The 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, released on 12 March 2025, have placed 16 subjects offered by the University of Pretoria (UP) among the top 450 globally. UP’s total number of ranked subjects has also increased from 19 in 2024 to 22 in 2025.
Global and National Rankings
The QS Rankings evaluate 55 subject areas, grouped into five broad categories:
- Arts & Humanities
- Engineering & Technology
- Life Sciences & Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences & Management
In 2025, the rankings included 1 747 institutions, a 12% increase from the 1 559 ranked in 2024.
UP improved its global rankings in:
- Arts & Humanities (No. 378)
- Life Sciences & Medicine (No. 312)
Its overall scores also improved in Life Sciences & Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences & Management.
Nationally, UP holds strong positions:
- No. 2 in Engineering & Technology
- No. 3 in Social Sciences & Management
- No. 4 in Arts & Humanities, Life Sciences & Medicine, and Natural Sciences
Subject-Specific Achievements
UP made notable strides in Mathematics, now ranked 301–350 globally. Additionally, three new subjects entered the rankings:
- English Language & Literature
- Politics & International Studies
- Materials Science
Reputation and Research Impact
UP’s scores improved significantly in multiple areas:
- Academic Reputation: Improved in 17 of 55 subjects
- Employer Reputation: Improved in 19 of 55 subjects
- Citations: Improved in 30 of 55 subjects
- H-Index (Research Impact Measure): Improved in 25 of 55 subjects
- International Research Network (IRN): Improved in 22 of 37 subjects
These rankings highlight UP’s growing influence in academia, research, and employer recognition, further strengthening its position as one of South Africa’s top universities.
