The Best South African Universities for Studying Gender & Women’s Studies in 2025: The Ultimate Guide
South Africa, with its complex history of gender dynamics and ongoing efforts toward equality, is a prime location for studying Gender & Women’s Studies. This interdisciplinary field examines gender roles, women’s contributions, and power structures through lenses like feminism, intersectionality, and social justice. In 2025, South Africa’s top universities offer cutting-edge programs, robust research, and practical engagement in this vital area.
Why Study Gender & Women’s Studies in South Africa?
South Africa’s unique context—marked by apartheid’s legacy and a gender-based violence rate of 99.7 per 100,000 women (Stats SA 2024)—makes it a critical hub for Gender & Women’s Studies. The country hosts 36,000+ international students annually (2024 data), drawn by affordable tuition (R30,000–R80,000/year for locals) and a vibrant academic scene. South African universities produced 152,000 citations from 19,300 Gender Studies papers by March 2025 (EduRank), reflecting their research prowess. With 55% of university graduates being women (Higher Education Dept. 2024), demand for gender-focused expertise is rising in academia, policy, and NGOs.
Ranking Methodology
This list evaluates universities based on:
Program Strength: Depth and breadth of Gender & Women’s Studies curricula
Research Output: Citations and publications (EduRank 2025)
Faculty Expertise: Specialists in gender and feminist theory
Practical Engagement: Community projects and internships
Global Rankings: QS World University Rankings 2025
Here are the top South African universities for Gender & Women’s Studies in 2025.
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Global Ranking: #171 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
- Gender Studies Ranking: #1 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
- Key Programs: BA in Gender Studies, MA in Gender & Development, PhD in Gender Studies
Why UCT Leads
UCT’s African Gender Institute (AGI) is a global leader, integrating feminist theory, African perspectives, and activism. It produced 12,300 citations from 650 social science papers, with a strong focus on gender (EduRank 2025). Faculty include 20+ gender specialists, and the program collaborates with organizations like Gender DynamiX.
Program Highlights
- BA in Gender Studies: A 3-year degree exploring feminist theory, sexuality, and race, enrolling 150+ students annually.
- MA in Gender & Development: A 2-year program with 50+ theses yearly on topics like gender-based violence and policy.
- PhD: Produces 15–20 doctorates annually, with access to AGI’s research networks.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R50,000–R80,000/year
- Research Funding: R50 million annually for humanities
- Employability: 90% of graduates in academia, NGOs, or policy within six months.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Global Ranking: #264 (QS 2025)
- Gender Studies Ranking: #2 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
- Key Programs: BA in Gender Studies, MA in Women’s Studies, PhD in Social Sciences (Gender Focus)
Why Wits Excels
Wits’ Centre for Diversity Studies and Department of Sociology lead in intersectional gender research, generating 6,900 citations from 320 papers (EduRank 2025). Its urban setting offers ties to Women’s Legal Centre and grassroots movements.
Program Highlights
- BA in Gender Studies: Covers gender, power, and culture, with 100+ students yearly.
- MA in Women’s Studies: Focuses on feminist methodologies, producing 25+ graduates annually.
- PhD: Research-intensive, with 10+ doctorates yearly on topics like queer theory.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R45,000–R75,000/year
- Faculty: 15+ gender scholars
- Employability: 89% placement rate in gender-focused roles.
3. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Location: Durban/Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
- Global Ranking: #587 (QS 2025)
- Gender Studies Ranking: #3 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
- Key Programs: BA in Gender Studies, MA in Gender Studies, PhD in Gender & Social Justice
Why UKZN Shines
UKZN’s Gender Studies Programme, the first of its kind in South Africa (est. 1988), produced 7,000 citations from 280 papers (EduRank 2025). It emphasizes African feminist perspectives and community engagement.
Program Highlights
- BA in Gender Studies: Explores gender, race, and class, with 120+ students enrolled.
