The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 highlight Africa’s increasing presence in global higher education, with more institutions making the list and several recording notable performances.
Business Insider Africa presents the 10 highest-ranked universities on the continent based on the latest Times Higher Education ranking.
South Africa maintains its position as Africa’s strongest-performing country, while universities in Morocco and Egypt also feature among the continent’s leading institutions.
The latest ranking shows growing African representation in global academia, although universities in North America and Europe continue to dominate the highest positions.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, making it the organisation’s largest ranking exercise to date. The assessment considers indicators covering teaching, research, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook.
The number of universities from sub-Saharan Africa included in the ranking increased from 55 to 69. The University of Cape Town emerged as the region’s leading institution, rising to joint 147th globally from joint 164th in the previous edition.
Below are the 10 best universities in Africa according to the 2027 ranking:
1. University of Cape Town — South Africa (147th)
The University of Cape Town ranks 147th globally, with an overall score of 62.4, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
Founded in 1829, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is among Africa’s oldest universities and is based in Cape Town, South Africa. It has six faculties covering Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science.
The university has 20,318 students, with women accounting for 57% and men 43%. International students make up 13% of the student population.
2. University of the Witwatersrand — South Africa (301–325)
The University of the Witwatersrand is ranked between 301st and 325th globally, with an overall score ranging from 53.4 to 54.8.
Popularly known as “Wits,” the institution traces its origins to the South African School of Mines, established in Kimberley in 1896. It moved to Johannesburg in 1904 and obtained full university status in 1922.
Wits has 26,766 students, with women representing 61% and men 39%. International students account for 5% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 21.6:1.
3. Stellenbosch University — South Africa (326–350)
Stellenbosch University ranks between 326th and 350th globally, with an overall score of 52.3–53.3.
The university began with four faculties — Arts, Science, Education and Agriculture — and had 503 students and 40 lecturers when it was established in 1918. It has since expanded into a major institution with 10 faculties spread across five campuses.
The university has 27,676 students, comprising 57% women and 43% men. International students represent 7% of the student population.
4. University of Johannesburg — South Africa (351–375)
The University of Johannesburg is ranked between 351st and 375th globally, with an overall score of 51.6–52.2, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
The public university was established in 2005 through the merger of Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand and parts of Vista University.
Since its formation, the institution has expanded into a major university with a strong emphasis on research, innovation and international collaboration.
The university has 33,530 students, with women making up 57% and men 43%. International students account for 13% of the student population.
5. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University — Morocco (376–400)
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University ranks between 376th and 400th globally, with an overall score of 50.5–51.5.
Established in 2016, the university forms part of the Green City project launched by King Mohammed VI in 2009, an urban development initiative centred on sustainability, research and education.
The institution has 2,650 students, with women accounting for 56% and men 44%. International students represent 7% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio stands at 7:1.
6. University of Pretoria — South Africa (451–500)
The University of Pretoria ranks between 451st and 500th globally, with an overall score of 47.4–48.7.
The university has nine faculties and a business school, with a strong emphasis on research output and impact. It also produces the highest number of graduates annually in South Africa.
Its student population stands at 31,305, with women accounting for 69% and men 31%. International students make up 9% of the student body, while the student-to-staff ratio is 17.6:1.
7. University of KwaZulu-Natal — South Africa (501–550)
The University of KwaZulu-Natal ranks between 501st and 550th globally, recording an overall score of 46.0–47.3.
The five-campus South African university has partnerships with more than 250 institutions around the world. It offers a wide range of academic programmes and places significant emphasis on research and international collaboration.
The university has 34,947 students, with women making up 62% and men 38%. International students account for 1% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 31.9:1.
8. American University in Cairo — Egypt (701–800)
The American University in Cairo ranks between 701st and 800th globally, with an overall score of 40.2–42.3.
Founded in 1919, the university has 5,953 students, with women accounting for 58% and men 42%. International students represent 8% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 10.8:1.
9. University of the Western Cape — South Africa (701–800)
The University of the Western Cape ranks between 701st and 800th globally, with an overall score of 40.2–42.3.
Established in 1959, the university has seven faculties, including the Faculty of Dentistry, regarded as one of South Africa’s leading dental schools.
The institution has 25,094 students, with women making up 64% and men 36%. International students account for 4% of the student population, while the student-to-staff ratio is 35.7:1.
10. Al-Azhar University — Egypt (801–1,000)
Al-Azhar University ranks between 801st and 1,000th globally, with an overall score of 36.4–40.1, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
Founded in Cairo in 970 AD, Al-Azhar University is regarded as one of the world’s oldest universities. Although it formally gained university status in 1961, its history dates back more than 1,000 years.
The university has a student population of 296,734, with women accounting for 61% and men 39%. International students make up 14% of the student body, while the student-to-staff ratio is 22.5:1.