South Africa has twenty-six (26) public universities across its nine (9) provinces. Each of the nine (9) provinces (Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and Western Cape) has at least one public university. This article presents a list of accredited universities in South Africa for international students. As a Nigerian seeking to study further in South Africa, you can have a look at some of these top-rated universities in South Africa, and select one that meets your budget and needs. Meanwhile, I have created a list of tertiary schools in Johannesburg here, should in case you are considering studying in the City of Johannesburg.
Moreover, if you are still in the process of applying for a study visa from Nigeria, take a look at this guide. It will give you practical ideas on how to find schools, submit your application for admissions and also actionable tips for visa application and options for buying a cheap flight ticket to South Africa.
South African Universities’ Websites & Location
The table below shows twenty-six (26) public universities in South Africa. These are some of the universities in South Africa for international students which Nigerians can send their applications to. Their websites and the province in which they are situated have also been listed.
| University in South Africa | Website | Province |
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) | www.cput.ac.za | Western Cape |
| Central University of Technology (CUT) | www.cut.ac.za | Free State |
| Durban University of Technology (DUT) | www.dut.ac.za | KwaZulu Natal |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) | www.mut.ac.za | Kwa-Zulu Natal |
| Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) | www.mandela.ac.za | Eastern Cape |
| North-West University (NWU) | www.nwu.ac.za | North West |
| Rhodes University (RU) | www.ru.ac.za | Eastern Cape |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) | www.smu.ac.za | North West |
| Sol Plaatje University | www.spu.ac.za | Northern Cape |
| Tshwane University of Technology | www.tut.ac.za | Gauteng |
| University of Cape Town | www.uct.ac.za | Western Cape |
| University of Fort Hare | www.ufh.ac.za | Eastern Cape |
| University of Johannesburg | www.uj.ac.za | Gauteng |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | www.ukzn.ac.za | KwaZulu Natal |
| University of Limpopo | www.ul.ac.za | Limpopo |
| University of Mpumalanga | www.ump.ac.za | Mpumalanga |
| University of Pretoria | www.up.ac.za | Gauteng |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) | www.unisa.ac.za | Gauteng |
| University of Stellenbosch | www.sun.ac.za | Western Cape |
| University of the Free State | www.ufs.ac.za | Free State |
| University of the Western Cape | www.uwc.ac.za | Western Cape |
| University of the Witwatersrand | www.wits.ac.za | Gauteng |
| University of Venda | www.univen.ac.za | Limpopo |
| University of Zululand | www.unizulu.ac.za | Kwa-Zulu Natal |
| Vaal University of Technology | www.vut.ac.za | Gauteng |
| Walter Sisulu University | www.wsu.ac.za | Eastern Cape |
Gauteng has 6 public universities
Gauteng has six (6) public universities, making it the province with the most number of public universities in South Africa. Northern Cape and Mpumalanga have the lowest number of public universities, with one (1) public university each.
| Province | Number of Public Universities |
| Gauteng | Six (6) |
| Western Cape | Four (4) |
| Kwa-Zulu Natal | Four (4) |
| Eastern Cape | Four (4) |
| Free State | Two (2) |
| North West | Two (2) |
| Limpopo | Two (2) |
| Northern Cape | One (1) |
| Mpumalanga | One (1) |
