The University of Cape Town (UCT) continues to shine on the global academic stage, reclaiming its title as the premier university in South Africa and all of Africa, according to the 2025 edition of the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), Cape {town} Etc reports.
UCT’s impressive score of 77.4 places it among the world’s elite, ranking it in the top 1.3% of over 21 000 institutions worldwide, landing at an overall position of 275th.
This achievement comes as UCT works to uphold its reputation amid a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
The number of institutions ranked has surged from 20,966 in 2024 to 21,462 in 2025, intensifying global competition. Despite this, UCT has consistently maintained a robust presence at the forefront of higher education, underscoring its commitment to academic and research excellence.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela expressed pride in the university’s enduring strength, stating, ‘In a rapidly shifting higher education landscape, UCT’s continued presence in the top tier of just over 21,000 universities reflects the university’s deep and enduring strength across teaching, graduate outcomes and research.’
Breaking down the rankings further, UCT ranked 186th in education, 201st for employability, and 253rd for research. The CWUR assessment employs a rigorous methodology based on numeric indicators, relying on seven outcome-based criteria grouped into four areas: education, employability, faculty recognition, and research productivity.
Notably, research quality, impact, and citations are weighed heavily, comprising 40% of the overall score.
While UCT’s position slipped slightly from 271st in 2024, the university remains resolute in its mission. Moshabela noted that rankings might serve as a useful benchmark, yet they are merely one aspect of UCT’s broader commitment to societal advancement.
‘While we pride ourselves in the academic excellence at UCT, it’s also worth noting that our mission is much broader than the limited measures included in ranking systems. We are also committed to a societal mission for the betterment of South Africa and Africa as a whole and the contribution of Africa to the world.’
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Picture: Gallo Images / Jacques Stander
Source: UCT
