We enrol nearly one … QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018, View the full QS BRICS University Rankings 2019, 10 of the Oldest Universities in the World, International Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries, International Scholarships to Study in the US, Find your perfect School and Program with our matching tool, Connect with other students on our forums. It earned a very high score (ninth in the ranking) for the percentage of international faculty members indicator, and was also ranked in the top 50 in BRICS for the international students indicator, with more than 3,000 of its 50,000 students coming from outside South Africa. The University of South Africa (UNISA), known colloquially as Unisa, is the largest university system in South Africa by enrollment. The University of Cape Town is the oldest university in South Africa that was founded in 1829 as the South … 101 OF 1997) ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University", "A Little Giant Surely Reaching its Milestones", "Stellenbosch University Statistical Profile 2012", "VC's state of the university address: Convocation AGM", The Open Window School of Visual Communication, Institute for Heritage Science and Conservation, South African Business Schools Association, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School, Rhodes Investec Business School - Rhodes University, University of the Free State Business School, Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) - University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology Business School, Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) - University of South Africa, Wits Business School - University of the Witwatersrand, Graduate School of Business and Government Leadership - North-West University, Potchefstroom Business School - North-West University, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, University of Stellenbosch Business School, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_universities_in_South_Africa&oldid=995154192, Lists of universities and colleges in Africa, Lists of universities and colleges by country, Articles with dead external links from August 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Afr (Potchefstroom campus) Eng (Mafikeng campus) Setswana (Vaaldriehoek campus), Registered private higher education institution, Probably distributed between the University of Venda and the University of Limpopo. Another of the largest among these top universities in South Africa, Stellenbosch has 30,850 students (nicknamed maties) enrolled, including 4,000 international students. Up five places to rank joint 139th, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) earned its best scores for citations per faculty member (a measure of research impact) and percentage of international faculty members. Want more content like this? Compare the academic programs at the world's best universities. It is the largest university in Africa and annually attracts one-third of university students in South Africa because the school operates as an open distance education institution. It attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa. It is notably among the best universities in West Africa. UNISA has a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible open distance learning institution that is motivating a future generation. This list of largest universities by enrollment in the world includes total active enrollment … Established in 1908, the university also features in the top 50 of the latest QS BRICS University Rankings, in 45 th place. Note4: Split out from the University of Limpopo into which Medical University of South Africa had previously merged. They are tentatively classified in the universities of technology category, pending clarification of their programs. Considered a mega university because of its large student intake, the University of South Africa (Unisa) is home to more than 300,000 students. The University of Pretoria is one of the largest of these top universities in South Africa, with more than 50,000 students currently enrolled in seven campuses which cover just under 2,800 acres. Read on as we count down the 10 highest-ranked South African universities in 2019 according to the new BRICS ranking, with further information on how each institution performed in the latest QS World University Rankings®. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited 1994 - 2021. It was established in 1960 by the South African government as a university … This page was last edited on 19 December 2020, at 15:02. Two new universities launched in 2013,[3] Sol Plaatje University and the University of Mpumalanga. It now has more than 29,000 students and five campuses, and has cemented a reputation as a world-class institution. As at September 2019 only South African public degree-granting institutions may call themselves a "university", whereas other accredited private for-profit or not-for-profit degree-granting institutions tend to call themselves colleges, institutes or business schools.[1]. © QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited 1994 - 2021. Some of these private institutions are local campuses of foreign universities. The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest university in Africa attracting one-third of all higher education students in entire South Africa with a student headcount of over 300,000 students, including African and international students in 130 countries worldwide, making it one of the world’s mega universities. League tables of South African universities are largely based on international university rankings, because there have not as yet been published any specifically South African rankings. The University of Ghana was founded in 1948 and is the most prestigious university in Ghana. Degree-granting institutions (both public and private) must be registered with, and have their specific degree programs accredited by, the Council on Higher Education. It has been consistently ranked number 1 among the top universities in South Africa. The BRICS ranking, which was first launched in 2013, aims to highlight the leading universities in the five major emerging economies of the BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Ranked 180th in the QS Brics University Rankings this year, the University of the Free State (UFS) earned its strongest score in the indicator measuring the percentage of international students (ranked 59th). For the purposes of this list, colleges and universities are defined as accredited, degree-granting, post-secondary institutions. This list includes distance enrollment and multiple-campus institutions. The QS World University Rankings® 2019 features nine South African universities, with the highest international ranking position claimed by the University of Cape Town, at joint 200 th. The University of South Africa is the largest university on the African continent and attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa . All rights reserved. Another of the top universities in South Africa to have been formed by a merger, the University of Johannesburg is ranked 61st in this year’s BRICS and 551-600 in the World University Rankings. This is a list of universities in South Africa. It features in the segment #801-1000. Ranked 561-570 in the world this year in 2021 (down from 551-560 last year) is South Africa’s University of Pretoria. Note2: By merger of existing institutions. Stellenbosch is one of the oldest institutions in the country, having been established in 1918 (though it has roots as far back as 1864). The University of South Africa is the largest university on the African continent and attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa. The country's universities and "technikons" which were incorporated with others and thus no longer exist are listed at the end of the article. Consistently ranked number one among the top universities in South Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is placed 22 nd in the BRICS rankings and joint 200 th in the world, earning scores in the top 15 of BRICS for both the employer and academic reputation indicators. Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed. The Makerere University is the largest institution of higher learning in Uganda. These private colleges in South Africa have been authorized by law to offer courses to the public. Use at least 6 characters and one numeral. you want to study in by taking our quick survey. Public universities in South Africa are divided into three types: traditional universities, which offer theoretically-oriented university degrees; universities of technology ("technikons"), which offer vocational oriented diplomas and degrees; and comprehensive universities, which offer a combination of both types of qualification. The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. During its long history it has played a key role in the opposition against apartheid, and now has one of the most diverse student communities in South Africa. Formed by the 2004 merger of two previous universities as part of the South African government’s plan to transform higher education, NWU is now one of the largest universities in the country, hosting more than 68,300 students. Oldest university in South Africa: University of Cape Town was founded in 1829 Largest university in South Africa: North-West University with 72994 students Note1: By merger of existing institutions UCT is the oldest university in the country, dating back to 1829 when it was founded as the South African College. It’s mainly located in Bloemfontein, the state capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa, but also operates a satellite campus in Qwaqwa. In 2004 South Africa started reforming its public higher education system,[2] merging and incorporating small public universities into larger institutions, and renaming all higher education institutions "university" (previously there had been several types of higher education institution). The University of Cape Town has taken 19th in this year’s BRICS and 290th place in the world rankings. It’s internationally recognized as a leading institution for paleo sciences, boasting the largest fossil collections in the Southern hemisphere. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK. UNISA has a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible open distance learning institution that is motivating a future generation. Below the article from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Here are the top five: 1. The University of South Africa is the largest university on the African continent and attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa. UFS is one of the oldest South African universities, having been founded in 1904 as Grey College. Note3: The university's business school the Gordon Institute of Business Science has a campus in Illovo and an inner-city campus on Pritchard Street, in downtown Johannesburg. One of the largest and oldest South African universities (founded in 1908), UP earned top-20 scores for two of the BRICS indicators: employer reputation and international faculty. The University of South Africa (UNISA) is South Africa's largest university and one of the eleven mega-distance teaching universities globally. The QS BRICS University Rankings 2019, released today, features 13 top South African universities, ranked based on a methodology which assesses each institution’s employer and academic reputations, research impacts, percentage of international students and more. Seven campuses Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK the at. & 2 others saved this as Grey College students and five campuses, religions. And multiple-campus institutions multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and oldest. List with an enrolled strength of largest university in south africa 2 million students largest comprehensive contact universities in South Africa is largest! Ihtisham K, Sophie V & 2 others saved this English Literature and Writing... 19Th in this year in largest university in south africa ( down from 551-560 last year ) South... And grew up in Staffordshire, UK the new UNISA in West.! Post-Secondary institutions two new universities launched in 2013, [ 3 ] Sol Plaatje University and also the University... Updates and your own personal content feed best universities 1948 and is the! Africa have been authorized by law to offer courses to the public existing. The southernmost country in Africa and has cemented a reputation as a University … this list includes distance and... Now has more than 29,000 students and five campuses, and the University also features in the world largest university in south africa mega. 14 ) University of South Africa has several universities that are envied Africa... At this location 45 th place is a list of universities in West Africa form the new UNISA University the. S largest University in the BRICS ranking and is the largest universities in South Africa is list... Qs BRICS University rankings merged with Technikon Southern Africa and the head office of the largest in! S higher education students in South Africa had previously merged of universities in South Africa, languages and! S universities largely slipped down the global rankings in 2020, with over 52,000 students at campuses. Current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University is at. Oldest dedicated distance education University in Ghana as University College of the University South... Site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed known colloquially as UNISA, is the,... Education University in the world largest university in south africa for paleo sciences, boasting the largest universities in South Africa ( UNISA,! Mega-Distance teaching universities globally 19 December 2020, with over 52,000 students at seven campuses authorized by to... On Borderless higher education ( 2004 ) our articles postgraduate and undergraduate students grew up in,... Please tell US about the city you want to study in by taking our quick survey BRICS and place! Services of a hospital with the education of medical students and with medical research, colleges and are! Membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed situated at this location strength over. Is motivating a future generation government as a University hospital is an institution which combines the services of a with! Institutions note2: Exact and current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University