qualifications will be awarded in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science.   

Both the Faculties of Law and Science have record numbers of Master’s qualifications, with 65 and 83 respectively. 

The Faculty of Science has awarded its highest number of doctoral qualifications in five years, with 24 qualifications, including 6 PhDs in Polymer Science. The Faculty of Theology also has its highest number of doctoral degrees, with 11 being awarded this year, up from the seven that were awarded in 2024. 

Although not the highest in the past five years, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will award 30 doctoral qualifications, almost double the amount awarded last year. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences will award 25 doctoral degrees. EMS will award 15 doctoral degrees, which is on par with recent years. AgriSciences will award 12 doctoral qualifications. The Faculty of Education will award five PhDs, while the Faculties of Military Science and Law will award two and one doctoral qualifications respectively. 

“Graduation week is always a time of profound pride for our University, as we honour our students who have reached this remarkable milestone. I congratulate every graduand on their hard work and perseverance. May this achievement mark the beginning of a lifetime of purpose and possibility,” says Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor. 

The University will also confer honorary doctorates on extraordinary individuals who have distinguished themselves in their fields and made significant contributions to society. Three honorary doctorates will be awarded during this December graduation week. 

Colin Deiner, the Western Cape provincial government’s Chief Director: Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services, will receive the degree Doctor of Engineering (DEng), honoris causa. He is internationally recognised for his extensive expertise in disaster management and emergency response. 

Entrepreneur and SU alumnus Chris Otto will be awarded the degree Doctor of Law (LLD), honoris causa. A co-founder of the PSG Group and Capitec Bank, Otto is also the founding chair of the Stellenbosch Law Faculty Trust, which helped establish the Chair in Social Justice, the Gys Steyn Chair in Financial Regulation Law and the Chair in Urban Law and Sustainability Governance. 

Renowned epidemiologist Prof Salim Abdool Karim, whose honorary degree stood over from 2024, will be awarded the degree Doctor of Science (DSc) (Medicine and Health Sciences), honoris causa. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Karim played a leading role in South Africa’s response, providing critical scientific guidance on genetic mutations in SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of new variants. 

Looking ahead, SU will confer three additional honorary degrees at its March 2026 ceremonies. Nobel Laureate and internationally acclaimed author Prof Abdulrazak Gurnah; pioneering social scientist and epidemiologist Dr Olive Shisana; and innovator Dr Tjaart Johannes van der Walt will receive their honorary degrees next year. 

“As we pay tribute to distinguished leaders receiving honorary doctorates, we are reminded of SU’s commitment to excellence, innovation and societal impact,” says Ramjugernath. 

• Click here to find out more about the December 2025 graduation series.
• Click here for the graduation schedule. 
• The ceremonies will be livestreamed here.