University of Mpumalanga (UMP)

The University of Mpumalanga, known as UMP, is the first university in Mpumalanga. It was launched in October 2013 and enrolled its first 169 students in February 2014. It has campuses in Mbombela and Siyabuswa, and by 2025 its enrolment had grown to 11,885 students.

About UMP

The university was established by a government notice on 22 August 2013. Its first students registered in three programmes: a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching, a Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Development, and a Diploma in ICT. From 1 January 2015, the Lowveld College of Agriculture became part of the university.

Faculties and campuses

UMP has three faculties: Agriculture and Natural Sciences; Education; and Economics, Development and Business Sciences. These faculties contain eight schools. The Mbombela campus is at the corner of the R40 and D725 roads, and the Siyabuswa campus is on Bheki Mfundo Drive.

Applying to UMP

For the 2027 intake, UMP opened applications on 1 June 2026. Undergraduate and advanced diploma applications close on 30 November 2026, which is later than at most universities. Honours, postgraduate diploma, Master's and doctoral applications close on 30 January 2027.

The university's pages are not consistent about fees. One page lists a non-refundable application fee, while the homepage says that UMP has discontinued application fees. Check the online application page before you pay anything.

Fees and funding

Tuition depends on your programme, and UMP publishes its fee structure each year. Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS, and the university lists other student funding on its website. The Mpumalanga provincial government and several municipalities also fund local students. Browse our bursaries for more options.

Is UMP right for you?

UMP suits students who want to study in Mpumalanga, particularly in agriculture, education or business. Its late closing date for undergraduates also helps if you missed other universities' deadlines.

The two campuses serve different parts of the province, so check which one offers your programme before you apply. Mbombela is in the Lowveld, while Siyabuswa is in the Nkangala district.

Before you apply to UMP

Check the admission requirements for your programme, since agriculture, education and business programmes set different subject levels. Decide which campus you want, and apply for residence at the same time if you need housing. Keep your application number so that you can track your outcome, and confirm whether any fee applies before you submit. Since postgraduate applications close in January, Honours applicants can apply after their final results are released. Undergraduates, however, should not wait until the last week of November.