South African Universities

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Quick Stats

Total Universities26
Provinces Covered9
Public Universities26
UCT
Cape Town, Western Cape

Leading research university in Africa, consistently ranked as the top university in Africa.

29,000+ studentsEst. 1829
Wits
Johannesburg, Gauteng

Premier research university known for excellence in mining, engineering, and business.

40,000+ studentsEst. 1922
UP
Pretoria, Gauteng

One of South Africa's largest universities with strong programs in veterinary science and engineering.

53,000+ studentsEst. 1908
UFS
Bloemfontein, Free State

Comprehensive university known for its medical school and agricultural programs.

37,000+ studentsEst. 1904
NMU
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Comprehensive university with strong focus on sustainability and social justice.

27,000+ studentsEst. 2005
UFH
Alice, Eastern Cape

Historic university known as the "Oxford of Africa", alma mater of many African leaders.

13,000+ studentsEst. 1916
UKZN
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Comprehensive university with strong research focus and multiple campuses across KZN.

47,000+ studentsEst. 2004
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Leading research university known for wine studies, engineering, and business programs.

32,000+ studentsEst. 1918
NWU
Potchefstroom, North West

Multi-campus university with strong programs in education, law, and natural sciences.

64,000+ studentsEst. 2004
Rhodes
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape

Small research university known for journalism, pharmacy, and liberal arts programs.

8,500+ studentsEst. 1904
Limpopo
Polokwane, Limpopo

Comprehensive university serving the northern regions with focus on health sciences.

20,000+ studentsEst. 2005
UNIVEN
Thohoyandou, Limpopo

Rural university with strong community focus and agricultural programs.

16,000+ studentsEst. 1982
UWC
Cape Town, Western Cape

Historically disadvantaged university with strong programs in law, dentistry, and social sciences.

20,000+ studentsEst. 1960
CPUT
Cape Town, Western Cape

University of technology focusing on applied sciences, engineering, and business.

32,000+ studentsEst. 2005
TUT
Pretoria, Gauteng

Large university of technology with multiple campuses offering career-focused programs.

60,000+ studentsEst. 2004
VUT
Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng

University of technology specializing in engineering, applied sciences, and management.

21,000+ studentsEst. 1966
CUT
Bloemfontein, Free State

University of technology focusing on applied research and technology transfer.

13,000+ studentsEst. 1981
DUT
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

University of technology with strong programs in engineering, health sciences, and arts.

31,000+ studentsEst. 2002
MUT
Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal

University of technology serving the KwaZulu-Natal region with practical programs.

12,000+ studentsEst. 1979
WSU
Mthatha, Eastern Cape

Comprehensive university serving rural Eastern Cape communities.

27,000+ studentsEst. 2005
SMU
Pretoria, Gauteng

Specialized health sciences university focusing on medical and health-related programs.

4,000+ studentsEst. 2015
Sol
Kimberley, Northern Cape

New comprehensive university serving the Northern Cape region.

2,500+ studentsEst. 2014
UNISA
Pretoria, Gauteng

Africa's largest distance education university serving students across the continent.

400,000+ studentsEst. 1873
UNIZULU
KwaDlangezwa, KwaZulu-Natal

Comprehensive university serving rural KwaZulu-Natal with diverse programs.

16,000+ studentsEst. 1960
UJ
Johannesburg, Gauteng

Large comprehensive university formed from merger, offering diverse programs.

50,000+ studentsEst. 2005
UMP
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

New comprehensive university serving the Mpumalanga province.

4,000+ studentsEst. 2014