Academic Index Last updated: May 09, 2026

23 Best Universities in South Africa for Mathematics

We ranked the top 23 universities for Mathematics in South Africa based on strict academic metrics. Our methodology evaluated 126.4K subject-specific papers and 2.69M citations to find the strongest faculties. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Mathematics South Africa Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Mankweng

University of Limpopo

For Mathematics

#66 in Africa #1913 in the World

45% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1959 Founded

2

Stellenbosch

University of Stellenbosch

For Mathematics

#6 in Africa #507 in the World

56% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1918 Founded

3

Cape Town

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

For Mathematics

#85 in Africa #2202 in the World

91% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

2005 Founded

4

Pretoria

University of Pretoria

For Mathematics

#5 in Africa #470 in the World

52% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1908 Founded

5

Durban

Durban University of Technology

For Mathematics

#81 in Africa #2176 in the World

75% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2002 Founded

6

Johannesburg

University of the Witwatersrand

For Mathematics

#1 in Africa #277 in the World

34% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1922 Founded

7

Durban

Mangosuthu University of Technology

For Mathematics

#248 in Africa #4698 in the World

73% Acceptance

35,047 Enrollment

1979 Founded

8

Pretoria

Tshwane University of Technology

For Mathematics

#51 in Africa #1642 in the World

89% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2003 Founded

9

Cape Town

University of Cape Town

For Mathematics

#2 in Africa #349 in the World

51% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1874 Founded

10

Pretoria

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

For Mathematics

#164 in Africa #3445 in the World

74% Acceptance

5,000 Enrollment

2014 Founded

11

Port Elizabeth

Nelson Mandela University

For Mathematics

#89 in Africa #2219 in the World

57% Acceptance

8,200 Enrollment

2005 Founded

12

Vanderbijlpark

Vaal University of Technology

For Mathematics

#133 in Africa #2960 in the World

90% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1966 Founded

13

Bellville

University of the Western Cape

For Mathematics

#32 in Africa #1299 in the World

60% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

1959 Founded

14

Kwadlangezwa

University of Zululand

For Mathematics

#116 in Africa #2735 in the World

45% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1960 Founded

15

Bloemfontein

University of the Free State

For Mathematics

#17 in Africa #858 in the World

25% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

1904 Founded

16

Bloemfontein

Central University of Technology

For Mathematics

#152 in Africa #3248 in the World

64% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

1981 Founded

17

Potchefstroom

North-West University

For Mathematics

#10 in Africa #714 in the World

83% Acceptance

37,000 Enrollment

2004 Founded

18

Mthatha

Walter Sisulu University

For Mathematics

#123 in Africa #2873 in the World

67% Acceptance

24,754 Enrollment

2005 Founded

19

Pretoria

University of South Africa

For Mathematics

#8 in Africa #667 in the World

61% Acceptance

420,000 Enrollment

1873 Founded

20

Thohoyandou

University of Venda

For Mathematics

#120 in Africa #2802 in the World

72% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

1982 Founded

21

Johannesburg

University of Johannesburg

For Mathematics

#9 in Africa #687 in the World

58% Acceptance

49,910 Enrollment

2005 Founded

22

Alice

University of Fort Hare

For Mathematics

#72 in Africa #2029 in the World

64% Acceptance

11,074 Enrollment

1916 Founded

23

Durban

University of KwaZulu-Natal

For Mathematics

#4 in Africa #461 in the World

63% Acceptance

48,174 Enrollment

2004 Founded