Stellenbosch University (SU) has kicked off 2025 with remarkable achievements that highlight its stature as a leading global institution for higher learning. In January, it was celebrated in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject. This was swiftly followed by stellar recognition in the 2025 QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject, where SU stood out among the world’s elite universities.
In an expansive field of 1,747 institutions assessed across 55 specialised subjects, SU excelled by earning rankings in 21 categories within the broad domains of Life Sciences & Medicine, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences & Management, Natural Sciences, and Engineering & Technology. Notably, SU has improved its standing in key subject areas compared to the previous year:
- Life Sciences & Medicine: 226 (up from 238), second in South Africa.
- Arts & Humanities: 303 (up from 312), third in South Africa.
- Social Sciences & Management: 367 (up from 394), second in South Africa.
Furthermore, SU has emerged as the best university in South Africa for specific subjects such as Agriculture & Forestry—ranking in the top 100 globally—and Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies, where it placed in the top 150. For a second consecutive year, these subjects underline SU’s dominance in the South African education landscape.
In addition to its top rankings in Agriculture & Forestry and Theology, SU occupies second place in several other categories, including:
- Business & Management Studies: top 450.
- Education: top 300.
- Chemical Engineering: top 350.
- Biological Sciences: top 300.
- Psychology: top 350.
- Environmental Sciences: top 300.
- Materials Science: top 550.
SU's appeal extends beyond domestic borders, as it also ranks third in eight additional subjects, including Law, English Language & Literature, and Medicine, showcasing the breadth and depth of its academic offerings. The institution made notable strides in Development Studies, achieving a position in the top 150 globally.
Prof Sibusiso Moyo, SU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, expressed pride in these rankings. Moyo stated, “We are pleased to feature among the best tertiary institutions on two leading global subject rankings in quick succession. It is a great achievement to be the best university in South Africa in Agriculture & Forestry and Theology for the second year in a row, reaffirming the quality of our academic programmes.”
The methodology behind the QS WUR by Subject involves a diverse set of indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper, H-index, and international research networks. These criteria provide valuable insights into the global perception of institutions and their contributions to academic excellence.
In recent years, SU has consistently ranked among the top global universities in various prestigious assessments, solidifying its position as a research-intensive institution in Africa, capable of attracting top-tier talent from around the world.