South Africa has the best universities in Africa. That’s according to the latest QS World University Rankings, which show the country boasts eight of the top 10 universities on the continent.

We will tell you the criteria used in a moment. But first, let’s look at the top universities.

The QS 2027 rankings, released earlier in June 2026, indicate that the University of Cape Town is Africa’s leading university. It is ranked 184th in the world.

Although it maintains its top position in Africa, it has dropped from its previous 150th position in the world.

Founded in 1829 as the South African College, the University of Cape Town later became Africa’s oldest university in 1918. Known for its medical research and anti-apartheid activism, the university now blends heritage with global impact.

In the African rankings, it is followed by the University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University, the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria respectively.

At number six is the American University in Cairo, Egypt, and Ain Shams University, also in Egypt, at number seven.

The three universities that complete the top 10 are also in South Africa. They are the University of KwaZulu-Natal at number eight, Rhodes University at number nine, while the University of South Africa, UNISA, occupies the tenth position.

Ranking criteria

Are you wondering why?

Well, the global survey uses five “lenses” weighing different factors.

Research and Discovery is the biggest factor, accounting for 50% of the score. This includes academic reputation and citations of work, measuring research output and impact.

Employability and Outcomes makes up 20% of the score, including employer reputation and alumni success and influence.

Another factor is Learning Experience, which accounts for 10%. This includes teaching support.

The fourth factor is Global Engagement, which carries 15% of the marks. This involves international research networks based on cross-border co-authorship, and international student ratio.

Sustainability is the fifth factor. It forms 5% of the lens. This focuses on environmental, social and governance matters, campus initiatives and research for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Just outside the top ten, West African universities are also progressing. Nigeria’s University of Ibadan and University of Lagos both sit in the 1001–1200 global tier. They are the best in Sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa.

According to the survey, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is number in the world.