- MA in Gender Studies: Offers 20+ theses annually on gender violence and policy.
- PhD: Produces 10+ graduates yearly, linked to UKZN’s Gender Forum.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R40,000–R70,000/year
- Community Projects: 50+ annually
- Employability: 87% of graduates in advocacy or research.
4. Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
- Global Ranking: #296 (QS 2025)
- Gender Studies Ranking: #4 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
- Key Programs: BA in Social Dynamics (Gender Track), MA in Gender Studies, PhD in Sociology (Gender Focus)
Why SU Stands Out
SU’s Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology excels in gender research, with 8,200 citations from 400 papers (EduRank 2025). Its focus on rural gender issues and Afrikaans contexts is unique.
Program Highlights
- BA in Social Dynamics: Includes gender modules, enrolling 80+ students yearly.
- MA in Gender Studies: Research-driven, with 15+ graduates annually.
- PhD: Produces 8–10 doctorates yearly on feminist theory.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R40,000–R70,000/year
- Faculty: 12+ gender experts
- Employability: 88% placement rate in academia or NGOs.
5. University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Location: Nationwide (Distance Learning)
- Global Ranking: #851–900 (QS 2025)
- Gender Studies Ranking: #5 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
- Key Programs: BA in Gender Studies, Honours in Gender Studies, MA in Gender Studies
Why UNISA Ranks High
UNISA’s open-access model serves 400,000+ students, with 1,000+ in Gender Studies programs. It produced 5,800 citations from 300 papers (EduRank 2025), focusing on accessibility and flexibility.
Program Highlights
- BA in Gender Studies: A 3–6-year degree on gender and society, with 500+ students enrolled.
- Honours: Prepares for master’s, enrolling 200+ yearly.
- MA: Produces 50+ graduates annually via distance learning.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R30,000–R50,000/year
- Accessibility: 100% online
- Employability: 85% of graduates in gender-related fields.
Honorable Mentions
- University of Johannesburg (UJ): BA in Anthropology (Gender Focus), with 5,800 citations from 300 papers (R35,000–R65,000/year).
- University of the Western Cape (UWC): MA in Women’s Studies, known for community focus (R35,000–R60,000/year).
- University of Pretoria (UP): BA in Sociology (Gender Track), with 7,500 citations from 350 papers (R40,000–R75,000/year).
Key Statistics on Gender & Women’s Studies in South Africa
- Research Impact: 152,000 citations from 19,300 Gender Studies papers (EduRank 2025).
- Enrollment: Over 3,000 students in gender-related programs annually.
- Gender Equity: Women make up 55% of graduates, but only 30% of senior academics (Higher Education Dept. 2024).
- Job Growth: Gender-focused roles grew by 12% from 2020–2024 (ILO estimate).
- International Students: 15% of humanities enrollment at top universities.
Career Paths After Your Degree
Academic Researcher: R200,000–R450,000/year, at universities or institutes.
NGO Advocate: R180,000–R350,000/year, with groups like Sonke Gender Justice.
Policy Analyst: R250,000–R500,000/year, in government or think tanks.
Community Organizer: R150,000–R300,000/year, addressing gender violence.
How to Choose the Right University
Focus Area: Intersectionality (Wits), African feminism (UKZN), or accessibility (UNISA)?
Budget: UNISA is cheapest; UCT offers prestige at a higher cost.
Location: Urban (Johannesburg) or scenic (Cape Town, Stellenbosch)?
Career Goals: Academia, advocacy, or policy? Check practical opportunities.
Conclusion
South Africa’s best universities for Gender & Women’s Studies—UCT, Wits, UKZN, SU, and UNISA—offer world-class education, research, and impact in 2025. With 152,000 citations, affordable tuition, and a 12% job growth rate, these institutions lead in understanding gender dynamics. UCT stands out for its AGI, facilities, and 90% employability rate, making it the top choice. Apply by September–November 2025 for 2026 intakes and join the fight for gender equity!
