19 Best universities for Oncology and Cancer research in South Africa

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in South Africa ranked based on their research performance in Oncology and Cancer research. A graph of 368K citations received by 13.6K academic papers made by 19 universities in South 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 Oncology and Cancer research

#4 in Africa

#468 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Oncology and Cancer research

#5 in Africa

#528 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Oncology and Cancer research

#8 in Africa

#612 in the World

Founded: 1918

4. University of Pretoria

South Africa | Pretoria

For Oncology and Cancer research

#9 in Africa

#653 in the World

Enrollment: 48,174
Founded: 1908

5. University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa | Durban

For Oncology and Cancer research

#14 in Africa

#727 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

6. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Oncology and Cancer research

#21 in Africa

#1031 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

7. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Oncology and Cancer research

#40 in Africa

#1421 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

8. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Oncology and Cancer research

#46 in Africa

#1495 in the World

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

9. University of the Western Cape

South Africa | Bellville

For Oncology and Cancer research

#48 in Africa

#1554 in the World

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

10. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Oncology and Cancer research

#54 in Africa

#1714 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2004

11. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Oncology and Cancer research

#70 in Africa

#1988 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

12. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Oncology and Cancer research

#78 in Africa

#2054 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2002

13. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Oncology and Cancer research

#81 in Africa

#2078 in the World

Enrollment: 420,000
Founded: 1873

14. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

South Africa | Pretoria

For Oncology and Cancer research

#85 in Africa

#2132 in the World

Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 2014

15. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Oncology and Cancer research

#108 in Africa

#2462 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

16. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Oncology and Cancer research

#114 in Africa

#2547 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

17. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Oncology and Cancer research

#131 in Africa

#2804 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

18. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa | Mthatha

For Oncology and Cancer research

#152 in Africa

#3068 in the World

Founded: 2005

19. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Oncology and Cancer research

#155 in Africa

#3098 in the World

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

The best cities to study Oncology and Cancer research in South Africa based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch, and Pretoria.