Congratulations! You’re officially a Matie. As you start your journey at Stellenbosch University (SU), we’d like to tell you more about the University and our commitment to creating a transformative student experience for ALL students. In fact, it’s one of the University’s core strategic themes.

Stellenbosch University believes in a human rights culture grounded in social justice. Everything that happens within the Responsibility Centre: Dean of Students (or, what we call Student Affairs) environment is based on fulfilling the University’s Vision 2040 and its Strategic Framework 2019-2024, the aspirations of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, and DSAf’s Transformation Charter. Our work is also informed and shaped by South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our 13-day annual institutional Welcoming Programme commences on Monday, 26 January 2026 with the arrival of all commuter students (including Law students based in commuter and residence student communities) and residence students on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. The Welcoming Programme has been designed to help you make a smoother transition from high school to university. During this period, you’ll get the chance to visit your faculty (of which we have 10!), experience campus life at our Stellenbosch, Tygerberg or Saldanha campuses, learn about the different student societies and clubs offering anything from ballroom dancing to debating and mountain climbing, and the support services that you can access throughout your academic and personal development journey, as well as the sports and cultural activities on offer.

PLEASE NOTE: Commuter student community in-person programmes begin on Monday, 26 January 2026, ahead of the Rectors Welcoming. If you’re part of a commuter student community, you’ll also take part in the virtual pre-arrival programmes, which runs online from 19 to 25 January 2026 to help you get orientated and connected before arriving on campus.