UKZN among top 400 universities worldwide

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has been ranked among the top 400 best performing universities in the world, according to the latest 2020/2021 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. UKZN was placed in the 351-400 band, the first time that it has achieved this feat. It marks a significant improvement from the university's previous ranking in the top 500 (401-500) in the 2019/2020 cycle. This achievement places UKZN in fourth position among South African universities.

Over 1 400 universities across 92 countries were assessed in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2020/2021 for research-led universities. THE uses 13 calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution's performance, which includes teaching, research, citations, industry funding and international outlook. UKZN scored at the top of the comparable scale for research and citations.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, said it was exceptionally gratifying to note the upward success trajectory and collective achievements by the university to date. Three months ago, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) put UKZN in the top 2.4% of universities worldwide, placing UKZN 477 out of 20 000 universities globally.

He said these rankings are the outcome of the efforts and dedication of our staff and students to scholarly and scientific work, which reaffirms our excellent standing as a research-intensive institution of international standing. These are difficult times for universities throughout the world, but we will meet them with the same resolve and strengths that have delivered these outstanding results.