For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in South Africa
- 06 Mar, 2024: Scimago Institutions published most recent results of Scimago Institutions Rankings. Includes 21 universities from South Africa.
- 25 Jan, 2024: Latest THE World’s Most International Universities from THE Times Higher Education, UK. University of Cape Town in position #55.
- 19 Dec, 2023: Latest URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance from Urap . 21 universities from South Africa appear in this ranking.
- 15 Dec, 2023: Latest Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science) from ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. 3 universities from South Africa appear in this ranking.
Rankings of universities in South Africa 2024
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 19 more rankings of University of Cape Town and subject specific rankings for 10 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 18 more rankings of University of the Witwatersrand and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 17 more rankings of University of Stellenbosch and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 20 more rankings of University of Johannesburg and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 18 more rankings of University of Pretoria and subject specific rankings for 10 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 17 more rankings of University of KwaZulu-Natal and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 13 more rankings of North-West University and subject specific rankings for 7 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 13 more rankings of University of the Western Cape and subject specific rankings for 5 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 16 more rankings of University of South Africa and subject specific rankings for 7 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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Show 8 more rankings of University of the Free State and subject specific rankings for 5 subjects |
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QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022] |
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Show 7 more rankings of Rhodes University and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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THE Emerging Economies University Ranking - Times Higher Education
[Published 19 October, 2021] |
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Show 8 more rankings of Durban University of Technology and subject specific rankings for 3 subjects |
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THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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Show 4 more rankings of University of Venda and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022] |
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THE Emerging Economies University Ranking - Times Higher Education
[Published 19 October, 2021] |
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Show 5 more rankings of Tshwane University of Technology and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022] |
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CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022] |
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Show 6 more rankings of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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QS University Rankings BRICS
[Published 06 May, 2019] |
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Show 2 more rankings of University of Fort Hare |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021] |
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Show 1 more rankings of Walter Sisulu University |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021] |
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Show 1 more rankings of Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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QS University Rankings BRICS
[Published 06 May, 2019] |
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Show 2 more rankings of University of Limpopo |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021] |
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Show 1 more rankings of University of Zululand |
Mangosuthu University of Technology
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023] |
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Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024] |
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URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023] |
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021] |
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Show 1 more rankings of Vaal University of Technology |
Central University of Technology
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StuDocu World University Ranking - EMEA - Europe, the Middle East and Africa
[Published 06 September, 2021] |
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Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023] |
Milpark Business School, Milpark Education
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Highest subject rankings of universities in South Africa
South Africa Key Facts for International Students
23 out of 24 Universities in South Africa Ranked in at least one ranking
26 Different Rankings list Universities in South Africa (21 institution and 5 subject rankings)
18 Global Rankings rank Universities in South Africa Among TOP 200
Time: GMT +2
Telephone country code: +27
- Religion:
- Pentecostal 8%
- Catholicism 7%
- Methodist 7%
- Dutch Reformed 7%
- Anglican 4%
- Other Protestant 40%
- Atheist, agnostic and unclassified 15%
- Other religions: Islam, Hinduism 12%
- Largest cities in South Africa:
- 1. Cape Town: 3,500,000
- 2. Durban: 3,100,000
- 3. Johannesburg: 2,000,000
- 4. Soweto: 1,700,000
- 5. Pretoria: 1,600,000
Largest international airport in South Africa:
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): 20.692.780 Passengers/Year; 7 Terminals; 21 km. from Johannesburg city center
Map with location of universities in South Africa
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FAQ
Ranking publishers
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Universities:
- 12584
- Published:
- 27 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%
- Universities:
- 1001
- Published:
- 23 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:
Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%
- Universities:
- 150
- Published:
- 24 June, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -QS 50 under 50:
Based on the QS World University rankings methodology, the top 50 universities that are under 50 years old.
Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 06 May, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -QS University Rankings BRICS:
Academic reputation 30% Employer reputation 20% Faculty/student ratio 20% Staff with a PhD 10% Papers per faculty 10%
- Universities:
- 2097
- Published:
- 05 December, 2023
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
- Universities:
- 6000
- Published:
- 25 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
Research Performance: 40%
- Research Output: 10%
- High-Quality Publications: 10%
- Influence: 10%
- Citations: 10%
Quality of Education: 25%
Alumni Employment: 25%
Quality of Faculty: 10%
Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Universities:
- 3718
- Published:
- 22 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity
NTU ranking
- Universities:
- 3103
- Published:
- 11 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
Research Productivity: 25%
- # Articles last 11 years: 10%
- # Articles current year: 15%
Research Impact: 35%
- # Citations last 11 years: 15%
- # Citations last 2 years: 10%
- Average # citations last 11 years: 10%
Research Excellence: 40%
- H-index last 2 years: 10%
- # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
- # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%
Nature Index
- Universities:
- 9699
- Published:
- 15 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)
RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)
- Universities:
- 3939
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
Teaching: 40%
- Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- World Teaching Reputation: 8%
Research: 40%
- Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
- Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
- Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- World Research Reputation: 8%
International Diversity: 10%
- International Faculty: 2%
- International Students: 2%
- International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
- Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
- International Level: 2%
Financial Sustainability: 10%
- Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
- Institutional Income per Student: 2%
- Papers per Research Income: 2%
- Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
- Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%
- Universities:
- 2046
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:
Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%
- Universities:
- 2917
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:
Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%
Scimago Institutions
- Universities:
- 21682
- Published:
- 06 March, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Universities:
- 13016
- Published:
- 15 August, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
Quality of Education 10%
- Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%
Quality of Faculty 40%
- Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
- Highly Cited Researchers 20%
Research Output 40%
- Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
- Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%
Per Capita Performance 10%
StuDocu
- Universities:
- 1196
- Published:
- 06 September, 2021
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Universities:
- 14232
- Published:
- 27 September, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
- Reputation survey: 15%
- Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
- Institutional income: 2.25%
30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
- Reputation survey: 18%
- Research income: 6%
- Research productivity: 6%
30% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
- Proportion of international students: 2.5%
- Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
- International collaboration: 2.5%
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"
- Universities:
- 735
- Published:
- 23 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
Employability (survey) 100%
- Universities:
- 1837
- Published:
- 19 October, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Emerging Economies University Ranking - Times Higher Education:
Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 20% International outlook (staff, students, research) 10% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 10%
- Universities:
- 750
- Published:
- 25 January, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:
Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%
- Universities:
- 2033
- Published:
- 03 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:
Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 30% International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%
- Universities:
- 88
- Published:
- 26 June, 2023
- Universities:
- 4115
- Published:
- 01 June, 2023
- Universities:
- 3144
- Published:
- 11 May, 2022
Urap
- Universities:
- 12002
- Published:
- 19 December, 2023
Us News
- Universities:
- 5248
- Published:
- 24 October, 2022
Webometrics
- Universities:
- 60012
- Published:
- 31 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:
Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%
Ranking publishers
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Universities:
- 12584
- Published:
- 27 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%
- Universities:
- 1001
- Published:
- 23 September, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:
Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%
- Universities:
- 150
- Published:
- 24 June, 2020
- Criteria used in ranking -QS 50 under 50:
Based on the QS World University rankings methodology, the top 50 universities that are under 50 years old.
Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%
- Universities:
- 400
- Published:
- 06 May, 2019
- Criteria used in ranking -QS University Rankings BRICS:
Academic reputation 30% Employer reputation 20% Faculty/student ratio 20% Staff with a PhD 10% Papers per faculty 10%
- Universities:
- 2097
- Published:
- 05 December, 2023
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
- Universities:
- 6000
- Published:
- 25 April, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
Research Performance: 40%
- Research Output: 10%
- High-Quality Publications: 10%
- Influence: 10%
- Citations: 10%
Quality of Education: 25%
Alumni Employment: 25%
Quality of Faculty: 10%
Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands
- Universities:
- 3718
- Published:
- 22 June, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity
NTU ranking
- Universities:
- 3103
- Published:
- 11 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
Research Productivity: 25%
- # Articles last 11 years: 10%
- # Articles current year: 15%
Research Impact: 35%
- # Citations last 11 years: 15%
- # Citations last 2 years: 10%
- Average # citations last 11 years: 10%
Research Excellence: 40%
- H-index last 2 years: 10%
- # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
- # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%
Nature Index
- Universities:
- 9699
- Published:
- 15 June, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)
RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)
- Universities:
- 3939
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
Teaching: 40%
- Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
- Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
- World Teaching Reputation: 8%
Research: 40%
- Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
- Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
- Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
- World Research Reputation: 8%
International Diversity: 10%
- International Faculty: 2%
- International Students: 2%
- International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
- Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
- International Level: 2%
Financial Sustainability: 10%
- Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
- Institutional Income per Student: 2%
- Papers per Research Income: 2%
- Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
- Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%
- Universities:
- 2046
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:
Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%
- Universities:
- 2917
- Published:
- 25 May, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:
Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%
Scimago Institutions
- Universities:
- 21682
- Published:
- 06 March, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Universities:
- 13016
- Published:
- 15 August, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
Quality of Education 10%
- Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%
Quality of Faculty 40%
- Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
- Highly Cited Researchers 20%
Research Output 40%
- Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
- Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%
Per Capita Performance 10%
StuDocu
- Universities:
- 1196
- Published:
- 06 September, 2021
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Universities:
- 14232
- Published:
- 27 September, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
- Reputation survey: 15%
- Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
- Institutional income: 2.25%
30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
- Reputation survey: 18%
- Research income: 6%
- Research productivity: 6%
30% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
- Proportion of international students: 2.5%
- Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
- International collaboration: 2.5%
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"
- Universities:
- 735
- Published:
- 23 November, 2022
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
Employability (survey) 100%
- Universities:
- 1837
- Published:
- 19 October, 2021
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Emerging Economies University Ranking - Times Higher Education:
Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 20% International outlook (staff, students, research) 10% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 10%
- Universities:
- 750
- Published:
- 25 January, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:
Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%
- Universities:
- 2033
- Published:
- 03 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:
Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 30% International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%
- Universities:
- 88
- Published:
- 26 June, 2023
- Universities:
- 4115
- Published:
- 01 June, 2023
- Universities:
- 3144
- Published:
- 11 May, 2022
Urap
- Universities:
- 12002
- Published:
- 19 December, 2023
Us News
- Universities:
- 5248
- Published:
- 24 October, 2022
Webometrics
- Universities:
- 60012
- Published:
- 31 July, 2023
- Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:
Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%