In the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, UCT Emerges as the Top African University
Cape Town – The University of Cape Town has been recognized as Africa’s leading institution in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
The South African university has made a significant leap back into the global top 150, securing a spot at joint 147th, marking its strongest position in seven years.
In the rankings, South Africa stands out as the only nation in sub-Saharan Africa with universities ranked among the global top 200 as well as the top 500.
Three Nigerian universities, along with two from Ghana and one from Uganda, fall within the 801-1,000 range.
Since last year, Nigeria has added five universities to the rankings, while South Africa has welcomed four new entries.
Ghana has five institutions recognized in the rankings.
Notably, Malawi marks its debut with a university featured in the rankings for the first time.
Ethiopia makes a return to the rankings, with Mekelle University now included in the 1,201-1,400 category.
Nigeria leads in representation across the region, showcasing 29 institutions in the rankings.
In total, 69 universities from 16 sub-Saharan African countries feature in this year’s rankings.
This is an improvement from last year, which saw 55 universities from 14 countries or territories.
Albania also enters the ranking for the first time this year.
The University of Oxford in the United Kingdom retains its title as the world’s number one university for the 11th year in a row.
A record 2,297 institutions are ranked overall, reflecting an increase of 106 this year.
The rankings represent at least 118 countries and territories, which is three more than last year’s count.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is the most thorough and balanced evaluation of global research universities.
It is derived from an analysis of nearly 20 million research papers, close to one million votes from an Academic Reputation Survey, alongside detailed institutional data from over 3,000 universities worldwide.
The rankings were officially announced at the World Academic Summit hosted by the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
Top 10 universities in sub-Saharan Africa in the World University Rankings 2027
| Institution | Country/territory | Rank 2027 | Rank 2026 |
| University of Cape Town | South Africa | =147 | =164 |
| University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa | 301-325 | 301-350 |
| Stellenbosch University | South Africa | 326-350 | 301-350 |
| University of Johannesburg | South Africa | 351-375 | 351-400 |
| University of Pretoria | South Africa | 451-500 | 501-600 |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa | 501-550 | 501-600 |
| University of the Western Cape | South Africa | 701-800 | 601-800 |
| Covenant University | Nigeria | 801-1,000 | 1,001-1,200 |
| Makerere University | Uganda | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| North-West University | South Africa | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| University of Cape Coast | Ghana | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| University of Ghana | Ghana | 801-1,000 | 1,001-1,200 |
| University of Ibadan | Nigeria | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
| University of Lagos | Nigeria | 801-1,000 | 801-1,000 |
*Graphic credit: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 (https://apo-opa.co/4ynyH6V)
Overview
South Africa continues to lead in higher education within the region. The University of Cape Town, its top-ranked institution, has reentered the global top 150 for the first time since 2020, achieving joint 147th place.
South Africa boasts five universities within the world’s top 500, with the University of the Witwatersrand positioned in the band of 301-325.
The next highest-ranking countries in sub-Saharan Africa are Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana, which are also represented among the top 1,000 universities globally.
Nigeria’s leading university, Covenant University, has made a successful return into the top 1,000, placing within the 801-1,000 range.
In total, 69 universities from 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made the ranking this year. This marks an improvement over the previous year, which had 55 universities from 14 countries.
With 29 institutions appearing in the rankings, Nigeria is the most represented country in the region. It features three universities in the global top 1,000: the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos, both positioned within the 801-1,000 band.
Ethiopia also reenters the rankings, thanks to Mekelle University placed in the 1,201-1,400 band.
Malawi makes its inaugural appearance in the rankings with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, which is found in the 1,201-1,400 category.
Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, stated: “There is no doubt that Africa is becoming a significant player in the global knowledge arena, with its universities increasingly gaining recognition worldwide.
“The Times Higher Education World University Rankings focus on what matters to leaders in the education sector, including research excellence and impact, the teaching environment, global academic reputation, industry connections, and the ability to attract and retain international talent. This establishes a considerable entry barrier.
“Across the rankings, Africa is witnessing a substantial growth in its representation while demonstrating real global strength and presence.
