What Rhodes University does

Rhodes University is a public research university established on 31 May 1904 in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape, South Africa. It delivers undergraduate and postgraduate education across six faculties — Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law, Pharmacy, and Science — comprising over 40 departments, and serves domestic undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers, and international students. The institution is the only South African university to have withdrawn from international rankings, citing methodological concerns.

The university's technology infrastructure is anchored by RUConnected (student portal), ROSS (Rhodes Online Student Services for academic administration), and the Information and Technology Services division which manages campus-wide ICT. Supporting systems include Google Workspace for Education, SimpleSAMLphp-based Single Sign-On, a 3CX/Yealink IP telephone system, eduroam and RUoffcampus Wi-Fi, Sage 300 People for HR/payroll, Request Tracker for IT service management, Archibus for facility management, ZENworks for desktop configuration, and HEMIS for regulatory data submissions. Connectivity is delivered through TENET/SANReN, and library services are shared via the SEALS consortium. Specialized research facilities include the Centre for Biological Control, the Zoology & Entomology Molecular Laboratory, the Terrestrial Ecology and Physiology Lab, the Trophic Diversity Lab, the Wetland Ecology Lab, and the Waainek tick research facility.

As a public higher education institution established under South African law, Rhodes University is a nonprofit entity funded through government subsidies, tuition fees, donations, and research grants. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Distribution occurs via direct admissions (online application portal), on-campus program delivery, and digital student services, with international outreach managed through the International Office. The institution maintains compliance with POPIA, PAIA, ISPA Code of Conduct, and higher education accreditation requirements.

Name

Rhodes University

Legal name

Rhodes University

Website

https://ru.ac.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rhodes University is a public research university in Makhanda, South Africa, founded in 1904, delivering undergraduate and postgraduate education across six faculties to domestic and international students, supported by ICT, library, and research infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities (EDAHAAAJ), Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate programs
• Postgraduate research
• Academic faculties
• University research

Headquarters

HQ city

Grahamstown

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rhodes University is a public research university that delivers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across six faculties (Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law, Pharmacy, and Science) supported by over 40 academic departments. It also operates specialised research laboratories (Centre for Biological Control, Zoology & Entomology Molecular Laboratory, Wetland Ecology Lab, Trophic Diversity Lab, Waainek Research Laboratory), library and student support services, and ICT infrastructure for the campus community.

Product overview

Rhodes University is a higher education institution providing undergraduate and postgraduate education across six faculties (Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law, Pharmacy, and Science) with over 40 departments. The university's technology infrastructure comprises multiple interconnected systems: RUConnected serves as the primary student portal for resource access; ROSS (Rhodes Online Student Services) handles academic administration including registration and exam timetables; the Information and Technology Services division manages campus-wide ICT including network infrastructure, Wi-Fi services (eduroam and RUoffcampus), email (Google Workspace for Education), and Single Sign-On authentication. Library services are provided through RU Library as part of the SEALS consortium. The institution maintains research support infrastructure through its Research Gateway portal, while communications are facilitated through a 3CX-based IP telephone system with Yealink hardware.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Full-time undergraduate academic programmes across six faculties (Commerce, Education, Humanities, Law, Pharmacy, Science) leading to undergraduate degrees, delivered on-campus in Makhanda. Target audience is prospective and current undergraduate students.
• Postgraduate Degree Programs Postgraduate academic programmes including honours, masters, and doctoral degrees with research opportunities across the six faculties. Target audience is students pursuing advanced study and original research.
• International Student Programs Admissions, visa support, and academic exchange services for international students enrolling at Rhodes University, coordinated by the International Office. Target audience is students from outside South Africa.
• Research Programmes and Specialised Laboratories Specialised research facilities including the Centre for Biological Control, Zoology & Entomology Molecular Laboratory (ZEML), Terrestrial Ecology and Physiology Lab (TEPhs), Trophic Diversity Lab, Wetland Ecology Lab (WEL), and Waainek Research Laboratory. Target audience is academic researchers, postgraduates, and external research collaborators.
• RU Library Services Library and information services through RU Library, Cory Library (archives), Margaret Smith Library SAIAB (marine resources), and ILAM (African Music Library and Museum), delivered as part of the SEALS Library Consortium. Target audience is students, staff, and visiting researchers.
• Online Application and Admissions Service

