26 Best Universities in South Africa
Rankings of the best universities in South Africa based on academic excellence, research output, and student satisfaction.
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university located in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it is the oldest higher education institute in South Africa and is consistently ranked among the top universities in Africa and the world. UCT is known for its strong research output and academic excellence across a wide range of disciplines.
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is a public research university situated in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is one of the largest and most prominent universities in the country, known for its strong focus on research, particularly in the fields of science, engineering, and health sciences. Wits has a rich history and has played a significant role in South African intellectual and political life.
University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University (SU) is a public research university located in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Established in 1918, it is one of the leading universities in the country, recognized for its academic excellence and research contributions across various fields, including agriculture, engineering, and health sciences. The university has a strong focus on innovation and community engagement.
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria (UP) is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Founded in 1908, it is one of the largest contact universities in the country, offering a wide range of programs across its nine faculties and business school. UP is recognized for its research impact and contributions to various sectors.
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a public research university in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was formed in 2004 through the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. UKZN is a large, multi-campus institution offering a diverse range of academic programs and is a major contributor to research in the region.
University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was established in 2005 following the merger of the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. UJ is a comprehensive university offering both academic and vocational programs, known for its vibrant student life and urban campuses.
University of South Africa
The University of South Africa (Unisa) is the largest university in Africa by student enrollment and is a distance education university. Headquartered in Pretoria, it offers a wide range of programs through distance learning, making education accessible to students across South Africa and internationally. Unisa has a long history and plays a crucial role in providing flexible learning opportunities.
North-West University
North-West University (NWU) is a public university in South Africa with three campuses in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, and Vanderbijlpark. It was established in 2004 through the merger of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and the University of Bophuthatswana. NWU offers a diverse range of programs and is involved in various research initiatives.
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Founded in 1904, it is one of the country's oldest universities and is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the humanities and sciences. Rhodes is a relatively small, research-intensive university with a vibrant campus community.
University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a public research university located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Established in 1959, UWC has a strong history rooted in the struggle against apartheid and is known for its commitment to social justice and community engagement. It offers a range of programs and is increasingly recognized for its research contributions.
University of the Free State
The University of the Free State (UFS) is a public university with its main campus in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and a satellite campus in QwaQwa. Founded in 1904, UFS offers a wide range of academic programs and is involved in various research activities. It is a significant institution in the Free State province.
Nelson Mandela University
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) is a public university in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of the University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth Technikon, and Vista University's Port Elizabeth campus. NMU is a comprehensive university offering a mix of academic and vocational programs, with a strong focus on sustainability and community development.
Durban University of Technology
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a public university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was formed in 2002 through the merger of Technikon Natal and ML Sultan Technikon. DUT focuses on vocational and career-focused education, offering a range of diploma and degree programs in various technical and applied fields.
Tshwane University of Technology
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is a public university of technology in South Africa. It was established in 2004 through the merger of Technikon Northern Transvaal, Technikon North-West, and Technikon Pretoria. TUT is one of the largest residential universities in South Africa and focuses on providing career-orientated education and training.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is a public university of technology in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was formed in 2005 through the merger of the Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon. CPUT offers a range of technology-focused programs and is the largest university in the Western Cape based on student numbers.
University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) is a public university in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Founded in 1916, it was a key institution for higher education for black Africans during the apartheid era, educating many prominent leaders. Today, UFH offers a range of programs and is focused on contributing to the development of the Eastern Cape region.
University of Limpopo
The University of Limpopo (UL) is a public university in the Limpopo province of South Africa. It was formed in 2005 through the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA). UL offers a range of programs, with a strong focus on health sciences due to the legacy of MEDUNSA.
University of Zululand
The University of Zululand (UniZulu) is a public university located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Established in 1960, it is situated near Empangeni and Richards Bay. UniZulu offers a variety of academic programs and plays a role in the development of the region.
University of Venda
The University of Venda (Univen) is a public university located in Thohoyandou in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Established in 1982, Univen offers a range of academic programs and is a key institution for higher education in the Vhembe District.
Vaal University of Technology
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is a public university of technology in South Africa, located in Vanderbijlpark in the Gauteng province. Established in 2004 through the merger of the Vaal Triangle Technikon and part of Vista University, VUT focuses on providing vocational and career-oriented education in various technical fields.
Central University of Technology
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is a public university of technology in South Africa, with campuses in Bloemfontein and Welkom. Established in 2004 through the merger of the Technikon Free State and the Welkom campus of Vista University, CUT focuses on providing technological and vocational education.
Walter Sisulu University
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is a public university in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of the Border Technikon, Eastern Cape Technikon, and the Transkei Campus of Vista University. WSU is a comprehensive university offering a mix of academic and vocational programs across its campuses.
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is a public health sciences university located north of Pretoria in Gauteng, South Africa. It was established in 2014 by taking over the campus and programs of the former Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) that were part of the University of Limpopo. SMU is dedicated to education and research in health sciences.
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is a public university of technology located in Umlazi, Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Established in 1979, MUT focuses on providing technological and vocational education and training to contribute to the skills development needs of the region.
University of Mpumalanga
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is a public university in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. It was established in 2014, making it one of the country's newest universities. UMP has campuses in Mbombela and Siyabuswa and is focused on providing quality higher education and contributing to the development of the province.
Sol Plaatje University
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is a public university in Kimberley in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Established in 2014, it is one of the country's newest universities and the first university located in the Northern Cape. SPU is named after the influential South African intellectual and activist Sol Plaatje and is focused on programs relevant to the region.