Rankings of universities in South Africa

Hierarchical lists that rank universities are regularly published by the popular press.[1] Intended originally as a marketing or a benchmarking tool, university rankings have become apart of many countries research evaluation and policy initiatives.[2] These different tables (see below) attempt to fulfill a demand for information and transparency. However, rankings influence evaluation choices and distort higher education policies.[3] List producers allow well remunerated[4] vice-chancellors to claim a top spot for their university in an educational league. These ranking, the publishers claim, are determined by quantitative indicators.[5] Published research suggests otherwise, rankings are re-shaping public education and harming the academic project. According to an Independent Expert Group (IEG), convened by the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health,[1] Global university rankings are

  • conceptually invalid
  • based on flawed and insufficiently transparent data and methods
  • biased towards research, STEM subjects, and English-speaking scholars
  • are colonial and accentuate global, regional, and national inequalities.
Location of South Africa

Rankings of universities in South Africa are used to influence how students, parents, policymakers, employers, the wider public and other stakeholders think about higher education.These local league tables are based on international university rankings since there are no South African rankings yet. This absence might be attributed to international criticism of college and university rankings. Its generally agreed that rankings apply questionable criteria and an opaque methodology. The Council for Higher Education (CHE) has recently taken a critical perspective on university rankings,[6] publishing an opinion that argues that rankings are both neocolonial and neoliberal. According to the author, more than 47 publishing companies have used “inappropriate indicators …as a proxy for offering a quality education”.[7]

Higher Education is being re-shaped by private for-profit companies[8] and are part of a billion-dollar profit center for the companies owning them.[9] Ranking companies prey on universities and governments in the global south, and their anxieties to be seen as a “world class” university.[9] This has led to number of gaming behaviors in the sector.[1] This is a global problem, and it seems that Higher Education priorities are misplaced, with marketing and communications officials focused on branding their institutions, looking appealing to prospective students, by referring repeatedly to rankings, instead of focusing on the needs of actual students.[10] Since 2013, Rhodes University has held this critical position about rankings [11] Rhodes position was given credence by Wits University, when Wits recently re-published an article in “The Conversation”[12] entitled “ University rankings are unscientific and bad for education: experts point out the flaws”.[13] This stance is increasingly supported by notable institutions beyond North America, such as the University of Zurich, Utrecht University, and some of the Indian Institutes of Technology.[14] Recently Nature concurred with this opinion that rankings are methodologically problematic.[7]

Notwithstanding the above information, the numerous international university rankings do seem to agree that South Africa's university system is the strongest on the continent: it is home to 8 of the top 10 highest ranked African universities,[15][16] however they are unable to come to a consensus as to which of the big five are academically, after University of Cape Town. [17] The race for second place is between Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg and University of Kwa Zulu Natal[18]

Context on South African higher educational institutions

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A 2010 Centre for Higher Education Transformation report identified three university clusters in South Africa, grouped according to function. The input variables used to group universities were:

  • Percentage of headcount enrolment in science, engineering and technology
  • Masters and doctoral enrolments
  • Student-to-staff ratios
  • Permanent staff with doctoral degrees
  • Private and government income
  • Student fee income

The output variables were:

  • Student success rates
  • Graduation rates
  • Weighted research output units per permanent staff member

The Red cluster constitutes the top research-intensive universities. The Blue cluster consists of institutions focused primarily on technical training, while the Green cluster includes institutions which show characteristics of both missions. The clusters are:[19]

South African University Clusters
Red Cluster Green Cluster Blue Cluster
Top Research-Intensive Universities Technical Training Research-Intensive Universities & Technical Training
University of the Witwatersrand University of the Free State Vaal University of Technology
Stellenbosch University University of KwaZulu-Natal Central University of Technology
University of Cape Town North-West University Durban University of Technology
University of Pretoria University of Fort Hare Mangosuthu University of Technology
Rhodes University University of Limpopo Tshwane University of Technology
University of the Western Cape Cape Peninsula University of Technology
University of Johannesburg University of Venda
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Walter Sisulu University
University of Zululand

Rankings

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In part because of the inherent difficulty of ranking complex educational institutions, there are an expanding number of competing international university ranking schemes, each with a different emphasis. Four of the most prominent are the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (most widely accepted), The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), QS World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, sometimes referred to as the "Shanghai Rankings").

Times Higher Education World University rankings

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Top 10 South African University By World Ranking According To Times Higher Education

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked the top South African universities as follows:[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]

