The best universities in Africa are determined by rankings published by Times Higher Education, QS World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities, and other higher education related organizations. These rankings are based on factors such as academic reputation, research output, student-faculty ratio, and international outlook.
10. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) is a public university located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It was founded in 1963 as the Dar es Salaam Medical School and later became an independent university in 2007. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various health and allied sciences fields such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and biomedical sciences. MUHAS has six faculties, namely the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Public Health and Social Sciences, and the Directorate of Research and Publications. Each faculty has several departments that offer various programs.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, MUHAS is ranked 801-1000 in the world and 27th in Africa.
9. University Of Lagos
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is a federal university located in Lagos, Nigeria. It was founded in 1962 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Nigeria. The university has several faculties and departments, including the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, and the College of Medicine.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, UNILAG is ranked 401–500 in the world and 9th in Africa.
8. University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a public research university located in Durban, South Africa. It was founded in 2004 through the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. The university has five campuses located in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has several faculties including the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, and the Faculty of Law and Management. Additionally, there are several departments such as the Department of Psychology, Department of History, Department of Mathematics, and Department of Chemistry.
Rank:
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, the University of KwaZulu-Natal is ranked 401–500 in the world and 8th in Africa.
7. University Of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is a public research university located in Ibadan, Nigeria. It was founded in 1948 as the University College of Ibadan, and it became an independent university in 1962. The university is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Nigeria and in West Africa.
The University of Ibadan has several faculties including the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Technology, and Faculty of Law. Additionally, there are several departments such as the Department of Medicine, Department of Political Science, Department of Economics, and Department of English.
Ranking:
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, the University of Ibadan is ranked 7th in Africa and 401-500 in the world.
6. Ferhat Abbas Sétif University 1
Ferhat Abbas Sétif University, also known as University of Sétif 1, is a public university located in Sétif, Algeria. It was founded in 1978 and was named after Ferhat Abbas, an Algerian politician and writer who served as the first President of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic.
The university has several faculties including the Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Economic, Commercial and Management Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Science, and Faculty of Letters and Languages. Additionally, there are several departments such as the Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics, Department of Computer Science, and Department of Foreign Languages.
Ranking:
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, Ferhat Abbas Sétif University is ranked 6th in Africa and 401–500 in the world.
5. Aswan University
Aswan University is a public university located in Aswan, Egypt. It was founded in 2012 as part of the government’s plan to establish new universities in underdeveloped areas of the country. The university has several faculties including the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Additionally, there are several departments such as the Department of Computer Science, Department of Physics, and Department of Mathematics.
Ranking:
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, Aswan University is ranked 5th in Africa and 401–500 in the world.
4. University of Cape Coast (UCC)
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is a public university located in Cape Coast, Ghana. It was founded in 1962 as a university college and was granted full university status in 1971. The university is located in the Central Region of Ghana and has several faculties and departments, including: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Business, School of Agriculture.
Ranking:
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, the University of Cape Coast is ranked 4th in Africa and 351–400 in the world.
3. University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (WITS)
The University of the Witwatersrand, also known as WITS University, is a public research university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was founded in 1896 and is of top universities in Africa. WITS offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science. The university is known for its strong focus on research excellence and innovation, as well as its commitment to social justice and equality.
Ranking;
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (WITS) is currently ranked 3rd in Africa and 201-250 in the world.
2. Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Stellenbosch University is a public research university located in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was founded in 1918 and is one of the oldest universities in South Africa. Stellenbosch University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across 10 faculties, including Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Science. The university is known for its research excellence, particularly in the fields of agriculture, viticulture, and wine-making.
Ranking;
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, Stellenbosch University is ranked 251-300 globally and 8th in Africa.
1. University of Cape Town, South Africa
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town, South Africa. It was founded in 1829 and is the oldest university in South Africa. UCT offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various faculties, including Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, and Graduate School of Business.
However, the University of Cape Town is consistently ranked as the top university in Africa due to its high-quality education, research output, and international reputation.
Ranking;
The University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa is currently ranked as the best university in Africa, according to the QS World University Rankings 2023. Its global rank is 220.