Sustained Student Enrolments at a Historically White South African University: A case study of Rhodes University

Abstract

This study sought to critically investigate factors that could explain Rhodes University's (RU's) ability to sustain and raise its student enrolment levels against overall declining national enrolment in tertiary institutions in South Africa--particularly with regard to historically black universities. The findings indicated that the choice of the institution was made mainly by the respondents themselves, based on their career preferences. Affordability and other financial considerations did not come out as a major factor in the ultimate choice of the institution by the respondents. However, accessibility to financial aid did appear to be a problem. RU's public image appeared to have had an influence on the students' choice of the institution. The quality of staff, institutional stability, teaching resources and other facilities, administrative efficiency, friendliness, admissions and course registration procedures and processes, and fairness in the allocation of facilities and other resources were all found to be contributory factors in enticing students to RU. The language of the institution was another strength of RU. However, RU's physical appearance, catering services and the institution's 'equal and fair treatment of students' remained problematic areas.