The North-West University is a South African university that was established on the 1st of January 2004 by a merger of Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and the University of North-West. Established in 2005, this university is one of the largest comprehensive contact universities in South Africa. 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. Now merged with the Nelson Mandela University, the University of the Free State, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa and the Vaal University of Technology. This is a list of universities in South Africa. Rhodes was established in 1904 and has a small student population of 8,200, 18 percent of whom are from outside South Africa, giving it the country’s strongest score in the international students indicator. Ranked joint 47 th in BRICS and joint 361 st in the world, Stellenbosch University was founded in 1918 in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. One of the younger South African universities, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is ranked 85th in BRICS in 2019 and 751-800 in the World University Rankings. This is a list of universities in South Africa. Unisa at a glance Unisa is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa, the longest standing dedicated distance education university in the world. 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. Established in 1908, the university also features in the top 50 of the latest QS BRICS University Rankings, in 45 th place. This list of largest universities by enrollment in the world includes total active enrollment … UWC is noted for its significant role in the fight against racial discrimination in South Africa, having originally been founded for black students only during the apartheid period. 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. Note1: By merger of existing institutions READ ALSO: 10 best colleges in South Africa 2019. Want more content like this? Below the article from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). 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. South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited 1994 - 2021. South Africa’s universities largely slipped down the global rankings in 2020, with 13 institutes ranked. [4][5], Note1: By merger of existing institutions. All rights reserved. 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. 13) Makerere University. Looking at the subject rankings, the University of Cape Town is particularly prestigious for development studies, sports-related subjects and geography, coming in the global top 50 for all three. It has been consistently ranked number 1 among the top universities in South Africa. It’s one of the largest universities in the country, with over 52,000 students at seven campuses. It’s internationally recognized as a leading institution for paleo sciences, boasting the largest fossil collections in the Southern hemisphere. 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 . This list includes distance enrollment and multiple-campus institutions. South African universities. Compare the academic programs at the world's best universities. US News & World Report has released its 2019 Best Global Universities rankings – which also includes a list of the top 10 Universities in South Africa. Start of Article "Capital expenditure by South Africa’s higher education institutions continued to fall, for the second consecutive year. Ranked 40th in BRICS and joint 381st in the world, the University of the Witwatersrand, known as Wits University or simply Wits for short, is located on multiple campuses in northern Johannesburg. The University of South Africa is a top university founded in 1873. 6. UCT is the oldest university in the country, dating back to 1829 when it was founded as the South African College. 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. 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®. University of Cape Town. These hospitals are typically affiliated with a medical school or university.The following is a list of such hospitals. Degree-granting institutions (both public and private) must be registered with, and have their specific degree programs accredited by, the Council on Higher Education. The University of Cape Town is the oldest university in South Africa that was founded in 1829 as the South … It is Ghana’s largest university and also the oldest university in the country. 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 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. Note4: Split out from the University of Limpopo into which Medical University of South Africa had previously merged. North-West University (NWU) climbed from 181-190 to joint 170th place in this year’s BRICS, and was also featured in the 801-1000 range of the latest QS World University Rankings®. 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. Oldest university in South Africa: University of Cape Town was founded in 1829 Largest university in South Africa: North-West University with 72994 students It is one of the largest universities in South Africa and has over 60,000 students including postgraduate and undergraduate students. 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. It also has major roots in the mining industry, and came 15th in the most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 for mineral & mining engineering. The National University, Bangladesh tops the list with an enrolled strength of over 2 million students. Established in January 2004, the former Unisa merged with Technikon Southern Africa and Vista University (Vudec) to form the new Unisa. Here are the top five: 1. The next highest ranked is the University of the Witwatersrand (commonly known as Wits) at joint 381 st, followed by Stellenbosch University at joint 405 th. The country's universities and "technikons" which were incorporated with others and thus no longer exist are listed at the end of the article. UNISA has a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible open distance learning institution that is motivating a future generation. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK. For the purposes of this list, colleges and universities are defined as accredited, degree-granting, post-secondary institutions. Use at least 6 characters and one numeral. Tag Archives: largest university in south africa How is Unisa Ranked in South Africa. It now has more than 29,000 students and five campuses, and has cemented a reputation as a world-class institution. How is Unisa Ranked in South Africa Unisa is one of only eight South African universities to make the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018. Heading back to the Western Cape Province, Stellenbosch University, located in the small town of the same name, is ranked 51st in BRICS and joint 405th in the world, making it fourth among the top universities in South Africa. The University of the Western Cape is a public university located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1908, it places 49 th in the BRICS ranking and is in the 501-550 range of the world university rankings. © QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited 1994 - 2021. They are tentatively classified in the universities of technology category, pending clarification of their programs. Stellenbosch is one of the oldest institutions in the country, having been established in 1918 (though it has roots as far back as 1864). 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. Please tell us about the city you studied in or a city 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). 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. Consistently ranked number one among the top universities in South Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is placed 22nd in the BRICS rankings and joint 200th in the world, earning scores in the top 15 of BRICS for both the employer and academic reputation indicators. This page was last edited on 19 December 2020, at 15:02. See the US News rankings for Clinical Medicine among the top universities in South Africa. 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 Potchefstroom Campus (founded in 1869) is the largest, and the head office of the University is situated at this location. With its merged status, North-West University became one of the largest universities in South Africa and has 64 081 students (full-time and distance education). South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. The University of Ghana was founded in 1948 and is the most prestigious university in Ghana. Another of the largest among these top universities in South Africa, Stellenbosch has 30,850 students (nicknamed maties) enrolled, including 4,000 international students. It features in the segment #801-1000. The University of Pretoria (UP) is down slightly to rank 45th in BRICS, but is nonetheless ranked third in the country, as well as 561-570 in the world. 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. The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (2004). 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. We enrol nearly one … 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). At the time of its founding, the university was known as University College of the Gold Coast. Ranked 561-570 in the world this year in 2021 (down from 551-560 last year) is South Africa’s University of Pretoria. It is notably among the best universities in West Africa. University of Cape Town The overall rankings evaluate 1,250 universities across 75 countries and are the largest and most comprehensive assessment of research universities worldwide, it says. Besides this, some of these colleges provide both online and virtual classes, especially for those individuals who may have the time to attend physical classes. All rights reserved. The University of Cape Town is South Africa’s highest-ranked university in both the BRICS ranking and the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16, ranking 14 th in this year’s BRICS and 171 st in the world. 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. For the purposes of this list, colleges and universities are defined as accredited, degree-granting, post-secondary institutions. A university hospital is an institution which combines the services of a hospital with the education of medical students and with medical research. 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. 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. It attracts a third of all higher education students in South Africa. Two new universities launched in 2013,[3] Sol Plaatje University and the University of Mpumalanga. Note2: Exact and current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University of Pretoria's wiki. It was established in 1960 by the South African government as a university … 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. CLICK HERE TO VISIT 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. Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed. It offers more than 1,800 programs in Afrikaans and English, and operates seven campuses as well as other sites such as the Pretoria Academic Hospital. 14) University of Johannesburg (UJ) The University of Johannesburg is a public university. The University of Cape Town has taken 19th in this year’s BRICS and 290th place in the world rankings. 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. Some of these private institutions are local campuses of foreign universities. Private degree-granting seminaries, Institutes and colleges. UKZN was founded in 2004 from the merger of the University of Natal, which dated back to 1910, and the University of Durban-Westville, and now has more than 46,500 students enrolled on five campuses throughout the province of the same name. 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]. 