Domain · Health Sciences · South Africa
Health Sciences research in South Africa
University of Johannesburg ranks first in South Africa for Health Sciences research in 2022–2025 (#368 worldwide), followed by University of the Witwatersrand and University of Cape Town.
- South Africa's world rank
- #41 of 161 countries, 2022–2025
- Works, 2022–2025
- 20k
- Top-10% rate
- 17.8%
- Ranked institutions
- 41
This ranks research output and citation impact, not the quality of diagnosis, treatment or care.
What is the best university for Health Sciences in South Africa?
| # | Institution | World rank | Score | Top-10% rate | Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of JohannesburgJohannesburg | #368 | 37.1 | 22.6% | 1,101 |
| 2 | University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburg | #379 | 36.8 | 17.0% | 2,243 |
| 3 | University of Cape TownRondebosch | #480 | 34.3 | 20.1% | 1,731 |
| 4 | North-West UniversityPotchefstroom | #522 | 33.4 | 22.2% | 698 |
| 5 | University of KwaZulu-NatalDurban | #537 | 33.1 | 18.7% | 1,842 |
| 6 | University of PretoriaPretoria | #689 | 30.4 | 15.9% | 1,499 |
| 7 | Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch | #697 | 30.3 | 18.6% | 1,552 |
| 8 | University of the Western CapeCape Town | #998 | 26.5 | 20.1% | 618 |
| 9 | University of South AfricaPretoria | #1,365 | 23.1 | 19.0% | 709 |
| 10 | South African Medical Research CouncilCape Town | #1,523 | 22.0 | 25.6% | 572 |
| 11 | University of the Free StateBloemfontein | #1,689 | 20.9 | 16.1% | 621 |
| 12 | Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityPretoria | #1,709 | 20.7 | 13.7% | 477 |
| 13 | University of LimpopoPolokwane | #3,018 | 14.7 | 13.0% | 372 |
| 14 | Nelson Mandela UniversityPort Elizabeth | #3,124 | 14.3 | 11.9% | 192 |
| 15 | Western Cape Department of HealthCape Town | #3,139 | 14.3 | 21.9% | 260 |
| 16 | National Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburg | #3,144 | 14.2 | 15.6% | 350 |
| 17 | Durban University of TechnologyDurban | #3,403 | 13.4 | 15.9% | 341 |
| 18 | University of VendaThohoyandou | #3,648 | 12.7 | 13.4% | 223 |
| 19 | Groote Schuur HospitalCape Town | #3,791 | 12.2 | 14.0% | 254 |
| 20 | Walter Sisulu UniversityMthatha | #4,219 | 11.1 | 14.6% | 302 |
| 21 | Tshwane University of TechnologyPretoria | #4,428 | 10.6 | 18.6% | 199 |
| 22 | Department of HealthPretoria | #4,749 | 9.9 | 25.2% | 156 |
| 23 | Cape Town HVTN Immunology Laboratory / Hutchinson Centre Research Institute of South AfricaCape Town | #4,989 | 9.3 | 21.6% | 141 |
| 24 | Tygerberg HospitalCape Town | #5,202 | 8.9 | 11.9% | 171 |
| 25 | University of Fort HareAlice | #5,220 | 8.9 | 25.0% | 130 |
| 26 | Red Cross War Memorial Children's HospitalCape Town | #5,845 | 7.6 | 18.3% | 101 |
| 27 | Desmond Tutu HIV FoundationCape Town | #5,929 | 7.5 | 26.7% | 80 |
| 28 | Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in AfricaCape Town | #5,994 | 7.4 | 32.3% | 62 |
| 29 | Lancet LaboratoriesJohannesburg | #6,169 | 7.1 | 14.0% | 64 |
| 30 | Africa Health Research InstituteDurban | #6,393 | 6.7 | 27.8% | 112 |
| 31 | Rhodes UniversityGrahamstown | #6,676 | 6.2 | 19.3% | 142 |
| 32 | Eskom (South Africa)Johannesburg | #6,743 | 6.1 | 2.2% | 290 |
| 33 | University of ZululandEmpangeni | #7,648 | 4.8 | 22.2% | 113 |
| 34 | Human Sciences Research CouncilPretoria | #8,219 | 4.0 | 24.4% | 68 |
| 35 | Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCape Town | #8,348 | 3.8 | 11.9% | 175 |
| 36 | Johannesburg HospitalJohannesburg | #8,511 | 3.6 | 10.6% | 120 |
| 37 | Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South AfricaDurban | #8,587 | 3.5 | 24.6% | 78 |
| 38 | Chris Hani Baragwanath HospitalJohannesburg | #8,873 | 3.2 | 9.4% | 127 |
| 39 | Central University of TechnologyBloemfontein | #9,377 | 2.6 | 8.7% | 94 |
| 40 | Steve Biko HospitalPretoria | #9,777 | 2.2 | 15.0% | 80 |
| 41 | Right to CareJohannesburg | #10,165 | 1.8 | 15.5% | 61 |
Institutions in South Africa above the floor of 40 fractional works in Health Sciences, ordered by their worldwide rank on research quality, 2022–2025.
Who are the top Health Sciences researchers in South Africa?
André Pascal Kengne, Dan J. Stein and Shabir A. Madhi rank highest among researchers based in South Africa.
- 1André Pascal Kengne#120 worldwide overall4.5k citations · 115 works
- 2Dan J. Stein#1,863 worldwide overall7.7k citations · 264 works
- 3Shabir A. Madhi#3,410 worldwide overall1.5k citations · 146 works
- 4Heather J. Zar#12,192 worldwide overall1.1k citations · 139 works
- 5Anne von Gottberg#51,634 worldwide overall627 citations · 130 works
- 6Landon Myer#487,255 worldwide overall233 citations · 115 works
- 7Ronald Anderson#658,581 worldwide overall294 citations · 114 works
- 8Chris Bateman#766,361 worldwide overall125 citations · 125 works
- 9Du Toit Loots#950,909 worldwide overall95 citations · 262 works
How South Africa compares with other countries in Health Sciences