Cape Town Hosts Global Higher Education Elite as SA Universities Rise

South African Universities Climb Global and Regional Tables

The University of Cape Town climbed from joint 164th last year to joint 147th, marking its best position in seven years and its first return to the top 150 since the 2020 edition. The institution also retained its place as Africa’s top-ranked university. Meanwhile, the University of Pretoria recorded its highest showing yet by rising from the 501–600 band to 451–500. This places it among five South African universities in the global top 500, alongside UCT, the University of the Witwatersrand at 301–325, Stellenbosch University at 326–350, and the University of Johannesburg at 351–375.

South Africa stands as the only sub-Saharan African country with institutions ranked in the world’s top 200 and top 500, with a total of eight universities inside the global top 1,000. The country’s broader academic footprint has also expanded, now featuring 17 ranked universities—four more than the previous year. This places South Africa as the second-most represented country in the region, behind Nigeria with 29. New entrants into the rankings include Walter Sisulu University, Tshwane University of Technology, the University of Venda, and Vaal University of Technology, all placing in the 1,801–2,000 band. The Durban University of Technology moved from the unranked group into the 1,201–1,400 band.

Mosebjadi Petje, business development manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Times Higher Education, discussed the factors driving these shifts. She explained that the evaluation process incorporates the job-to-trade-faculty ratio, institutional income, and teaching reputation derived from global academic surveys assessing research quality. Regarding the upward momentum, Petje noted that South African universities are moving up rapidly by 124 to 200 places in some bands, highlighting the consistent rise of institutions like the University of Johannesburg. “What I like about the University of Johannesburg is that it’s not among the elite universities in South Africa, but it is moving up the ranks,” Petje told Daily Maverick.

Artificial Intelligence and Curriculum Adaptation

Beyond institutional rankings, delegates at the summit focused heavily on how universities must adapt their roles and structures in the age of artificial intelligence. UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela acknowledged the challenges of this transition and urged universities to collaborate with government to integrate these tools into society. “We are preparing our students for a future we have not yet experienced ourselves,” said Moshabela, adding that UCT decided to turn off AI detection tools in assessments to focus instead on training students at various skill levels how to use AI responsibly.

International peers shared similar approaches. Trevor Young, Vice-President and Provost at the University of Toronto, noted that students in Canada are being provided access to tools such as ChatGPT and Claude AI, making proper training essential. However, Evelyn Welch, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, cautioned that concerns remain regarding job displacement and whether employers actually demand specific AI competencies from graduates.

Industry Partnerships and Employment Challenges

Addressing the broader economic context, Chinese university representatives outlined how aligning education with industrial needs can transform higher education. Shilong Pan, Assistant Vice-President at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, explained that his institution maintains close ties with the aviation sector—dating back to its founding in 1952—to ensure student learning remains practical and real-world focused. Moshabela noted that South African universities have historically lacked equally strong industry partnerships, emphasizing the need to break down institutional barriers.

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela reinforced this perspective, linking institutional reform directly to South Africa’s unemployment crisis. “Six out of 10 young people in South Africa are unemployed, and that is a big challenge,” Manamela stated. He emphasized that universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges, and Community Education and Training colleges must act as a gateway to employment by ensuring that training matches labor market demands.

South Africa secures seventeen ranked universities as African institutions rise globally

What is the significance of the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings launch?
The launch event, hosted at the University of Cape Town during the World Academic Summit, underscored the growing influence and rising standing of African higher education institutions on the global stage.

How did South African universities perform in the latest rankings?
South Africa secured 17 ranked universities, four more than last year. The University of Cape Town rose to joint 147th as Africa’s top institution, while the University of Pretoria reached its highest position yet in the 451–500 band, joining four other South African universities in the global top 500.

How are universities addressing artificial intelligence in education?
Institutions like the University of Cape Town have removed AI detection tools from assessments to actively train students in using AI tools responsibly, while international counterparts explore similar access models alongside concerns over graduate employability.

How should higher education institutions balance rising global rankings with the urgent demand to solve domestic employment crises?