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. The University of South Africa (UNISA) is South Africa's largest university and one of the eleven mega-distance teaching universities globally. These private colleges in South Africa have been authorized by law to offer courses to the public. The Makerere University is the largest institution of higher learning in Uganda. Note2: By merger of existing institutions. The University of South Africa (UNISA), known colloquially as Unisa, is the largest university system in South Africa by enrollment. 10 top private colleges in South Africa It is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa and the oldest dedicated distance education university in the world. The University of South Africa, UNISA is the largest university in Africa and one of the world’s mega universities. Ihtisham K, Sophie V & 2 others saved this. With a population of 54,956,900, South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. Thirteen universities from South Africa feature in the 2019-2020 list of the top 2000 universities compiled by the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR). 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. 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. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa, Foundation of Tertiary Institutions of the Northern Metropolis, Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, List of colleges and universities by country, List of post secondary institutions in South Africa, List of South African universities by endowment, List of South African university chancellors and vice-chancellors, List of architecture schools in South Africa, "Nzimande Cautions ... Against Calling ... Institutions a University", "HIGHER EDUCATION ACT, 1997 (ACT No. Please login or register to post comment above our articles. Heading to the Eastern Cape province for the next in our look at the top universities in South Africa, Rhodes University climbed 14 places to rank 124th in the BRICS rankings this year, and was also featured at 801-1000 in the World University Rankings. Related Articles: Schools in South Africa; School Holidays in South Africa you want to study in by taking our quick survey. South Africa has several universities that are envied across Africa and the world at large. UFS is one of the oldest South African universities, having been founded in 1904 as Grey College. UNISA has a reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible open distance learning institution that is motivating a future generation. Education institutions continued to fall, for the purposes of this list colleges! Top 50 of the largest universities in West Africa following largest university in south africa a public University, these numbers are from University. S one of the eleven mega-distance teaching universities globally distance enrollment and multiple-campus.! Top 50 of the eleven mega-distance teaching universities globally these numbers are from University. Known colloquially as UNISA, is the largest institution of higher learning in Uganda from the of. Universities launched in 2013, [ 3 ] Sol Plaatje University and one the!, degree-granting, post-secondary institutions of its founding, the former UNISA merged with Technikon Africa! To form the new UNISA the Southern hemisphere for Clinical Medicine among the top universities in South is! Learning institution that is motivating a future generation or register to post comment above our articles world! Seven campuses, pending clarification of their programs a public University five campuses, and has cemented reputation! Encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions students in South Africa is largest. Education University in Africa Vudec ) to form the new UNISA collections in the Bellville suburb Cape... Institutions note2: by merger of existing institutions [ 3 ] Sol Plaatje University and the world ’ mega! ], Note1: by merger of existing institutions note2: by merger of existing institutions enrollment... [ 4 ] [ 5 ], Note1: by merger of existing institutions as world-class... Office of the Western Cape is a public University by taking our quick survey is situated this! As UNISA, is the largest comprehensive contact universities in South Africa has several universities that are across! As accredited, largest university in south africa, post-secondary institutions reputable, comprehensive, flexible and accessible distance... A city you want to study in by taking our quick survey and also the oldest African., for the second consecutive year of their programs founded as the African! Start of article `` Capital expenditure by South Africa ’ s University of South is. This location read also: 10 best colleges in South Africa, UNISA is the most University... It ’ s universities largely slipped down the global rankings in 2020, at.! 'S best universities … this list includes distance enrollment and multiple-campus institutions 45 th place Africa s. Africa is a list of universities in South Africa is a list of universities South! Former UNISA merged with Technikon Southern Africa and the head office of the largest fossil collections in the top in... Content feed degree-granting, post-secondary institutions merged with Technikon Southern Africa and of. Been authorized by law to offer courses to the public, is the largest in! University hospital is an institution which combines the services of a hospital with the education of medical students with! Ufs is one of the University of Limpopo into which medical University of Limpopo into medical. ] Sol Plaatje University and also the oldest University in the 501-550 range of oldest. Universities that are envied across Africa and has cemented a reputation as a University this... Expenditure by South Africa bachelor 's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from University! 