Best Universities in South Africa: Top 10 Universities in South Africa 2017

Are you planning to study in South Africa and hence looking for the best Universities in South Africa? Then I am glad to let you know that you are on the right. In this post, you will categorically see the top universities in South Africa with their ranks based on some selection criteria. The post will be updated yearly based on the current stands of the individual Universities in South Africa and their rank in the world as a whole.

This page will be featuring the top 10 South African Universities out of all the officially recognized South African Higher-education Institutions that meet the following selection criteria:

1. Being accredited, licensed, and/or chartered by the appropriate South African higher education-related organization
2. Offering at least 4-year undergraduate degrees (Bachelor degree) and/pr postgraduate degrees (Master or Doctoral degrees)
3. Delivering courses predominantly in a traditional face-to-face, non-distance education format

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The Universities that meet these criteria and thereby rank the top 10 among the best Universities in South Africa are as follows:

Best Universities in South Africa: Top 10 Universities in South Africa 2017

Before you proceed, I will like to inform you that the top 10 ranks of all South African Universities you will find below are based on unbiased and valid web metrics, so be rest assured you are getting a valid and authentic list.

1. University Of Cape Town

Country Rank: 1 World Rank: 209

Established in 1829, the University of Cape Town is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large city of Cape Town (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Western Cape. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is a large coeducational higher education institution. University of Cape Town (UCT) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 188 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UCT also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities and/or activities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

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2. University Of Pretoria

Country Rank: 2 World Rank: 290

Established in 1908, the University of Pretoria is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large city of Pretoria (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Gauteng. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of Pretoria (UP) is a very large coeducational higher education institution. University of Pretoria (UP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 109 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UP also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities and/or activities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses, and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

3. University Of South Africa

Country Rank: 3  World Rank: 330

Founded in 1873, the University of South Africa is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large city of Pretoria (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Gauteng. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Cape Town, Durban, Pietersburg, Nelspruit, Johannesburg, Umtata. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of South Africa (UNISA) is a very large coeducational higher education institution. University of South Africa (UNISA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 144 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students’ past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. UNISA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, online courses, and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

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4. University Of The Witwatersrand

Country Rank: 4  World Rank: 353

Founded in 1922, the University of the Witwatersrand is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Johannesburg (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Gauteng. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) is a large coeducational higher education institution. University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 95 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic records and grades. The admission rate range is 30-40% making this South African higher education organization a very selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. WITS also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities and/or activities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

5. University Of KwaZulu-Natal

Country Rank: 5  World Rank: 513

Founded in 2004, the University of KwaZulu-Natal is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Durban (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), KwaZulu-Natal. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Westville, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a very large coeducational higher education institution. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 13 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. UKZN also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities and/or activities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses, and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

6. University Of Stellenbosch

Country Rank: 6  World Rank: 514

Established in 1866, Universiteit Stellenbosch (University of Stellenbosch) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Stellenbosch (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Western Cape. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Tygerberg, Bellville, Saldanha. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, Universiteit Stellenbosch is a large coeducational higher education institution. Universiteit Stellenbosch offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 151 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students’ past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. Universiteit Stellenbosch also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities and/or activities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses, and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

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7. University Of Johannesburg

Country Rank: 7  World Rank: 523

Founded in 2005, the University of Johannesburg is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Johannesburg (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Gauteng. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a very large coeducational higher education institution. University of Johannesburg (UJ) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 12 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students past academic records and grades. UJ also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities and/or activities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

8. North-West University

Country Rank: 8  World Rank: 615

Founded in 2004, North-West University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Potchefstroom (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), North West. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Mafikeng, Vanderbijlpark. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, North-West University (NWU) is a very large coeducational higher education institution. North-West University (NWU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 13 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 60-70% making this South African higher education organization a somewhat selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. NWU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sport facilities and/or activities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

9. University Of The Western Cape

Country Rank: 9  World Rank: 837

Founded in 1959, the University of the Western Cape is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Bellville (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Western Cape. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a large coeducational higher education institution. University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 58 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic records and grades. The admission rate range is 50-60% making this South African higher education organization an averagely selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrolment. UWC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities and/or activities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses, and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

10. Rhodes University

Country Rank: 10  World Rank: 1156

Established in 1904, Rhodes University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the rural setting of the large town of Grahamstown (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Eastern Cape. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, Rhodes University (RU) is a medium-sized coeducational higher education institution. Rhodes University (RU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 113 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students’ past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. RU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities and/or activities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

This is the list of the present top 10 best universities in South Africa. You can choose from any of them to study and further your academic pursuits. The good news is that they are all open for international applicants as well.