The University of Witwatersrand (Wits), one of the best universities in South Africa, is renowned for its long history, commitment to research, and excellent teaching standards. Located in Johannesburg, Wits is a global center for education, creativity, and opportunity that attracts students from around the globe. This article explains the university’s rankings, tuition costs, and course offerings to help prospective students make an informed decision.
About the Witwatersrand University
The University of Witwatersrand, a public institution in Johannesburg, South Africa, was founded in 1922 with a focus on research. According to some estimates, Wits University is currently the third-oldest university in South Africa. Renowned for its academic involvement and research-based excellence, the University of Witwatersrand is a globally recognized research-based university in Africa.
It supports local transformation, high-level generation, limited skills, and innovative research, as well as the global knowledge economy. The University of Witwatersrand is a dedicated institution that works to improve public well-being at the heart of a changing society. It attracts brilliant students, eminent scholars, and intellectuals from all over the world, and it enriches intellectual communities.
The five departments of the University of Witwatersrand—Health Sciences, Science, Commerce, Law and Management, Humanities and Engineering, and the Built Environment—offer 3,600 undergraduate and graduate English courses. About 20% of the 40,259 students enrolled at the University of Witwatersrand in 2018 reside on campus in 17 residence halls.
With the majority of its alumni having historical significance, the University of Witwatersrand’s involvement with social justice has been crucial during significant moments in South Africa’s history. University of Witwatersrand faculty members consistently publish top-notch research in various fields of Medicine, Natural Science, Social Science, Health Science, Engineering, and Humanities.
In actuality, 400 awarded researchers and 381 NRF-ranked researchers have directly influenced industrial policy in addition to making substantial contributions to new research areas. One of the University of Witwatersrand’s global partnerships is funding research-based opportunities for faculty and students. With 85 different nationalities represented on the University of Witwatersrand campus and around the world, the university takes pride in its cosmopolitan culture, which explains why 10% of its students are international.
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Witwatersrand University Rankings
Wits is frequently listed as one of the best universities in the world. It is ranked among the top 500 universities worldwide in the most recent QS World University Rankings, which reflects its outstanding academic reputation and significant research. Wits is also highly regarded by Times Higher Education (THE), particularly for its contributions to the humanities, engineering, and medicine.
Wits is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best universities and is regularly ranked in the top three. Its status as a top university for both domestic and foreign students is cemented by its contribution to the advancement of research and higher education in Africa. In the list of the Best Global Universities, the University of Witwatersrand is rated #264. Schools are ranked based on how well they perform on a number of generally recognized excellence metrics.
University of Witwatersrand Rankings:
- #264 in Best Global Universities
- #2 in Best Global Universities in Africa
University of Witwatersrand Subject Rankings
- #187 in Arts and Humanities
- #615 in Biology and Biochemistry
- #504 in Chemistry
- #187 in Clinical Medicine
- #213 in Ecology
- #701 in Engineering
- #398 in Environment/Ecology
- #231 in Geosciences
- #120 in Immunology
- #27 in Infectious Diseases
- #943 in Materials Science
- #482 in Mathematics
- #176 in Microbiology
- #448 in Pharmacology and Toxicology
- #239 in Physics
- #380 in Plant and Animal Science
- #414 in Psychiatry/Psychology
- #65 in Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
- #125 in Social Sciences and Public Health
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Witwatersrand University Tuition Fees
Undergraduate Programs: Depending on the subject of study, undergraduate programs have different tuition costs. International students may face slightly higher fees than domestic students, reflecting additional administrative and support services. For example:
- Engineering and Sciences: Fees range from ZAR 50,000 to ZAR 70,000 per year.
- Humanities: More affordable at approximately ZAR 40,000 annually.
Postgraduate Programs: Postgraduate tuition fees also vary based on the program. Research-intensive courses, like those in Medicine or Law, often command higher fees compared to coursework-only programs. Fees range between ZAR 40,000 and ZAR 80,000 annually.
Costs of Living: Living in Johannesburg is relatively affordable compared to many global cities. Students should budget for:
- Accommodation: ZAR 5,000–10,000 per month.
- Food and transport: ZAR 3,000–5,000 monthly.
Scholarships and bursaries are available to offset these costs.
