List of universities in South Africa

Location of South Africa

This is a list of universities in South Africa. In this list, colleges and universities are defined as accredited, degree-granting, tertiary institutions. As of September 2022, only South African public degree-granting institutions may call themselves a "university", whereas other accredited private for-profit or not-for-profit degree-granting institutions tend to call themselves colleges, institutes or business schools.[1]

Some of these private institutions are local campuses of foreign universities. Degree-granting institutions (both public and private) must be registered with, and have their specific degree programs accredited by, the Council on Higher Education.

In 2004 South Africa started reforming its public higher education system,[2] merging and incorporating small public universities into larger institutions, and renaming all higher education institutions "university" (previously there had been several types of higher education institution). The country's universities and "technikons", which were incorporated with others and thus no longer exist, are listed at the end of the article.

Two new universities launched in 2013,[3] Sol Plaatje University and the University of Mpumalanga. They are tentatively classified in the universities of technology category, pending clarification of their programs.

## Public universities

[edit]

Public universities in South Africa are divided into three types: traditional universities, which offer theoretically oriented university degrees; universities of technology ("technikons"), which offer vocational oriented diplomas and degrees; and comprehensive universities, which offer a combination of both types of qualification.[4][5]

### Traditional universities

[edit]

* University of Cape Town

* University of Fort Hare

* University of the Free State

* University of KwaZulu-Natal

* North-West University

* University of Pretoria

* Rhodes University

* Stellenbosch University

* University of the Western Cape

* University of the Witwatersrand

Institution  | Nickname  | Founded  | University status  | Undergrad  | Postgrad  | Total  | Location(s)  | Medium

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University of Cape Town | Ikeys / UCT  | 1 October 1829[6] | 2 April 1918[6] | 18,421  | 10,653  | 29,074  | Cape Town | Eng
University of Fort Hare | UFH / Blues  | 1916[7] |  | 9,074  | 2,000  | 11,074  | Alice, East London, Bhisho | Eng
University of the Free State | Kovsies / UFS  | 28 January 1904[8] | 1950[9] | 21,193  | 5,082  | 26,275[10] | Bloemfontein, QwaQwa | Eng
University of KwaZulu-Natal | UKZN / Natal / Impi  | 1 January 20041[11] | 1 January 2004[11] | 33,456  | 13,064  | 46,520 (2016)[12] | Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Westville | Eng
University of Limpopo | Turfloop  | 1 January 20051[13] | 1 January 2005[13] | 17,273  | 3,327  | 20,600  | Polokwane, Turfloop | Eng
North-West University | NWU / Pukke / Eagles  | 1 January 20041[14] | 1 January 2004[14] | 43,596  | 3,235  | 44,008  | Mafikeng, Mankwe, Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark | Afr (Potchefstroom campus), Eng (Mafikeng campus), Setswana (Vaaldriehoek campus)
University of Pretoria | Tuks / Tukkies / UP[15] | 4 March 1908[16] | 10 October 1930[17] | 35,9422 | 12,5412 | 48,483[18] | Pretoria, Johannesburg3[19] | Eng
Rhodes University | Rhodes / RU  | 31 May 1904[20] | 10 March 1951  | 5,456  | 1,127  | 6,700  | Grahamstown | Eng
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University4 | SMU (formerly MEDUNSA)  | 16 May 2014[21] | 16 May 2014  |  |  | 6,410 (2018)[22] | Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria | Eng
Stellenbosch University | Maties, Stellies  | 1866[23] | 2 April 1918[23] | 17,970[24] | 9,853  | 27,823  | Stellenbosch, Saldanha Bay, Bellville, Tygerberg | Eng, Afr
University of the Western Cape | UWC / Bush / U Dubs  | 1959[25] | 1970[25] | 11,836  | 3,390  | 15,226  | Bellville | Eng
University of the Witwatersrand | Wits, Witsies  | 1896[26] | 1922[26] | 24 621[27] | 13 234[27] | 38 353[27] | Johannesburg | Eng

Note1: By merger of existing institutions

Note2: Exact and current numbers not available, these numbers are from the University of Pretoria's wiki.

Note3: The university's business school the Gordon Institute of Business Science has a campus in Illovo and an inner-city campus on Pritchard Street, in downtown Johannesburg.

Note4: Split out from the University of Limpopo into which Medical University of South Africa had previously merged.

