The answer to this question may surprise you. The biggest university in South Africa is not located in Johannesburg or Cape Town, but in fact in Bloemfontein. The University of the Free State is the largest university in the country, with over 30,000 students enrolled. In terms of population, the largest population is the University of South Africa (UNISA) with over 400,000 students.
While the University of the Free State is the largest university in terms of student enrollment, it is not the oldest university in South Africa. That distinction belongs to the University of Cape Town, which was founded in 1829. So, if you’re looking for a large university with a long history, the University of the Free State is the perfect choice for you.
There are 26 public universities in all 9 provinces of South Africa.
