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3 Best PhD Universities in South Africa

University of Fort Hare tops our list of 3 PhD universities in South Africa on research impact (353,278 citations). Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science (#23 in South Africa) and Univerisity of Mpumalanga (#26 in South Africa) complete the top three. The universities on this list offer 10 matching courses between them.

3 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1Best overall
UF University of Fort Hare logo
#16 in South Africa South Africa

University of Fort Hare

Public University · 6 courses in PhD

All 6 courses →
—Tuition (indicative)
1916Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
#16 in South Africa · by research impact
353,278 citations · h-index 198
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How these universities are ranked

The rest are ordered by research impact. University of Fort Hare has the largest research record in this group, with 353,278 citations and an h-index of 198.

Public, private and where they are

The split is 3 public to 0 private institutions. The oldest is University of Fort Hare, founded in 1916. Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science is the largest, with 27,500 students.

Levels, lengths and start dates

The most common subjects are Education (2), Agriculture (1), Statistics (1) and Mathematics (1). The usual length is 4–6 years and 2 Year(s). 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake). University of Fort Hare offers the widest choice, with 6 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in South Africa for PhD?

University of Fort Hare (#16 in South Africa), Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science (#23 in South Africa) and Univerisity of Mpumalanga (#26 in South Africa) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

How many public universities offer PhD in South Africa?

3 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a PhD course take in South Africa?

Most listed courses run 4–6 years, with 2 Year(s) the next most common.

When do PhD courses start in South Africa?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then.

Which university has the most PhD courses in South Africa?

University of Fort Hare, with 6, ahead of Univerisity of Mpumalanga (3).

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