How many public universities are in South Africa?

1) Introduction

The government of South Africa has established several public universities. These institutions provide students with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as research study opportunities. Many of South Africa's public universities are located within the country's nine provinces and in various metropolitan cities. In this eight-minute article, you will learn about the number of public universities in South Africa, their names and locations, the country's top ten best African universities, and answers a few frequently inquired questions.

2) South Africa has how many public universities?

This section contains information on the number of public universities in South Africa. The terms "colleges" and "universities" will refer to accredited post-secondary institutions that grant degrees by this article. Only public institutions that grant degrees are given university status in South Africa, whereas all accredited private higher learning institutions are referred to as colleges, higher education institutes, or business schools. South Africa has 26 public universities, some of which are academically excellent, affordable, and have high academic standards. These universities have a reasonably priced tuition due to the country’s favourable currency exchange rate and the high standard of living in South Africa. Except for Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, each of South Africa's nine (9) provinces has at least one of the country's 26 universities, according to Universities South Africa.

2.1 South Africa's 26 public universities are listed below.

1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT); Western Cape province, City of Cape Town, Bellville, Symphony Way 7535.

2. Central University of Technology (CUT); Free State province, Bloemfontein, Westdene, 1 Park Rd, 9310.

3. Durban Institute of Technology (DUT); KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Grayville, M L Sultan Rd, 4001 & Pietermaritzburg, Scottsville, 19 Aberfeldy Street, 3201.

4. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT); KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Umlazi, 511 Griffiths Mxenge Highway, 4031.

5. Nelson Mandela University (NMU); Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, university Highway, 6031.

6. North-West University (NWU); the province of North-West, Potchefstroom, 53 Borcherd Street, 2531 with two more campuses in Mahikeng & Vanderbijlpark.

7. Rhodes University; Eastern Cape province, Grahamstown, Drosty Rd, 6139

8. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU); the province of Gauteng, Pretoria, Ga-Rankuwa, Molotlegi Street, 0208.

9. Sol Plaatje University (SPU); Northern Cape province, Kimberley, Chapel St & Bultfontein Rd, 8301.

10. Stellenbosch University (SU); Western Cape, Stellenbosch, 7599.

11. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); Gauteng, Pretoria, Staatsartillerie Rd, 0183.

12. University of Cape Town (UCT); Western Cape province, City of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700.

13. University of Fort Hare (UFH); Eastern Cape province, Alice, Ring Rd, 5700.

14. University of the Free State (UFS); Free State province, Bloemfontein, 205 Nelson Mandela Dr, Park West, 9301.

15. University of Johannesburg (UJ); Gauteng, Johannesburg, Pimville, Chris Hani Rd, 1850.

16. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); KwaZulu- Natal, Durban, King George V Ave 4041 & Pietermaritzburg, Scottsville, King Edward Ave, 3209.

17. University of Limpopo (UL); the province of Limpopo, Polokwane, Mankweng Township, C/O R71 Tzaneen Road, and University Street, 0727.

18. University of Mpumalanga (UMP); Mpumalanga province, Mbombela, Cnr R40 and D725 Rd, 1200.

19. University of Pretoria (UP); Gauteng, Pretoria, Hatfield, Lynnwood Rd, 0002.

20. University of South Africa (UNISA); All over South Africa with headquarters in Gauteng, Pretoria, Muckleneuk, Preller St, 0002.

21. University of Venda (UNIVEN); Limpopo province, Thohoyandou, University Rd, 0905.

22. University of the Western Cape (UWC); Western Cape, City of Cape Town, Bellville, Robert Sobukwe Rd, 7535.

23. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Gauteng province, Johannesburg, Braamfontein, Richard Ward, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, 2000.

24. University of Zululand (UniZulu); the province of KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay, Arboretum, Corner Guldengracht & East Arterial Roads, 3900.

