Top 10 universities in Africa have been released
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings for 2019, its fifteenth edition, has been released and 17 African universities were ranked in the top 1000 globally. Unsurprisingly, South African universities were the majority as they constitute 53% of the top universities in Africa. They are eight other universities jointly ranked at the 10th position.
The QS ranking of universities is one of the three globally recognised higher education ranking agency. The other two are: ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) & The Times Education (THE) ranking organisations.
1. University of Cape Town
Sitting on the slopes of the Table Mountain, University of Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest university. The university is Africa’s leading university and has been the top for many years across the three ranking agencies. Tied at 200th position globally with Stockholm University in the QS rankings’ 2019.
2. University of Witwatersrand
Popularly known as “Wits” and based in different parts of South Africa’s largest city – Johannesburg – is one of the country’s top tertiary education institutions. Jointly ranked the 381st university globally and with less than a percent of her students being categorised as international out of circa 40, 000 students.
3. Stellenbosch University
Located in the town of Stellenbosch not far from cape Town, she is yet another intellectual power from the South of Africa. Ranked within the top 50 BRICS universities by the QS, she is ranked 450th globally.
4. The American University Cairo
One of the highest ranked universities in the Arab region, the American University Cairo possesses Egypt’s largest English language library collection. The American University Cairo is ranked 420th globally.
5. Cairo University
As odd as it is, she is not located in Cairo. Rather, she is located southwest of the Nile River in Giza. Ranked 11th in the Arab region. Cairo University, formerly known as Fouad University, is one of Egypt’s largest universities and the second oldest higher education institution. With three Nobel laureates as alumni, she is amongst the top 50 schools by enrolment globally.
6. University of Johannesburg
Fondly called UJ by students and alumni, she is one of South Africa’s largest universities by enrolment. Formed in 2006 as a result of the merger between Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Previously in the 601 – 650 category globally, now up to 551 – 560. The youngest South African university to be featured in the QS’ rankings.
7. University of Pretoria
With over 50, 000 students and more research output than any other higher education institution in South Africa, Pretoria as she called in official publications is one of the nation’s top universities. Formed in 1908 and ranks 560 – 570 globally.
8. Ain Shams University
With circa 180, 000 students in 15 faculties, ASM is one of Egypt’s largest universities. Situated in Cairo, and established in 1950, she is ranked 17th in the Arab region by QS in 2018 and currently ranks 701 – 750 globally.
9. University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
Yet another topnotch university from the southern part of Africa. With five campuses in the Kwa-Zulu region southeast of the country, she is another young institution. Formed as a result of a merger in 2004 between University of Natal and University of Durban-Westville and ranks 751 – 800 in the world.
10. Al Akhawayn University Ifrane
The money intended to clean an oil spill was used to establish the university as wind, thankfully, blew the spill away. Established in 1995 and the last African university in 801 – 900 globally. Located in Ifrane, 70km from the imperial city of Fez. It is the youngest university on the list.
10. Al Azhar University
Egypt’s oldest degree university, located in Cairo and amongst the prestigious in the Islamic world. Founded in the 10th century and linked to the Al Azhar Mosque. It is one of the prestigious place of learning in the Muslim world.
10. Alexandria University
Gained its name as a result of the Egyptian revolution in 1952, before which was known as Farouk University. Created in 1938 as a satellite campus of Fouad University (now known as Cairo University) and made a separate entity in 1942. Currently the second largest university in the country and ranks 14th in the QS’ Arab Region survey in 2018.
10. Assiut University
Created in 1957 as the first university in Upper Egypt. Located in the city of Assiut; with 16 faculties and three institutes, she offers courses in both Arabic and English.
10. North-West University
Another South African university formed as a result of a merger in 2004 – between Potchefstroom Christian for Higher Education and the University of North West (formerly known as University of Bophuthatswana). The merger made it one of South Africa’s largest with over 60, 000 students. Home to eight faculties and with three campuses across the Gauteng and North West regions of the country.
10. Rhodes University
Named after British business mogul – Cecil Rhodes – and located in the Eastern Cape Province – the oldest in the province. One of South African smallest universities by enrolment, she had 8, 000 students in 2015.
10. University of Nairobi
Originally founded as the Royal Technical College in 1956, and is East Africa’s top university and of the largest in Kenya. The Nairobi University became part of the University of East Africa in 1963 and was made a degree awarding institution in 1970 after being separated from the group. Which later had University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Makerere University, Uganda as separate entities.
10. The University of Western Cape
Founded in 1959 and located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town. She is noted for her history of creative struggle against oppression, discrimination and disadvantage.
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