University of the Free State

The University of the Free State is a multi-campus public university in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa.

The roots of the UFS can be traced back to 1855, when the Grey Institute was founded in Bloemfontein. The Grey Institute was a secondary school that offered a limited range of subjects. In 1904, the Grey Institute was expanded to include a tertiary section, which offered a full B.A. course. This tertiary section was the first institution of higher education in the Free State.

In 1910, the tertiary section of the Grey Institute was granted independence and became the University College of the Orange Free State (UCOFS). The UCOFS offered a limited range of degrees, but it quickly grew in size and popularity. In 1935, the UCOFS was renamed the University of the Orange Free State (UOFS).

The UOFS was one of the only universities in South Africa that admitted black students during the apartheid era. However, black students were subjected to segregation and discrimination. In 1950, the UOFS was declared an Afrikaans-language university, which meant that all instruction was conducted in Afrikaans. This made it difficult for black students, who were mostly English-speaking, to attend the university.

In 1994, South Africa became a democracy. The UOFS was one of the first universities in South Africa to desegregate. The university also began to offer courses in English. In 1995, the UOFS was renamed the University of the Free State (UFS).

The UFS is a leading research university in South Africa. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and has a strong commitment to social justice and transformation. The UFS is making a significant contribution to the development of South Africa.