Witwatersrand University Course Details
Undergraduate Programs
Wits offers diverse undergraduate programs across faculties such as:
- BA (Honours) – Anthropology
- BA (Honours) – Archaeology
- BA (Honours) – Bachelor of Arts Honours
- BA (Honours) – Geography
- BA (Honours) – History of Art
- BA (Honours) – International Relations
- BA (Honours) – Organisational and Institutional Studies
- BA (Honours) – Philosophy
- BA (Honours) – Political Studies
- BA (Honours) – Sociology
- BEd (Honours) – Education
- BSc with Honours in Actuarial Science
- BSc with Honours in Applied Bioinformatics
- BSc with Honours in Big Data Analytics
- BSc with Honours in Chemistry
- BSc in Applied Mathematics and Computational
- BSc with Honours in Computer Science
- BSc with Honours in Geochemistry
- BSc with Honours in Geography
- BSc with Honours in Geology
- BSc with Honours in Geophysics
- BSc with Honours in Mathematical Sciences
- BSc with Honours in Microbiology and Biotechnology
- BSc with Honours in Palaeontology
- BSc with Honours in Physics
- BSc with Honours in Psychology
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Honours
- Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice Honours
- Bachelor of Health Sciences & Biokinetics
- Bachelor of Health Sciences & Medical Cell Biology
- Bachelor of Health Sciences & Molecular Medicine
- Bachelor of Health Sciences & Pharmacology
- Bachelor of Health Sciences & Physiology
- Bachelor of Health Sciences & Forensic Sciences
- Bachelor of Health & Human Biology
- Diploma in Advanced Nursing
- Honours in Accountancy
- Honours in Accounting Science
- Honours in Applied Development Economics
- Honours in Economic Science
- Honours in Finance
- Honours in Human Resource Management
- Honours in Information Systems
- Honours in Insurance & Risk Management
- Honours in Marketing
- LLM Commercial and Business Law
- LLM Corporate Law
- LLM Environmental Law
- LLM General
- LLM Human Rights Advocacy and Litigation
- LLM International Economic Law
- LLM International Law
- LLM Labour Law
- LLM Master of Laws
- LLM Pensions Law
MA Programs
Engineering and Technology
- MSc (Eng) in Chemical Engineering
- MSc in Artificial Intelligence
- MSc in Robotics
- MSc Engineering
- Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
Sciences
- MSc in Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences
- MSc in Astrophysics
- MSc in Chemistry
- MSc in Computational and Applied Mathematics
- MSc in Computer Science
- MSc in Data Science
- MSc in Economic Geology
- MSc in Environmental Sciences
- MSc in Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- MSc in Geosciences
- MSc in Hydrogeology
- MSc in Interdisciplinary Global Change Studies
- MSc in Mathematical Sciences
- MSc in Mathematical Statistics
- MSc in Medical Physics
- MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology
- MSc in Physics
- MSc in Radiation Protection
- MSc in Resource Conservation Biology
- MSc in e-Science
Health and Medical Sciences
- Master of Medicine
- Master of Pharmacy
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Science in Dentistry
- Master of Science in Epidemiology
- Master of Science in Medicine
- Master of Science in Medicine (Research)
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing (Research)
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Research)
- Master of Science in Physiotherapy
Business and Commerce
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Commerce in Accounting
- Master of Commerce in Health Economics
- Master of Commerce in Information Systems
- Master of Commerce in Taxation
- Masters in Applied Development Economics
- Masters of Commerce in Economics
- Masters of Commerce in Finance
Architecture and Arts
- Master of Architecture (Professional)
- Masters of Architecture by Research
Law and Governance
- Master of Laws in International Law
- Master of Laws in Tax Law
- Master of Management in Governance (General)
- Master of Management in Governance (Public Policy)
- Master of Management in Governance (Security)
- Master of Management in Governance (Social Security)
Postgraduate Programs
Wits provides excellent postgraduate options, including master’s and doctoral programs.
Education Diplomas
- PGCE – Education
- PGDip – Deaf Education
- PGDip – Translation and Interpreting
- PGDip – Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Creative and Arts Programs
- PGDA – Applied Drama and Theatre
- PGDip – Arts
- PhD – Creative Writing
- PhD – Critical Diversity Studies
- PhD – Film and Television
- PhD – Media Studies
- PhD – Migration and Displacement
Science and Engineering PhDs
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
- PhD in Chemistry
- PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- PhD in Computational and Applied Mathematics
- PhD in Computer Science
- PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology
- PhD in Physics
Health Sciences and Specializations
- PhD – Deaf Studies
- PhD Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
- Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy
Management and Law Diplomas
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law
- Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Security)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation
Accountancy and Finance
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Specialised Accountancy
- PhD in Economics and Finance
- Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management
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University of Witwatersrand Campus
The vibrant and spacious campus of the University of Witwatersrand, also known as Wits University, is situated in Johannesburg, South Africa. It has several campuses, state-of-the-art buildings, labs, and libraries, as well as historic architecture and a thriving student body.
