The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is the best university in South Africa for driving meaningful change.
This is according to the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which evaluate 2,152 universities from 125 counties/regions.
The rankings are based on universities that excel across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Not only do these institutions stand out in individual areas, but they also demonstrate comprehensive excellence in contributing to global sustainable development,” said THE.
“By excelling in a variety of SDGs, these universities showcase their commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth and partnerships.”
The 17 SGDs are as follows:
- SDG 1 – no poverty
- SDG 2 – zero hunger
- SDG 3 – good health and well-being
- SDG 5 – gender equality
- SDG 6 – clean water and sanitation
- SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth
- SDG 9 – industry, innovation and infrastructure
- SDG 10 – reduced inequalities
- SDG 11 – sustainable cities and communities
- SDG 13 – climate action
- SDG 14 – life below water
- SDG 15 – life on land
- SDG 16 – peace, justice and strong institutions
- SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals
22% of overall scores are based on SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals.
The weight of the score reflects the university’s overall efforts in fostering robust international partnerships.
The overall ranking also considers the three highest scores for the other SGDs for each university, with each counting 26% towards the overall score.
“This approach highlights the universities’ specialised strengths while also rewarding well-rounded contributions to the global SDG agenda,” said THE.
UJ was the highest-ranked university in South Africa and joint 36th in the world, along with Durham University in the UK and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
With an overall score of 93.0, UJ jumped ten places in the global rankings from 2023.
The University of Pretoria was the second-highest-placed university in South Africa and 42nd overall. Its overall score of 92.7 was only slightly behind UCT.
The University of Cape Town also cracked into the top 100 for the first time, with a score of 90.4.
No other South African universities were able to crack the top 200 globally.
The South African rankings can be found below:
| 2024 | 2023 | University | Overall Score |
| =36 | 46 | University of Johannesburg | 93.0 |
| 42 | 60 | University of Pretoria | 92.7 |
| =77 | 101-200 | University of Cape Town | 90.4 |
| 201-300 | 101-200 | Univeristy of the Witwatersrand | 79.3–83.9 |
| 401-600 | 401-600 | University of the Western Cape | 69.9-75.7 |
| 601-800 | 401-600 | Nelson Mandela University | 64.5-69.8 |
| 601-800 | 601-800 | University of South Africa | 64.5-69.8 |
| 1001-1500 | 801-1000 | Durban University of Technology | 45.0-58.7 |
| 1001–1500 | N/A | Tshwane University of Technology | 45.0-58.7 |
| 1001–1500 | N/A | University of KwaZulu-Natal | 45.0-58.7 |
Global rankings
Overall, Australia’s Western Sydney University topped the list for the third straight year with a score of 99.7.
The UK’s University of Manchester and Australia’s University of Tasmania came in joint second place, scoring 98.5.
The overall global top 10 can be found below:
- 1 – Western Sydney University, Australia (99.7)
- 2 – University of Manchester, United Kingdom (98.5)
- 2 – University of Tasmania, Australia (98.5)
- 4 – Aalborg University, Denmark (98.0)
- 5 – RMIT University, Australia (97.7)
- 6 – University of Alberta, Canada (97.4)
- 7 – UNSW Sydney, Australia (97.2)
- 8 – Queen’s University, Canada (97.1)
- 9 – Arizona State University, United States of America (96.4)
- 10 – University of Exeter, United Kingdom (96.1)
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