TOP TEN UNIVERSITIES IN AFRICA 2019 – QS RANKINGS

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Uchechi Moses

 

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings for 2019, its fifteenth edition, has been released and 17 African universities were ranked in the top 1000 globally. Unsurprisingly, South African universities were the majority as they constitute 53% of the top universities in Africa. They are eight other universities jointly ranked at the 10th position.

The QS ranking of universities is one of the three globally recognised higher education ranking agency. The other two are: ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) & The Times Education (THE) ranking organisations.

  1. University of Cape Town

Sitting on the slopes of the Table Mountain, University of Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest university. The university is Africa’s leading university and has been the top for many years across the three ranking agencies. Tied at 200th position globally with Stockholm University in the QS rankings’ 2019.

University-of-Cape-Town

The University of Cape Town

2. University of Witwatersrand

Popularly known as “Wits” and based in different parts of South Africa’s largest city – Johannesburg – is one of the country’s top tertiary education institutions. Jointly ranked the 381st university globally and with less than a percent of her students being categorised as international out of circa 40, 000 students.

3.  Stellenbosch University

Located in the town of Stellenbosch not far from cape Town, she is yet another intellectual power from the South of Africa. Ranked within the top 50 BRICS universities by the QS, she is ranked 450th globally.

4. The American University Cairo

One of the highest ranked universities in the Arab region, the American University Cairo possesses Egypt’s largest English language library collection. The American University Cairo is ranked 420th globally.

5. Cairo University

As odd as it is, she is not located in Cairo. Rather, she is located southwest of the Nile River in Giza. Ranked 11th in the Arab region. Cairo University, formerly known as Fouad University, is one of Egypt’s largest universities and the second oldest higher education institution. With three Nobel laureates as alumni, she is amongst the top 50 schools by enrolment globally.

6. University of Johannesburg

Fondly called UJ by students and alumni, she is one of South Africa’s largest universities by enrolment. Formed in 2006 as a result of the merger between Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Previously in the 601 – 650 category globally, now up to 551 – 560. The youngest South African university to be featured in the QS rankings.

7. University of Pretoria

With over 50, 000 students and more research output than any other higher education institution in South Africa, Pretoria as she called in official publications is one of the nation’s top universities. Formed in 1908 and ranks 560 – 570 globally.

8. Ain Shams University 

With circa 180, 000 students in 15 faculties, ASM is one of Egypt’s largest universities. Situated in Cairo, and established in 1950, she is ranked 17th in the Arab region by QS in 2018 and currently ranks 701 – 750 globally.

9. University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Yet another topnotch university from the southern part of Africa. With five campuses in the Kwa-Zulu region southeast of the country, she is another young institution. Formed as a result of a merger in 2004 between University of Natal and University of Durban-Westville and ranks 751 – 800 in the world.

=10. Al Akhawayn University Ifrane

The money intended to clean an oil spill was used to establish the university as wind, thankfully, blew the spill away. Established in 1995 and the last African university in 801 – 900 globally. Located in Ifrane, 70km from the imperial city of Fez. It is the youngest university on the list.

Al-akha

Al Akhawayn University ifrane

=10. Al Azhar University

Egypt’s oldest degree university, located in Cairo and amongst the prestigious in the Islamic world. Founded in the 10th century and linked to the Al Azhar Mosque. It is one of the prestigious place of learning in the Muslim world.

Al-Azhar-university

Al Ahar University

=10. Alexandria University

Gained its name as a result of the Egyptian revolution in 1952, before which was known as Farouk University. Created in 1938 as a satellite campus of Fouad University (now known as Cairo University) and made a separate entity in 1942. Currently the second largest university in the country and ranks 14th in the QS’ Arab Region survey in 2018.

AlexandariaU

Alexandria University

=10. Assiut University

Created in 1957 as the first university in Upper Egypt. Located in the city of Assiut; with 16 faculties and three institutes, she offers courses in both Arabic and English.

=10. North-West University

Another South African university formed as a result of a merger in 2004 – between Potchefstroom Christian for Higher Education and the University of North West (formerly known as University of Bophuthatswana). The merger made it one of South Africa’s largest with over 60, 000 students. Home to eight faculties and with three campuses across the Gauteng and North West regions of the country.

=10. Rhodes University

Named after British business mogul – Cecil Rhodes – and located in the Eastern Cape Province – the oldest in the province. One of South African smallest universities by enrolment, she had 8, 000 students in 2015.

=10. University of Nairobi

Originally founded as the Royal Technical College in 1956, and is East Africa’s top university and of the largest in Kenya. The Nairobi University became part of the University of East Africa in 1963 and was made a degree awarding institution in 1970 after being separated from the group. Which later had University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Makerere University, Uganda as separate entities.

UON1

University of Nairobi

=10. The University of Western Cape

Founded in 1959 and located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town. She is noted for her history of creative struggle against oppression, discrimination and disadvantage.

JARUSHUB’S TAKE

No Nigerian university in the most popular universities’ and well-balanced across various fields ranking indicator globally*. South Africa and Egypt with the exception of Kenya have proved that they are the undisputed bastions of higher education on the continent. The first eight are in the top 801+ and are relatively cheaper than most of the unranked schools some Nigerians enrol to obtain “quality” education. What does this mean? It is better to enrol at a top ranked institution that is more affordable than an unranked or lowly ranked university that is expensive.

