Best Universities for Political Science in Africa

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Africa ranked based on their research performance in Political Science. A graph of 4.57M citations received by 495K academic papers made by 351 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 | Cape Town

For Political Science

#1 in South Africa

#178 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Political Science

#2 in South Africa

#241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Political Science

#3 in South Africa

#308 in the World

Founded: 1918

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa | Pretoria

For Political Science

#4 in South Africa

#329 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa | Durban

For Political Science

#5 in South Africa

#365 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

6. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Political Science

#6 in South Africa

#403 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1873

7. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Political Science

#7 in South Africa

#460 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

8. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Political Science

#8 in South Africa

#562 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Enrollment: 26,439
Male:Female: 42:58
Founded: 2004

9. University of Ghana

Ghana | Legon

For Political Science

#1 in Ghana

#729 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 67,914
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 1948

10. University of the Western Cape

South Africa | Bellville

For Political Science

#9 in South Africa

#735 in the World

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

11. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Political Science

#1 in Nigeria

#760 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1948

12. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Political Science

#10 in South Africa

#801 in the World

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

13. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Political Science

#1 in Uganda

#832 in the World

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

14. Cairo University

Egypt | Giza

For Political Science

#1 in Egypt

#898 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Enrollment: 257,200
Founded: 1908

15. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Political Science

#11 in South Africa

#947 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

16. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Political Science

#1 in Botswana

#967 in the World

Founded: 1964

17. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Political Science

#1 in Kenya

#1054 in the World

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

18. Obafemi Awolowo University

Nigeria | Ife

For Political Science

#2 in Nigeria

#1088 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Founded: 1962

19. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Political Science

#3 in Nigeria

#1125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

20. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Political Science

#1 in Ethiopia

#1150 in the World

Founded: 1950

21. Ain Shams University

Egypt | Cairo

For Political Science

#2 in Egypt

#1166 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

22. University of Sfax

Tunisia | Sfax

For Political Science

#1 in Tunisia

#1176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%

23. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Political Science

#12 in South Africa

#1186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

24. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Political Science

#3 in Egypt

#1226 in the World

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

25. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Political Science

#1 in Morocco

#1237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 67,415

26. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Political Science

#1 in Zimbabwe

#1246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 18,040
Founded: 1955

27. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

Morocco | Fez

For Political Science

#2 in Morocco

#1252 in the World

Enrollment: 98,720
Male:Female: 54:46

28. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Political Science

#4 in Nigeria

#1270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1962

29. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ghana | Kumasi

For Political Science

#2 in Ghana

#1288 in the World

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

30. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Political Science

#4 in Egypt

#1333 in the World

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

31. Covenant University

Nigeria | Ota

For Political Science

#5 in Nigeria

#1445 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

32. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Political Science

#3 in Ghana

#1488 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

33. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Political Science

#5 in Egypt

#1494 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

34. University of Fort Hare

South Africa | Alice

For Political Science

#13 in South Africa

#1499 in the World

Founded: 1916

35. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Political Science

#1 in Tanzania

#1532 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 24,000
Founded: 1970

36. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Political Science

#2 in Tunisia

#1555 in the World

37. University of Malawi

Malawi | Zomba

For Political Science

#1 in Malawi

#1606 in the World

Founded: 1964

38. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Political Science

#14 in South Africa

#1688 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

39. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Political Science

#3 in Tunisia

#1701 in the World

40. Cadi Ayyad University

Morocco | Marrakesh

For Political Science

#3 in Morocco

#1709 in the World

Enrollment: 29,703

41. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Political Science

#1 in Zambia

#1710 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

42. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Political Science

#6 in Nigeria

#1736 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1975

43. Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco | Casablanca

For Political Science

#4 in Morocco

#1751 in the World

Enrollment: 99,300

44. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Political Science

#7 in Nigeria

#1761 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

45. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Political Science

#2 in Kenya

#1784 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

46. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Political Science

#15 in South Africa

#1790 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

47. University of Gondar

Ethiopia | Gondar

For Political Science

#2 in Ethiopia

#1872 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Enrollment: 49,103
Male:Female: 58:42
Founded: 1954