### Comprehensive universities

[edit]

* University of Johannesburg

* University of South Africa (Unisa)

* University of Venda

Institution  | Nickname  | Founded  | Undergrad  | Postgrad  | Total  | Location(s)  | Medium

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University of Johannesburg | UJ  | 1 January 20051 (1967 as RAU, Technikon Witwatersrand and the East Rand campus of Vista University)  |  |  | >50,000[28] | Johannesburg, Soweto | Eng
Nelson Mandela University | Madibaz / NMU  | 1 January 20052 (1964 as UPE)  | 19,768  | 2,884  | 22,652  | Port Elizabeth, George | Eng
University of South Africa | Unisa  | 1873 (UCGH)  |  |  | 300,000  | Distance education, headquartered in Pretoria, campuses and regional offices nationwide  | Eng
University of Venda | Univen  | 1982  |  |  | 10,968  | Thohoyandou | Eng
Walter Sisulu University | WSU/ALL BLACKS  | 1977 (Unitra)  |  |  | 32,081 (2018)[29] | East London, Butterworth, Mthatha, Queenstown | Eng
University of Zululand | UniZulu  | 1960  | 6,456  | 369  | 6,825  | Empangeni | Eng

Note1: By merger of existing institutions
Note2: By merger of existing institutions

### Universities of technology

[edit]

* Cape Peninsula University of Technology

* Tshwane University of Technology

Institution  | Nickname  | Founded  | University status  | Undergrad  | Postgrad  | Total (2011) | Location(s)  | Medium

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Cape Peninsula University of Technology | CPUT/Cats  | 20051 | 2005  |  |  | 32,000  | Bellville, Cape Town | Eng
Central University of Technology | CUT/Ixias  | 1981  |  |  |  | 21,993  | Bloemfontein, Welkom | Eng
Durban University of Technology | DUT  | 20021 | 2002  |  |  | 23,000  | Durban, Pietermaritzburg | Eng
Mangosuthu University of Technology | MUT  | 1979  | 2007  |  |  |  | Umlazi | Eng
University of Mpumalanga | UMP  | 2013  | 2013  |  |  |  | Mbombela | Eng
Sol Plaatje University | SPU  | 2013  | 2013  |  |  |  | Kimberley, Northern Cape | Eng
Tshwane University of Technology | TUT/Vikings  | 20031 | 2003  |  |  | 60,000  | Pretoria, Mbombela, Polokwane, Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Witbank | Eng
Vaal University of Technology | VUT  | 1966  | 2003  |  |  | 17,000  | Vanderbijlpark, Secunda, Kempton Park, Klerksdorp, Upington | Eng

Note1: By merger of existing institutions

## Private degree-granting seminaries, institutes and colleges

[edit]

### Theological seminaries

[edit]

Institution  | Nickname  | Founded  | Enrollment  | Type  | Location(s)  | Medium

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Auckland Park Theological Seminary | ATS  | 1997 (1956)  |  | Theological seminary  | Johannesburg | Eng
Open Christian University | OCU  | 2021  | Rolling Enrollment  | Theological  | Online  | Eng
Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa |  | 1951  |  | Theological seminary  | Johannesburg | Eng
George Whitefield College |  | 1989  |  | Theological seminary  | Cape Town | Eng
South African Theological Seminary | SATS  | 1996  |  | Theological seminary  | Online  | Eng
St Augustine College of South Africa |  | 1999  |  | Private Tertiary Academic Institution  | Johannesburg | Eng

### Institutes

[edit]

Institution  | Nickname  | Founded  | Enrollment  | Type  | Location(s)  | Medium

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Two Oceans Graduate Institute  | TOGI  | 2017  |  | Registered private higher education institution  | Distance/Online  | Eng

## University rankings

[edit]

Further information: Rankings of universities in South Africa

League tables of South African universities are largely based on international university rankings, because there have not as yet been published any specifically South African rankings.

