• Science, engineering and technology
• Communication, business and management
• Education
• Accounting and management sciences
• Health sciences
• Natural sciences
• Humanities, social sciences and law

• Centre for Community and International Partnerships
• Centre for Learning, Training and Development
• Centre for Enterprise Development
• Centre for HIV/Aids
• Centre for Rural Development

• WSU is a major economic player in the region with an asset value of over R5 billion and an annual budget of over R1 billion.
• All WSU academic programmes (over 175 qualifications) are fully accredited by the Council for Higher Education.
• WSU’s engineering programmes (Civil, Electrical and Mechanical) are also accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• The WSU Medical School is among the top 8 medical faculties in the world for Problem-based Community Learning. The World Health Organisation says: ”WSU has set a benchmark for universities across the world.”
• WSU is working with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and the University of Cape Town on a project to become accredited to produce Chartered Accountants CA (SA).
• WSU produced the first cohort of BSc Clinical Associates, a new breed of healthcare professionals to boost health services in rural areas.
• The School of Journalism offers the only programme in Versatile Broadcasting in South Africa.
• WSU was the first of 9 SA universities selected to house an e-skills Knowledge Centre Network Hub launched by the Deputy Minister of the Department of Communication.
• WSU was awarded South Africa’s only research chair in Indigenous Knowledge Systems by the National Department of Science and Technology in conjunction with the National Research Foundation (NRF).

• Mrs Albertina N Sisulu Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology 1992)
• Mr Aggrey Klaaste, Doctor of Literature & Philosophy
• Mr Chris Hani, Doctor of Literature & Philosophy (Political Studies) Posthumously
• Dr Nkosazana C Dlamini-Zuma, Doctor of Medicine
• Mr Jonathan Shapiro, Doctor of Literature
• Ms Letta Mbulu, Doctor of Education (music)

To name only a few …

• Odwa and Akhona Ndungane, Super 12 rugby players
• Mziwoxolo Makholima, up-and-coming artist
• Terence Nombembe, former Auditor-General
• Chriselda Lewis, successful journalist
• Mandisa Williams, female Springbok rugby captain
• Lux September, FIFA communications chief
• Msendi Fengu, award-winning journalist
• Nomakhwezi Mzilikazi, decorated scientist
• Tandazwa Ndita, senior judge
• Tokozile Xasa, deputy minister in the South African government cabinet
• Nonkululeko Gobodo, amongst the first black CAs to graduate
• Judge Mbuyisei Madlanga, constitutional judge
• Advocate Ntsebeza, member of the Marikana defence