The University of Pretoria (UP)’s Law programme has been ranked the best in Africa

This is according to the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings by Subject 2022 (THE WUR by Subject) announced last week (13 October).

The ranking tallied more than 1 600 universities across 99 countries and territories, making it the largest and most diverse university ranking to date. Trusted worldwide by students, teachers, governments and industry experts, this year's league table reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic has started to shift global higher education performance.

Rankings are based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

UP’s Law programme was ranked first in South Africa and Africa and 60^th in the world. The institution’s Veterinary Science programme also ranked first in South Africa and the continent, with this being the fifth consecutive year that UP’s programme has held this position.

The law programme’s performance is an improvement from being ranked in the 101-125 band in the 2021 rankings, and 90th in 2020.

UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe said this ranking is an acknowledgement of the work that goes into making academic programmes a success. “The past 20 months have been challenging for us all, and especially for those of us in higher education, as we had to come up with innovative ways to keep the academic programming going, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic,” he said. “This result is an affirmation that while we had to migrate to remote emergency online teaching and learning, the quality of our academic programme was not sacrificed. I wish to also offer my heartfelt thanks to all our staff members, who have continued to produce quality work despite the challenges we faced.”

UP’s Business & Economics, Computer Science, Agriculture & Forestry subjects were ranked second in South Africa. UP’s Life Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sports Sciences, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering programmes all ranked third in South Africa.

Professor Elsabe Schoeman, Dean of UP’s Faculty of Law, said the faculty’s programme being ranked number one in Africa and in the top 100 globally is proof of the quality and commitment of staff and students. “UP Law’s continuous THE ranking as the top law programme in Africa and in the top 100 globally bears proof of the excellent quality and commitment of staff, students, and alumni, and despite the huge impact of COVID since March 2020 to date. And, true to its vision and mission, the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria continuously strives to improve its international recognition as a leader through relevant legal research, education, academic cross-pollination and collaboration,” she said.