The Best Universities in South Africa for Studying African Studies in 2025: The Ultimate Guide
South Africa, with its rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and socio-political transformations, is a prime location for studying African Studies. This interdisciplinary field explores the continent’s history, politics, anthropology, languages, and contemporary issues, offering students a deep understanding of Africa’s past and present. In 2025, South Africa’s top universities stand out for their exceptional programs, research output, and global recognition in African Studies.
Why Study African Studies in South Africa?
South Africa’s unique position as a nation shaped by colonialism, apartheid, and post-apartheid reconciliation makes it an unparalleled hub for African Studies. The country hosts over 36,000 international students annually (2024 data), drawn by affordable tuition (ranging from R30,000 to R80,000/year for locals) and a robust academic ecosystem. South African universities produced 13.4 million citations from 661,000 academic publications by March 2025 (EduRank), with a significant portion tied to social sciences and humanities, including African Studies. The demand for experts in African affairs is growing, with the African Union and NGOs projecting a need for 500,000 skilled professionals continent-wide by 2030.
Ranking Methodology
This list is based on:
Program Excellence: Depth of African Studies curricula
Research Output: Citations and publications in African Studies (EduRank, QS Rankings)
Global Rankings: QS World University Rankings 2025
Faculty Expertise: Number of specialists and notable scholars
Graduate Outcomes: Employability and alumni impact
Here are the top universities in South Africa for African Studies in 2025.
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Global Ranking: #171 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
African Studies Ranking: #1 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
Key Programs: BA in African Studies, MA in African Studies, PhD in African Studies
Why UCT Leads
UCT’s Centre for African Studies (CAS) is a global benchmark, integrating history, anthropology, and politics with a focus on Southern Africa. Its research output includes 12,300 citations from 650 papers in social sciences (EduRank 2025), with African Studies faculty publishing 50+ articles annually in journals like African Affairs. UCT’s archives house over 10,000 African manuscripts, making it a treasure trove for researchers.
Program Highlights
- BA in African Studies: Explores precolonial societies, colonialism, and modern Africa, with 60% coursework on South Africa.
- MA in African Studies: Offers specializations in African literature and postcolonial theory, with 80+ students enrolled annually.
- PhD in African Studies: Produces 15–20 doctorates yearly, with access to the African Climate and Development Initiative.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R50,000–R80,000/year
- Faculty: 30+ African Studies specialists
- Employability: 90% of graduates in academia, NGOs, or policy roles within six months.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Global Ranking: #264 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
African Studies Ranking: #2 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
Key Programs: BA Honours in African Studies, MA in African Studies, PhD in African History
Why Wits Excels
Wits’ African Studies Department, bolstered by the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER), is a powerhouse for critical scholarship. It generated 6,900 citations from 320 papers in 2025, with a focus on urban Africa and liberation movements. The university’s location in Johannesburg offers proximity to historical sites like Soweto.
Program Highlights
- BA Honours: Covers African politics and culture, with 70% practical research projects.
- MA in African Studies: Emphasizes oral history and memory, producing 25+ theses annually.
- PhD in African History: Known for its anti-apartheid research archive, accessed by 100+ scholars yearly.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R45,000–R75,000/year
- Research Funding: R120 million annually in humanities
- Alumni Impact: Includes scholars like Achille Mbembe, a global African Studies icon.
3. Stellenbosch University (SU)
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Global Ranking: #296 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
African Studies Ranking: #3 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
Key Programs: BA in African Languages, MPhil in African Studies, PhD in Anthropology
Why SU Shines
SU’s Department of African Languages and Centre for Africa Studies excel in linguistic diversity and cultural anthropology, producing 8,200 citations from 400 papers in 2025. Its focus on Afrikaans and indigenous languages like isiXhosa sets it apart.
Program Highlights
- BA in African Languages: Trains 50+ students yearly in Swahili, Yoruba, and Zulu.
- MPhil in African Studies: Focuses on rural development, with 60% fieldwork in Southern Africa.
- PhD in Anthropology: Produces 10+ dissertations annually on African identity.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R40,000–R70,000/year
- International Students: 12% of 32,000 total enrollment
- Employability: 88% of graduates in cultural or academic roles.
4. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Location: Durban and Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Global Ranking: #587 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
African Studies Ranking: #4 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
Key Programs: BA in African Studies, MA in History (African Focus), PhD in Development Studies
Why UKZN Stands Out
UKZN’s School of Social Sciences leverages its Zulu heritage and anti-apartheid legacy, generating 7,000 citations from 280 papers in 2025. Its Campbell Collections house 50,000+ African artifacts, enriching research.
Program Highlights
- BA in African Studies: Covers Zulu culture and colonial history, with 100+ students enrolled.
- MA in History: Focuses on African resistance, producing 20+ graduates yearly.
- PhD in Development Studies: Links African Studies to policy, with 15 annual doctorates.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R40,000–R70,000/year
- Faculty: 25+ African Studies experts
- Graduate Success: 85% employment rate in academia and NGOs.
5. University of Pretoria (UP)
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
Global Ranking: #323 (QS World University Rankings 2025)
African Studies Ranking: #5 in South Africa (EduRank 2025)
Key Programs: BA in Heritage and Cultural Studies, MA in African Politics, PhD in African Studies
Why UP Ranks High
UP’s Department of Historical and Heritage Studies and Centre for Human Rights anchor its African Studies offerings. It produced 7,500 citations from 350 papers in 2025, with strong ties to the African Union in nearby Addis Ababa.
Program Highlights
- BA in Heritage Studies: Explores African archaeology, with 50% museum-based training.
- MA in African Politics: Analyzes governance, with 30+ students annually.
- PhD in African Studies: Offers 10+ funded positions yearly for research.
Stats & Facts
- Tuition: R40,000–R75,000/year
- Student Enrollment: 50,000+ total
- Employability: 90% of graduates in policy or research roles.
Honorable Mentions
University of Johannesburg (UJ): Offers a BA in Anthropology with African focus, producing 5,800 citations from 300 papers (R35,000–R65,000/year).
University of South Africa (UNISA): Distance-learning leader with an MA in African Studies, enrolling 400,000+ students (R30,000–R50,000/year).
University of the Western Cape (UWC): Known for its MA in History (African Studies), with a 90% student satisfaction rate (R35,000–R60,000/year).
Key Statistics on African Studies in South Africa
Research Output: Social sciences, including African Studies, contributed 13.4 million citations by 2025 (EduRank).
Enrollment: Over 5,000 students study African Studies-related fields annually.
Job Growth: African Studies roles in academia and policy grew by 10% from 2020–2024 (ILO).
International Appeal: 15% of humanities students at these universities are international.
How to Choose the Right University
Specialization: Languages (SU), history (Wits), or policy (UP)?
Budget: UNISA is cheapest; UCT offers prestige at a higher cost.
Location: Urban (Johannesburg, Pretoria) or coastal (Cape Town, Durban)?
Career Goals: Academia, NGOs, or government? Check alumni networks.
Conclusion
South Africa’s best universities for African Studies—UCT, Wits, SU, UKZN, and UP—offer unmatched programs, world-class research, and career opportunities. With affordable tuition, access to 13.4 million citations of academic work, and a legacy tied to Africa’s narrative, these institutions are shaping global scholars in 2025. Apply by September–November 2025 for the 2026 intake and immerse yourself in the continent’s story.
