Best Universities for Philosophy in Africa

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Africa ranked based on their research performance in Philosophy. A graph of 5.5M citations received by 511K academic papers made by 358 universities in Africa was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Cape Town

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Cape Town

For Philosophy

#1 in South Africa

#454 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of Pretoria

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Philosophy

#2 in South Africa

#498 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

3. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Philosophy

#3 in South Africa

#547 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

4. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Philosophy

#4 in South Africa

#562 in the World

Founded: 1918

5. University of South Africa

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Philosophy

#5 in South Africa

#645 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Founded: 1873

6. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Durban

For Philosophy

#6 in South Africa

#677 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

7. North-West University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Philosophy

#7 in South Africa

#750 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2004

8. University of Johannesburg

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Philosophy

#8 in South Africa

#798 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

9. Cairo University

For Philosophy

#1 in Egypt

#861 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 207,853
Founded: 1908

10. University of the Free State

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Philosophy

#9 in South Africa

#1026 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 37,000
Founded: 1904

11. University of Sfax

For Philosophy

#1057 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 33,193

12. Ain Shams University

For Philosophy

#2 in Egypt

#1082 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

13. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Philosophy

#1140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%

14. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Philosophy

#1211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 41,269
Founded: 1948

15. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Philosophy

#1231 in the World

16. University of the Western Cape

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Bellville

For Philosophy

#10 in South Africa

#1261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 24,754
Founded: 1959

17. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Philosophy

#3 in Egypt

#1305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

18. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

For Philosophy

#1345 in the World

19. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Philosophy

#4 in Egypt

#1365 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 197,278
Founded: 1942

20. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Philosophy

#1490 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

21. University of Ghana

For Philosophy

#1 in Ghana

#1492 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1948

22. Felix Houphouet-Boigny University

Ivory Coast Flag

Ivory Coast | Abidjan

For Philosophy

#1 in Ivory Coast

#1496 in the World

Enrollment: 60,189
Founded: 1964

23. Rhodes University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Makhanda

For Philosophy

#11 in South Africa

#1499 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

24. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Philosophy

#1507 in the World

25. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Philosophy

#5 in Egypt

#1573 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

26. Cadi Ayyad University

Morocco | Marrakesh

For Philosophy

#1576 in the World

27. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Philosophy

#1652 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Enrollment: 32,480
Founded: 1962

28. Pedagogical University

Mozambique Flag

Mozambique | Maputo

For Philosophy

#1 in Mozambique

#1691 in the World

Founded: 1985

29. University of Monastir

Tunisia | Monastir

For Philosophy

#1693 in the World

30. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Philosophy

#1720 in the World

Enrollment: 19,311

31. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Philosophy

#2 in Ghana

#1721 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

32. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Philosophy

#1818 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 48,680
Founded: 1962

33. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Senegal | Dakar

For Philosophy

#1824 in the World

Enrollment: 89,589
Founded: 1918

34. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Philosophy

#1 in Uganda

#1829 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1922

35. Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco | Casablanca

For Philosophy

#1841 in the World

36. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Philosophy

#1862 in the World

Founded: 1950

37. Assiut University

For Philosophy

#6 in Egypt

#1867 in the World

Founded: 1957

38. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Philosophy

#1888 in the World

Founded: 1964

39. Ibn Tofail University

Morocco | Kenitra

For Philosophy

#1892 in the World

40. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Philosophy

#1 in Kenya

#1961 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 50,000
Founded: 1970

41. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Philosophy

#7 in Egypt

#1979 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

42. University of Annaba

Algeria | Annaba

For Philosophy

#1985 in the World

Enrollment: 39,916

43. Tanta University

For Philosophy

#8 in Egypt

#2017 in the World

Founded: 1972

44. University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene

Algeria | Algiers

For Philosophy

#2031 in the World

Enrollment: 54,549

45. Manouba University

Tunisia | Manouba

For Philosophy

#2073 in the World

Enrollment: 17,040

46. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Philosophy

#9 in Egypt

#2077 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 6,857
Founded: 1919

47. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Philosophy

#12 in South Africa

#2106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

48. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

For Philosophy

#3 in Ghana

#2130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Enrollment: 85,000
Founded: 1951

