Best Universities in South Africa [2026 Rankings]

16 Best Universities in South Africa

Discover the top 16 universities in South Africa with our comprehensive academic index. By assessing 589.5K research papers and their 12.87M citations, we reveal the most impactful research centers.

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Cape Town

University of Cape Town

#1 in Africa #238 in the World

51% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1874 Founded

Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand

#2 in Africa #385 in the World

34% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1922 Founded

Pretoria

University of Pretoria

#3 in Africa #391 in the World

52% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1908 Founded

Stellenbosch

University of Stellenbosch

#4 in Africa #434 in the World

56% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1918 Founded

Durban

University of KwaZulu-Natal

#6 in Africa #598 in the World

63% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

2004 Founded

Pretoria

University of South Africa

#11 in Africa #899 in the World

61% Acceptance

420,000 Enrollment

1873 Founded

Potchefstroom

North-West University

#12 in Africa #921 in the World

83% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

2004 Founded

Bloemfontein

University of the Free State

#18 in Africa #1063 in the World

25% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1904 Founded

Bellville

University of the Western Cape

#19 in Africa #1096 in the World

60% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1959 Founded

Pretoria

Tshwane University of Technology

#34 in Africa #1663 in the World

89% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2003 Founded

Durban

Durban University of Technology

#49 in Africa #2093 in the World

75% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2002 Founded

Cape Town

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

#52 in Africa #2299 in the World

91% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

2005 Founded

Mankweng

University of Limpopo

#62 in Africa #2621 in the World

45% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1959 Founded

Alice

University of Fort Hare

#66 in Africa #2762 in the World

64% Acceptance

11,074 Enrollment

1916 Founded

Vanderbijlpark

Vaal University of Technology

#136 in Africa #4133 in the World

90% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1966 Founded

Pretoria

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

#159 in Africa #4606 in the World

74% Acceptance

5,000 Enrollment

2014 Founded

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