South African University Rankings 2025
Discover the top-performing universities in South Africa across overall rankings, subject specializations, research excellence, and graduate employability.
🏆 Overall University Rankings
Top South African universities ranked by overall academic performance and reputation
University of Cape Town (UCT)
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Stellenbosch University
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
University of Pretoria (UP)
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Rhodes University
North-West University (NWU)
University of the Free State (UFS)
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
📚 Subject-Specific Rankings
University performance across different academic disciplines
Engineering & Technology
Medicine & Health
Natural Sciences
Business & Economics
Social Sciences
Arts & Humanities
🔬 Research Excellence Rankings
University performance in research output, citations, and impact
UCT
Wits
Stellenbosch
UKZN
UP
💼 Graduate Employability Rankings
University performance in graduate employment outcomes and industry reputation
UCT
Wits
Stellenbosch
UP
UJ
📊 Ranking Methodology
Understanding how university rankings are calculated and what factors matter most
Ranking Criteria
Academic Reputation
Peer review from academics worldwide
Employer Reputation
Graduate employment outcomes and employer satisfaction
Faculty/Student Ratio
Teaching quality indicator
Research Impact
Citations per faculty member
International Faculty
Proportion of international faculty
International Students
Proportion of international students
Ranking Sources
QS World University Rankings
Global university rankings based on academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact
Learn more →Times Higher Education (THE)
Comprehensive rankings focusing on teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook
Learn more →Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
Shanghai Rankings focusing on research output and quality
Learn more →CHE University Rankings
Local South African rankings by the Council on Higher Education
Learn more →How to Use University Rankings
- • Rankings are just one factor - consider your specific needs and career goals
- • Different ranking systems use different methodologies and criteria
- • Subject-specific rankings may be more relevant than overall rankings
- • Consider factors like location, cost, campus culture, and programme offerings
- • Rankings can change year to year - focus on consistent high performers
- • Research the specific programmes and departments you're interested in
Choose Your University Wisely
Use these rankings as a guide, but remember to consider your personal goals, financial situation, and career aspirations when choosing a university.