Best Universities for Sociology 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 Sociology. A graph of 5.31M citations received by 469K academic papers made by 352 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 Sociology

#1 in South Africa

#151 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Sociology

#2 in South Africa

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa | Durban

For Sociology

#3 in South Africa

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa | Pretoria

For Sociology

#4 in South Africa

#251 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Sociology

#5 in South Africa

#263 in the World

Founded: 1918

6. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Sociology

#6 in South Africa

#356 in the World

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

7. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Sociology

#7 in South Africa

#443 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

8. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Sociology

#8 in South Africa

#476 in the World

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

9. Makerere University

Uganda | Kampala

For Sociology

#1 in Uganda

#506 in the World

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

10. University of Ibadan

Nigeria | Ibadan

For Sociology

#550 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1948

11. University of Ghana

For Sociology

#1 in Ghana

#587 in the World

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

12. University of the Western Cape

South Africa | Bellville

For Sociology

#9 in South Africa

#620 in the World

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

13. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Sociology

#10 in South Africa

#627 in the World

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

14. Addis Ababa University

Ethiopia | Addis Ababa

For Sociology

#702 in the World

Founded: 1950

15. Cairo University

For Sociology

#1 in Egypt

#727 in the World

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

16. University of Nairobi

Kenya | Nairobi

For Sociology

#1 in Kenya

#751 in the World

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

17. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Sociology

#11 in South Africa

#764 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

18. Obafemi Awolowo University

For Sociology

#826 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Founded: 1962

19. University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Sociology

#863 in the World

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

20. University of Nigeria

Nigeria | Nsukka

For Sociology

#908 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1960

21. University of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe | Harare

For Sociology

#921 in the World

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

22. University of Botswana

Botswana | Gaborone

For Sociology

#928 in the World

Founded: 1964

23. University of Gondar

Ethiopia | Gondar

For Sociology

#948 in the World

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

24. Ain Shams University

For Sociology

#2 in Egypt

#966 in the World

Enrollment: 220,000
Founded: 1950

25. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

For Sociology

#2 in Ghana

#1013 in the World

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

26. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

For Sociology

#1046 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 2007

27. Alexandria University

Egypt | Alexandria

For Sociology

#3 in Egypt

#1084 in the World

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

28. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Sociology

#12 in South Africa

#1089 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

29. University of Lagos

Nigeria | Lagos

For Sociology

#1110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1962

30. University of Malawi

For Sociology

#1 in Malawi

#1159 in the World

Founded: 1964

31. University of Cape Coast

Ghana | Cape Coast

For Sociology

#3 in Ghana

#1187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1962

32. Jimma University

Ethiopia | Jimma

For Sociology

#1209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1983

33. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Sociology

#13 in South Africa

#1213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

34. University of Zambia

Zambia | Lusaka

For Sociology

#1 in Zambia

#1226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1965

35. University of Port Harcourt

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Sociology

#1254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1975

36. Mansoura University

Egypt | Mansoura

For Sociology

#4 in Egypt

#1263 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1972

37. University of Fort Hare

South Africa | Alice

For Sociology

#14 in South Africa

#1358 in the World

Founded: 1916

38. Sokoine University of Agriculture

Tanzania | Morogoro

For Sociology

#1366 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Founded: 1984

39. University of Sfax

For Sociology

#1379 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%

40. Assiut University

For Sociology

#5 in Egypt

#1394 in the World

Founded: 1957

41. University of Ilorin

Nigeria | Ilorin

For Sociology

#1421 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 1975

42. University of Calabar

Nigeria | Calabar

For Sociology

#1433 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1975

43. Mohammed V University

Morocco | Rabat

For Sociology

#1438 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 67,415

44. Kenyatta University

Kenya | Nairobi

For Sociology

#2 in Kenya

#1504 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1985

45. American University in Cairo

Egypt | New Cairo

For Sociology

#6 in Egypt

#1508 in the World

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

46. Bahir Dar University

Ethiopia | Bahir Dar

For Sociology

#1515 in the World

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

47. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Sociology

#15 in South Africa

#1572 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

48. Moi University

Kenya | Eldoret

For Sociology

#3 in Kenya

#1573 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Founded: 1984

49. University of Benin

Nigeria | Benin

For Sociology

#1618 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1970

50. Tunis University

Tunisia | Tunis

For Sociology

#1634 in the World

51. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya | Nairobi

For Sociology

#4 in Kenya

#1645 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1994

52. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Sociology

#16 in South Africa

#1695 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Founded: 2005

53. University of Tunis El Manar

Tunisia | Tunis

For Sociology