Quantifiable outcome

• 31% of surveyed students follow plant-based diets, indicating diverse student preferences and inclusive campus culture

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Rhodes University astronomers participate in the MeerKAT Galaxy Cluster Legacy Survey led by SARAO, using South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope to map cosmic structures. The research found 103 diffuse sources including 60 previously undetectable structures, serving as a baseline for the Square Kilometre Array observatory expected by 2030.
• Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhodes University is a member of ISPA and upholds their Code of Conduct, demonstrating commitment to internet service standards and best practices.
• TENETcoreTechnology or IntegrationTENET (Tertiary Education and Research Network) provides internet connectivity through SANReN (South African National Research Network), connecting Rhodes University to national and international research and education networks. TENET conducts regular router maintenance and upgrades for the university's network infrastructure.
• SANReN (South African National Research Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationSANReN connects Rhodes University and other Makhanda research/education sites to international research and education networks and the internet. The network is operated by SANReN with support from TENET.
• SEALS Library ConsortiumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRhodes University participates in the SEALS (South Eastern Academic Libraries) consortium for shared library services, including the Sierra library service system and shared electronic resources.
• Confucius InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhodes University hosts a Confucius Institute offering Chinese language and cultural programs, supporting international academic exchange and cultural understanding.
• eduroamcoreTechnology or IntegrationRhodes University participates in eduroam (education roaming), providing secure worldwide Wi-Fi roaming access for students and staff from participating institutions globally. The service is available across campus and at other institutions worldwide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• University of Cape Town: South Africa's leading public research university with comprehensive graduate and professional schools across science, law, commerce, and humanities. Directly comparable to Rhodes as a multi-faculty research institution serving South African and international students, though operating at significantly larger scale and located in Cape Town.
• Stellenbosch University: Public research university offering a comparable six-plus faculty structure including law, medicine, and science, with strong postgraduate research output. Comparable to Rhodes as a multi-disciplinary South African public research university competing for the same domestic and SADC student pool.
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Large Johannesburg-based public research university with comprehensive faculties and significant postgraduate research activity. Direct peer to Rhodes as a South African research-intensive university, competing on research output, faculty depth, and international student share.
• University of KwaZulu-Natal: Public research university formed from the merger of Natal and Durban-Westville universities, with broad faculty coverage and active research programmes. Comparable to Rhodes as a multi-campus South African public research university serving both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• University of Pretoria: Large comprehensive public research university with faculties including law, veterinary science, and health sciences. Direct peer to Rhodes as a South African public research institution with professional schools and a comparable six-faculty academic structure.
• University of the Free State: Mid-sized South African public research university with multiple campuses and a broad faculty portfolio including law, humanities, and natural sciences. Comparable to Rhodes as a smaller regional public research university competing for similar South African student segments.
• University of Johannesburg: Large public university formed through merger in Johannesburg, with comprehensive faculties and significant postgraduate enrollment. Direct peer to Rhodes as a South African public research university competing on research output and professional school offerings.

Regional players

• Nelson Mandela University: Public university based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape, the same province as Rhodes. Regional peer competing for the same Eastern Cape student pool and offering overlapping faculties including science, law, and education.
• University of Fort Hare: Historic Eastern Cape public university with a strong legacy in humanities, education, and science. Regional peer to Rhodes, also based in the Eastern Cape, with overlapping academic offerings and a shared pool of prospective students.
• University of Limpopo: Mid-sized South African public university in Limpopo province with faculties covering science, health, and humanities. Regional peer comparable in scale and structure to Rhodes, though operating in a different province and serving a different geographic student base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rhodes_uni
• Facebookfacebook.com/rhodesuniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhodes-university

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rhodes University