48. Helwan University

Egypt | Cairo

For Political Science

#6 in Egypt

#1881 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

49. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Senegal | Dakar

For Political Science

#1 in Senegal

#1897 in the World

Founded: 1918

50. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Political Science

#16 in South Africa

#1913 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Founded: 2005

51. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Political Science

#4 in Tunisia

#1935 in the World

52. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Nigeria | Awka

For Political Science

#8 in Nigeria

#1954 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1991

53. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Political Science

#1 in Mauritius

#2008 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

54. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Political Science

#9 in Nigeria

#2014 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

55. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Political Science

#7 in Egypt

#2015 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

56. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Political Science

#10 in Nigeria

#2020 in the World

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

57. Manouba University

Tunisia | Manouba

For Political Science

#5 in Tunisia

#2028 in the World

Enrollment: 16,315

58. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Political Science

#11 in Nigeria

#2051 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

59. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Political Science

#17 in South Africa

#2107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 10,213
Founded: 2002

60. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Political Science

#3 in Kenya

#2111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

61. Assiut University

Egypt | Asyut

For Political Science

#8 in Egypt

#2112 in the World

Founded: 1957

62. Jimma University

Ethiopia | Jimma

For Political Science

#3 in Ethiopia

#2157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1983

63. University of Carthage

Tunisia | Tunis

For Political Science

#6 in Tunisia

#2185 in the World

Enrollment: 50,314

64. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Political Science

#18 in South Africa

#2217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

65. Ibn Tofail University

Morocco | Kenitra

For Political Science

#5 in Morocco

#2236 in the World

Enrollment: 22,270
Male:Female: 52:48

66. Eduardo Mondlane University

Mozambique | Maputo

For Political Science

#1 in Mozambique

#2249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1962

67. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Political Science

#9 in Egypt

#2269 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

68. University of Annaba

Algeria | Annaba

For Political Science

#1 in Algeria

#2273 in the World

Enrollment: 8,443

69. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Political Science

#4 in Ethiopia

#2292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 57,852
Founded: 2001

70. Tanta University

Egypt | Tanta

For Political Science

#10 in Egypt

#2299 in the World

Founded: 1972

71. University of Monastir

Tunisia | Monastir

For Political Science

#7 in Tunisia

#2311 in the World

72. Lagos State University

Nigeria | Ojo

For Political Science

#12 in Nigeria

#2325 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

73. University of Bejaia

Algeria | Bejaia

For Political Science

#2 in Algeria

#2377 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%

74. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Political Science

#4 in Kenya

#2382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

75. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Political Science

#11 in Egypt

#2450 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

76. University for Development Studies

Ghana | Tamale

For Political Science

#4 in Ghana

#2481 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1992

77. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Political Science

#1 in Sudan

#2485 in the World

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

78. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Political Science

#13 in Nigeria

#2497 in the World

Founded: 1992

79. University of Kinshasa

DR Congo | Kinshasa

For Political Science

#1 in the DR Congo

#2510 in the World

Founded: 1954

80. Felix Houphouet-Boigny University

Ivory Coast | Abidjan

For Political Science

#1 in Ivory Coast

#2516 in the World

Founded: 1964

81. University of Dschang

Cameroon | Dschang

For Political Science

#1 in Cameroon

#2521 in the World

Founded: 1993

82. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Political Science

#14 in Nigeria

#2529 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Enrollment: 17,672
Founded: 1981

83. University of Tlemcen

Algeria | Tlemcen

For Political Science

#3 in Algeria

#2563 in the World

84. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Political Science

#15 in Nigeria

#2578 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

85. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Political Science

#2 in Tanzania

#2600 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

86. Abdelmalek Essaadi University

Morocco | Tetouan

For Political Science

#6 in Morocco

#2627 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 36,000

87. Al-Azhar University

Egypt | Cairo

For Political Science

#12 in Egypt

#2637 in the World

Founded: 1961

88. Vaal University of Technology

South Africa | Vanderbijlpark

For Political Science

#19 in South Africa

#2641 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1966

89. University of Venda

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Political Science

#20 in South Africa

#2660 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

90. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Political Science

#16 in Nigeria

#2682 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

91. Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Egypt | Alexandria

For Political Science

#13 in Egypt

#2684 in the World

Enrollment: 18,000
Founded: 1972

92. Mekelle University

Ethiopia | Mekelle

For Political Science

#5 in Ethiopia

#2702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Founded: 1991

93. Minia University

Egypt | Minya

For Political Science

#14 in Egypt

#2707 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1976

94. University of Uyo

Nigeria | Uyo

For Political Science

#17 in Nigeria

#2739 in the World

Founded: 1991

95. University of Namibia

Namibia | Windhoek

For Political Science

#1 in Namibia

#2756 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

96. University of Douala

Cameroon | Douala

For Political Science

#2 in Cameroon

#2769 in the World

Founded: 1977

97. Bayero University Kano

Nigeria | Kano

For Political Science

#18 in Nigeria

#2782 in the World

Founded: 1975

98. Benha University

Egypt | Benha

For Political Science

#15 in Egypt

#2810 in the World

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

99. Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration

Ghana | Accra

For Political Science

#5 in Ghana

#2828 in the World

Founded: 1961

100. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Political Science

#19 in Nigeria

#2833 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Africa

Broadcast Journalism40

Classics and Ancient History76

Communications and Public Relations170

Criminology and Criminal Justice49

Demography303

Early Childhood Education37

Intellectual Property and Patent Law25

International Law44

International Relations and Diplomacy27

Journalism and Digital Media51

Law349

Law Enforcement37

Library and Information science85

Linguistics306

Media Studies37

Military science19

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution28

Occupational Safety and Health50

Philosophy341

Political Economy48

Public Policy / Administration95

Publishing25

Radio and Television broadcasting65

Social Work33

Sociology352

Special Education24

Sports / Exercise science21

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies169

Urban and Regional planning29