The University of Pretoria (UP) has once again demonstrated global excellence with its strong performance in the latest QS World University Rankings, placing 362nd out of 1 501 ranked universities. UP also maintained its outstanding position in the International Research Network category, ranking 26th globally. This metric is a measure of how successful an institution is at establishing and maintaining research partnerships with institutions in other regions.

Now in its 22nd year, the rankings assess universities on its academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty citations, student-to-faculty ratio, proportion of international faculty and proportion of international students, among other key factors. The 2026 QS World University Rankings, released in June 2025, evaluated more than 8 000 institutions worldwide and published rankings for 1 501 universities.

UP showed remarkable improvements in several indicators: Citations per Faculty (rising 55 positions from last year), International Faculty Ratio (rising 70 positions) and International Student Ratio (rising 50 positions).

“We are immensely proud of UP’s sustained excellence,” said UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen. “Ranking 26th globally in the International Research Network category is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our academic community, which consistently pushes the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. Our commitment to fostering a diverse, international research environment and preparing graduates for the demands of a rapidly changing world remains steadfast. This achievement highlights UP’s role as a leading institution in South Africa and Africa, as well as on the global stage.”

He added that UP’s IRN ranking underscores its engagement in collaborative research across borders. “These networks are vital for fostering innovation, sharing expertise and addressing global challenges by linking researchers from diverse regions – not only within the Global North, but also involving partners in the Global South. This inclusive approach ensures that research priorities reflect varied contexts and contribute to sustainable development worldwide.”

Within South Africa, the University’s strong performance continues across key categories: Employer Reputation (2nd), Sustainability (3rd), International Research Network (3rd), Academic Reputation (4th), International Faculty (4th) and International Students (4th).

Globally, UP is ranked in the following top tiers:

• Top 50 in International Research Network (26th)
• Top 250 in Employment Outcomes (138th), Sustainability (168th) and Employer Reputation (221st)
• Top 450 in Academic Reputation (381st) and International Faculty Ratio (404th)

“UP’s domestic rank in employer reputation (2nd) reflects the University’s commitment to producing work-ready graduates who meet the evolving needs of the labour market,” Prof Petersen said. “The University continually adapts its curriculum in collaboration with employers to maintain relevance and enhance graduate employability. As we know, entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of employment. Universities must promote entrepreneurial thinking and skills across all programmes to prepare greater numbers of graduates to start and grow their own businesses, or to use these skills in the organisations where they are employed.”

Prof Petersen pointed out that while rankings serve as important performance indicators, they are not the ultimate endpoint, as universities aim to transcend quantitative metrics to create lasting, meaningful impacts.
“One of the strengths of UP’s performance is its consistent excellence across key indicators such as internationalisation, employer reputation, partnerships and research networks,” he said. “Congratulations to all our staff and students whose hard work continues to elevate UP’s reputation.”