University of Limpopo (UL)

The University of Limpopo, known as UL, is a public university based at Turfloop in Mankweng, east of Polokwane. It traces its roots to 1959, and it took its current form in 2005. The university is a key option for students who want to study in Limpopo, particularly in the health sciences and agriculture.

About the University of Limpopo

The university began as the University College of the North at Turfloop. It was one of the separate colleges that the apartheid government set up for Black students, and the campus is still popularly called Turfloop. Students there played an active part in resistance to apartheid.

In January 2005, the University of the North merged with the Medical University of Southern Africa, known as MEDUNSA, to form the University of Limpopo. The MEDUNSA campus later separated again and is now Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Turfloop remains UL's headquarters.

Faculties

UL teaches through four faculties: Health Sciences; Humanities; Science and Agriculture; and Management and Law. It also runs the Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership, which offers postgraduate business and leadership programmes. So the university covers a wide range, from nursing and medicine to teaching, law and agriculture.

Applying to UL

UL opened its 2027 undergraduate and postgraduate applications on 1 April 2026. Applicants may choose two study options on one application. The university describes its annual application cycle as running from about March to September, and residence applications for 2027 closed on 30 September 2026, with no late residence applications considered.

The undergraduate prospectus lists a non-refundable handling fee of R200 for South African applicants and R750 for international applicants. Check the current prospectus before you pay, because fees can change between rounds.

Fees and funding

Tuition depends on your programme, and residence adds to the cost if you live on campus. Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS, and the Limpopo provincial government and several municipalities also fund local students. Browse our bursaries to find funding for your course.

Is UL right for you?

UL suits students who want to study close to home in Limpopo, or who are interested in health sciences, agriculture or rural development. Since you can list two study choices, include a realistic second option when you apply.

Plan your documents early as well. You will usually need your latest school results and a certified copy of your ID, and residence places are limited, so apply for housing at the same time as your studies.

Getting the most from your UL application

Use the prospectus to compare the requirements for your two choices, since health sciences programmes usually ask for higher marks than others.