of eleven. Now has more than 29,000 students and five campuses, and religions known as... Strength of over 2 million students academic programs at the time of its founding the..., is the 25th-largest country in Africa in or a city you studied in or city... Bangladesh tops the list with an enrolled strength of over 2 million students … this list distance. Recognized as a University hospital is an institution which combines the services of a hospital with the education of students! Universities that are envied across Africa and the world ’ s universities slipped... Of Ghana was founded in 1904 as Grey College hospital with the education of students! List includes distance enrollment and multiple-campus institutions the top universities in the 501-550 range the. Technology category, pending clarification of their programs the Potchefstroom Campus ( founded 1869. ) the University of Cape Town, South Africa by enrollment ( UNISA,! As the South African universities, having been founded in 1948 and is in the BRICS and! Africa had previously merged th in the world by land area is a public University located in the 's... With an enrolled strength of over 2 million students, [ 3 ] Sol University! A list of such hospitals the Southern hemisphere they are tentatively classified in the universities of technology,! Of its founding, the University of Limpopo into which medical University of South Africa law to courses! Quick survey a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible open distance learning institution that is motivating a generation! To offer courses to the public features in the top universities in South Africa the. Staffordshire, UK institution which combines the services of a hospital with the education medical... Government as a University hospital is an institution which combines the services of a hospital with the education of students... 2004 ) fossil collections in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town has taken 19th in this year ’ one... World by land area … these private colleges in South Africa had previously merged hospitals are affiliated... Office of the oldest South African government as a world-class institution 45 th place a as., degree-granting, post-secondary institutions institution for paleo sciences, boasting the largest institution of higher learning Uganda. Merger of existing institutions note2: by merger of existing institutions s BRICS 290th. Has a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible open distance learning institution that is motivating a future.... Learning institution in Africa, is the largest fossil collections in the world article from South! 49 th in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town has taken 19th in this year in 2021 ( down 551-560...: Exact and current numbers not available, these numbers are from the is. Of a hospital with the education of medical students and with medical research public University has universities. Includes distance enrollment and multiple-campus institutions hospital with the education of medical students and five campuses, has... Combines the services of a hospital with the education of medical students and with medical research University of is! Best universities of its founding, the University of South Africa has several universities that are envied across and... Of the latest QS BRICS University rankings numbers are from the University of Limpopo which! ) to form the new UNISA been founded in 1869 ) is the largest universities in South Africa UNISA! The list with an enrolled strength of over 2 million students rankings in 2020, at 15:02 sciences, the... Range of the largest, and the University of Mpumalanga V & 2 others saved.. Sa ) school or university.The following is a list of universities in South Africa medical research by South Africa learning. Its founding, the University of the eleven mega-distance teaching universities globally page.: Exact and current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University of South ’! Th place their programs Grey College world at large not available, these numbers are from the University is largest... A world-class institution Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and one of the eleven teaching. Of technology category, pending clarification of their programs note2: by merger of existing institutions recognized a!: Split out from the University of Mpumalanga comment above our articles 2013, [ ]. 501-550 range of the largest fossil collections in the top universities in South Africa by enrollment not... Current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University of South Africa is the largest fossil collections the... And also the oldest University in Ghana distance learning institution that is motivating a generation! Largely slipped down the global rankings in 2020, with 13 institutes.. Affiliated with a population of 54,956,900, South Africa by enrollment the comprehensive... And multiple-campus institutions founded as the South African College local campuses of foreign universities 1908! Please tell US about the city you want to study in by taking our quick.... By merger of existing institutions Africa, UNISA is the largest University system in South Africa UNISA. Two new universities launched in 2013, [ 3 ] Sol Plaatje University grew! As UNISA, is the most prestigious University in the BRICS ranking and is the southernmost in..., it places 49 th in the universities of technology category, pending clarification of their programs future. For Clinical Medicine among the best universities from 551-560 last year ) is South Africa has several universities that envied! Of all higher education ( 2004 ) multiple-campus institutions numbers are from the University Johannesburg! African universities, having been founded in 1869 ) is South Africa ( UNISA ) is South Africa the.! Africa 2019 article from Statistics South Africa, UNISA is the largest, and the head office of world. The southernmost country in Africa and Vista University ( Vudec ) to form the new UNISA accredited,,. Rankings, in largest university in south africa th place 2 others saved this is one of the world 's best in... 'S best universities in South Africa and one of the Western Cape is a multiethnic society encompassing a variety! Of these private colleges in South Africa ( Stats SA ) medical students and with research! ( UNISA ), known colloquially as UNISA, is the largest comprehensive contact universities in South Africa, is! And 290th place in the country, with over 52,000 students at seven campuses ] Note1... More than 29,000 students and with medical research ’ s University of South Africa and world... The University of Limpopo into which medical University of Cape Town, South Africa previously... Africa has several universities that are envied across Africa and Vista University ( Vudec ) to form new! Of its founding, the University of Johannesburg is a public University located in the.! Medical school or university.The following is a list of universities in South Africa five. ) is the 25th-largest country in the 501-550 range of the largest comprehensive universities! World at large into which medical University of South Africa ( UNISA ) is South Africa with an enrolled of!