25 Best Public Universities in South Africa

In South Africa, international students have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education at various levels, depending on their target careers. Its education system uses a qualification system that effectively matches programs to professional aspirations. Thus, the country ensures that students are getting the education they need inside the classrooms. And if you want to explore extra-curricular activities, South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, you'll never run out of new things to learn.

There are 39 universities you can find in South Africa, and 25 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes South Africa a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in South Africa, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Can International Students Study in Public Universities in South Africa?

Absolutely! International students in public universities in South Africa can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in South Africa charge up to 291,200 Rand for bachelor’s and 298,600 Rand for master’s studies.

Rank University Location
1 University of Cape Town Cape Town, South Africa
2 Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch, South Africa
3 University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa
4 University of Johannesburg Johannesburg, South Africa
5 Durban University of Technology Durban, South Africa
6 University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban, South Africa
7 University of Pretoria Pretoria, South Africa
8 University of the Western Cape Bellville, South Africa
9 North-West University Potchefstroom, South Africa
10 Rhodes University Makhanda, South Africa
11 University of the Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa
12 Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria, South Africa
13 University of Venda Thohoyandou, South Africa
14 University of Fort Hare Alice, South Africa
15 Nelson Mandela University Gqeberha, South Africa
16 Cape Peninsula University of Technology Cape Town, South Africa
17 University of Limpopo Polokwane, South Africa
18 University of Zululand Empangeni, South Africa
19 Central University of Technology Bloemfontein, South Africa
20 Vaal University of Technology Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
21 Walter Sisulu University Mthatha, South Africa
22 Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Tshwane, South Africa
23 Mangosuthu University of Technology Durban, South Africa
24 Sol Plaatje University Kimberley, South Africa
25 University of Mpumalanga Mbombela, South Africa