What Is Grahamstown (Makhanda) and How Does It Relate to Rhodes University?

Grahamstown is the former name of Makhanda, a town in South Africa's Eastern Cape, and it is the home of Rhodes University. If you searched "Grahamstown" looking for the university, the official site is ru.ac.za, where you can reach admissions, fees, residences, maps, and student support pages. The name change matters for navigation: the university's current pages use "Makhanda," so use that term when searching the site or planning a visit.

Grahamstown vs. Makhanda: What Changed

Grahamstown was renamed Makhanda, and Rhodes University now refers to its location as Makhanda in its site navigation and directory pages. The older name still appears in historical references and in many people's searches, which is why the two names point to the same place and the same university.

How Rhodes University Connects to the Name

Rhodes University describes itself as a higher academic institution offering a wide range of courses and diplomas, and its homepage frames the institution around the idea "Where leaders learn." The site's navigation confirms the university sits in Makhanda and organizes its information around studying, research, campus life, and support services. For anyone who knows the town as Grahamstown, the practical takeaway is simple: the university you are looking for is Rhodes University, and its official website is the authoritative source for admissions and campus information.

Finding Study and Admission Information

The site groups study information under a "Studying" section, with these entry points visible in the navigation:

• Admissions — the starting point for application requirements and process
• Apply Online — the online application route
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate — study-level pages
• International Students — information for applicants from outside South Africa
• Fees and Financial Aid — cost and funding information
• Registration, Exams, and Graduation — once you are admitted

The homepage also offers a guided "I want to:" menu with options to apply, explore undergraduate or postgraduate studies, learn about research, find financial aid, and learn about community contribution and giving. If you are unsure where to begin, that menu routes you to the right section without hunting through the navigation.

A Practical Path for a Prospective Applicant

1. Open ru.ac.za and use the "I want to:" menu, selecting the option to apply or explore studies.
2. Read the Admissions page for the requirements that apply to your study level.
3. Use Apply Online to submit an application.
4. Check Fees and Financial Aid before committing, so you understand costs and funding routes.
5. After admission, follow Registration, Exams, and Graduation pages for next steps.

The expected result at each stage is a specific page rather than a general overview, so you can confirm requirements and deadlines directly from the university.

Campus Life, Maps, and Support

Beyond admissions, the site covers the practical side of studying in Makhanda:

• Maps and Directories — campus maps and contact directories, useful for planning a visit or finding a department
• Halls and Residences and Oppidan — residence options and information for students living off campus
• Student Support, Student Wellness, and Career Services — wellbeing and career help
• Sports and Safety and Security — campus life and safety information
• Library pages, including the Main Library, Cory Library, and Margaret Smith Library

Prospective students and families often check residences and maps first, since accommodation and campus location shape the decision as much as the academic programme.

Common Points of Confusion

• Using only "Grahamstown" in site search. Current pages favor "Makhanda," so try both terms.
• Assuming the town name and university name are interchangeable. The town is Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown); the university is Rhodes University.
• Looking for fees on the homepage. Fees and financial aid have their own section under Studying.
• Skipping the "I want to:" menu. It is the fastest route to application and study pages if the main navigation feels dense.

For anything related to applying, funding, or arriving on campus, start at ru.ac.za and follow the Studying section rather than relying on third-party summaries, since the official pages carry the current requirements and contacts.