Subfield · Sociology and Political Science · South Africa
Sociology and Political Science research in South Africa
University of Johannesburg ranks first in South Africa for Sociology and Political Science research in 2022–2025 (#17 worldwide), followed by University of South Africa and University of the Witwatersrand.
- South Africa's world rank
- #19 of 122 countries, 2022–2025
- Works, 2022–2025
- 7.1k
- Top-10% rate
- 24.5%
- Ranked institutions
- 20
Research strength only: this says nothing about teaching, admissions or cost.
What is the best university for Sociology and Political Science in South Africa?
| # | Institution | World rank | Score | Top-10% rate | Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of JohannesburgJohannesburg | #17 | 63.9 | 30.3% | 878 |
| 2 | University of South AfricaPretoria | #103 | 41.0 | 25.3% | 765 |
| 3 | University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburg | #175 | 34.2 | 26.0% | 492 |
| 4 | University of PretoriaPretoria | #178 | 34.0 | 20.4% | 648 |
| 5 | North-West UniversityPotchefstroom | #199 | 32.6 | 28.0% | 467 |
| 6 | University of Cape TownRondebosch | #239 | 30.3 | 27.8% | 381 |
| 7 | Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch | #299 | 27.4 | 20.2% | 485 |
| 8 | University of the Western CapeCape Town | #395 | 23.9 | 23.4% | 278 |
| 9 | University of KwaZulu-NatalDurban | #409 | 23.4 | 25.0% | 376 |
| 10 | University of the Free StateBloemfontein | #452 | 22.2 | 20.2% | 470 |
| 11 | Nelson Mandela UniversityPort Elizabeth | #664 | 17.3 | 25.2% | 145 |
| 12 | University of VendaThohoyandou | #818 | 14.6 | 23.6% | 93 |
| 13 | Durban University of TechnologyDurban | #840 | 14.3 | 25.6% | 138 |
| 14 | Tshwane University of TechnologyPretoria | #928 | 13.0 | 22.0% | 117 |
| 15 | Walter Sisulu UniversityMthatha | #1,028 | 11.7 | 20.9% | 119 |
| 16 | University of Fort HareAlice | #1,029 | 11.7 | 27.7% | 94 |
| 17 | Rhodes UniversityGrahamstown | #1,057 | 11.4 | 23.2% | 150 |
| 18 | Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCape Town | #1,320 | 8.5 | 28.8% | 78 |
| 19 | University of ZululandEmpangeni | #1,365 | 8.1 | 23.9% | 73 |
| 20 | University of LimpopoPolokwane | #1,497 | 6.9 | 17.8% | 114 |
Institutions in South Africa above the floor of 40 fractional works in Sociology and Political Science, ordered by their worldwide rank on research quality, 2022–2025.
Who are the top Sociology and Political Science researchers in South Africa?
Christian M. Rogerson and Christopher Saunders rank highest among researchers based in South Africa.
- 1Christian M. Rogerson#113,523 worldwide overall538 citations · 45 works
- 2Christopher Saunders#963,113 worldwide overall56 citations · 38 works
How South Africa compares with other countries in Sociology and Political Science