The University of Cape Town (UCT) has once again been named the best-ranked university in Africa, improving its position in the latest US News World University Rankings.
The 2026-2027 rankings, released on June 17, place UCT 122nd in the world, up from 124th in the previous edition. The results place the institution in the top 5% of the 2,250 universities assessed worldwide.
The latest ranking reinforces UCT’s status as one of Africa’s leading research institutions and underlines South Africa’s contribution to international scientific and academic research.
The US News rankings differ from university league tables that place more emphasis on factors such as student experience, recruitment and sustainability. Instead, they focus mainly on research results, academic reputation, publications, citations and international collaborations.
UCT said the results show its growing impact in research areas of direct societal relevance, including infectious diseases, public health, mental health and environmental studies.
“UCT’s influence goes beyond the ranks. Our mission is to deliver outstanding teaching and learning, while promoting curiosity-driven research and work that addresses the evolving challenges of our time,” said Professor Thokozani Majozi, UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor for research and international broadcasting.
“Together, these efforts are helping to create a sustainable future, and these results demonstrate the breadth of that impact.”
(ICYMI) The University of Cape Town remains the top ranked university in Africa in the 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings released on 18 June 2026.
The university is placed in the top 2% of more than 8 808 institutions evaluated in the world.… pic.twitter.com/YiODTJo1DL
– UCT (@UCT_news) June 19, 2026
One of UCT’s strongest performances came in the field of infectious diseases, where the university was ranked 14th worldwide. The rate is particularly important given South Africa’s continued fight against diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
Professor Digby Warner, director of UCT’s Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, said the diagnosis reflects years of research carried out in communities most affected by these health challenges. “This recognition is particularly meaningful because much of the work is done in an environment where infectious diseases remain among the most urgent health challenges,” Warner said.
The university has said that the results show the depth of its research capabilities, especially in health sciences, public health and environmental research, where it continues to contribute to solving complex challenges in the country and abroad.
These rankings are based on survey data collected between 2020 and 2024, as well as academic reputation surveys conducted from 2021 to 2025. Good performance in international rankings can enhance global recognition of South Africa’s reputation, while also helping universities attract research funding, international collaborations and academic talent.
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