Academic Index Last updated: May 09, 2026

24 Best Universities in South Africa for Biology

We ranked the top 24 universities for Biology in South Africa based on strict academic metrics. To determine these leaders, we isolated 386.5K specialized research publications which collectively generated 9.7M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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1

Mankweng

University of Limpopo

For Biology

#64 in Africa #1785 in the World

45% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1959 Founded

2

Durban

University of KwaZulu-Natal

For Biology

#5 in Africa #386 in the World

63% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

2004 Founded

3

Cape Town

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

For Biology

#90 in Africa #2152 in the World

91% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

2005 Founded

4

Stellenbosch

University of Stellenbosch

For Biology

#4 in Africa #378 in the World

56% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1918 Founded

5

Durban

Durban University of Technology

For Biology

#77 in Africa #2002 in the World

75% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2002 Founded

6

Pretoria

University of Pretoria

For Biology

#6 in Africa #394 in the World

52% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1908 Founded

7

Durban

Mangosuthu University of Technology

For Biology

#242 in Africa #4528 in the World

73% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

1979 Founded

8

Pretoria

Tshwane University of Technology

For Biology

#54 in Africa #1655 in the World

89% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2003 Founded

9

Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand

For Biology

#3 in Africa #365 in the World

34% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1922 Founded

10

Pretoria

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

For Biology

#139 in Africa #2973 in the World

74% Acceptance

5,000 Enrollment

2014 Founded

11

Port Elizabeth

Nelson Mandela University

For Biology

#59 in Africa #1689 in the World

57% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

2005 Founded

12

Cape Town

University of Cape Town

For Biology

#1 in Africa #276 in the World

51% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1874 Founded

13

Vanderbijlpark

Vaal University of Technology

For Biology

#166 in Africa #3311 in the World

90% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1966 Founded

14

Makhanda

Rhodes University

For Biology

#21 in Africa #1043 in the World

61% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

1904 Founded

15

Kwadlangezwa

University of Zululand

For Biology

#116 in Africa #2561 in the World

45% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1960 Founded

16

Bellville

University of the Western Cape

For Biology

#35 in Africa #1240 in the World

60% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1959 Founded

17

Bloemfontein

Central University of Technology

For Biology

#183 in Africa #3623 in the World

64% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1981 Founded

18

Bloemfontein

University of the Free State

For Biology

#19 in Africa #944 in the World

25% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1904 Founded

19

Mthatha

Walter Sisulu University

For Biology

#159 in Africa #3251 in the World

67% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

2005 Founded

20

Potchefstroom

North-West University

For Biology

#18 in Africa #923 in the World

83% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

2004 Founded

21

Thohoyandou

University of Venda

For Biology

#110 in Africa #2479 in the World

72% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1982 Founded

22

Pretoria

University of South Africa

For Biology

#28 in Africa #1151 in the World

61% Acceptance

420,000 Enrollment

1873 Founded

23

Alice

University of Fort Hare

For Biology

#46 in Africa #1526 in the World

64% Acceptance

11,074 Enrollment

1916 Founded

24

Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

For Biology

#14 in Africa #886 in the World

58% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2005 Founded