Times Higher Education 2011 to 2024 South Africa Rank
SA Rank University World Rank
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
1 University of Cape Town 167 160 183 155 136 136 171 148 120 124 126 126 103 107
=2 Stellenbosch University 301–350 251–300 251–300 251–300 251–300 251–300 351–400 401-500 301-350 276-300 301-350 301-350 251-275 -
=2 University of the Witwatersrand 301–350 251–300 251–300 201–250 194 194 251–300 182 201-250 251-275 226-250 226-250 251-275 -
4 University of Johannesburg 401–500 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601-800 - - - - - -
=5 University of KwaZulu-Natal 501–600 401–500 351–400 351–400 401–500 401–500 401–500 501-600 401-500 - - - - -
=5 University of Pretoria 501–600 801–1000 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601-800 501-600 - - - - -
=7 North-West University 601–800 601–800 501–600 501–600 501–600 501–600 - - - - - - - -
=7 University of the Western Cape 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601–800 601-800 - - - - - -
=9 University of the Free State 801–1000 801–1000 - - - - - - - - - - - -
=9 Rhodes University - 801–1000 - - - - - - - - - - - -
=11 Durban University of Technology 1001–1200 501–600 401–500 401–500 - - - - - - - - - -
=11 University of South Africa 1001–1200 1001–1200 801–1000 1001+ 1001+ 1001+ 801–1000 801+ 601-800 - - - - -
=13 University of Venda 1201–1500 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
=13 Tshwane University of Technology 1201–1500 - 1001–1200 1001+ 801–1000 801–1000 - - - - - - - -
=13 Cape Peninsula University of Technology 1201–1500 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
=13 University of Fort Hare - 1201–1500 - - - - - - - - - - - -

QS World University rankings

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Top 10 South African University By World Ranking According To QS

QS World University Rankings ranked the top South African universities as follows (before 2010 the ranking was known as the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings):[34]

QS World University 2006 to 2024 South Africa Rank
SA Rank University World Rank
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
1 University of Cape Town 173 237 226 220 198 200 191 191 171 141 145 154 161 146 176 200 257
2 University of Witwatersrand 264 428 424 403 400 381 364 359 331 318 313 363 360 321 319 282 322
3 Stellenbosch University 283 454 482 456 427 405 361 395 401-410 390 387 401- 450 - - - - -
4 University of Johannesburg 306 412 434 439 501-510 551-560 601-650 601-650 601-650 601-650 601-650 - - - - - -
5 University of Pretoria 323 591-600 601-650 561-570 551-560 561-570 501-550 551-600 501-550 471-480 471-480 501-550 451–500 401–500 501–600 469 509
6 University of Kwazulu-Natal 621-630 801-1000 801-1000 801-1000 801-1000 751-800 701-750 651-700 551-600 501-550 501-550 551-600 501–550 501–600 401–500 487 484
7 North-West University 801-850 1001-1200 1001-1200 1001+ 1001+ 801-1000 801-1000 701+ 701+ - - - - - - - -
8 University of South Africa 851-900 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9 Rhodes University 901-950 801-1000 801-1000 801-1000 801-1000 801-1000 701-750 551-600 501-550 601-650 551-600 - - - - - -
10 University of the Western Cape 951-1000 1001-1200 1001-1200 1001+ 801-1000 801-1000 801-1000 701+ 701+ - - - - - - - -
11 University of the Free State 1001-1200 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ARWU/Shanghai

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Top 10 South African University By World Ranking According To ARWU

The Academic Ranking of World Universities has ranked the top South African universities as follows:

ARWU/Shanghai 2003 to 2024 South Africa Rank
SA rank University World Rank
2023[35] 2022[36] 2021[37] 2020[38] 2019[39] 2018[40] 2017[41] 2016[42] 2015[43] 2014[44] 2013[45] 2012[46] 2011 2010[47] 2009[48] 2008[49] 2007[50] 2006[51] 2005[52] 2004[53] 2003[54]
1 University of Cape Town 201-300 201-300 201-300 201-300 201-300 201-300 301-400 201-300 201-300 201–300 201–300 201–300 201–300 201–300 201–302 201–302 203–304 201–300 203–300 202–301 251–300
2 University of the Witwatersrand 301-400 301-400 301-400 201-300 201-300 301-400 201-300 201-300 201-300 201–300 301–400 301–400 301–400 301–400 303–401 303–401 305–402 301–400 301–400 302–403 451–500
=3 Stellenbosch University 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401–500 401–500 401–500 401–500 401–500 402–501 402–503 403–510 401–500 401–500 404–502 451–500
=3 University of Pretoria 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 401-500 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
=5 North-West University 501-600 601-700 601-700 601-700 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
=5 University of Johannesburg 501-600 401-500 601-700 601-700 - - 401-500 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
=5 University of KwaZulu-Natal 501-600 501-600 601-700 501-600 401-500 - 401-500 401-500 401-500 401–500 - - - - - - - - - -
8 University of South Africa 901-1000 901-1000 601-700 801-900 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9 University of the Free State - 901-1000 901-1000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 Rhodes University - - - 901-1000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Note: These are the only ranked South African universities.

Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

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The CWUR ranked the top South African Universities as follows:[55][56]

2024 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)
SA Rank University 2024[57]
1 University of Cape Town 271
2 University of the Witwatersrand 291
3 Stellenbosch University 440
4 University of KwaZulu-Natal 483
5 University of Pretoria 538
6 University of Johannesburg 624
7 North-West University 869
8 University of the Free State 1127
9 University of Western Cape 1154
10 University of South Africa 1293
11 Rhodes University 1321
12 Nelson Mandela University 1707
13 Tshwane University of Technology 1959

Round University Ranking (RUR)

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2024 Round University Ranking (RUR)
SA Rank University 2024[58]
1 University of Cape Town 176
2 University of Witwatersrand 396
3 University of KwaZulu Natal 442
4 Stellenbosch University 458
5 University of Johannesburg 490
6 University of Pretoria 503
7 University of South Africa 683

U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking (USNWR Global‌)

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2024 USNWR Global‌ Rankings
SA Rank University 2024[59]
1 University of Cape Town 116
2 University of Witwatersrand 264
3 Stellenbosch University 311
4 University of Johannesburg 357
5 University of Kwazulu Natal 401
6 University of Pretoria 439
7 North West University 540
8 University of the Western Cape 726
9 University of South Africa 861
10 University of the Free State 912
11 Rhodes University 953
12 Tshwane University of Technology 1181
13 Durban University of Technology 1223
14 Nelson Mandela University 1268
15 University of Limpopo 2182
16 University of Venda Unranked

Scimago Global‌ Rankings

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2024 Scimago Global‌ University Rankings
SA Rank University 2024[60]
1 University of Cape Town 838
2 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 1247
3 Stellenbosch University 1295
4 University of Pretoria 1297
5 University of KwaZulu-Natal * 1354
6 University of Johannesburg 1699
7 North-West University 2201
8 University of South Africa 2779
9 University of the Western Cape 3498
10 University of the Free State 4236
11 Tshwane University of Technology 4691
12 University of Fort Hare 4865
13 Rhodes University 5258
14 Durban University of Technology 5769
15 University of Venda 5959
16 Walter Sisulu University 5969
17 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 5994
18 Cape Peninsula University of Technology 6246
19 University of Limpopo 6884
20 Central University of Technology, Free State 7065
21 University of Zululand 7105
22 Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 7294
23 Vaal University of Technology 7811

University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP)

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URAP, which is a newer ranking scheme based solely on quantitative measures of academic productivity, includes data for a larger number of global universities, and thus gives an alternative view of the relative standing of more South African institutions. The 2020-2021 edition of URAP ranked the top South African Universities as follows:[61]

2024 URAP University Rankings
SA Rank University 2024[60]
1 University of Cape Town 243
2 University of Witwatersrand 340
3 Stellenbosch University 362
4 University of Kwazulu Natal 371
5 University of Johannesburg 467
6 University of Pretoria 475
7 North West University 589
8 University of the Free State 884
9 University of South Africa 970
10 University of the Western Cape 1048
11 Rhodes University 1298
12 Durban University of Technology 1328
13 Tshwane University of Technology 1392
14 Nelson Mandela University 1432
15 University of Fort Hare 1952
16 Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 2229
17 University of Venda 2255
18 Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2365
19 University of Limpopo 2420
20 Walter Sisulu University 2653
21 University of Zululand 2735
22 Vaal University of Technology (VUT) 2938

Admission Rates

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University Admissions in South Africa are highly competitive. South Africa boasts many universities renowned for their quality education and research opportunities. The limited number of spots available and growing demand for tertiary education, creates high competition among matric students.

South African Universities have some of the lowest admission rates, as only NSC Results, standardized test scores (National Benchmark Test) and demographic information play a role in determining admission.

In 2023, around 900 000 students participated in the NSC final exams, with around 570 000 students passing. South African Universities have around 140 000 spaces for first years. Applications costs range from Free to R300 ($15). Applications request your Grade 11 NSC results, Gender, Race and Additionally may require you to write the National Benchmark Test. Acceptance rates range from 1.35% to 20%[62]

University Admissions Rates in South Africa [a][b]
SA Rank University Name Applications Accepted Students Acceptance Rate Source
1 University of Cape Town 92 841 4 500 4.85% [63][64]
=2 Stellenbosch University 88 085 5 600 6.36% [65]
=2 University of the Witwatersrand 140 000 6 000 4.29% [66]
4 University of Johannesburg 283 000 10 500 3.71% [67]
=5 University of Pretoria 116 994 7 675 6.56% [68]
=5 University of Kwazulu Natal 120 000 9 000 7.50% [69]
=7 University of the Western Cape 70 000* 4 500 6.43% [70]
=7 North West University 181 000* 11 717 6.47% [71]
=9 University of the Free State 240 393* 8 100 3.37% [72]
=11 Durban University of Technology 174 925 8 564 4.90% [73]
=13 University of Fort Hare 258 726 3 500 1.35% [74][75]
=13 Tshwane University of Technology 100 000 12 549 12.55% [76]
n/a Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 67 022* 7 200 10.74% [77][78]
n/a Cape Peninsula University of Technology 72 000 9 000 12.50% [79]
n/a University of Zululand 184 021 6 085 3.31% [80]
n/a Vaal University of Technology 20 989 5 404 25.75% [81]
n/a Central University of Technology 211 186* 6 283 2.98% [82]
n/a Walter Sisulu University 304 671* 7 000 2.30% [83]
n/a University of Limpopo 200 000 5 100 2.55% [84][85]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ * University has free Applications
  2. ^ SA Rank Based on Times Higher Education World University Rankings

References

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