The University of the Free State ranked 9th in South Africa, 1063rd in the global 2026 rating, and scored in the TOP 50% across 159 research topics. The University of the Free State ranking is based on 3 factors: research output (EduRank's index has 29,445 academic publications and 445,554 citations attributed to the university), non-academic reputation, and the impact of 26 notable alumni.
The University of the Free State ranked 8th for Biology in South Africa and 944th in the World with 17,069 publications made and 313,684 citations received. Main research topics: Biochemistry, Genetics, Paleontology, Botany, Agricultural Science.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in South Africa and 777th in the World with 16,510 publications made and 195,102 citations received. Main research topics: Political Science, Sociology, Law, Philosophy, History.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Environmental Science in South Africa and 761st in the World with 15,588 publications made and 258,790 citations received. Main research topics: Geography and Cartography, Ecology, Geology, Paleontology, Agricultural Science.
The University of the Free State ranked 7th for Medicine in South Africa and 981st in the World with 11,661 publications made and 184,473 citations received. Main research topics: Pathology, Public Health, Psychiatry, Immunology, Nursing.
The University of the Free State ranked 8th for Chemistry in South Africa and 1110th in the World with 11,366 publications made and 235,858 citations received. Main research topics: Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Engineering in South Africa and 1221st in the World with 10,559 publications made and 196,335 citations received. Main research topics: Materials Science, Optical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Physics in South Africa and 1071st in the World with 10,514 publications made and 195,914 citations received. Main research topics: Quantum and Particle physics, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, Astrophysics and Astronomy, Nuclear Physics.
The University of the Free State ranked 10th for Computer Science in South Africa and 1425th in the World with 7,317 publications made and 111,488 citations received. Main research topics: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Neuroscience, Cyber Security, Computer Vision.
The University of the Free State ranked 10th for Psychology in South Africa and 977th in the World with 6,426 publications made and 75,787 citations received. Main research topics: Psychiatry, Social Psychology, Education Majors, Neuroscience, Child Psychology.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Economics in South Africa and 562nd in the World with 6,086 publications made and 76,298 citations received. Main research topics: Development Studies, Finance, Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, Political Economy, Agricultural Economics.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Mathematics in South Africa and 858th in the World with 5,260 publications made and 85,177 citations received. Main research topics: Statistics, Math Teachers, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, Operations Research.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Business in South Africa and 873rd in the World with 4,880 publications made and 68,139 citations received. Main research topics: Finance, Management, Marketing, Public Policy / Administration, Advertising.
The University of the Free State ranked 9th for Art & Design in South Africa and 698th in the World with 3,437 publications made and 23,904 citations received. Main research topics: Literature, Fashion Design, Aesthetics, Creative Writing, Art History.
Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.