Main Campuses:
- East Campus: Home to significant faculties like Science, Engineering, and Humanities, East Campus is the academic center of Wits. The Great Hall, a place for graduations and other events, is one of its notable features. Academic life is strengthened with contemporary libraries, lecture halls, and research facilities.
- West Campus: This section, which is near the East Campus, offers facilities for law, commerce, and some engineering. It features student housing and sports facilities and is well-known for its green landscapes and laid-back environment.
- Education Campus: Dedicated to training and education, it provides resources for advanced education studies and teacher development.
- Wits Medical School: This Parktown location specializes in health disciplines, such as dentistry, nursing, and medicine. Students can gain practical experience by being close to teaching hospitals.
- Wits Business School: Located in the Parktown area, the business school offers advanced courses in management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Key Features of the Campus:
- Cultural and Historic Sites: The Origins Centre Museum and Wits Art Museum celebrate South Africa’s cultural heritage.
- Modern Infrastructure: Equipped with world-class laboratories, libraries, and digital resources.
- Green Spaces: Recreational areas and parks provide a relaxing environment for students and staff.
- Sports and Recreation: Facilities for athletics, rugby, cricket, and more promote a balanced lifestyle.
Student Life:
The campus fosters a vibrant atmosphere with clubs, societies, and events that cater to diverse interests. International students benefit from dedicated support systems to ease their integration. The institution also hosts numerous clubs and societies, catering to diverse interests and fostering a sense of community. International students are provided with dedicated support services to ease their transition into university life.
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Why Choose the University of Witwatersrand?
Wits is defined by its devotion to quality, innovative research, and social impact. The breadth and power of its alumni network attests to the merits of a Wits education. The university’s placement in Johannesburg, the commercial heart of South Africa, gives students unrivaled opportunities for networking, internships, top-notch instruction, access to cutting-edge research, and a bustling campus community. Here’s what makes Wits unique:
1. Academic Excellence: Wits is recognized for its academic programs in subjects including business, engineering, law, and health sciences and is routinely listed among the greatest schools in the world. Its concentration on innovation and research guarantees that pupils are exposed to the most recent breakthroughs in the fields they have selected.
2. International Recognition: Wits’ contributions to research and education, notably in subjects like critical diversity studies, public health, and mining, have gained respect on a global scale. Employers and educational institutions around the world place a high value on its degrees.
3. Research Leadership: The institution is home to notable research institutes and centers, including the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER) and the Evolutionary Studies Institute. Opportunities for students to work together on projects that confront real-world challenges are valuable.
4. Excellent Location in Johannesburg: Wits, which is situated in the business center of South Africa, gives unrivaled opportunities for networking, internships, and exposure to areas like technology and finance. Both domestic and foreign students find the city’s bustling lifestyle to be more enticing.
5. Support for International Students: To guarantee a seamless adjustment to campus life, Wits offers substantial support services for international students, such as orientation seminars, aid with visas, and committed advisers.
6. Dedication to Social Impact: Wits is actively engaged in addressing societal concerns and improving social justice. In order to equip them to be leaders who have an impact, students are encouraged to participate in important projects.
7. Diverse Campus Life: There are a number of cultural events, athletic activities, and student clubs that serve a diversity of interests on campus. This diversity promotes a sense of community and enhances the educational experience for pupils.
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All things considered, the University of Witwatersrand, or Wits, is a model of intellectual excellence both inside and outside of South Africa. With its strong international and regional rankings, wide-ranging and varied study options, and commitment to innovative research, Wits provides students with a foundation for unparalleled development. Its price in respect to world standards, together with a variety of financing and scholarship programs, appeals to students all over.
Located in Johannesburg, a city full of possibilities, Wits offers academic rigor together with a vibrant campus community with support services meant to encourage student success. Whether your interests are in advanced research, professional development, or undergraduate courses, Wits provides an education combining creativity and tradition.
Choosing Wits means joining a community that supports positive change and carrying on the legacy of eminent graduates. Explore the opportunities and start your next academic adventure right now at the University of Witwatersrand!