What more? South Africa made the JarusHub’s list of 6 countries that offer top class education at affordable rates and less immigration hassles (See: 6 countries for Nigerians to obtain quality education at affordable rates with less immigration hassles).

*: The ARWU favours scientific disciplines than humanities or commercial disciplines. Also, one of the methodology in the ARWU is the number of Nobel prizes and Fields’ medals her staff has won.

QS’ Africa Rankings 2019

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4 comments

  1. Top Ten Universities In Africa 2019 - QS' Rankings | AMonpointTV music + lyrics & song audio download 8 June, 2018 at 13:20 Reply

    […] Top 10 universities in Africa have been released   The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings for 2019, its fifteenth edition, has been released and 17 African universities were ranked in the top 1000 globally. Unsurprisingly, South African universities were the majority as they constitute 53% of the top universities in Africa. They are eight other universities jointly ranked at the 10th position.   The QS ranking of universities is one of the three globally recognised higher education ranking agency. The other two are: ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) & The Times Education (THE) ranking organisations.   1. University of Cape Town   Sitting on the slopes of the Table Mountain, University of Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest university. The university is Africa’s leading university and has been the top for many years across the three ranking agencies. Tied at 200th position globally with Stockholm University in the QS rankings’ 2019.   2. University of Witwatersrand   Popularly known as "Wits" and based in different parts of South Africa’s largest city – Johannesburg – is one of the country’s top tertiary education institutions. Jointly ranked the 381st university globally and with less than a percent of her students being categorised as international out of circa 40, 000 students.   3. Stellenbosch University   Located in the town of Stellenbosch not far from cape Town, she is yet another intellectual power from the South of Africa. Ranked within the top 50 BRICS universities by the QS, she is ranked 450th globally.   4. The American University Cairo   One of the highest ranked universities in the Arab region, the American University Cairo possesses Egypt’s largest English language library collection. The American University Cairo is ranked 420th globally.   5. Cairo University   As odd as it is, she is not located in Cairo. Rather, she is located southwest of the Nile River in Giza. Ranked 11th in the Arab region. Cairo University, formerly known as Fouad University, is one of Egypt’s largest universities and the second oldest higher education institution. With three Nobel laureates as alumni, she is amongst the top 50 schools by enrolment globally.   6. University of Johannesburg   Fondly called UJ by students and alumni, she is one of South Africa’s largest universities by enrolment. Formed in 2006 as a result of the merger between Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Previously in the 601 – 650 category globally, now up to 551 – 560. The youngest South African university to be featured in the QS’ rankings.   7. University of Pretoria   With over 50, 000 students and more research output than any other higher education institution in South Africa, Pretoria as she called in official publications is one of the nation’s top universities. Formed in 1908 and ranks 560 – 570 globally.   8. Ain Shams University   With circa 180, 000 students in 15 faculties, ASM is one of Egypt’s largest universities. Situated in Cairo, and established in 1950, she is ranked 17th in the Arab region by QS in 2018 and currently ranks 701 – 750 globally.   9. University of Kwa-Zulu Natal   Yet another topnotch university from the southern part of Africa. With five campuses in the Kwa-Zulu region southeast of the country, she is another young institution. Formed as a result of a merger in 2004 between University of Natal and University of Durban-Westville and ranks 751 – 800 in the world.   10. Al Akhawayn University Ifrane   The money intended to clean an oil spill was used to establish the university as wind, thankfully, blew the spill away. Established in 1995 and the last African university in 801 – 900 globally. Located in Ifrane, 70km from the imperial city of Fez. It is the youngest university on the list.   10. Al Azhar University   Egypt’s oldest degree university, located in Cairo and amongst the prestigious in the Islamic world. Founded in the 10th century and linked to the Al Azhar Mosque. It is one of the prestigious place of learning in the Muslim world.   10. Alexandria University   Gained its name as a result of the Egyptian revolution in 1952, before which was known as Farouk University. Created in 1938 as a satellite campus of Fouad University (now known as Cairo University) and made a separate entity in 1942. Currently the second largest university in the country and ranks 14th in the QS’ Arab Region survey in 2018.   10. Assiut University   Created in 1957 as the first university in Upper Egypt. Located in the city of Assiut; with 16 faculties and three institutes, she offers courses in both Arabic and English.   10. North-West University   Another South African university formed as a result of a merger in 2004 – between Potchefstroom Christian for Higher Education and the University of North West (formerly known as University of Bophuthatswana). The merger made it one of South Africa’s largest with over 60, 000 students. Home to eight faculties and with three campuses across the Gauteng and North West regions of the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 10. Rhodes University   Named after British business mogul – Cecil Rhodes – and located in the Eastern Cape Province – the oldest in the province. One of South African smallest universities by enrolment, she had 8, 000 students in 2015.   10. University of Nairobi   Originally founded as the Royal Technical College in 1956, and is East Africa’s top university and of the largest in Kenya. The Nairobi University became part of the University of East Africa in 1963 and was made a degree awarding institution in 1970 after being separated from the group. Which later had University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Makerere University, Uganda as separate entities.   10. The University of Western Cape   Founded in 1959 and located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town. She is noted for her history of creative struggle against oppression, discrimination and disadvantage.   ***   -Culled from JarusHub […]

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