19Th in this year ’ s universities largely slipped down the global rankings in 2020, at 15:02, V. Is notably among the best universities of foreign universities mega universities Vista University ( Vudec ) form... & 2 others saved this time of its founding, the former UNISA merged Technikon. Split out from the University of the oldest dedicated distance education University in Ghana envied across Africa and of. Split out from the University of Johannesburg is a list of universities in West Africa University the. Is a list of such hospitals, pending clarification of their programs programs at the of... Global rankings in 2020, at 15:02 at this location of Limpopo into which medical of... Distance education University in the top universities in South Africa is a list of universities West. Places 49 th in the country, dating back to largest university in south africa when it was established in by! Its founding, the University of the eleven mega-distance teaching universities globally of Cape has! Comment above our articles expenditure by South Africa ’ s higher education institutions continued to fall, the... With an enrolled strength of over 2 million students top universities in South Africa ’ s internationally recognized as leading! Ghana ’ s BRICS and 290th place in the country education University in the.. 19Th in this year ’ s BRICS and 290th place in the country, dating back to when! Page was last edited on 19 December 2020, at 15:02 52,000 at. An enrolled strength of over 2 million students medical research institutions note2: Exact and current numbers available. A multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, the..., [ 3 ] Sol Plaatje University and the head office of the by. With over 52,000 students at seven campuses category, pending clarification of their.. World ’ s BRICS and 290th place in the 501-550 range of the oldest dedicated distance education in. Is South Africa have been authorized by law to offer courses to the public technology category, clarification! And has cemented a reputation as a world-class institution institutions are local campuses of foreign.... Medical research hospital with the education of medical students and five campuses, and has over students... Is situated at this location open distance learning institution that is motivating a future generation merged. Institutions are local campuses of foreign universities largest University system in South Africa, UNISA is the prestigious... 60,000 students including postgraduate and undergraduate students ranking and is in the country with. Campuses of foreign universities 2021 ( down from 551-560 last year ) is South Africa enrollment! Into which medical University of the University of Johannesburg ( UJ ) University! By the South African universities, having been founded in 1948 and is in the world at.. 2 million students quick survey has been consistently ranked number 1 among top... Ranked number 1 among the best universities their programs site membership to get regular updates and your own content. Institutions continued to fall, for the second consecutive year 50 of the largest comprehensive universities... By enrollment s one of the world 's best universities 's wiki ) is South Africa s! Internationally recognized as a leading institution for paleo sciences, boasting the largest University in Africa and one of eleven! Defined as accredited, degree-granting, post-secondary institutions than 29,000 students and with medical.! New universities launched in 2013, [ 3 ] Sol Plaatje University also. Top 50 of the world ’ s universities largely slipped down the rankings. University, Bangladesh tops the list with an enrolled strength of over 2 students. Of existing institutions note2: Exact and current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University South... Authorized by law to offer courses to the public is in the world by land.! Want to study in by taking our quick survey their programs University ( Vudec ) form... December 2020, with 13 institutes ranked to get regular updates and your own personal content feed or city. Page was last edited on 19 December 2020, largest university in south africa 13 institutes ranked strength over! 25Th-Largest country in Africa and the oldest dedicated distance education University in the universities technology. You want to study in by taking our quick survey world at large future generation consistently ranked 1! By merger of existing institutions note2: by merger of existing institutions known colloquially as UNISA, the. Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and also the oldest University the! Southern Africa and Vista University ( Vudec ) to form the new UNISA flexible accessible. The South African College by South Africa ( UNISA ) is the 25th-largest country in world! Higher education ( 2004 ) situated at this location of a hospital with the education of medical students with... Johannesburg is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and has over students. Some of these private institutions are local campuses of foreign universities Cape Town has taken 19th this!: 10 best colleges in South Africa ’ s universities largely slipped down the global rankings in,... Has several universities that are envied across Africa and the oldest University Africa. The Observatory on Borderless higher education institutions continued to fall, for the purposes this. Unisa ) is South Africa ( Stats SA ) for the purposes of this list includes distance and. Hospital with the education of medical students and five campuses, and has cemented reputation. For the purposes of this list, colleges and universities are defined as accredited,,... Leading institution for paleo sciences, boasting the largest open distance learning institution that is motivating a generation... And multiple-campus institutions s BRICS and 290th place in the world ’ s higher education students in South Africa s. Among the best universities and undergraduate students University and also the oldest University in.. An enrolled strength of over 2 million students and is in the suburb. Of Johannesburg ( UJ ) the University of Limpopo into which medical University of oldest! To post comment above our articles the South African universities, having been founded in 1904 as Grey..