“Sub-Saharan Africa not only has a university back in the world’s top 150, but it also boasts more institutions than ever before (69, compared to last year’s 55) from a broader range of nations (16) than ever.”
Countries/territories represented in sub-Saharan Africa in the World University Rankings 2027
| Country/territory | No of universitiesranked | Top university | Rank 2027 |
| Nigeria | 29 | Covenant University | 801–1,000 |
| University of Ibadan | 801–1,000 | ||
| University of Lagos | 801–1,000 | ||
| South Africa | 17 | University of Cape Town | =147 |
| Ghana | 5 | University of Cape Coast | 801–1,000 |
| University of Ghana | 801–1,000 | ||
| Tanzania | 3 | Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences |
1,601–1,801 |
| Uganda | 2 | Makerere University | 801–1,000 |
| Botswana | 2 | University of Botswana | 1,201–1,400 |
| Kenya | 2 | University of Nairobi | 1,601–1,800 |
| Ethiopia | 1 | Mekelle University | 1,201–1,400 |
| Malawi | 1 | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | 1,201–1,400 |
| Mauritius | 1 | University of Mauritius | 1,401–1,600 |
| Mozambique | 1 | Universidade Eduardo Mondlane | 1,401–1,600 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | University of Zimbabwe | 1,601–1,801 |
| Namibia | 1 | University of Namibia | 1,801–2,000 |
| Rwanda | 1 | University of Rwanda | 1,801–2,000 |
| Zambia | 1 | University of Zambia | 1,801–2,000 |
| Senegal | 1 | Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD) |
2,001+ |
*Graphic credit: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 (https://apo-opa.co/4ynyH6V)
Country highlights
South African flagship reestablishes itself in global top 150
South Africa continues to be at the forefront of higher education in the region. The University of Cape Town has regained its position in the global top 150, now tied for 147th place.
With five universities in the top 500 and eight featured in the top 1,000, South Africa’s academic landscape remains strong.
The University of Pretoria has achieved its highest rank yet, landing in the 451-500 band.
Among the countries represented, South Africa ranks second in quantity with 17 universities, trailing only Nigeria, which claims 29 entries.
Nigeria showcases remarkable presence
Nigeria takes the lead with 29 ranked universities, an increase of five from last year, cementing its position as the most represented country in the region. Following closely, South Africa has 17 universities in the rankings.
Nigeria is home to three universities in the global top 1,000: Covenant University, the University of Ibadan, and the University of Lagos, all situated within the 801-1,000 band. Additionally, there are four universities ranked in the 1,001-1,200 range.
Newly represented universities include Osun State University, the University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, further enriching Nigeria’s academic contributions.
With a small number of universities in the rankings, Ghana ranks as the third most represented country in the region. Its five institutions, primarily the University of Cape Coast and the University of Ghana, are located within the 801-1,000 band.
Tanzania presents three universities, led by Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, which is positioned in the 1,601-1,800 band.
Botswana, Kenya, and Uganda each contribute two universities, with Uganda‘s Makerere University being the highest-ranked among them in the 801-1,000 category.
In Kenya, the University of Nairobi is the highest-ranked university, located in the 1,601-1,800 band, while Botswana‘s leading institution is the University of Botswana, which occupies the 1,201-1,400 range.
This year marks Malawi‘s first appearance in the rankings with Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, classified within the 1,201-1,400 band.
Similarly, Mekelle University represents Ethiopia in the same band, marking its return to the rankings.
Top 10 universities overall in the World University Rankings 2027
| Institution | Country/territory | Rank 2027 | Rank 2026 |
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 1 | 1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | 2 | 2 |
| Princeton University | United States | =3 | =3 |
| Stanford University | United States | =3 | =5 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 5 | =3 |
| Harvard University | United States | 6 | =5 |
| California Institute of Technology | United States | 7 | 7 |
| Imperial College London | United Kingdom | 8 | 8 |
| University of California, Berkeley | United States | =9 | 9 |
| Yale University | United States | =9 | 10 |
*Graphic credit: Times Higher Education