2 Best Arts, Design & Architecture Universities in South Africa

University of Pretoria tops our list of 2 Arts, Design & Architecture universities in South Africa at #362 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Central University of Technology (#24 in South Africa) complete the top three. Across the whole list there are 6 courses to choose from.

Subject

Level

University type

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Universities 2 Programs 6 Scholarships 0

2 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

1Best overall

QS World #362 #4 in South Africa South Africa

University of Pretoria

Public University · 5 courses in Arts, Design & Architecture

All 5 courses →

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#362 QS World University Rankings 2026

#4 in South Africa

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2Top pick

#24 in South Africa South Africa

Central University of Technology

Public University · 1 course in Arts, Design & Architecture

Design and Studio ArtDiploma

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#24 in South Africa · by research impact

80,425 citations · h-index 103

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How these universities are ranked

Only one university here holds a QS World position — University of Pretoria at #362 — so it heads the list. Below them, universities follow their research output: University of Pretoria is cited most (3,266,028 citations).

Public, private and where they are

2 are public and 0 private (100% public).

Levels, lengths and start dates

By level: 5 bachelor's and 1 diploma. The usual length is 4 years and 5 years. 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (100% of courses with a stated intake). University of Pretoria offers the widest choice, with 5 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Arts, Design & Architecture in South Africa?

University of Pretoria (QS World #362) and Central University of Technology (#24 in South Africa) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

How many public universities offer Arts, Design & Architecture in South Africa?

2 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does an Arts, Design & Architecture course take in South Africa?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 5 years the next most common.

When do Arts, Design & Architecture courses start in South Africa?

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

Which university has the most Arts, Design & Architecture courses in South Africa?

University of Pretoria, with 5, ahead of Central University of Technology (1).

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