Best Universities for Sociology 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 Sociology. A graph of 9.29M citations received by 610K academic papers made by 359 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 Sociology

#1 in South Africa

#150 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Sociology

#2 in South Africa

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Durban

For Sociology

#3 in South Africa

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Sociology

#4 in South Africa

#241 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Sociology

#5 in South Africa

#253 in the World

Founded: 1918

6. University of South Africa

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Sociology

#6 in South Africa

#310 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Founded: 1873

7. University of Johannesburg

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Sociology

#7 in South Africa

#390 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

8. North-West University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Sociology

#8 in South Africa

#445 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2004

9. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Sociology

#484 in the World

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

10. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Sociology

#1 in Uganda

#486 in the World

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

11. University of Ghana

For Sociology

#1 in Ghana

#532 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1948

12. University of the Western Cape

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Bellville

For Sociology

#9 in South Africa

#572 in the World

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

13. University of the Free State

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Sociology

#10 in South Africa

#592 in the World

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

14. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Sociology

#651 in the World

Founded: 1950

15. Cairo University

For Sociology

#1 in Egypt

#695 in the World

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

16. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Sociology

#1 in Kenya

#718 in the World

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

17. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Sociology

#741 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

18. Rhodes University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Makhanda

For Sociology

#11 in South Africa

#772 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

19. University of Gondar

Ethiopia | Gondar

For Sociology

#780 in the World

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

20. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Sociology

#790 in the World

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

21. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Sociology

#822 in the World

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

22. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

For Sociology

#2 in Ghana

#882 in the World

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

23. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Sociology

#954 in the World

Founded: 1964

24. Ain Shams University

For Sociology

#2 in Egypt

#964 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

25. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Sociology

#969 in the World

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

26. Jimma University

Ethiopia | Jimma

For Sociology

#972 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1983

27. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Sociology

#3 in Ghana

#988 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

28. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Sociology

#1003 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

29. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Sociology

#1007 in the World

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

30. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Sociology

#3 in Egypt

#1082 in the World

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

31. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Sociology

#12 in South Africa

#1087 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

32. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Sociology

#1127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

33. University of Limpopo

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Mankweng

For Sociology

#13 in South Africa

#1154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

34. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Sociology

#1 in Zambia

#1190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

35. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Sociology

#1206 in the World

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

36. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Sociology

#4 in Egypt

#1213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

37. University of Malawi

For Sociology

#1 in Malawi

#1214 in the World

Enrollment: 10,500
Founded: 1964

38. Sokoine University of Agriculture

Tanzania | Morogoro

For Sociology

#1248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1984

39. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Sociology

#1267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 2001

40. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Sociology

#1268 in the World

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

41. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Sociology

#2 in Kenya

#1317 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

42. University of Fort Hare

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Alice

For Sociology

#14 in South Africa

#1320 in the World

Enrollment: 11,074
Founded: 1916

43. Mekelle University

Ethiopia | Mekelle

For Sociology

#1355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Enrollment: 17,030
Founded: 1991

44. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Sociology

#1374 in the World

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

45. Assiut University

For Sociology

#5 in Egypt

#1409 in the World

Founded: 1957

46. University of Sfax

For Sociology

#1411 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 33,193

47. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Sociology

#1420 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%

48. Pedagogical University

Mozambique Flag

Mozambique | Maputo

For Sociology

#1 in Mozambique

#1437 in the World

Founded: 1985

49. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Pretoria

For Sociology

#15 in South Africa

#1446 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

50. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Sociology

#3 in Kenya

#1449 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

51. Haramaya University

Ethiopia | Haramaya

For Sociology

#1457 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1954

52. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Sociology

#1465 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

53. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Sociology

#10 in Nigeria

#1503 in the World

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

54. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Sociology

#4 in Kenya

#1507 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

55. Covenant University

For Sociology

#11 in Nigeria

#1540 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

56. Hawassa University

Ethiopia | Awasa

For Sociology

#1541 in the World

Enrollment: 30,414
Male:Female: 75:25
Founded: 1976

57. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Sociology

#6 in Egypt

#1573 in the World

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

58. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Cape Town

For Sociology

#16 in South Africa

#1584 in the World

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

59. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Sociology

#12 in Nigeria

#1615 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

60. University for Development Studies

For Sociology

#4 in Ghana

#1623 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Enrollment: 13,132
Founded: 1992

