20 Best universities in South Africa. South Africa is a country with a rich history and natural beauty. As one of the most developed countries in Africa, it’s no surprise that there are many excellent universities in South Africa. In this article, we will take a look at what some of these universities have to offer students who want to study abroad. We’ll also explore some other things you might want to consider before making your decision on where to go for your education.
20 Best Universities in South Africa
The following below are the 20 Best Universities in South Africa:-
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town, also known as UCT, is a public research university located in the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It was founded in 1829 and is the oldest university in South Africa. The university has four campuses, with its main campus located at Upper Campus and a smaller campus at Groote Schuur Hospital.
UCT has campuses:
- Groote Schuur Campus in Rondebosch.
- Medical Campus in Observatory.
- Hiddingh Campus in the city.
University of the Witwatersrand
[The University of the Witwatersrand](https://www.wits.ac.za/) is one of the largest universities in South Africa, with over 50 000 students, over 100 000 alumni and over 4000 staff members. The university offers more than 800 degree programmes and 600 research programmes at all levels from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees to postdoctoral training for which it has won numerous awards for its research excellence as well as student support services such as counselling centres, career advice centres and study skills programmes.
With more than 100 libraries across its campuses in Johannesburg and Pretoria-Tshwane (which includes an archive), Wits also has many student societies including academic interest groups as well as sports clubs such as rugby and hockey teams
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university in Stellenbosch, South Africa. It is the oldest tertiary institution in the country, established in 1918. The university is the highest ranked in South Africa, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The university was founded as the South African School of Mines and Technology on October 3rd 1918 following a mining boom and increased demand for skilled workers for mines during World War I (1914-18), though it had been operating as an informal academy since 1904. In 1934 it became a full university by incorporating other technical schools such as Port Alexander Technical College into itself; originally only for whites, its first black students were admitted from 1952 onwards.
Its name was changed from South African School of Mines and Technology to University College Stellenbosch at some point between 1924 and 1930 and then changed again to Stellenbosch University after gaining its current status as an autonomous institution within government support structures through legislative changes made during 2009–2012.
The University of Pretoria
Established in 1908, the University of Pretoria is the largest university in South Africa and has one of the largest campuses in the country. The university offers many disciplines including medicine, law and engineering.
The University of Pretoria was ranked as having one of the best medical schools in Africa by QS World University Rankings 2018. It also has an excellent engineering school which is ranked as having one of the best engineering schools on the continent by QS World University Rankings 2018.
Rhodes University
Rhodes University, the oldest university in South Africa, has produced a number of important figures in South African society, including the first black president of the country His Excellency Nelson Mandela. It is also where several celebrities have studied, such as Hugh Masekela and Phuzekhemisi (Phuzik).
The campus is located near Grahamstown – a town known for its Victorian architecture and interesting historical sights including Fort D’Aubert and The Grahamstown Festival.
University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) was founded in 2004 and has since grown to become one of South Africa’s leading universities. With three campuses in Johannesburg and Pretoria, UJ offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
In terms of its academic staff, UJ has over 500 academic staff members who teach at all levels on its campuses. The university also has over 100 research staff members who conduct various types of research throughout the institution’s various faculties.
Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science
Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science (WSU) is a state university in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is named after Walter Sisulu, a South African anti-apartheid activist and former president of the African National Congress (ANC).
The institution was established on 1 January 2004 as a merger between the East London Polytechnic – Walter Sisulu Campus and various other institutions including the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University College. It has since expanded to include campuses at Ngcobo and Qumbu.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is the largest tertiary education and training institution in the Western Cape. The university offers a wide range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral programmes.
With more than 100 000 students on campus every year, CPUT has three campuses based in Bellville: one in Stellenbosch and another in Somerset West.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University is a university in the city of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in 2004 as a merger between Fort Hare University and Mthatha Technikon, with both campuses having their own faculties. The university has over 6 000 students enrolled for various degrees offered at its campuses.
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a university in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa and the largest university in KwaZulu-Natal. The University was established on 1 January 2004, when Vukuzakhe University College and the former Durban Institute of Technology were merged into one. It offers undergraduate degrees through its seven faculties, graduate degrees through its Graduate School, as well as postgraduate diplomas and certificate programmes through its Professional Studies division.
The DUT has an annual enrolment of over 25 000 students from South Africa and around 120 other countries, making it one of the largest universities by student population in southern Africa.
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
The Tshwane University of Technology is one of the largest universities in South Africa and has three campuses: one in Pretoria, one in Centurion and one in the Vaal Triangle. Founded in 1959 as Technikon Northern Transvaal (TNT), it became a university after merging with the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PUC).
The university currently has over 60 000 students who are enrolled at its several faculties. Its academic programmes are divided into nine faculties: Engineering and Built Environment; Information Technology; Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Commerce; Health Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Education Science; Law, Jurisprudence.
National Research Foundation –
Highest Rated Research Institution in SA. The National Research Foundation is an independent statutory body established by the South African Parliament in terms of the National Research Foundation Act, No. 16 of 1999. The NRF is the national research funding agency of South Africa and aims to promote scientific and technological development by supporting high quality research at academic institutions in all nine provinces.
North-West University
The North-West University (Pukke Campus) Potchefstroom, North West Province is the oldest academic institution of higher learning in South Africa. The university was founded in 1910 as the Potchefstroom School for Christian Higher Education by the South African Dutch Reformed Church. In 1922 it merged with Lovedale College and acquired its current name.
The university has two campuses: Pukke Campus and Vaal Triangle Campus.
North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus) Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng.
The North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus) Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng is located in a beautiful part of South Africa. The university has several campuses across the country, including one in Potchefstroom. This is a large campus with over 27 000 students and offers degrees through its colleges:
- Faculty of Education & Development Studies
- Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
- Faculty of Information Technology & Mathematical Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
Those are the top 20 best universities in south africa
If you’re looking to study in South Africa, the country has a lot to offer. There are over 100 universities and colleges across the country, offering undergraduate degrees as well as postgraduate qualifications. Many international students come from neighbouring countries such as Botswana and Namibia.
There are also many other sub-Saharan African countries represented at South Africa’s top universities, including Angola, Kenya and Nigeria.
We’ve compiled a list of the best universities in South Africa according to QS World University Rankings 2019-20 academic year (including those which have not featured on our world university rankings list before).
Conclusion
The top 20 South African universities are listed here for you to choose from. The list is based on the ratings given by QS, which is internationally recognised as an authority on university ranking. The universities were ranked according to their performance in a number of categories such as academic reputation, faculty-student ratio and international faculty ratio. 20 Best Universities in South Africa