#1709 in the World

54. Mekelle University

Ethiopia | Mekelle

For Sociology

#1720 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Founded: 1991

55. Ahmadu Bello University

Nigeria | Zaria

For Sociology

#1780 in the World

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

56. Haramaya University

Ethiopia | Haramaya

For Sociology

#1794 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Founded: 1954

57. University of Khartoum

Sudan | Khartoum

For Sociology

#1 in Sudan

#1799 in the World

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

58. Covenant University

For Sociology

#10 in Nigeria

#1801 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2002

59. Zagazig University

Egypt | Zagazig

For Sociology

#7 in Egypt

#1803 in the World

Enrollment: 117,299
Founded: 1974

60. Cheikh Anta Diop University

Senegal | Dakar

For Sociology

#1817 in the World

Founded: 1918

61. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

For Sociology

#11 in Nigeria

#1832 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Founded: 1991

62. University of Venda

South Africa | Thohoyandou

For Sociology

#17 in South Africa

#1877 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Founded: 1982

63. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Sociology

#18 in South Africa

#1882 in the World

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

64. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Sociology

#19 in South Africa

#1888 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

65. Hawassa University

Ethiopia | Awasa

For Sociology

#1890 in the World

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

66. Rivers State University

Nigeria | Port Harcourt

For Sociology

#12 in Nigeria

#1931 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1980

67. University of Sousse

Tunisia | Sousse

For Sociology

#1932 in the World

68. Eduardo Mondlane University

Mozambique | Maputo

For Sociology

#1 in Mozambique

#1977 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1962

69. University for Development Studies

For Sociology

#4 in Ghana

#1980 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1992

70. University of Mauritius

Mauritius | Reduit

For Sociology

#1 in Mauritius

#1985 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Founded: 1965

71. Mbarara University of Science and Technology

Uganda | Mbarara

For Sociology

#2 in Uganda

#1992 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1989

72. Tanta University

For Sociology

#8 in Egypt

#1998 in the World

Founded: 1972

73. Al-Azhar University

For Sociology

#9 in Egypt

#2020 in the World

Founded: 1961

74. Suez Canal University

Egypt | Ismailia

For Sociology

#10 in Egypt

#2043 in the World

Enrollment: 40,317
Founded: 1976

75. Menoufia University

Egypt | Shibin El Kom

For Sociology

#11 in Egypt

#2076 in the World

Enrollment: 80,000
Founded: 1976

76. University of Monastir

Tunisia | Monastir

For Sociology

#2120 in the World

77. Lagos State University

For Sociology

#13 in Nigeria

#2121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1983

78. University of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone | Freetown

For Sociology

#1 in Sierra Leone

#2136 in the World

Founded: 2005

79. Bayero University Kano

For Sociology

#14 in Nigeria

#2158 in the World

Founded: 1975

80. Hassan II University of Casablanca

Morocco | Casablanca

For Sociology

#2195 in the World

Enrollment: 99,300

81. Pedagogical University

Mozambique | Maputo

For Sociology

#2 in Mozambique

#2196 in the World

Founded: 1985

82. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

Nigeria | Ado Ekiti

For Sociology

#15 in Nigeria

#2217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1982

83. University of Namibia

Namibia | Windhoek

For Sociology

#2220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1992

84. Helwan University

For Sociology

#12 in Egypt

#2249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1975

85. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Nigeria | Abeokuta

For Sociology

#16 in Nigeria

#2257 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1988

86. University of Buea

Cameroon | Buea

For Sociology

#2278 in the World

Founded: 1992

87. Minia University

For Sociology

#13 in Egypt

#2283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Founded: 1976

88. Cadi Ayyad University

Morocco | Marrakesh

For Sociology

#2301 in the World

Enrollment: 29,703

89. Delta State University, Abraka

Nigeria | Abraka

For Sociology

#17 in Nigeria

#2304 in the World

Founded: 1992

90. Olabisi Onabanjo University

Nigeria | Ago Iwoye

For Sociology

#18 in Nigeria

#2305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1982

91. Benha University

For Sociology

#14 in Egypt

#2334 in the World

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

92. University of Maiduguri

Nigeria | Maiduguri

For Sociology

#19 in Nigeria

#2338 in the World

Founded: 1975

93. University of Kinshasa

DR Congo | Kinshasa

For Sociology

#1 in the DR Congo

#2361 in the World

Founded: 1954

94. University of Jos

For Sociology

#20 in Nigeria

#2365 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 24,169
Male:Female: 54:46
Founded: 1975

95. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

For Sociology

#2369 in the World

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

96. Federal University of Technology, Akure

Nigeria | Akure

For Sociology

#21 in Nigeria

#2384 in the World

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

97. University of Education, Winneba

Ghana | Winneba

For Sociology

#5 in Ghana

#2398 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1992

98. University of Uyo

For Sociology

#22 in Nigeria

#2424 in the World

Founded: 1991

99. Manouba University

Tunisia | Manouba

For Sociology

#2428 in the World

Enrollment: 16,315

100. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa | Mthatha

For Sociology

#20 in South Africa

#2436 in the World

Enrollment: 27,039
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 2005

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in Africa

Anthropology227

Broadcast Journalism40

Classics and Ancient History76

Communications and Public Relations170

Criminology and Criminal Justice49

Early Childhood Education37

Education Majors190

Forensic Science47

Gender Studies85

Human Rights Law50

Intellectual Property and Patent Law25

International Law44

International Relations and Diplomacy27

Journalism and Digital Media51

Law Enforcement37

Library and Information science85

Media Studies37

Military science19

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution28

Occupational Safety and Health50

Political Economy48

Political Science351

Public Policy / Administration95

Radio and Television broadcasting65

Special Education24

Sports / Exercise science21

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies169

Urban and Regional planning29