So, you’re curious about faculties. What are they? Societies? A team of superheroes with textbooks instead of capes?

Well… you’re not entirely wrong. At North-West University, our 8 faculties are like the heartbeats of the institution. Each faculty is made up of different schools, which specialise in specific fields and help shape the leaders, innovators, dreamers, healers, and changemakers of tomorrow. Each faculty and its schools have their own unique flavour, so let’s take you on a tour of the NWU faculty universe!

 

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Do you speak business? This faculty does. From crunching numbers to building empires, this is where tomorrow’s CEOs, analysts, and entrepreneurs are made. Think of it as the financial brain of NWU. Don’t believe us? Check out Arrie Rautenbach, the CEO of ABSA Group and NWU alumnus. Yes, one of the largest banks in South Africa!

    

 

The School of Accounting Sciences is the language of business! This is where students learn to keep companies accountable, manage finances, and shape ethical business practices.  The School of Economic Sciences dives into money, markets, and policies, training students to understand how economies function and how to influence positive change in society. In the school of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management, the focus is on people, from building workplace culture to driving employee wellness and performance. The School of Management Sciences is where future strategists and decision-makers develop their skills in planning, leadership, and innovation. And if your heart beats for travel and hospitality, the School of Tourism transforms wanderlust into a career that contributes to the growth of South Africa’s tourism economy.

 

Faculty of Education

Teachers are superheroes. No cape needed. This faculty is all about empowering future educators who’ll inspire classrooms across South Africa (and beyond).

    

 

The School of Language Education empowers students to help learners find their voice and communicate with confidence. #GrammarWorriorsUnite.  In the School of Psycho-Social Education, educators learn how to support the emotional, social, and psychological development of their learners. The School of Professional Studies in Education equips students with the practical skills needed to lead a classroom and inspire learners every day. Those who choose the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education become superheroes of STEM, helping learners conquer subjects that can sometimes feel intimidating. Plus! We believe math teachers deserve medals, period! And in the School of Commerce and Social Studies in Education, students learn how to make history, business, and society come alive in their classrooms.

 

Faculty of Engineering

If you’ve ever wondered who designs the bridges, power grids, and even nuclear plants we rely on every day, it’s these legends. The builders of the future live here.

    

 

The School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering teaches students to transform natural resources into solutions that power industries while protecting the environment. In the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, students become the minds behind the technology that drives modern life, from computers to energy systems. The School of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering equips students to design machines, engines, and even nuclear solutions, pushing the boundaries of innovation. The School of Industrial Engineering focuses on improving systems, processes, and efficiency, making workplaces, factories, and industries smarter and more productive.

 

Faculty of Health Sciences

Saving lives. Improving lives. Extending lives. This faculty is where science meets compassion. From nurses to pharmacists, dietitians to sports scientists, it’s all here.

    

 

The Faculty of Health Sciences is the home of future healers, caregivers, and wellness experts. In the School of Human Movement Sciences, students explore sports science, rehabilitation, and human performance. The School of Kinderkinetics trains students to improve children’s physical development through play and movement. The School of Psychosocial Health focuses on mental health and wellbeing, preparing professionals to support communities and individuals. The School of Pharmacy educates students to become medicine experts who ensure safe and effective healthcare. In the School of Physiology, students study how the human body functions and responds to challenges. The School of Consumer Sciences blends health, lifestyle, and wellbeing to improve everyday living. The School of Nutrition focuses on diet, food science, and healthy living. The School of Occupational Hygiene trains students to make workplaces safe and healthy, while the School of Nursing prepares compassionate professionals ready to serve on the frontlines of healthcare.

 

 

Now, with the launch of the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine, the faculty is breaking new ground. Named in honour of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, this will become South Africa’s 11th medical school and is the result of over 20 years of visioning and planning ( Government of South Africa, news.nwu.ac.za ). The new school is anchored in NWU’s pillars of teaching, learning, research, and community engagement and will leverage key clinical training sites like the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Tertiary Hospital, an institution renowned for pioneering healthcare milestones like curing XDR-TB and performing the country’s first pump cardiac bypass surgery. Construction began at the Potchefstroom Campus in mid-2025, with the facility expected to be completed by 2027 and the inaugural cohort of medical students to start in 2028. This visionary project aims to address the critical shortage of healthcare practitioners in the North West Province, uphold Archbishop Tutu’s ethos of ubuntu, and position NWU as a catalyst for regional health innovation, inclusive healthcare delivery, and economic revitalisation.

The question is, are you ready to answer the call and become a changemaker in medicine?

 

Faculty of Humanities

This one’s for the storytellers, the debaters, the artists, the dreamers. If you want to change minds, shift culture, and write the next chapter of society, this is your home.

    

 

The Faculty of Humanities is the voice of society at NWU, nurturing storytellers, thinkers, and changemakers. The School of Communication Studies is where media, journalism, and public relations students learn to inform, inspire, and influence. In the School of Government Studies, students explore politics, leadership, and public policy, preparing to lead with impact. The School of Languages preserves and promotes the diversity of expression across cultures. The School of Music brings artistry to life, developing composers, performers, and creative innovators. The School of Philosophy challenges students to tackle big questions about life, morality, and society. And the School of Social Sciences equips students to understand human behaviour, communities, and social systems, preparing them to make meaningful change.

 

Faculty of Law

Objection! Overruled. Sustained. If those words make your heart race, you belong here. The Faculty of Law is for justice seekers, changemakers, and the sharpest minds in court.

    

 

The Faculty of Law is where justice, fairness, and legal expertise are honed. In Undergraduate Studies, students lay the foundation for a career in law, learning the principles that guide society. Postgraduate Studies allow students to specialise and deepen their expertise, while the Research Unit and Research Projects push the boundaries of legal knowledge. The LLM Course Work and LLD programs prepare advanced scholars to become thought leaders in law, and bursaries for legal studies help make the pursuit of justice more accessible for aspiring legal professionals.

 

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

From big data to big farms, this faculty feeds the world (literally) and solves real-world problems with science and technology.

 

    

 

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is where science meets innovation to solve real-world problems. The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences explores the building blocks of matter and energy. The School of Biological Sciences delves into life itself, from microscopic organisms to complex ecosystems. In the School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences, students study the earth, mapping and understanding our environment. The School of Agricultural Sciences prepares students to feed the nation and manage natural resources sustainably. The School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences equips problem-solvers with the power of numbers, while the School of Computer Science and Information Systems trains tech innovators to code and design the digital future. And the School of Business Mathematics and Informatics blends analytics, business, and IT to create solutions for today’s challenges.

 

Faculty of Theology

Faith meets knowledge here. Whether you’re diving deep into ancient texts or shaping modern ministry, this faculty keeps the light burning.

 

 

The Faculty of Theology is where faith, reflection, and leadership come together. The School of Christian Ministry and Leadership equips students to lead communities, ministries, and faith-based initiatives. Meanwhile, the School of Ancient Language and Text Studies opens doors to historical wisdom, exploring texts and traditions that have shaped human thought and spirituality across centuries.

 

Why Does This Matter?

Because your faculty is more than just a name on your degree. It’s your community, your launchpad, and your home for the next few years. The right faculty doesn’t just prepare you for a job, it prepares you for life.

Explore more about NWU’s faculties here and discover where your story begins.