Academic Index Last updated: May 09, 2026

24 Best Universities in South Africa for Computer Science

If you are looking to study Computer Science in South Africa, our index highlights the top 24 domain-leading institutions. Based on 211.6K scholarly articles and 4.46M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Computer Science. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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1

Bloemfontein

University of the Free State

For Computer Science

#30 in Africa #1425 in the World

25% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1904 Founded

2

Mthatha

Walter Sisulu University

For Computer Science

#152 in Africa #3754 in the World

67% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

2005 Founded

3

Potchefstroom

North-West University

For Computer Science

#13 in Africa #919 in the World

83% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

2004 Founded

4

Thohoyandou

University of Venda

For Computer Science

#132 in Africa #3414 in the World

72% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1982 Founded

5

Pretoria

University of South Africa

For Computer Science

#11 in Africa #836 in the World

61% Acceptance

420,000 Enrollment

1873 Founded

6

Alice

University of Fort Hare

For Computer Science

#95 in Africa #2670 in the World

64% Acceptance

11,074 Enrollment

1916 Founded

7

Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

For Computer Science

#8 in Africa #708 in the World

58% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2005 Founded

8

Mankweng

University of Limpopo

For Computer Science

#90 in Africa #2603 in the World

45% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1959 Founded

9

Durban

University of KwaZulu-Natal

For Computer Science

#6 in Africa #577 in the World

63% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

2004 Founded

10

Cape Town

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

For Computer Science

#81 in Africa #2471 in the World

91% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

2005 Founded

11

Stellenbosch

University of Stellenbosch

For Computer Science

#4 in Africa #541 in the World

56% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1918 Founded

12

Durban

Durban University of Technology

For Computer Science

#73 in Africa #2333 in the World

75% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2002 Founded

13

Pretoria

University of Pretoria

For Computer Science

#3 in Africa #499 in the World

52% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1908 Founded

14

Durban

Mangosuthu University of Technology

For Computer Science

#224 in Africa #4766 in the World

73% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

1979 Founded

15

Pretoria

Tshwane University of Technology

For Computer Science

#42 in Africa #1731 in the World

89% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2003 Founded

16

Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand

For Computer Science

#5 in Africa #549 in the World

34% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1922 Founded

17

Pretoria

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

For Computer Science

#182 in Africa #4138 in the World

74% Acceptance

5,000 Enrollment

2014 Founded

18

Port Elizabeth

Nelson Mandela University

For Computer Science

#57 in Africa #1994 in the World

57% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

2005 Founded

19

Cape Town

University of Cape Town

For Computer Science

#1 in Africa #413 in the World

51% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1874 Founded

20

Vanderbijlpark

Vaal University of Technology

For Computer Science

#122 in Africa #3216 in the World

90% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1966 Founded

21

Makhanda

Rhodes University

For Computer Science

#37 in Africa #1613 in the World

61% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

1904 Founded

22

Kwadlangezwa

University of Zululand

For Computer Science

#109 in Africa #2932 in the World

45% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1960 Founded

23

Bellville

University of the Western Cape

For Computer Science

#27 in Africa #1382 in the World

60% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1959 Founded

24

Bloemfontein

Central University of Technology

For Computer Science

#131 in Africa #3393 in the World

64% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1981 Founded