19 Best universities for Oncology and Cancer research in South Africa

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 339K citations received by 12.9K 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

#462 in the World

Founded: 1874

2. University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Oncology and Cancer research

#5 in Africa

#522 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1922

3. University of Stellenbosch

South Africa | Stellenbosch

For Oncology and Cancer research

#8 in Africa

#603 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

#732 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Founded: 2004

6. University of Johannesburg

South Africa | Johannesburg

For Oncology and Cancer research

#23 in Africa

#1063 in the World

Enrollment: 49,910
Founded: 2005

7. University of Limpopo

South Africa | Mankweng

For Oncology and Cancer research

#37 in Africa

#1392 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1959

8. University of the Free State

South Africa | Bloemfontein

For Oncology and Cancer research

#45 in Africa

#1522 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

#46 in Africa

#1536 in the World

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

10. North-West University

South Africa | Potchefstroom

For Oncology and Cancer research

#52 in Africa

#1713 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Founded: 2004

11. Rhodes University

South Africa | Makhanda

For Oncology and Cancer research

#69 in Africa

#1962 in the World

Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1904

12. Durban University of Technology

South Africa | Durban

For Oncology and Cancer research

#75 in Africa

#2021 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Founded: 2002

13. University of South Africa

South Africa | Pretoria

For Oncology and Cancer research

#83 in Africa

#2164 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

#2176 in the World

Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 2014

15. University of Zululand

South Africa | Kwadlangezwa

For Oncology and Cancer research

#105 in Africa

#2446 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Founded: 1960

16. Nelson Mandela University

South Africa | Port Elizabeth

For Oncology and Cancer research

#110 in Africa

#2523 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Founded: 2005

17. Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa | Pretoria

For Oncology and Cancer research

#131 in Africa

#2829 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Founded: 2003

18. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

South Africa | Cape Town

For Oncology and Cancer research

#153 in Africa

#3067 in the World

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

19. Walter Sisulu University

South Africa | Mthatha

For Oncology and Cancer research

#157 in Africa

#3144 in the World

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.