The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is only one of the few universities in South Africa that have retained their position in the latest global rankings, reasserting its status as the among the leading universities in the world. UJ maintained its standing within the Top 500 universities worldwide, according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released on Wednesday, October 8, 2024. This year’s rankings mark a milestone for Sub-Saharan Africa, with 54 universities from 15 countries represented in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Only five of the 14 universities in South Africa that were ranked globally retained their positions in the Top 500 band, while 14 slipped down the rankings. Ranked in the prestigious 401-500 band, UJ’s performance is remarkable, given its relatively short 20 years of existence. UJ’s performance reaffirms the robustness of the University academic programmes and research, further demonstrating its resilience and progress in its quest to be a leader in the higher education sector in South Africa and on the global stage.
UJ’s position stands out, especially in the context of world universities excelling in the research quality pillar. THE World University Rankings are known for their rigorous evaluation, measuring institutions across 18 performance indicators grouped into five core areas: Teaching, Research, Knowledge Transfer, and Internationalisation. UJ’s outstanding performance, particularly in the research quality pillar, is despite the University not having a medical school, often a key factor in global rankings.
UJ’s growth trajectory in global rankings
UJ’s journey in the rankings is one of rapid and sustained growth. Over the past five years, UJ’s overall score has surged by 50%, making it the only South African university to achieve such a remarkable trajectory. Having consistently ranked in the 601-800 band since its debut in 2017, UJ broke new ground in 2023, advancing to the 401-500 band for the 2024 edition, with continued success in the latest 2025 rankings. This leap coincided with changes in THE’s methodology, particularly the introduction of three new research quality measures. These changes have been instrumental in highlighting UJ’s research strengths and global impact.
Reflecting on this achievement, UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, said: “We are pleased with our position in the THE rankings. To be ranked fourth in the country without the advantage of a medical school is truly remarkable. It reflects UJ’s steadfast commitment to innovation, cutting-edge research, and delivering a world-class education.”
Professor Mpedi also highlighted the importance of international collaboration and UJ’s role in producing graduates equipped to address real-life challenges. “UJ’s success is a testament to our investment in research and innovation. UJ has consistently strengthened its international partnerships and increased its research output, making strides in areas that directly impact the country and the continent. With a keen focus on the future, UJ continues to play a pivotal role in South Africa’s higher education landscape, contributing to global knowledge production and addressing pressing societal challenges.”
View the full World University Rankings 2025 results and see World University Rankings 2025 methodology.