25. Vaal University of Technology (VUT); Gauteng, Vanderbijlpark, Andries Potgieter Blvd, 1900.

26. Walter Sisulu University (WUSU); Eastern Cape, Mthatha, Nelson Mandela Dr, 5100.

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) system is expected to expand and provide for an additional university focused on crime detection and will be based in Pretoria, Hammanskraal, as well as a university focused on science and AI innovation to be located Gauteng, Ekurhuleni metropolitan, over the next five years (2022-2027). This will eventually bring the total number of public universities in South Africa to at least 28. (28).

3. Which are the Top public universities in South Africa

South Africa began reforming its public higher education system in 2004 by merging and incorporating small public universities into larger institutions and renaming all higher education institutions "universities." This has benefited the country's education system; to date, university rankings in South Africa are largely based on international university rankings, indicating that the country's university system is the strongest on the African continent. South Africa is home to five of Africa's top six universities, which are ranked based on their academic and research quality, but also their annual overall performance.

Because international university ranking is a competitive field in which each ranking scheme employs its own unique set of metrics. The following is a list of the top ten South African public universities in 2022, based on the most widely accepted Times Higher Education World University Rankings:

1) University of Cape Town (UCT)- This university, located in the city of Cape Town, Western Cape, was founded in 1826 and is South Africa's oldest university. According to the Times, this university is ranked first in South Africa and fifth in the world.

2) University of Witwatersrand (Wits)- Wits University was established in 1896 and is currently offering over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The Times Higher Education ranks Wits second place in South Africa and 201st globally.

3) Stellenbosch University (SU)- Founded in 1918 and granted university status in 1959. Stallies/SU counts amongst the best universities globally based on their research output and impact factors. Stellenbosch is ranked #3 in South Africa and #251 out of 300 universities worldwide by Time Higher Education.

4) University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)- Founded in 2004, it is the largest university in the KwaZulu-Natal province, with five campuses located in Westville, Howard College, Empangeni, Overberg, and Stanger. According to the Times, UKZN is ranked fourth in South Africa and third in the world (351/400).

5) Durban University of Technology (DUT)- Was established in the year 2002 as a result of the merger of Technikon Natal and the Durban Institute of Technology. According to the Times Higher Education rankings, DUT is ranked fifth in South Africa and 401st out of 500 universities in the worldwide.

6) North-West University (NWU)- Founded in 2004 and now serves over 30,000 students through 18 discipline faculties, 4 colleges, and 11 institutes. To name a few, the university's research activities in agriculture sciences, environmental sciences, medicine, health sciences, engineering technology, and MBA have earned it international recognition. NWU is ranked sixth in South Africa and 501st out of 600 universities worldwide.

7) University of Johannesburg (UJ)- UJ was founded in 2005 and has grown to become a highly admired public institution of higher learning with over 30,000 students enrolled each year. UJ also host several research centres on campus that support its many of their academic departments. Times Higher Education ranks UJ #7 in the world and #601/800 globally.

8) University of Pretoria (UP)- Was founded in 1908 and is considered to be one of South Africa's most prestigious public university, UP is consistently ranked amongst the top 200 universities in the world. The Times Higher Education ranks UP #7 in South Africa, alongside UJ and UCW, and #601/800 worldwide.

9) University of the Western Cape (UWC)- Was established in 1959 and has a student population of over 26,000 students enrolled. UWC had a strong reputation for research, teaching, and sports. UWC is ranked #7 in South Africa, together with UP and UJ, and #601/800 globally.

10) University of South Africa (Unisa)- Unisa is Africa's largest distance education university, attracting one-third of all higher education students in the country. The university was founded in 1873 and has over 300,000 students enrolled. It is ranked #10 in South Africa along with TUT and #1000+ globally.

Conclusion

According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, there are approximately 164 accredited institutions of higher learning in South Africa (DHET) both private and public. 26 of the 64 accredited institutions are South African public universities, which are ranked amongst the best in the African continent and in around the globally. South Africa public universities are also the least inexpensive public institutions of higher learning in Africa and while they hold a high academic standard.