## University research collaboratives

[edit]

* Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC)
* Foundation of Tertiary Institutions of the Northern Metropolis (FOTIM)
* Higher Education South Africa (HESA)
* Southern Education and Research Alliance (SERA)

## Defunct institutions

[edit]

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Closed  | Notes

|
|
|
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Bond South Africa | Sandton |  | 2004[30] | Reopened as a new institution. Now Varsity College, part of IIE
Border Technikon  | East London |  | 2005  | Merged. Now part of Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science
University of Bophuthatswana | Potchefstroom | 2004  |  | Now part of North-West University
University of the Cape of Good Hope | Cape Town | 1873  | 1916  | Renamed University of South Africa
Cape Technikon |  |  |  | Now part of Cape Peninsula University of Technology
University of Durban-Westville | Westville | 1972  | 1 January 2004[11] | Now part of University of KwaZulu-Natal
Eastern Cape Technikon | Butterworth | 1994  | 2005  | Now part of Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science
Medical University of South Africa | Ga-Rankuwa | 1976  | 1 January 2005[13] | Now part of University of Limpopo
Technikon Natal | Durban |  |  | Now part of Durban University of Technology
University of the North | Polokwane | 1959  | 1 January 2005[13] | Now part of University of Limpopo
University of Natal | Pietermaritzburg, Durban | 1910  | 1 January 2004[11] | Now part of University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of North-West, formerly the University of Bophuthatswana  | Mafikeng |  | 1 January 2004[14] | Now part of North-West University
Port Elizabeth Technikon.  | Port Elizabeth, George | 1882[31] | 2005  | Now part of Nelson Mandela University
University of Port Elizabeth | Port Elizabeth | 31 January 1964  | 2005  | Now part of Nelson Mandela University
Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education | Potchefstroom | 29 November 1869  | 1 January 2004[14] | Now part of North-West University
Rand Afrikaans University | Johannesburg | 1967  | 2005  | Now part of University of Johannesburg
Technikon SA  |  |  | 1 January 2004[32] | Now part of University of South Africa
Transvaal University College | Johannesburg, Pretoria | 1906  | 1910/1930  | Predecessor of the University of Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand. The University of the Witwatersrand was named the Transvaal University College from 1906 to 1910. The University of Pretoria was established as the Pretoria branch of the Transvaal University College in 1908 and retained that name until 1930.
University of Transkei | Transkei | 1977  | 2005  | Now part of Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science
University of Gazankulu | Giyani | ?  | ?  | Probably distributed between the University of Venda and the University of Limpopo
Vista University | Multi-city campus university  | 1981  | 2004/2005  | Now merged with the Nelson Mandela University, the University of the Free State, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa and the Vaal University of Technology.
Technikon Witwatersrand | Johannesburg | 1925  | 2005  | University of Johannesburg

## See also

[edit]

* Ranking of South African universities
* List of colleges and universities by country
* List of post secondary institutions in South Africa
* List of South African universities by endowment
* List of South African university chancellors and vice-chancellors
* List of medical schools in South Africa
* List of law schools in South Africa
* List of business schools in South Africa
* List of architecture schools in South Africa
* Open access in South Africa
* Higher Education South Africa
* Academic boycotts of South Africa (historical Apartheid-era)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Draft Policy For The Recognition Of South African Higher Education Institutional Types. Determined In Terms Of Section 3 Of The Higher Education Act (act 101 Of 1997, As Amended)" (PDF). Republic of South Africa: Department of Higher Education and Training. April 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
2. ^ The restructuring of South African higher education: rocky roads from policy formulation to institutional mergers, 2001-2005. Terri Barnes, Narend Baijnath, Kalawathie Sattar (1st ed.). Pretoria: Unisa Press. 2010. ISBN 978-1-86888-524-4. OCLC 631055581.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: others (link)
3. ^ "South Africa's new universities named". Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
4. ^ "www.sauvca.org.za | highered". Archived from the original on 1 March 2005. Retrieved 1 March 2005.
5. ^ HESA Structures[permanent dead link]
6. ^ a b "University of Cape Town / About the university / Introducing UCT". Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013. Our history. Retrieved 13 May 2011
7. ^ "The Presidency | University of Fort Hare (1916–)". Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
8. ^ "University of the Free State Brief history". Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2011. Brief History. Retrieved 28 April 2011
9. ^ Username *. "University of the Free State". SARUA. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
10. ^ "University of the Free State UFS About Us". Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
11. ^ a b c d "History- University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal". Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011. History – University of KwaZulu-Natal. Retrieved 13 May 2011
12. ^ "UKZN at a Glance" (PDF). Retrieved 14 October 2019.
13. ^ a b c d "University of Limpopo". Ul.ac.za. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
14. ^ a b c d "NWU, History of the NWU". Nwu.ac.za. 1 January 2004. Archived from the original on 25 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
15. ^ "New Students | University of Pretoria". Web.up.ac.za. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
16. ^ "Geskiedenis > Universiteit van Pretoria". Archived from the original on 1 November 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009. History of the University of Pretoria. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
17. ^ "Pretoria School of Architecture". Artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
18. ^ "UP at a Glance". issuu. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
19. ^ Campuses. Retrieved 1 October 2010 Archived 18 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
20. ^ "Rhodes University-Where Leaders Learn". Ru.ac.za. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
21. ^ Nzimande, Blade. "HIGHER EDUCATION ACT, 1997 (ACT No. 101 OF 1997) ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University" (PDF). Government Gazette. 587 (37658). Government Printing Works. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017. Alt URL
22. ^ "A Little Giant Surely Reaching its Milestones". Retrieved 14 October 2019.
23. ^ a b "Historical Background". Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.. Retrieved 13 May 2011
24. ^ "Stellenbosch University Statistical Profile 2012" Archived 28 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Official Stellenbosch University Website, SU Consensus, June 2012
25. ^ a b "History [ Home | CMS | showfulltext ]". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
26. ^ a b "Short history of the University | Getting to know Wits | About Wits - Wits University". Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.. Retrieved 13 May 2011
27. ^ a b c [1], University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg FACTS & FIGURES 2017/2018, retrieved 4 August 2018
28. ^ "University of Johannesburg". Retrieved 14 October 2019.
29. ^ "VC's state of the university address: Convocation AGM". 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
30. ^ The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (2004). Breaking News Archive – June 2004 Archived 1 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
31. ^ "Port Elizabeth (PE) Technikon". Study South Africa. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
32. ^ "This website was recently revamped". Unisa.ac.za. Retrieved 24 July 2018.

