List of Universities in South Africa in 2023

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South Africa is home to a diverse range of universities that offer a wide variety of degree programs to students. These universities are spread across the country and provide students with the opportunity to pursue higher education close to home.

To help students navigate the many options available to them, we have compiled a list of some of the most well-known universities in South Africa.

  1. University of Cape Town: Established in 1829, the University of Cape Town is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in South Africa. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as arts and sciences, engineering, health sciences, and commerce.
  2. Stellenbosch University: Founded in 1918, Stellenbosch University is a research-intensive university located in the Western Cape province. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  3. University of Pretoria: The University of Pretoria is a research-intensive university located in the city of Pretoria. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, natural and agricultural sciences, and humanities.
  4. University of the Witwatersrand: The University of the Witwatersrand, also known as Wits University, is a research-intensive university located in Johannesburg. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  5. University of Johannesburg: The University of Johannesburg is a research-intensive university located in the city of Johannesburg. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, natural and agricultural sciences, and humanities.
  6. University of KwaZulu-Natal: The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a research-intensive university located in Durban, Kwazulu Natal. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  7. University of the Free State: The University of the Free State is a research-intensive university located in Bloemfontein, Free State. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  8. University of the Western Cape: The University of the Western Cape is a research-intensive university located in Bellville, Western Cape. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  9. University of the North West: The University of the North West is a research-intensive university located in Mafikeng, North West. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  10. University of Limpopo: The University of Limpopo is a research-intensive university located in Polokwane, Limpopo. It offers a wide range of degree programs in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, and science.
  11. Rhodes University: Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was founded in 1904 and named after Cecil Rhodes, the British mining magnate and politician.
  12. Nelson Mandela University: Nelson Mandela University (NMU) is a public university located in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was founded in 2005 and named after Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields, including engineering, health sciences, law, management, and humanities. NMU has a strong commitment to research and innovation, and is known for its focus on community engagement and social responsibility.
  13. University of South Africa: The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a distance learning and open university located in Pretoria, South Africa. It is the largest university on the African continent and one of the oldest open universities in the world. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields such as commerce, law, engineering, science, and education. UNISA is known for its flexible and accessible education, catering to a wide range of students and providing distance learning opportunities. The university has a strong focus on research and community engagement.
  14. North-West University: North-West University (NWU) is a multi-campus public university located in the North West province of South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields such as law, engineering, health sciences, management and education. NW is one of the largest universities in the province and known for its strong research focus and a strong commitment to community engagement.
  15. University of Venda: University of Venda (Univen) is a public university located in Thohoyandou, Limpopo province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as natural and agricultural sciences, education, humanities, and social sciences. Univen is known for its focus on rural development and community engagement, and it is also regarded as one of the leading institutions in the field of indigenous knowledge systems.
  16. University of Zululand: University of Zululand (UniZulu) is a public university located in KwaDlangezwa, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as education, science, engineering, management and humanities. UniZulu is known for its strong focus on rural development, community engagement and its commitment to providing education and research opportunities to underprivileged communities.
  17. University of Fort Hare: University of Fort Hare (UFH) is a public university located in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It was established in 1916 and it is one of the oldest universities in the country. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as natural and agricultural sciences, engineering, law, management and humanities. UFH is known for its focus on research and innovation and it is also known for its strong commitment to social justice and community engagement.
  18. University of Mpumalanga: University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is a public university located in Mbombela, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education, and humanities. UMP is known for its strong commitment to community engagement and rural development, it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region.
  19. Walter Sisulu University: Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is a public university located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as health sciences, engineering, management, education, and humanities. WSU is known for its strong focus on community engagement and rural development, it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university is named after the South African anti-apartheid activist Walter Sisulu.
  20. University of Technology, Free State: University of Technology, Free State (UTFS) is a public university located in Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education, and humanities. UTFS is known for its strong focus on research and innovation, it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
  21. Mangosuthu University of Technology: Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is a public university located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. MUT is known for its strong focus on vocational and technical education and it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university is named after South African political leader and anti-apartheid activist, Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
  22. Tshwane University of Technology: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is a public university located in Pretoria, Gauteng province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. TUT is known for its strong focus on vocational and technical education and it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
  23. Vaal University of Technology: Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is a public university located in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. VUT is known for its strong focus on vocational and technical education and it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
  24. Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is a public university located in Cape Town, Western Cape province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. CPUT is known for its strong focus on vocational and technical education, it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and it is one of the leading technical universities in the country.
  25. Durban University of Technology: Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a public university located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. DUT is known for its strong focus on vocational and technical education, it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and it is one of the leading technical universities in the country.
  26. Central University of Technology, Free State: Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is a public university located in Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. CUT is known for its strong focus on vocational and technical education and it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and it is one of the leading technical universities in the country.
  27. Sol Plaatje University: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is a public university located in Kimberley, Northern Cape province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as engineering, health sciences, management, education and humanities. SPU is known for its strong focus on rural development and community engagement and it is also regarded as one of the leading institutions in the field of indigenous knowledge systems. It also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region.
  28. University of the Eastern Cape: University of the Eastern Cape (UEC) is a public university located in East London, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in fields such as natural and agricultural sciences, engineering, law, management, and humanities. UEC is known for its strong focus on rural development and community engagement and it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university has a strong focus on social justice, equity and transformation.
  29. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is a public university located in Pretoria, Gauteng province, South Africa. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in health sciences such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other health-related disciplines. SMU is known for its strong focus on research and innovation in the health sciences field, it also provides distance education opportunities for students in the region. The university is named after Sefako Makgatho, a prominent South African political leader and anti-apartheid activist.