49. Benha University

For Philosophy

#10 in Egypt

#2174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 88,016
Founded: 1976

50. Helwan University

For Philosophy

#11 in Egypt

#2181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

51. University of Constantine 1

Algeria | Constantine

For Philosophy

#2192 in the World

52. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Philosophy

#13 in South Africa

#2208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

53. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Philosophy

#2220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 40,645
Founded: 1975

54. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Philosophy

#2260 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 20,399
Founded: 1955

55. Al-Azhar University

For Philosophy

#12 in Egypt

#2275 in the World

Founded: 1961

56. University of Bejaia

Algeria | Bejaia

For Philosophy

#2286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%

57. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Philosophy

#2328 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 76,000
Founded: 1975

58. University of Malawi

For Philosophy

#1 in Malawi

#2332 in the World

Enrollment: 10,500
Founded: 1964

59. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Philosophy

#2345 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 45,155
Founded: 1970

60. Covenant University

For Philosophy

#2347 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

61. University of Fort Hare

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Alice

For Philosophy

#14 in South Africa

#2357 in the World

Enrollment: 11,074
Founded: 1916

62. Minia University

For Philosophy

#13 in Egypt

#2423 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1976

63. University of Tlemcen

Algeria | Tlemcen

For Philosophy

#2429 in the World

64. University of Carthage

Tunisia | Tunis

For Philosophy

#2442 in the World

Enrollment: 50,314

65. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Philosophy

#14 in Egypt

#2492 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

66. Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Morocco | Tetouan

For Philosophy

#2494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%

67. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Philosophy

#2534 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1991

68. University of Oran 1

For Philosophy

#2565 in the World

Enrollment: 60,000

69. University of Batna 1

Algeria | Batna

For Philosophy

#2585 in the World

70. Eduardo Mondlane University

Mozambique Flag

Mozambique | Maputo

For Philosophy

#2 in Mozambique

#2586 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1962

71. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Philosophy

#2648 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

72. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Philosophy

#1 in Mauritius

#2655 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

73. Ferhat Abbas Setif University 1

Algeria | Setif

For Philosophy

#2661 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%

74. University of Dschang

Cameroon | Dschang

For Philosophy

#2665 in the World

Founded: 1993

75. University of Zululand

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Philosophy

#15 in South Africa

#2679 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

76. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Philosophy

#10 in Nigeria

#2682 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 49,436
Founded: 1962

77. Beni-Suef University

Egypt | Beni Suef

For Philosophy

#15 in Egypt

#2702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 2005

78. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Philosophy

#4 in Ghana

#2704 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

79. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Cape Town

For Philosophy

#16 in South Africa

#2727 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Enrollment: 35,047
Founded: 2005

80. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Philosophy

#11 in Nigeria

#2738 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 23,100
Founded: 1981

81. University of Limpopo

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Mankweng

For Philosophy

#17 in South Africa

#2740 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

82. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Philosophy

#12 in Nigeria

#2761 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

83. Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Egypt | Alexandria

For Philosophy

#16 in Egypt

#2762 in the World

Enrollment: 18,000
Founded: 1972

84. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Philosophy

#2 in Kenya

#2771 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

85. Fayoum University

For Philosophy

#17 in Egypt

#2786 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Founded: 2005

86. University of Blida 1

Algeria | Blida

For Philosophy

#2794 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%

87. University of Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso Flag

Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou

For Philosophy

#1 in Burkina Faso

#2821 in the World

Enrollment: 44,860
Founded: 1974

88. Nangui Abrogoua University

Ivory Coast Flag

Ivory Coast | Abidjan

For Philosophy

#2 in Ivory Coast

#2881 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1995

89. Durban University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Durban

For Philosophy

#18 in South Africa

#2888 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2002

90. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Philosophy

#13 in Nigeria

#2900 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

91. University of Kinshasa

DR Congo | Kinshasa

For Philosophy

#1 in the DR Congo

#2901 in the World

Founded: 1954

92. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Philosophy

#1 in Zambia

#2947 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

93. University of Douala

Cameroon | Douala

For Philosophy

#2957 in the World

Founded: 1977

94. University of Mostaganem

Algeria | Mostaganem

For Philosophy

#10 in Algeria

#2958 in the World

Enrollment: 24,214

95. University of Uyo

For Philosophy

#14 in Nigeria

#2988 in the World

Founded: 1991

96. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Philosophy

#1 in Sudan

#2995 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 41,030
Founded: 1956

97. University of Lome

For Philosophy

#1 in Togo

#3017 in the World

Founded: 1970

98. University of Science and Technology of Oran

For Philosophy

#11 in Algeria

#3026 in the World

Enrollment: 18,484

99. University of Biskra

Algeria | Biskra

For Philosophy

#12 in Algeria

#3085 in the World

Enrollment: 31,588

100. Sohag university

Egypt | Nasser City

For Philosophy

#18 in Egypt

#3091 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2006

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Africa

Anthropology258

Broadcast Journalism45

Classics and Ancient History111

Communications and Public Relations200

Criminology and Criminal Justice69

Early Childhood Education39

Education Majors236

Forensic Science55

Gender Studies117

Human Rights Law55

Intellectual Property and Patent Law23

International Law51

International Relations and Diplomacy28

Journalism and Digital Media70

Law Enforcement44

Library and Information science114

Media Studies59

Military science23

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution31

Occupational Safety and Health54

Political Economy68

Political Science363

Public Policy / Administration119

Radio and Television broadcasting67

Special Education26

Sports / Exercise science31

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies211

Urban and Regional planning43