Domain · Physical Sciences · South Africa
Physical Sciences research in South Africa
University of Johannesburg ranks first in South Africa for Physical Sciences research in 2022–2025 (#253 worldwide), followed by University of the Witwatersrand and University of South Africa.
- South Africa's world rank
- #39 of 157 countries, 2022–2025
- Works, 2022–2025
- 35k
- Top-10% rate
- 18.0%
- Ranked institutions
- 41
Research strength only: this says nothing about teaching, admissions or cost.
What is the best university for Physical Sciences in South Africa?
| # | Institution | World rank | Score | Top-10% rate | Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of JohannesburgJohannesburg | #253 | 41.5 | 21.1% | 5,146 |
| 2 | University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburg | #454 | 35.3 | 18.0% | 2,440 |
| 3 | University of South AfricaPretoria | #631 | 31.9 | 20.0% | 2,676 |
| 4 | University of KwaZulu-NatalDurban | #1,028 | 26.7 | 20.0% | 2,205 |
| 5 | University of Cape TownRondebosch | #1,092 | 26.1 | 15.6% | 1,977 |
| 6 | North-West UniversityPotchefstroom | #1,147 | 25.6 | 17.2% | 1,482 |
| 7 | University of the Free StateBloemfontein | #1,318 | 24.1 | 18.3% | 1,178 |
| 8 | Durban University of TechnologyDurban | #1,533 | 22.5 | 19.1% | 1,257 |
| 9 | Tshwane University of TechnologyPretoria | #1,538 | 22.5 | 14.2% | 1,359 |
| 10 | University of PretoriaPretoria | #1,554 | 22.4 | 17.7% | 2,238 |
| 11 | Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch | #1,641 | 21.8 | 15.1% | 2,489 |
| 12 | University of the Western CapeCape Town | #1,660 | 21.7 | 19.1% | 758 |
| 13 | Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityPretoria | #2,653 | 16.7 | 20.4% | 261 |
| 14 | Nelson Mandela UniversityPort Elizabeth | #2,950 | 15.6 | 17.5% | 747 |
| 15 | National Institute for Theoretical PhysicsJohannesburg | #3,274 | 14.5 | 25.5% | 168 |
| 16 | Walter Sisulu UniversityMthatha | #3,367 | 14.2 | 21.4% | 458 |
| 17 | University of LimpopoPolokwane | #3,481 | 13.8 | 13.4% | 476 |
| 18 | University of Fort HareAlice | #3,505 | 13.8 | 27.1% | 355 |
| 19 | Council for Scientific and Industrial ResearchPretoria | #3,566 | 13.6 | 18.4% | 580 |
| 20 | Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCape Town | #3,743 | 13.1 | 14.3% | 674 |
| 21 | University of VendaThohoyandou | #3,910 | 12.6 | 16.4% | 308 |
| 22 | MintekJohannesburg | #3,943 | 12.5 | 12.9% | 252 |
| 23 | University of ZululandEmpangeni | #4,041 | 12.2 | 23.0% | 290 |
| 24 | National Research FoundationPretoria | #4,081 | 12.1 | 26.2% | 128 |
| 25 | Sustainability InstituteStellenbosch | #4,678 | 10.7 | 18.0% | 330 |
| 26 | Rhodes UniversityGrahamstown | #4,865 | 10.3 | 16.6% | 636 |
| 27 | Vaal University of TechnologyVanderbijlpark | #5,620 | 8.8 | 12.6% | 388 |
| 28 | Mangosuthu University of TechnologyDurban | #6,797 | 6.8 | 18.2% | 181 |
| 29 | iThemba LaboratoryStellenbosch | #6,907 | 6.6 | 13.1% | 65 |
| 30 | South African Radio Astronomy ObservatoryCape Town | #6,927 | 6.6 | 20.6% | 126 |
| 31 | South African Medical Research CouncilCape Town | #7,414 | 5.8 | 18.5% | 70 |
| 32 | Central University of TechnologyBloemfontein | #7,597 | 5.6 | 11.8% | 330 |
| 33 | Sol Plaatje UniversityKimberley | #8,011 | 5.0 | 23.6% | 123 |
| 34 | Agricultural Research Council of South AfricaPretoria | #9,228 | 3.5 | 28.8% | 64 |
| 35 | South African Environmental Observation NetworkPretoria | #9,487 | 3.2 | 24.2% | 69 |
| 36 | University of MpumalangaMbombela | #9,628 | 3.1 | 21.8% | 110 |
| 37 | Scientific ServicesCape Town | #10,940 | 1.7 | 16.7% | 69 |
| 38 | South African National Biodiversity InstitutePretoria | #11,669 | 105.0 | 26.6% | 86 |
| 39 | South African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversityGrahamstown | #11,709 | 101.0 | 18.6% | 107 |
| 40 | Health & Medical Publishing GroupCape Town | #12,578 | 26.0 | 0.9% | 79 |
| 41 | Eskom (South Africa)Johannesburg | #12,706 | 15.0 | 1.3% | 134 |
Institutions in South Africa above the floor of 40 fractional works in Physical Sciences, ordered by their worldwide rank on research quality, 2022–2025.
Who are the top Physical Sciences researchers in South Africa?
Ramesh C. Bansal, H.C. Swart and Michael A. Henning rank highest among researchers based in South Africa.
- 1Ramesh C. Bansal#328,284 worldwide overall889 citations · 274 works
- 2H.C. Swart#382,769 worldwide overall1.2k citations · 349 works
- 3Michael A. Henning#512,714 worldwide overall544 citations · 259 works
- 4D. A. H. Buckley#570,033 worldwide overall613 citations · 279 works
- 5Esther T. Akinlabi#784,333 worldwide overall371 citations · 290 works
How South Africa compares with other countries in Physical Sciences