UP has been home to some of Africa’s most significant leaders in research. Each year the increasing number of National Research Foundation-rated researchers is evidence of the University’s commitment to attracting and retaining researchers of the highest distinction, as well as young researchers with the potential for research excellence. It is through the sustained individual and collective actions of our researchers that UP continues to strengthen its identity as a leading research-intensive university in Africa.
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Research Excellence at University of Pretoria
Research at the University of Pretoria (UP) is at the apex of the University’s long-term strategic plan, UP 2025, which is to be a leading research-intensive university in Africa. Equally important is the University’s international visibility and the impact of its research and innovation on socio-economic development in South Africa and in the region. UP therefore deliberately balances its focus on research and innovation and the partnerships fostered by creating an environment that is conducive to scholarly pursuits. A wide range of research and professional areas underscores the strength of UP in research and postgraduate education, and also the areas in which UP is positioned as a research leader in Africa and internationally.
Welcome to the Faculty of Veterinary Science
Message from the Dean
The Faculty of Veterinary Science is the only facility of its kind in South Africa, making it the only institution responsible for training veterinarians and veterinary nurses in the country. The faculty also plays a key role in the further development of veterinary education and science through its offering of a number of post-graduate programmes from post-graduate diplomas to specialist programmes in veterinary medicine. As a result, our graduates and research programmes are vital in enhancing human and animal health, promoting biosecurity and welfare, and ensuring our production animals, wildlife and pets are safe and in good health.
The faculty is proud that knowledge generated through our research initiatives feature as cornerstones to the sustainable development of our country’s economy, while our primary animal health programmes are drivers of social development for rural small-scale farmers in South Africa. With the country being part of a global economy and its focus on international excellence, the faculty’s strategic aim is to continuously improve the quality and impact of our research to further our international recognition and continue to be acknowledged as such. In achieving our training and research mandate, the faculty is situated on its own campus in Onderstepoort to the north of Pretoria. The campus is host to five academic departments, three research centres, two research chairs, an extensive specialist hospital supported by a number of on-site diagnostic laboratories, and a major research station at the Kruger National Park.
For the last few years, in the subject field of veterinary science, the faculty has been globally ranked in the top 51-75 band of the only two independent global veterinary ranking systems as well as being ranked first in Africa. In achieving both the faculty’s notion of being a top veterinary school and aligned with the University of Pretoria’s Strategic Plan–2025, the faculty places emphasis on the quality of its research publications, as well as its master’s and doctoral graduates. The faculty has experienced an increase in the output of master’s and doctoral-level graduates during the past few years, in particular in our master’s programmes. We strive to give our students the best exposure in postgraduate veterinary education, which is facilitated in our numerous on-campus laboratories, our specialist referral hospital and our satellite research facility at the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park.
The faculty’s campus compares quite favourably with the best in the world. Here we promote an excellent study environment and enhance the academic experience of our students. Our quest remains to be perceived as a highly productive, world-class veterinary seat of excellence. We accept the local challenges of animal health, poverty and food security and strive to make an impact internationally with innovative research, collaboration and networking.
We look forward to welcoming you as a new postgraduate student.
Prof Vinny Naidoo
DEAN
Academic Programmes
Postgraduate programmes
The Faculty of Veterinary Science aims to enhance UP’s academic stature and visibility by focusing postgraduate education and research activities on harnessing institutional strengths, embedding institutional research themes, sustaining research output and impact, and broadening the University’s research base.
Research Areas
The Faculty of Veterinary Science’s research niche areas and themes serve as the driving force behind all research and postgraduate programmes and were chosen to establish, achieve and project an African uniqueness and to complement external expertise and technology.
Fundamental to the visionary requirements of the Faculty to develop its potential to generate high-impact publications, attract more postgraduate students nationally and internationally, and escalate the research status of the Faculty, it has also changed focus through the introduction of four new research themes.
These research themes are Translational Medicine; African Wildlife Health and Management; Pathobiology of Disease; and Sustainable Livelihoods and Wellbeing.
UP aims to create an enabling environment in which our postgraduate students and their supervisors can function optimally. Our supervisors provide academic guidance and mentorship to students and are key role players in the administrative efficiency of postgraduate study.
Supervisors
After selecting your postgraduate programme, you will need to identify a supervisor to give you academic support and help you achieve a high standard of research outputs during your postgraduate journey. At UP we place strong emphasis on academic excellence and innovation and strive to provide a supportive environment for all our postgraduate students to thrive.
Choosing a supervisor plays a crucial role in empowering students to become independent thinkers, skilled researchers and influential contributors in their chosen fields. Supervisors also play a pivotal role in helping students shape their research topics, refine methodologies and navigate the complex landscape of academia.
During your postgraduate studies, you have the chance to work closely with your supervisors, receiving personalised attention and guidance. This close relationship allows for constructive feedback, brainstorming sessions and the development of critical thinking skills.
If you are considering postgraduate studies at UP, rest assured that you will be embarking on an exciting journey of intellectual exploration, personal growth and professional development. By choosing UP you will have the opportunity to work alongside exceptional supervisors, collaborate with exceptional peers and make a lasting impact in your chosen discipline.
Find a suitable supervisor for your chosen area of research here
Research That Matters
THE HOME OF VETERINARY EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
At Veterinary Science we aim to enhance UP’s academic stature and visibility by focusing postgraduate education and research activities on harnessing institutional strengths, embedding institutional research themes, sustaining research output and impact, and broadening the University’s research base.
The Faculty has experienced an increase in the output of master’s and doctoral-level graduates during the past few years, in particular in our master’s programmes. We also strive to give our students the best exposure in postgraduate veterinary education, which is facilitated in our numerous on-campus laboratories, our specialist referral hospital and our satellite research facility at the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park.
At Veterinary Science, we are committed to making a difference and changing our world – one student at a time – and through them to better our country and the world.
Institutes, Centres and Units
The Faculty of Veterinary Science strives to be an accredited seat of veterinary excellence by being locally relevant, regionally pre-eminent and globally competitive. The Faculty currently hosts a SARCHi chair in Poultry Health and Production; The AfriVet Chair in Primary Animal Health; the Equine Research Centre; the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies; and the Exotic Leather Centre.
Read more about the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Centres
Postgraduate Studies at the University of Pretoria
FlyHigher@UP
Funding Opportunities
As a postgraduate student or prospective student at UP, there are a number of research resources available to you to identify suitable research funding opportunities. Apart from the University, many companies and institutions offer scholarships and bursaries for postgraduate studies. The University manages a number of financial funds on behalf of institutions who provide such funding. Applications for financial assistance, bursaries or funding must be submitted concurrently while you apply for admittance to your postgraduate programme. Funding is subject to approval and availability.
Read more about funding opportunities.
Student Voices
Faith Nkosi
Postgraduate Accommodation
If you are looking for that special place you can call your home away from home, then a residence at the University of Pretoria (UP) is just the place for you. With us, you will find an environment that is conducive to working and studying hard.
Click here to learn more about our accommodation application process.
Onderstepoort Campus
-
M35
Onderstepoort
Pretoria
0110
- www.up.ac.za
- +27 (0)12 529 8000 / +27 (0)12 529 8132
Any further questions?
Our Course Enquiries team are ready to hear from you. You can get in touch in the following ways:
- Bronwynne Swarts / Cassius Mngomezulu
- [email protected] / [email protected]
- (012) 529 2404 / (012) 529 8358