Latest Ranking: 10 best universities in Africa

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked university in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, with the continent showing broader representation in the latest global assessment.

UCT placed joint 147th in the world, improving from its joint 164th position in the previous edition, as universities across Africa continued to gain visibility in international higher education.

The latest ranking features 69 universities from sub-Saharan Africa, compared with 55 in the previous edition.

South Africa dominated the African list, accounting for most of the continent’s highest-ranked institutions. Universities from Morocco and Egypt also secured places among Africa’s leading institutions.

For the 2027 edition, Times Higher Education evaluated 2,297 universities in 118 countries and territories, making it the largest ranking exercise conducted by the organisation.

The ranking considers a range of measures, including teaching, research, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook.

Below are the 10 best-ranked universities in Africa in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

1. University of Cape Town — South Africa

The University of Cape Town retained the top position in Africa, ranking joint 147th globally with an overall score of 62.4.

Founded in 1829, UCT is based in Cape Town and is among the oldest universities on the continent.

Its academic structure comprises six faculties: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science.

UCT has 20,318 students, with women accounting for 57% and men 43%. International students make up 13% of the university’s total student population.

2. University of the Witwatersrand — South Africa

The University of the Witwatersrand, widely known as Wits, occupies the 301–325 bracket globally, recording an overall score between 53.4 and 54.8.

The institution traces its origins to the South African School of Mines, founded in Kimberley in 1896. It relocated to Johannesburg in 1904 before attaining full university status in 1922.

Wits has 26,766 students, comprising 61% women and 39% men. International students represent 5% of the population, while its student-to-staff ratio stands at 21.6:1.

3. Stellenbosch University — South Africa

Stellenbosch University ranks between 326th and 350th globally, with an overall score ranging from 52.3 to 53.3.

The institution began in 1918 with four faculties — Arts, Science, Education and Agriculture — and had 503 students and 40 lecturers at the time.

It has since expanded into a major institution operating across five campuses and 10 faculties.

The university has 27,676 students, with women representing 57% and men 43%. International students account for 7% of the student body.

4. University of Johannesburg — South Africa

The University of Johannesburg is placed in the 351–375 global range, posting an overall score of between 51.6 and 52.2.

The public university was established in 2005 following the merger of Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand and parts of Vista University.

Since its creation, the institution has developed a strong profile in research, innovation and international partnerships.

The University of Johannesburg has 33,530 students, of whom 57% are women and 43% are men. International students constitute 13% of the student population.

5. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University — Morocco

Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is ranked 376–400 globally, with a score ranging from 50.5 to 51.5.

Established in 2016, the university forms part of the Green City project initiated by King Mohammed VI in 2009, with an emphasis on sustainable development, research and education.

The institution has 2,650 students, including 56% women and 44% men. International students make up 7% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 7:1.

6. University of Pretoria — South Africa

The University of Pretoria falls within the 451–500 bracket worldwide, recording an overall score of 47.4–48.7.

The South African university has nine faculties and a business school and places considerable emphasis on research and its wider impact.

It is also described as producing the largest number of graduates annually in South Africa.

The university has 31,305 students, with women accounting for 69% and men 31%. International students represent 9% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 17.6:1.

7. University of KwaZulu-Natal — South Africa

The University of KwaZulu-Natal occupies the 501–550 position range globally, with an overall score of 46.0–47.3.

The institution operates across five campuses and maintains links with more than 250 universities and other institutions around the world.

Its academic activities span a wide range of programmes, with research and international collaboration forming important parts of its profile.

UKZN has 34,947 students, comprising 62% women and 38% men. International students account for 1% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 31.9:1.

8. American University in Cairo — Egypt

The American University in Cairo is ranked within the 701–800 bracket globally, with an overall score of 40.2–42.3.

Established in 1919, the Egyptian institution has 5,953 students. Women make up 58% of the student population, while men account for 42%.

International students represent 8% of its student body, and the university has a student-to-staff ratio of 10.8:1.

9. University of the Western Cape — South Africa

The University of the Western Cape shares the 701–800 global ranking bracket, with an overall score of 40.2–42.3.

Founded in 1959, the university has seven faculties, including its Faculty of Dentistry, which is recognised as one of South Africa’s leading dental schools.

The institution has 25,094 students, with women accounting for 64% and men 36%. International students make up 4% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio stands at 35.7:1.

10. Al-Azhar University — Egypt

Al-Azhar University completes the top 10 African universities, ranking between 801st and 1,000th globally with an overall score of 36.4–40.1.

Based in Cairo, the institution traces its origins to 970 AD and is widely regarded as one of the oldest universities in the world.

Although it formally became a university in 1961, its history spans more than 1,000 years.

Al-Azhar has a student population of 296,734, with women making up 61% and men 39%. International students account for 14% of the student body, while its student-to-staff ratio is 22.5:1.