The University of the Free State (UFS) enjoys global recognition for the development and refinement of some of the most innovative and comprehensive student support strategies in the country.
The UFS has a diverse student body with varying degrees of prior knowledge as well as learning and teaching experience. Specially developed support strategies have directly led to significant improvement in student success and have allowed the university to bridge racial achievement gaps, while ensuring the holistic development of students, and ultimately, the production of well-rounded and highly employable graduates.
Over the past 10 years, student success rates have steadily increased for all ethnic groupings, with an overall increase of 7% from 2013 to 2023.
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM
At the core of UFS success is a unique student support environment, Graduate Positioning Support (GPS), which is unequalled in South Africa. GPS@UFS is an easily accessible one-stop digitalised student support function that connects students with relevant support services in three broad areas:
Digital Skills and Competencies
Students are equipped with the digital skills required to function in a blended learning environment, which prepares them for a technology-infused future world of work. These skills include digital proficiency, citizenship, information, data and media literacy, and digital creation (including the use of AI).
Track Your Success
This is a proactive high-tech/high-touch initiative where trained success coaches connect directly with students to provide support. In 2023-2024, more than 15 070 students were contacted and supported, helping them to succeed in their studies.
Career Development and Employability
The UFS aims to be transformative and intentional in advancing the employability of graduates. Nine globally benchmarked graduate attributes are developed throughout undergraduate degree programmes. In addition, the pathway for career development and employability provides the following scaled, specialised support:
First-year students: UFS skills module
This is a compulsory module aimed at providing support and strategies to assist students to successfully transition to higher education. The overarching themes of the module are academic success, entrepreneurship, and employability.
Senior students: #SecureTheGrad
Senior students are supported by promoting student engagement, learning, and progress. Initiatives such as webinars provide opportunities to network within the campus community and with external stakeholders, fostering a sense of belonging.
Work-readiness tutorials
These online tutorials are integrated into various degree programmes and include 10 topics ranging from CV writing, interview skills, networking, and job hunting to professionalism and productivity skills. From 2023 to 2024, more than 600 students were supported to find meaningful employment, and the UFS quadrupled its network with employers.
INNOVATIVE USE OF DATA ANALYTICS
In 2014, the UFS was a founding partner of the Siyaphumelela network, funded by the esteemed Kresge Foundation. Siyaphumelela seeks to broaden evidence-based student success strategies across South Africa. Advanced data analytics are used to drive the various scaled student support interventions.
LEADER IN ACADEMIC ADVISING
The UFS plays a leading role in academic advising in South Africa, developing and professionalising this vital high-impact practice across higher education institutions as part of a University Capacity Development Collaborative Grant supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Specialist academic advisers provide a wide range of support to students – from subject and curriculum choices to study skills coaching – supporting constant alignment between a student’s academic journey and their career plans. Academic advising at the UFS includes a range of alternatives, from an AI-enabled chatbot (KovsieChat) to individual consultations. In 2023, more than 29 000 students made use of academic advising services.
ACADEMIC LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT
Academic language competence is a critical predictor of student success. The analysis of academic texts develops critical thinking, written and oral communication skills. Therefore, the UFS offers the Critical Academic Literacies module to provide students with the opportunity to hone these skills. In addition, the Write Site provides academic writing consultation services with subject-specific writing support to students, ranging from online or face-to-face workshops to one-on-one consultations.
DIVERSIFIED TUTORIAL SUPPORT
The UFS tutorial programme, A_STEP, takes pride in its diversified approach to tutorials. It implements blended and translanguaging tutorials, primarily offering face-to-face group sessions supplemented by online platforms.
A STUDENT-CENTRED UNIVERSITY
Through its vibrant, forward-thinking Division of Student Affairs, the UFS provides abundant opportunities for students to engage in meaningful activities outside of the classroom and laboratory – creating an environment that nurtures growth, community, and belonging.
Through innovative initiatives such as the very successful Peer Mentor Programme and departments such as the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support, student participation is enhanced, and an inclusive, supportive, and engaged campus community is fostered.
Student Leadership Development and Career Services ensure that students reach their full potential and are adequately prepared for the workplace environment. Dedicated experts within the Health and Wellness Centre – consisting of Kovsie Health and the HIV/AIDS Office – as well as Student Counselling and Development, Housing and Residence Affairs, KovsieSport, and the Social Support Office, contribute significantly to the holistic development of students, allowing them to thrive both academically and personally.
All these aspects contribute to a culture of student-centredness, caring, and a sense of belonging that characterises all three UFS campuses. Ultimately – quality, impact, and care are not only reflected in the excellent standard of UFS qualifications, but also in the support provided to students in obtaining them.
Contact Us:
Bloemfontein Campus: +27 51 401 9111
