University of Witwatersrand

1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg

  • #=267 QS Global World Ranking
  • PublicStatus
  • Very HighResearch Output
  • 25,735Total Students
  • 1,545Faculty
  • 1,659Int'l Students

About

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Based in Johannesburg in South Africa, the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) offers over 3,600 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English within:

  • Science
  • Health Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Engineering and the Built Environment
  • Commerce, Law and Management

Wits’ commitment to social justice has meant it’s played a key role during historical moments in South Africa, with many Witwatersrand alumni becoming icons, both historically and today.

Wits academics regularly publish world-leading research in the fields of natural science, medical and health science, social science, humanities and engineering. In fact, Wits is home to 381 NRF-rated researchers and 400 award-winning researchers, who regularly contribute new research in their fields and have a direct impact on policy and industry.

Wits has partnerships with institutions around the world including research funding opportunities for staff and students. Wits prides itself on being very cosmopolitan, with 10 percent of its students coming from overseas and 85 nationalities represented on campus from Africa and the rest of the world. The Wits Language School offers English training to students who wish to improve their language skills, while Wits’ International Office supports international students throughout all stages of the study cycle - from study visas to finding a medical aid service provider.

About

Based in Johannesburg in South Africa, the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) offers over 3,600 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English within:

  • Science
  • Health Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Engineering and the Built Environment
  • Commerce, Law and Management

Wits’ commitment to social justice has meant it’s played a key role during historical moments in South Africa, with many Witwatersrand alumni becoming icons, both historically and today.

Wits academics regularly publish world-leading research in the fields of natural science, medical and health science, social science, humanities and engineering. In fact, Wits is home to 381 NRF-rated researchers and 400 award-winning researchers, who regularly contribute new research in their fields and have a direct impact on policy and industry.

Wits has partnerships with institutions around the world including research funding opportunities for staff and students. Wits prides itself on being very cosmopolitan, with 10 percent of its students coming from overseas and 85 nationalities represented on campus from Africa and the rest of the world. The Wits Language School offers English training to students who wish to improve their language skills, while Wits’ International Office supports international students throughout all stages of the study cycle - from study visas to finding a medical aid service provider.

University highlights

QS World University Ranking

  • 2012
    #363
  • 2014
    #=313
  • 2015
    #=318
  • 2016
    #=331
  • 2017
    #=359
  • 2018
    #=364
  • 2019
    #=381
  • 2020
    #=400
  • 2021
    #=403
  • 2022
    #=424
  • 2023
    #=428
  • 2024
    #=264
  • 2025
    #=267

Student & Staff

Total students
25,735

15%
85%

International students
1,659

47%
53%

Total faculty staff
1,545

446
1099

Total students
25,735

15%
85%

International students
1,659

47%
53%

Total faculty staff
1,545

1099
446
QS Stars is a rating system that helps you select the right university based on your interests. It provides a detailed look at an institution, identifying which universities rate highest in the specific topics that matter to you, like facilities, graduate employability, social responsibility, inclusiveness, and more.

Campus locations

Campus,

1 Jan Smuts Avenue , Johannesburg , South Africa , 2000

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University of Witwatersrand basic Public Very High 17 no 1659 L EN