UP shines in 2025 Times Higher Education Subject Rankings: Six subjects ranked No. 1 in SA

Posted on January 23, 2025

The University of Pretoria (UP) improved its score in 22 out of 31 subjects when compared to 2024 in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings, which were released on 22 January.

Overall, the number of subjects in which UP is ranked number one in South Africa increased from three in 2024 to six in 2025. UP is ranked No. 1 in South Africa in Accounting and Finance; Architecture; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Law; Sport Science; and Veterinary Science. UP’s Faculty of Law has been ranked (alongside UCT) as the top law school in Africa, and among the top law faculties in the world, for a remarkable eighth consecutive year.

UP is ranked No. 2 in Agriculture and Forestry; and Economics and Econometrics, No. 3 in Archaeology; Art, Performing Arts and Design; History, Philosophy and Theology; and Mathematics and Statistics, and No. 4 in Biological Sciences; Business and Management; Civil Engineering; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Physics and Astronomy.

In terms of the overall performance for the broad subject areas, UP is ranked No. 2 in Life Sciences in SA and No.3 in Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics and Computer Science. It is ranked No. 4 in Education, Engineering and Psychology.

“As we welcome our students to the new academic year, it is with immense pride that I congratulate the entire UP community on these outstanding results across various subject areas,” said Professor Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP. “This achievement is a testament to UP’s multifaceted excellence, demonstrating a remarkable global footprint in research productivity, international co-authorship and reputation. Our performance across diverse subjects – from Law and Accounting to Architecture and Electrical Engineering – highlights the significant impact UP continues to have on a global scale.”

Behind the rankings

There are various approaches to analysing and interpreting rankings data. It is important to evaluate each subject’s performance across individual metrics, as a university’s strength in a particular subject may not always be fully reflected in its overall rank or score. The full methodology is available here. This perspective provides a summary of subject performance per metric, allowing for a focus on the metrics that align closely with UP’s strategic objectives. This approach highlights the University's strengths in areas that contribute to its overall academic and research excellence, showcasing alignment with its institutional priorities and long-term goals:

  • Research Reputation: On this indicator, UP is ranked No. 1 in Veterinary Science and Architecture. UP is No. 2 in Accounting and Finance; Economics and Econometrics; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and Politics and International Studies, and No. 3 in Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Law; Psychology; and Physics and Astronomy.
  • Research Productivity: On this indicator, UP is ranked No. 1 in Politics and International Studies; Sociology; and Veterinary Science, No. 2 in Accounting and Finance; Business and Management; Chemistry; Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences; Economics and Econometrics; and Mathematics and Statistics, and No. 3 in Psychology; Law; and Physics and Astronomy.
  • International Co-Authorship: On this indicator, UP is ranked No. 1 in Accounting and Finance; Art, Performing Arts and Design; Economics and Econometrics; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mathematics and Statistics; Veterinary Science; and Civil Engineering, No. 2 in Agriculture and Forestry; Computer Science; and Sport Science, and No. 3 in Architecture; Law; and Politics and International Studies. “One of our key priorities at UP is to nurture talent and empower our students, staff, and researchers to excel in their fields,” Prof Petersen said. “These results reflect the collective commitment of our community to advancing knowledge, driving innovation and making a meaningful difference in society. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this success. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our university, our country, and the world.”

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