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Times Higher Education has released a new survey ranking the top universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new ranking seeks to highlight African higher education institutions while also addressing local higher education concerns.
The 2023 rankings were formally announced at the organization’s inaugural meeting in the region, which took place in June 2023 in collaboration with Ashesi University. The ranking is led by South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand, according to the survey. The University of Johannesburg and Tanzania’s Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences finished second and third, respectively.
Despite the fact that South Africa has the most institutions in the top ten (four), Nigeria has the most institutions in the top 37, lead by Covenant University in seventh place. There are 88 institutions in the ranking from 20 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Kenya, and Mozambique.
According to the research, around two-thirds of participating universities are public institutions, a quarter are private, non-profit organizations, and approximately a tenth are private, for-profit organizations.
The ranking was created using a hybrid process that included components of teaching, impact, and research. The methodology is built on five pillars: resources and funding, access and equity, teaching skills, student involvement, and Africa effect.
A survey of over 20,000 students from 88 colleges was a critical component of data collection. Students were asked a variety of questions, including how challenged they felt by the university’s teaching, how much it encouraged critical thinking, and how many opportunities they had to connect with faculty and classmates.
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Top five universities in Sub-Saharan Africa according to Times Higher Education 2023 ranking
1. University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
The Witwatersrand University, also known as “Wits,” is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The university is divided into five faculties: sciences, commerce, law, and management, engineering, health sciences, and humanities.
Nelson Mandela, who studied law there and went on to become South Africa’s president and the 1993 Nobel Laureate for peace; novelist Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Prize in Literature, 1991); Aaron Klug (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1982); and Sydney Brenner (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2002) are all notable alumni.
2. University of Johannesburg, South Africa
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is South Africa’s second university to appear in the top five of the SSA ranking.
The institution is divided into four campuses, each with its own distinct personality and history.
Business and economics; art, design, and architecture; education; engineering and the built environment; health sciences; humanities; law and science are the eight colleges and faculties at UJ. The Johannesburg Business School is another option.
3. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania
Muhimbili institution of Health and Allied Sciences is a Tanzanian state institution located in Dar es Salaam.
The university specializes on medicine, dentistry, public health, nursing, and allied health education and research.
The university has two campuses: one in Upanga West, Dar es Salaam’s seaside metropolis, and another 31 kilometers west of Muhimbili Hospital, which features a 571-bed teaching hospital.
4. University of Pretoria, South Africa
In 1908, the University of Pretoria was formed with only four professors and 32 students. It has now grown to become one of South Africa’s largest research universities.
Economics and management sciences; education; engineering, built environment, and information technology; health sciences; humanities; law; natural and agricultural sciences; theology and religion; and veterinary science are among the nine faculties. The Gordon Institute of Business is another option.
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5. Makerere University, Uganda
Makerere institution was founded in 1922 and is Uganda’s oldest institution.
It began as a technical school with courses in carpentry, building, and mechanics and has since grown to include agricultural sciences, business and management sciences, computing and information sciences, education, engineering, design art, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, and law.
The university has three campuses in Kampala, the country’s capital.
The best universities in Sub-Saharan Africa: top 10
| SSA University Rank 2023 | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa |
| 2 | University of Johannesburg | South Africa |
| 3 | Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences | Tanzania |
| 4 | University of Pretoria | South Africa |
| 5 | Makerere University | Uganda |
| 6 | University of the Western Cape | South Africa |
| 7 | Covenant University | Nigeria |
| 8 | UGHE – University of Global Health Equity | Rwanda |
| 9 | Ashesi University | Ghana |
| 10 | Ardhi University | Tanzania |
