THE 2021 Best Global Universities Rankings is the seventh annual report compiled by US News, which looks 86 countries to name the world's top 1 500 universities.
US News reports that universities are ranked according to 13 indicators that measure academic research performance and global and regional reputation.
Among the 13 indicators are publications, international collaboration, and global research reputation.
Take a look at the top local universities according to the 2021 Best Global Universities Rankings:
1. UCT – ranked number 1 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 103 in Best Global Universities
2. University of Witwatersrand (Wits) - ranked number 2 in Best Universities South Africa and number 192 in Best Global Universities
3. Stellenbosch University - ranked number 3 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 331 in Best Global Universities
4. University of KwaZulu-Natal – ranked number 4 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 332 in Best Global Universities
5. University of Johannesburg – ranked number 5 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 378 in Best Global Universities
6. University of Pretoria – ranked number 6 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 444 in Best Global Universities
7. North West University – ranked number 7 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 564 in Best Global Universities
8. University of the Western Cape – ranked number 8 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 729 in Best Global Universities
9. University of South Africa (Unisa) - ranked number 9 in Best Universities South Africa and number 921 in Best Global Universities
10. Rhodes University - ranked number 10 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 925 in Best Global University
11. University of the Free State – ranked number 11 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 949 in Best Global Universities
12. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) - ranked number 12 in Best Universities in South Africa and 1044 in Best Global Universities
13. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University – ranked number 13 in Best Universities in South Africa and number 1254 in Best Global Universities
With an ever-increasing number of international students preferring to enrol in universities outside their own country, the Best Global Universities rankings – which focus specifically on schools' academic research and reputation overall and not on individual undergraduate or graduate programmes – can help those applicants accurately compare institutions around the world.