The University of Cape Town is a public university in Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1829 and got full university status in 1918. It is the oldest university in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, continuously operating. There are six campuses in the Capetonian suburbs of Rondebosch, Hiddingh, Observatory, Mowbray, and the Waterfront and around 30,000 students enrol each year. The Global University Leaders Forum (GULF) within the World Economic Forum, which comprises 26 of the world's top universities, has this as its only African member.
57 departments across 6 faculties are operational here offering bachelor's to doctoral degrees. Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Law, Sciences and Humanities are the faculties available here. Five alumni associated with UCT have won the Nobel Prize.
What is the University of Cape Town QS Ranking 2025?
University of Cape Town ranks 171 according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.
The University of Cape Town was ranked by various authorities such as the QS Rankings, Times Higher Education, and US News and World Reports. These rankings will help you understand the university’s position on a global scale.
The rankings for 2023, 2024, and 2025 are given below:
|
Ranked By |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
QS World University Rankings |
237 |
173 |
171 |
|
U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities |
NA |
116 |
NA |
|
Times Higher Education Rankings |
NA |
167 |
NA |
Rankings (Course-Wise)
The course-wise rankings of the university will give you an idea of the best course among the available ones. These rankings will help you pick your course based on your goals and interests.
The QS and US News and World Reports Rankings are given below:
Course-Wise QS Rankings
The QS Rankings of the courses at the university are given below:
|
Course |
Ranking 2023 |
Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Developmental Studies |
12 |
15 |
|
Geography |
51-100 |
51-100 |
|
Anthropology |
51-100 |
51-100 |
|
Medicine |
94 |
89 |
|
Earth and Marine Sciences |
101-150 |
101-150 |
|
Agriculture and Forestry |
101-150 |
101-150 |
|
Environmental Sciences |
101-150 |
134 |
|
Architecture |
101-150 |
101-150 |
|
Law and Legal Studies |
151-200 |
151-200 |
|
Computer Science |
351-400 |
401-450 |
Course-Wise US News and World Reports Rankings
The US News and World Reports Rankings of the courses at the university are given below:
|
Course |
Rankings 2024-2025 |
|---|---|
|
Biology |
285 |
|
Clinical Medicine |
102 |
|
Chemistry |
766 |
|
Economics |
304 |
|
Engineering |
970 |
|
Microbiology |
97 |
|
Pharmacology |
351 |
|
Physics |
222 |
|
Social Sciences |
78 |
Frequently Asked Questions on University of Cape Town Ranking 2025
1: Why choose the University of Cape Town?
A: The University of Cape Town is South Africa's oldest university and one of Africa's leading teaching and research institutions. It is home to the highest number of world-ranked, A-rated researchers in South Africa. UCT has an internationally acclaimed academic record.
2: What is the acceptance rate of the University of Cape Town?
A: The University of Cape Town has an acceptance rate of 4.85%, which means it’s highly selective and you must be at the top of your academic performance to get selected. Check the eligibility criteria for more information.
3: How many international students are at UCT?
A: The University of Cape Town has almost 5000 students from over 100 countries.