61. Durban University of Technology

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Durban

For Sociology

#17 in South Africa

#1642 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2002

62. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Sociology

#7 in Egypt

#1666 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

63. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Sociology

#13 in Nigeria

#1695 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

64. University of Venda

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Sociology

#18 in South Africa

#1704 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

65. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Sociology

#5 in Ghana

#1706 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

66. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Sociology

#1719 in the World

67. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Sociology

#1729 in the World

68. University of Zululand

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Sociology

#19 in South Africa

#1731 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

69. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Senegal | Dakar

For Sociology

#1808 in the World

Enrollment: 89,589
Founded: 1918

70. Lagos State University

For Sociology

#14 in Nigeria

#1877 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

71. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Sociology

#1887 in the World

Enrollment: 19,311

72. Bayero University Kano

For Sociology

#15 in Nigeria

#1888 in the World

Enrollment: 45,810
Founded: 1975

73. Tanta University

For Sociology

#8 in Egypt

#1897 in the World

Founded: 1972

74. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Sociology

#1 in Sudan

#1903 in the World

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

75. Al-Azhar University

For Sociology

#9 in Egypt

#1972 in the World

Founded: 1961

76. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Sociology

#16 in Nigeria

#1975 in the World

Founded: 1992

77. University of Buea

Cameroon | Buea

For Sociology

#1990 in the World

Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1992

78. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Sociology

#1 in Mauritius

#1991 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

79. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Sociology

#10 in Egypt

#2001 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

80. University of Dodoma

Tanzania | Dodoma

For Sociology

#2005 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 28,949
Founded: 2007

81. Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco | Casablanca

For Sociology

#2014 in the World

82. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Sociology

#11 in Egypt

#2018 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

83. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Sociology

#17 in Nigeria

#2026 in the World

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

84. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

For Sociology

#2043 in the World

85. Helwan University

For Sociology

#12 in Egypt

#2063 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

86. Mbarara University of Science and Technology

Uganda | Mbarara

For Sociology

#2 in Uganda

#2065 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1989

87. University of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Flag

Sierra Leone | Freetown

For Sociology

#1 in Sierra Leone

#2069 in the World

Founded: 2005

88. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Sociology

#18 in Nigeria

#2070 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

89. University of Uyo

For Sociology

#19 in Nigeria

#2075 in the World

Founded: 1991

90. University of Namibia

Namibia | Windhoek

For Sociology

#2086 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

91. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa Flag

South Africa | Mthatha

For Sociology

#20 in South Africa

#2104 in the World

Founded: 2005

92. Eduardo Mondlane University

Mozambique Flag

Mozambique | Maputo

For Sociology

#2 in Mozambique

#2107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1962

93. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Sociology

#20 in Nigeria

#2110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

94. Arba Minch University

Ethiopia | Arba Minch

For Sociology

#2112 in the World

Enrollment: 37,433
Founded: 1986

95. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Sociology

#21 in Nigeria

#2149 in the World

Enrollment: 52,000
Founded: 1975

96. University of Monastir

Tunisia | Monastir

For Sociology

#2195 in the World

97. Debre Markos University

Ethiopia | Debre Markos

For Sociology

#2199 in the World

Founded: 2005

98. Cadi Ayyad University

Morocco | Marrakesh

For Sociology

#2209 in the World

99. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Nigeria | Ogbomoso

For Sociology

#22 in Nigeria

#2223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1990

100. Ebonyi State University

Nigeria | Abakaliki

For Sociology

#23 in Nigeria

#2230 in the World

Founded: 2000

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