best tertiary institutions in south africa 2024-2025

High-quality higher education facilities can be found in South Africa. There are 24 public higher education institutions in the nation, and they provide a range of study options and curriculum to both native and foreign students. In order to increase access to higher education, South Africa’s higher education system underwent restructuring in 2003. Due to this, South Africa today has three main categories of public higher education institutions: traditional universities, universities of technology, and comprehensive universities.

South Africa is home to 11 classical universities that offer theoretically oriented degrees, six comprehensive universities that offer a mix of academic and vocational degrees and certifications, and six universities of technology that place an emphasis on vocational education.

Higher education, technical and vocational education and training, and adult basic education and training are all within the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education and Training (ABET).

The Sector of Higher Education in South Africa

26 state universities, 50 public technical and vocational education and training colleges (TVET), 96 registered privates higher education institutions, and 29 provisionally registered private higher education institutions make up South Africa’s Tertiary Education sector. In order to produce graduates with the skills that are urgently needed to expand South Africa’s economy, Minister Nzimande stated in his 2016 Budget Speech that the Department’s budget for public higher education institutions would increase at an annual average of 9.8%, from R42 billion in 2015/16 to R55.3 billion in 2018/19.

The higher education institutions in South Africa are listed below:

Technikons/Universities of Technology

University of Technology programs result in degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Universities with a focus on technology aim to train students for particular professions. In technikons and universities of technology, courses in engineering, business, technology, design, the performing arts, and other applied fields are offered.

The entry criterion for technikon/university of technology programs is a National Senior Certificate, which is obtained after completing 12 years of basic and secondary education or an equivalent, while certain programs have extra prerequisites.

Technikon/University of Technology Qualifications-

National Certificate (NC): This certificate is awarded after one year of study.
National Higher Certificate (NHC): Requires two years of study.
National Diploma (NDip): Requires three years of study.
Bachelor of Technology Degree (B Tech): Requires four years of study.
Master of Technology Degree (M Tech): Requires five years of study.
Doctor of Technology Degree (D Tech): Requires seven years of study.

List of Technikons/Universities of Technology-

Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Central University of Technology
Durban University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
Vaal University of Technology

Comprehensive Universities

Comprehensive universities are created when technikons and traditional institutions are combined. These schools offer degrees and programs in the conventional subjects of science and the arts in addition to the programs and degrees given by the technikons/universities of technology. In technical, university-style programs and courses, comprehensive universities lay a big emphasis on generating research.

South Africa’s Comprehensive University List

University of Johannesburg
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
University of South Africa
University of Venda
University of Zululand
Walter Sisulu University

Traditional Universities

Traditional universities have existed in South Africa since 1829. University Cape Town was the first university, founded in 1829 to help students get ready for matriculation exams. The Institution of the Cape of Good Hope was formed as the nation’s first university to get a charter later in 1873, and the University of South Africa was founded in 1918. Numerous undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered by traditional universities. There are many different degree programs available, especially at the bachelor’s level.

The National Senior Certificate, awarded upon completion of secondary schooling, serves as the prerequisite for admission to a typical university program.

South Africa’s Traditional Universities List

Rhodes University
North-West University
University of Cape Town
University of Fort Hare
University of the Free State
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of Limpopo
University of Pretoria
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Western Cape
University of the Witwatersrand

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best tertiary institutions in south africa 2024-2025

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