* v
* t
* e

Universities in South Africa

University alliances
CHEC
FOTIM
HESA
SERA

Public|

| Traditional universities|

* Cape Town
* Fort Hare
* Free State
* KwaZulu-Natal
* Limpopo
* North-West
* Pretoria
* Rhodes
* SMU
* Stellenbosch
* Western Cape
* Witwatersrand

|

Comprehensive universities|

* Johannesburg
* Nelson Mandela
* Unisa
* Venda
* Walter Sisulu
* Zululand

Universities of technology|

* Cape Peninsula
* Central
* Durban
* Mangosuthu
* Mpumalanga
* Sol Plaatje
* Tshwane
* Vaal

Private|

| Design and art schools|

* AFDA
* CityVarsity
* Inscape Design College
* The Open Window School of Visual Communication

|

Theological seminaries|

* College of the Transfiguration
* Auckland Park Theological Seminary
* Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa
* George Whitefield College
* South African Theological Seminary
* St John Vianney Seminary

Universities and colleges|

* CIDA City Campus
* CTI Education Group
* Damelin
* IMM Graduate School of Marketing
* Institute for Heritage Science and Conservation
* Midrand Graduate Institute
* Monash
* Regenesys Business School
* St Augustine College of South Africa
* Stenden South Africa

Related|

* DHEAT
* SAQA
* Chancellors and vice-chancellors
* Endowment
* Rankings
* South African Technology Network
* TENET
* University admissions in South Africa

* Category
* List

* v
* t
* e

Lists of universities in Africa

Sovereign states|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* The Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Mauritius
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

States with limited
recognition

* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
* Somaliland

Dependencies and
other territories

* Canary Islands / Ceuta / Melilla (Spain)
* Madeira (Portugal)
* Mayotte / Réunion (France)
* Saint Helena / Ascension Island / Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)

* v
* t
* e

South African business schools

Business school alliances: South African Business Schools Association

Eastern Cape|

* Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School
* Rhodes Investec Business School - Rhodes University

Free State|

* University of the Free State Business School

Gauteng|

* CIDA City Campus
* Henley Business School South Africa
* Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) - University of Pretoria
* Milpark Business School
* Regenesys Business School
* Regent Business School
* Tshwane University of Technology Business School
* University of Johannesburg
* Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) - University of South Africa
* Wits Business School - University of the Witwatersrand

KwaZulu-Natal|

* University of KwaZulu-Natal
* Management College of Southern Africa

Limpopo|

* University of Limpopo

North-West|

* Graduate School of Business and Government Leadership - North-West University
* Potchefstroom Business School - North-West University

Western Cape|

* University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
* University of Stellenbosch Business School

Rankings
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