Academic Index Last updated: May 09, 2026

24 Best Universities in South Africa for Chemistry

Focusing specifically on Chemistry, our data science engine identified the 24 most influential universities in South Africa. To determine these leaders, we isolated 251.3K specialized research publications which collectively generated 6.75M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Chemistry South Africa Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Bloemfontein

Central University of Technology

For Chemistry

#157 in Africa #3329 in the World

64% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1981 Founded

2

Bloemfontein

University of the Free State

For Chemistry

#19 in Africa #1110 in the World

25% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1904 Founded

3

Mthatha

Walter Sisulu University

For Chemistry

#203 in Africa #3959 in the World

67% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

2005 Founded

4

Potchefstroom

North-West University

For Chemistry

#18 in Africa #1058 in the World

83% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

2004 Founded

5

Thohoyandou

University of Venda

For Chemistry

#114 in Africa #2796 in the World

72% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1982 Founded

6

Pretoria

University of South Africa

For Chemistry

#29 in Africa #1336 in the World

61% Acceptance

420,000 Enrollment

1873 Founded

7

Alice

University of Fort Hare

For Chemistry

#55 in Africa #1786 in the World

64% Acceptance

11,074 Enrollment

1916 Founded

8

Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

For Chemistry

#14 in Africa #856 in the World

58% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2005 Founded

9

Mankweng

University of Limpopo

For Chemistry

#94 in Africa #2418 in the World

45% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1959 Founded

10

Durban

University of KwaZulu-Natal

For Chemistry

#6 in Africa #553 in the World

63% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

2004 Founded

11

Cape Town

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

For Chemistry

#73 in Africa #2117 in the World

91% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

2005 Founded

12

Stellenbosch

University of Stellenbosch

For Chemistry

#4 in Africa #522 in the World

56% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1918 Founded

13

Durban

Durban University of Technology

For Chemistry

#65 in Africa #1995 in the World

75% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2002 Founded

14

Pretoria

University of Pretoria

For Chemistry

#7 in Africa #556 in the World

52% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1908 Founded

15

Durban

Mangosuthu University of Technology

For Chemistry

#218 in Africa #4345 in the World

73% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

1979 Founded

16

Pretoria

Tshwane University of Technology

For Chemistry

#39 in Africa #1520 in the World

89% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2003 Founded

17

Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand

For Chemistry

#3 in Africa #454 in the World

34% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1922 Founded

18

Pretoria

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

For Chemistry

#161 in Africa #3418 in the World

74% Acceptance

5,000 Enrollment

2014 Founded

19

Port Elizabeth

Nelson Mandela University

For Chemistry

#70 in Africa #2084 in the World

57% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

2005 Founded

20

Cape Town

University of Cape Town

For Chemistry

#2 in Africa #433 in the World

51% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1874 Founded

21

Vanderbijlpark

Vaal University of Technology

For Chemistry

#131 in Africa #2922 in the World

90% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1966 Founded

22

Makhanda

Rhodes University

For Chemistry

#30 in Africa #1351 in the World

61% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

1904 Founded

23

Kwadlangezwa

University of Zululand

For Chemistry

#112 in Africa #2770 in the World

45% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1960 Founded

24

Bellville

University of the Western Cape

For Chemistry

#38 in Africa #1492 in the World

60% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1959 Founded