Complete List of Universities in South Africa
South Africa is known for world-class quality education, and students world-wide flock to South Africa to study. There are many universities available, and selecting the right university with the right qualification can be the key to a better future.
Choosing a university is one of the most significant decisions you will make regarding your education. It can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start or don’t know which South African university to choose.
This is why we have created a list of all the universities in South Africa to help you. If you are deciding which university to attend, this list should help you choose the right one for your studies.
Table of Contents
Remote university in South Africa
The University of South Africa
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the oldest and largest university in Africa. It was established in Cape Town but is now based in Pretoria and offers correspondence courses in both English and Afrikaans. The flexibility of UNISA enables students to work while they further their tertiary education. UNISA provides internationally accredited qualifications and has world-class resources that attract nearly a third of all South African students, inspiring learners to create meaningful futures – on their terms.
Visit The University of South Africa’s website to learn more about what you can study online.
Universities in the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a public university located in Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.
UWC is a research-led, learning and teaching African university that strives to be a quality institute where students can grow. The University of the Western Cape is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, research and to developing the cultural diversity of South Africa.
Visit The University of the Western Cape’s website to learn more about studying at UWC.
The University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT is a leading research university in Africa that inspires creativity through learning and discovery.
UCT is South Africa’s oldest university. Established in 1829, it has maintained a proud tradition of academic excellence, which today sees it ranked among the world’s leading teaching and research institutes.
Visit The University of the Cape Town’s website to learn more about studying at UCT.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University (SU) is a public research university situated in Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Stellenbosch University strives to create a welcoming campus culture that will make all students, staff, and visitors feel at home. Stellenbosch University faculties include AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Military Sciences, Science, Theology and School for Data Science and Computational Thinking.
Visit Stellenbosch University’s website to learn more about life at Maties.
Universities in Gauteng
The University of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa and one of the largest residential universities in South Africa.
UJ offers world-class academic programmes designed to prepare students for the world of work and global citizenship. The University of Johannesburg is a vibrant, multicultural and dynamic institution and shares the pace and energy of its home city, cosmopolitan Johannesburg.
Visit the University of Johannesburg’s website to learn more about the options they offer.
The University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, more commonly known as Wits University, is a multi-campus South African public research university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg.
The University has five faculties encompassing the Sciences, Commerce, Law, Management, Engineering, Health Sciences and Humanities with 33 schools offering over 3000 courses.
Visit the University of Witwatersrand’s website to learn more about what they offer.
The University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria. The University of Pretoria offers a high quality of teaching, learning and research expertise across all nine of its faculties, including South Africa’s only Faculty of Veterinary Science and Africa’s top Faculty of Law and business school.
Visit the University of Pretoria’s website to learn more about the degrees they offer.
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is one of 3 newly established universities in South Africa. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University was established in 2014 as a comprehensive health sciences university and is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the metropolis of Pretoria.
Their current academic offering is divided into five schools: School of Health Care Sciences; School of Medicine; School of Oral Health Sciences; School of Pharmacy; and School of Sciences & Technology.
Visit the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University’s website to learn more about what you can study.
Universities in Mpumalanga
University of Mpumalanga
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is in Mbombela, South Africa. It was established in 2013, originally housing 146 students in three programmes, namely Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase Teaching), Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Development and Diploma in ICT. The University of Mpumalanga now offers 26 qualifications.
Visit the University of Mpumalanga’s website to see more about what they offer.
Universities in KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has five campuses located in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. As an institution of higher learning, it is committed to academic excellence, innovative research and critical engagement with society. UKZN has an international reputation for academic excellence and outstanding research output.
Visit the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s website to learn more about studying at UKZN.
University of Zululand
The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is the only tertiary educational institution north of the Tugela River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The University of Zululand offers around 252 accredited degrees, diplomas and certificate courses across the faculties of Arts; Education; Science and Agriculture; and Commerce, Administration and Law.
Visit the University of Zululand’s website to read more about life at the university.
Universities in the Eastern Cape
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Established in 1904, it is the province’s oldest university and is one of only four universities in the region. Rhodes has six faculties: Humanities, Commerce, Law, Science, Education and Pharmacy.
Visit Rhodes University’s website to learn more about the degrees they offer.
University of Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) is a public university in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa and is South Africa’s leading institution in Agricultural Sciences.
The University of Fort Hare has five faculties: Education; Science & Agriculture; Social Sciences & Humanities; Management & Commerce; Law.
Visit The University of Fort Hare’s website to learn more about their offering
Walter Sisulu University
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is a university of technology and science in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. As one of six comprehensive universities in South Africa, WSU is a developmental university focusing on urban renewal and rural development by responding to the socio-economic needs of community, commerce and industry through science, technology and innovation.
Visit Walter Sisulu University’s website to discover more about what you can study.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is a South African tertiary education institution with its central administration in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth.
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University has already established itself as a leader in automotive engineering, ecology, marine sciences, community health, the built environment, art and design, accounting and auditing, education, and IT. Still, it also offers students an even wider choice of stimulating and market-orientated courses, opening up various career opportunities.
Visit Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s website to learn more about what you can study.
Universities in the North-West
North-West University
The North-West University (NWU) is a public research university with three campuses, in Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark in South Africa.
Some of their faculties have institutes that offer short courses, other types of skills development and various community and commercial services. The North-West University focuses on economic sciences, commerce, information technology, education, social science, languages and the humanities.
Visit North-West University’s website to see more of what they provide.
Universities in Limpopo
University of Limpopo
The University of Limpopo (UL) is a public university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Campus is northwest of Pretoria, focuses on its communities’ developmental needs, and outlines academic excellence and innovativeness.
The faculties span the following disciplines: Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Agriculture, Management, and Law.
Visit the University of Limpopo’s website to discover more about what you can study.
The University of Venda
The University of Venda is a South African comprehensive rural-based institution in Thohoyandou in Limpopo province, established in 1982 under the then Republic of Venda government.
The University of Venda’s faculties consist of: Science Engineering, and Agriculture; Humanities, Social Sciences and Education; Health Sciences; Management, Commerce, and Law.
Visit the University of Venda’s website to see if their degrees would work for you!
Universities in the Free State
University of the Free State
The University of the Free State is a multi-campus public university in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa. It was first established as an institution of higher learning in 1904 – as a tertiary section of Grey College. Academic divisions include Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Humanities, and Theology.
Visit the University of Free State’s website to learn more about the course you can take.
Sol Plaatjie University
The Sol Plaatje University opened in Kimberley, South Africa, in 2014, accommodating a modest initial intake of 135 students.
The student complement expects to increase gradually towards a target of 7 500 students by 2024. The Sol Plaatje University faculties consist of the School of Economic and Management Sciences, School of Education, School of Humanities and School of Natural and Applied Sciences.
Visit Sol Plaatjie University’s website to see the universities course options.
You’ve reached the end of our list and while we know that choosing a university can seem very intimidating, we hope that this list of universities in South Africa has helped you. If you are still unsure which university you’d like to study at, do not hesitate to phone or email these universities and ask questions.
These decisions can determine the next three to four years of your life, and you should not be afraid to ask questions!
