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Head to Johannesburg, South Africa, and you’ll find a realm of limitless possibilities where creativity, curiosity, and human connections reign supreme –- it’s all happening at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Faculty of Humanities. Enrolling here means stepping into a world where you’ll be challenged to explore the depths of the human experience, unravel the mysteries of language and culture, and engage with the world in ways that are intellectually stimulating, socially impactful, and personally transformative.
Professor Mncebisi Ndletyana describes the humanities discipline as one that can answer some of the world’s most pressing questions, thanks to its multidisciplinary nature, which UJ Humanities prides itself in spearheading. This explains why Tadiwa Tine from Zimbabwe, a second-year BA Community Development and Leadership student, found herself relishing future-focused subjects here.
“I would recommend UJ Humanities to other international students because I feel that it is a very broad faculty that has so many options, and you can never go wrong with it. With each module, I can always go into something different, and I will never be stuck in one place, so that’s what I really like about it,” she says.
“The faculty has helped me reach academic excellence because there are always tools in place to help us. There’s a writing centre available to help with our assignments, which I really appreciate. Our tutors and lecturers always encourage us to consult with them when we don’t understand something, as well. I also like that the faculty offers us different things. For example, UJ has two different courses which students can do online — African Insights and Artificiall Intelligence, which I find really helpful. I incorporate these lessons into my degree.”
Curiosity is easily satisfied at a university with national, regional and global networks. “As I’m speaking to you now, we are offering a seminar alongside the University of the West Indies,” attests Professor Ndletyana. The list of collaborators grows constantly thanks to the passionate authors, communicators, deep thinkers, activists, poets, dreamers and doers who work together in one collective, inspired group of committed educators, researchers and support staff.
There are 210 of them — all of whom are ever-willing to increase learners’ awareness while helping them build the necessary academic and life skills needed to enter the 21st century marketplace with confidence. How? Through excellent academic programmes designed to develop active citizens of the world. Those with diverse aspirations will be happy to know that here, there truly is something for everyone.
UJ Humanities comprises 13 academic departments ranging from modern and ancient languages to the social sciences and psychology. The faculty offers five undergraduate degree programmes that only require three years of study: a Bachelor of Social Work; a general Bachelor of Arts; a BA with specialisation in Language Practice; a BA with specialisation in Politics, Economics and Technology (PET); as well as a BA with specialisation in Community Development and Leadership.
The faculty also offers four extended degree programmes, spanning four years each, and two diploma programmes for those keener on exploring public relations and communication. The range was set in place to ensure all further study and career opportunities are made available to those who deserve them.
The modules within each programme are relevant, up-to-date and of the highest academic standard. Postgraduate programmes up to the doctoral level are available, too, for more advanced students looking to make their long-term goals a reality. Across all levels, the UJ Humanities advantage persists — all academic journeys are vibrant by design, leveraging insights from strong research output, encouraging new perspectives through regular public seminars, and continuously encouraging the healthy tradition of debate.
Students at UJ Humanities are urged to question, explore and interrogate knowledge paradigms rather than simply accepting them. Productive arguments encourage critical thinking, enhance communication skills, build confidence and self-expression, and promote teamwork and collaboration. At the same time, such discussions cultivate open-mindedness and tolerance for diverse perspectives. They also challenge assumptions while fostering intellectual curiosity.
Simply put, the faculty believes that positive, passionate interactions can equip humanities students with essential skills and a mindset necessary for success in various aspects of life — including the rigours of achieving public prominence and contributing towards the good of society, which most of their graduates go on to do.
It’s easy to gain the credibility to do so at a globally-renowned institution. According to the Shanghai Rankings of global academic subjects, UJ Humanities’ Sociology course ranks among the Top 150 in the world and first in South Africa and Africa. Meanwhile, its Political Science offerings place among the world’s Top 400, while coming in third in South Africa and Africa. Times Higher Education lists both Arts & Humanities as well as Social Sciences among the Top 400 in the world, with a joint third and fourth in South Africa and Africa, respectively. When it comes to English Language & Literature, UJ Humanities’s programmes place among the world’s Top 250, according to the QS rankings.
Sold? Click here to apply today. Alternatively, click here to explore the majors and electives available to aspiring UJ Humanities undergraduate students.
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