University of the free statesStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for University of the free states. Free for students.

University in Bloemfontein, Free states. Operating on a semester system.

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University

Institution Type

Student guide · Quarter 3 2026

The semester, explained for University of the free states

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Quarter 3 2026
Campus terms
23
Local details
12

Academic calendar

Quarter 3 2026 runs Jul 13, 2026 – Aug 28, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

6 entries
  1. Quarter 3 2026Relevant now
  2. Quarter 4 2026
  3. Quarter 1 2027
  4. Quarter 2 2027
  5. Quarter 3 2027
  6. Quarter 4 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

23 terms

A

Armentum
A male residence often associated with the 'Brotherhood' identity.

C

Commuter
A student who does not live in a campus residence and travels to campus daily.
CUADS
Center for Universal Access and Disability Support, providing services for students with disabilities.

D

Dining Hall
General term for the residence-based eating facilities where students use their meal credits.

G

Gazellie
The common room or social area within a residence where students gather.

J

JBM
JBM Hertzog Residence, a male residence often referred to by its initials.
Jool
The Afrikaans term for RAG, referring to the annual festival and charity parade.

K

Karee
A well-known male residence on the Bloemfontein campus.
Koshuis
The Afrikaans word for residence, commonly used by students across languages.
Kovsie
The nickname for a UFS student or the university itself, derived from its historical name (UKOVS).
KovsieGear
The official brand of university-themed apparel and merchandise sold on campus.
Kovsies
The universal nickname for the University of the Free State and its students.
KovsieSport
The department managing all official university sports teams and facilities.

N

NJ
NJ van der Merwe, a female residence often referred to by its initials.

R

RAG
Raise and Give (or 'Jool' in Afrikaans), the university's official student-led charity and fundraising organization.
Res
Short for residence; the standard term for a dormitory.

S

SRC
Student Representative Council, the highest student governance body.

T

The Bridge
Thakaneng Bridge, the central student hub containing the main food court and retail outlets.

V

Villa
Villa Bravado, a male residence known for its distinct culture.
Vishuis
Abraham Fischer Residence, a historic male residence known for its strong traditions.
VMN
Vergeet-My-Nie, a prominent female residence on the Bloemfontein campus.
VSR
Die Studenteraad, the Afrikaans acronym for the Student Representative Council (SRC).

W

Wag-'n-Bietjie
A female residence named after the indigenous buffalo thorn tree.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

12 details
Blackboard
The digital Learning Management System (LMS) used for all course materials and online assessments.
Callie Human
The Callie Human Centre, a large hall used for graduations, exams, and major indoor events.
Centenary
The Centenary Complex, often used for high-profile meetings and functions.
Gateway
The official orientation program for first-year students to help them transition to campus life.
KovsieApp
The official mobile application for students to access timetables, grades, and campus news.
KovsieCard
The official student ID card used for campus access, library services, and meal payments.
KovsieID
The multi-purpose student identification card used for building access, library services, and meal payments.
Main Building
The historic administrative heart of the Bloemfontein campus, also known as the Hoofgebou.
Odeion
The Odeion School of Music and its associated concert hall.
Sasol
The Sasol Library, the primary academic library on the Bloemfontein campus.
Sasol Library
The main academic library located on the Bloemfontein campus.
Self-Service
The online student portal used for registration, checking results, and financial statements.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Quarter 3 2026 runs Jul 13, 2026 – Aug 28, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
23 approved campus terms and 12 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Get to know your university

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  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
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Life in Bloemfontein for University of the free states Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Bloemfontein.

Timezone

Africa/Johannesburg

Median Rent

$450

Cost of Living Index

60

Student Population

40,000

City Transportation

Walkability

45

Bikeability

35

Public Transit

Municipal Bus System, Minibus Taxis

Nearest Airports

Bram Fischer International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Semi-arid / cold steppe (BSk)

Avg Annual Temp

59°F

Avg Snowfall

1 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Callie Human Parking

surface_lot • Limited during events

Located near the Callie Human Centre.

Science Education Centre Parking

surface_lot

Accessible via Gate 5 on DF Malherbe Ave.

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Email Domain

@ufs.ac.za

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