Top universities in South Africa 2023

Top universities in South Africa. Do you desire to pursue a top-notch education outside of the typical study-abroad locations in Europe and the US at reputable universities? The top universities in South Africa are included in this article on the “Top 10 Universities in South Africa” – “Best Universities in South Africa,” along with information on how to apply to each of them.

South Africa is a fantastic study location for international students because it is home to colleges that are well-known worldwide and provide a wide range of programs. International students who intend to pursue a degree there will find its universities to be quite hospitable and very reasonably priced.

Read: Newsweek Global Leadership Scholarships 2023

Studying in South Africa exposes you to a variety of educational opportunities. Outside of the campus, you can discover a rich historical past, unusual fauna, diverse cultures, tourist sites, delectable cuisines, and much more.

Finding the top universities in South Africa with the aid of this article may be exactly what you’re looking for if you decide to study there.

Top 10 Universities in South Africa

1. Stellenbosch University 

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Tuition fee: R92,425

Institution type: Public University

Admission Requirements

• An achievement rating of 4(50-59%) or above in four 20-credit subjects
• 30% knowledge of a South African Language of Learning and Teaching(English or Afrikaans)
• Final school credentials from International Curriculum (Cambridge International, international baccalaureate etc), including School of Tomorrow
• Applicants must also meet requirements specific to their selected programme as stipulated in the programme outline.

In Stellenbosch, South Africa, there is a well-known public institution called Stellenbosch institution. The university is ranked among the top 5 in South Africa in 2023.

Students, employees, and visitors from all over the world are welcome at SU, regardless of their background, color, social class, religion, or disability. It boasts a varied and accepting community. Through research outputs, student pass rates, and highly ranked scientists, the institution is dedicated to maintaining its standing as one of the top 20 universities in South Africa by 2023.

It offers a wide range of academic programs through its ten faculties. In South Africa, Stellenbosch is considered to be the best technical university.

2. University of the Free state

• Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa
• Tuition fee:  For enquiries on tuition, Contact: +27 51 401 9111 (select option 3) or tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za
• Institution type: Public University
• Admission Requirements
• An NSC or NCV with an endorsement qualifying the applicant for a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification is required.
• You must fulfill all minimal admission standards for the program you’ve decided to enroll in.(although, this is not a guarantee of admittance as there are limited spots).
• The minimal English criterion for admission is a 4 (50%) in English as a Home Language or as a First Additional Language for Applicants.
• The online application process must be finished by all applicants.

It is a public university with a research emphasis that is located in the center of South Africa. It was founded in 1904 as the Grey University College and is still one of South Africa’s oldest and most reputable public institutions with the greatest programs available.

Through innovative teaching, cutting-edge research, and socially significant participation, it fosters an exceptional learning environment for students’ development. The top business schools in South Africa are also there.

Also Read: Tsinghua University Schwarzman Scholarship 2023

3. University of Cape Town 

• Location: Cape Town, South Africa
• Tuition fee: R110,000
• Institution type: Public University

Admission Requirements

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC), as recognized by Umalusi, with a performance rating of 3(40-49%) or higher in four recognized NSC 20-credit topics.
• Contact the relevant faculty or the admission office for applications for undergraduate certificates.
• Applicants holding an NSC must pass a minimum of four topics in any four recognized 20-credit NSC subjects with an accomplishment rating of 4(50-59%) or above in order to be eligible for a bachelor’s degree.
• Applicants holding a South African Senior Certificate must also have a matriculation endorsement.
• Each applicant must demonstrate that they have the necessary degree of English ability.
• The computed APS of six subjects, including English and any additional subjects necessary for the applicable program but omitting Life Orientation, is also required.

Among the top 10 universities in S.A for 2023, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is placed first. It was founded in 1829 as a college and became one of South Africa’s top universities after being approved in 1918.

UCT prides itself on being an inclusive and research-intensive university that addresses challenges in a variety of fields, including climate change, race, religion, politics, safety and security, education, and health, making it one of the best universities in South Africa for medicine. UCT has a high acceptance rate for international students.

Additionally, it features a vibrant and varied community of gifted students, employees, and researchers who are dedicated to changing the University for the better and keeping academic greatness there. It is also regarded as one of South Africa’s top law schools.

Read Also: UAL International Postgraduate Scholarships 2023

4. Rhodes University

Location: Grahamstown, South Africa

Tuition fee: R29,900

Institution type: Public University

Admission Requirements

• You must meet all faculty subject and percentage requirements in order to be eligible to study for a bachelor’s degree in Rhodes.
• Prospective students must earn at least an achievement level of 4 (50-59%) in English language proficiency.
• To receive a Bachelor’s pass status, applicants must pass seven subjects—four of which are mandatory (two languages, life orientation, and either mathematics or mathematical literacy)—and three of their choosing from a list of suggested courses supplied by the institution. with a 4 (50–59%) or higher achievement grade.
• Candidates from outside of the European Union must submit an APS score of 40 or higher in order to be considered for admission to Rhodes University; those with scores between 37 and 39 will also be taken into consideration if there are openings.

One of the top universities in South Africa, Rhodes University enjoys a solid reputation for academic quality.

With a little over 8000 students, Rhodes is a modest institution. Popular South African universities that offer medical degrees take pride in their high undergraduate and postgraduate success rates and greatest research output per academic staff member.

5. University of Western Cape

• Location: Cape Town, South Africa
• Tuition fee: Upon request
• Institution type: Public University
• Admission Requirements

1. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Bachelor’s pass with an achievement rating of 4(50-59%) is required for applicants.
2. Additionally, candidates must obtain the minimum amount of points necessary for their chosen program.
3. In the case of postgraduate programs, you can also petition for exemption using the USAf Application for Exemption Process or request that SAQA evaluate your foreign credentials.
4. An English code 4 in Home or First Additional Language is required of applicants. A code 3 in a different residence or first foreign language.

It was founded in 1959 and is one of the top universities in South Africa for medicine, focusing on research-driven learning and retaining its tradition of social justice, community engagement, and graduate employability.

One of the top 20 universities in South Africa for 2013 is the University of the Western Cape. It is dedicated to academic and research excellence, as well as to enhancing its unique contribution to the creation of a vibrant and culturally varied society.

Read: TDTU International Graduate Scholarship 2023

6. University of Johannesburg

In the cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg, there is a thriving, multicultural, and energetic public university called the University of Johannesburg (UJ). It is one of South Africa’s biggest contact universities.

UJ is a diverse, inclusive, transformative, and collegial school with a student body of over 50000, more than 3000 of whom are international students from 80 different countries, making it one of the greatest engineering universities in South Africa.

• Location: Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Tuition fee: on request
• Institution type: Public University

Admission Requirements

• A South African National Senior Certificate with a degree endorsement is required of South African applicants.
• To be eligible for an undergraduate degree, applicants with international high school diplomas must get a certificate of exemption from the Matriculation Board of South Africa.
• International applicants will be considered for admission based on the University and Faculty admission standards outlined in the University of Johannesburg’s Admission policy.
• Candidates from abroad must submit.
• A fully filled out online application form, the required documentation, and an R200 non-refundable application cost.
• Documents issued in any language other than English must have an official English translation.
• Present one of the aforementioned records.
• A current passport or
• Identification Card or
• Birth Registration

FAQs on Top universities in South Africa

Recommended for you:

• Google Generation Scholarship 2023
• University of Miami Bachelors Scholarship 2023
• Seoul University Scholarship 2023
• Steve Weston and Trust Scholarships for International Students 2023
• University of Pretoria Masters degree (LLM/MPhil) in Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Africa 2024