Studying a Masters in Africa

Africa is becoming an increasingly popular destination for higher education and offers various masters degree programs at its 1,900+ universities.

Universities in Africa

Postgraduate study in Africa Africa has over 1,900 universities providing higher education to more than 10 million students across the globe, and its total student population will continue to increase as the continent’s infrastructure improves.

These universities are spread all over the continent, and according to recent statistics Nigeria currently has the most universities with 279, Tunisia is in second place with 203 and Morocco in third with 148. While at the other end of the scale, countries such as Equatorial Guinea and Comoros have just one institution each.

How do African universities rank globally?

In a recent global ranking of universities by Times Higher Education, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa all have universities in the top 1,000 of the global ranking.

Egypt and Algeria were the two best represented African countries – with Egypt boasting 28 universities and Algeria with 15 universities in the global ranking. Universities in South Africa dominated the top 10 universities in Africa, with eight making the top 10 – and 12 South African universities are represented in the full ranking.

Find your Perfect Postgrad Program

Best universities in Africa

This table shows the top 10 universities in Africa according to the Times Higher Education Best Universities in Africa 2024.

Africa Rank 2024	University	Country
1	University of Cape Town	South Africa
=2	Stellenbosch University	South Africa
=2	University of Witwatersrand	South Africa
4	University of Johannesburg	South Africa
=5	University of KwaZulu-Natal	South Africa
=5	University of Pretoria	South Africa
=7	University of Cape Coast	Ghana
=7	Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology	Egypt
=7	North-West University	South Africa
=7	University of the Western Cape	South Africa

The ranking rates university performance using various indicators measuring teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.

Studying a masters in Africa

Postgraduate students in Africa Universities in Africa offer postgraduate students a wide variety of masters courses covering disciplines including social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering and more.

The duration of master programs in Africa varies between institutions and course specialism, with postgraduate students taking one to two years to complete their courses. The duration may extend to three years for postgraduate courses that require more extensive research.

To be eligible to study a masters degree at university in Africa students must meet the following criteria:

Hold a degree from a recognised institution
Have a minimum GPA scale of 3.0 to 4.0
Be able to understand the instruction language used most of the time – English, Portuguese and/or French
Hold a letter of recommendation from their previous institution
Have a research proposal
Students studying professional courses will usually need to have work experience

Masters tuition fees in Africa

Tuition fees for a masters degree in Africa vary between institutions and also depend on whether the student is a home student, a student from another African country, or an international student from another continent. On average, home students will pay between $1,000 to $5,000 annually, and international students will pay between $2,000 to $10,000 per year depending on the institution and the course. Students from other African countries will usually benefit from low fees, in many cases paying the same amount as home students.

International students in Africa

If you want to study in Africa as an international student, you will need a student visa. Visa eligibility requirements will differ between the countries, but applicants will usually need the following documentation:

Valid passport
Proof of admission from a recognised institution
Police clearance certificate
Proof of passed medical tests and necessary immunisations
Proof of financial stability

Reasons to study a masters in Africa

Studying in Africa will provide students with an enriching experience – here are some reasons to study a masters degree in Africa.

Affordable education

Education in Africa is cheaper than in many Western countries. Tuition fees are lower than those of other continents, making Africa a perfect destination for international and African students. In addition to the affordability of education, the cost of living in Africa is relatively low when compared globally.

Economic opportunities

Africa is the centre of a fast-growing economy giving students great chances for employment, internship and entrepreneurial opportunities once they have finished their studies. Cities like Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Cairo are homes of innovation and business, ideal for students interested in these areas of study.

Research opportunities

There are endless opportunities for research and fieldwork in Africa, this is great for individuals planning to pursue public health, anthropology, environmental science and development studies. Africa offers a rich context for academic research – students can opt to conduct significant and influential research on social transformation in quickly emerging regions, public health issues in metropolitan areas, or biodiversity in the Serengeti.

Community development

Studying in Africa will enable students to participate in the overall development of the entire continent. Once graduates are equipped with academic knowledge they can be involved in changing society. This feeling of direction and the chance to have a real influence can be immensely satisfying.

In conclusion…

Africa offers affordable education in a stimulating and evolving environment and is proving to be a more desirable location for postgraduate students due to its rich diversity, reasonable tuition fees and rising academic standing.

Study in South Africa

Find out about studying a postgraduate program in South Africa, including information about South African universities, visas, tuition fees and student life.

Find out more