18 Best Universities In Africa For Medicine Currently

This blog post is focused on the best universities in Africa for medicine currently. So, if you are an African student with a growing interest in studying medicine, then you should consider enrolling in any of the best medical schools in Africa that will be curated here.

It’s no news that medical schools are one of the hardest, most strenuous, and most demanding schools to enroll in, and as such, it would be great to go for the best when one decides to venture into the career. All medical careers are of utmost importance in society, because they focus on every aspect of human health.

This is why every state and country has a medical school, to train medical practitioners who will continue to take care of the citizens’ health. There are medical schools in Europe that you can enroll int if you are a resident of the state and you can even learn in English if you don’t know the native language.

Medical schools are also known to take long years, but there are as few as 4-year medical schools that you can enroll in and get a medical degree at a fast pace. Due to the high demands of medical schools, interested students find it difficult to enroll as a result of financial incapacity.

To make it easier for students like these, affordable medical schools have been made available in different states to enable those who are not financially buoyant to go to medical schools too. Just as medical schools are found in almost all states and countries all over the world, Africa is not left out, as I will be discussing some of the best universities in Africa for medicine. Without further ado, let’s delve right into them.

Best Universities in Africa for Medicine

The best universities in Africa for medicine will be listed and discussed here. These universities are considered the best because of the number of students that pass their licensing exams, achieve residency positions, their admission requirements, the percentage of students that graduate, the learning environment, support services for students, and a host of other things to consider. In no particular order, the schools are as follows;

  • University of Cape Town
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • University of Pretoria
  • Stellenbosch University
  • University of Ibadan
  • Makerere University
  • University of the Witwatersrand
  • Cairo University
  • Ain Shams University
  • University of Nairobi
  • University of Nigeria
  • Mansoura University
  • Alexandria University
  • University of Ghana
  • Addis Ababa University
  • Obafemi Awolowo University
  • University of Lagos
  • University of Zimbabwe

1.       University of Cape Town

This is the first one on the list of best universities in Africa for medicine. The University of Cape Town is ranked as the  1st in South Africa. UCT has a proud tradition of academic excellence and is currently the top-rated university in Africa and one of the top-rated universities in the world.

In addition to providing excellent teaching, UCT encourages students to build their leadership and service skills. UCT is globally ranked for its cutting-edge teaching, research, and facilities. They have a strong research ethic and a rising research output in both the basic and applied medical sciences. Their greatest strength is research quality which made them top the list of the best

Acceptance Rate – 25%

2.       University of KwaZulu-Natal

Founded in 2004, the University of KwaZulu-Natal is ranked as the 4th best in South Africa, The College of Health Sciences is a multi-professional institution spread across four of the five campuses of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Its excellent scholars function holistically, ethically, and in a socially responsive manner within the African healthcare environment while actively engaging in international collaboration and partnerships for education, research, and service.

Located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the College’s four schools; namely Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences, Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences as well as Nursing and Public Health, serve 25 percent of South Africa’s population resident in KwaZulu-Natal. UKZN is recognized as one of South Africa’s top research-focused universities. Their School of Clinical Medicine is committed to growing health professionals and researchers to meet the challenges faced by Africans.

Acceptance Rate – 63%

3.       University of Pretoria

The University of Pretoria (UP) is a seven-campus public university with its largest campus in the heart of Hatfield, the picturesque diplomatic hub of South Africa’s capital city. They are proud to stand among the world’s leading research universities.

The University of Pretoria (UP) is one of Africa’s top universities and the largest contact university in South Africa. They produce socially impactful research to find solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. They have a high quality of teaching and learning in the classroom, online, or in communities. They also have support in place for their students to graduate on time as well-rounded, responsible citizens fully prepared for the world beyond university. This university is ranked 5th in South Africa

Acceptance Rate – 13%

4.       Stellenbosch University

Ranked as 3rd in South Africa, Stellenbosch University is firmly committed to pursuing knowledge, research, and innovation, in service of society. They provide a world-class centre for learning and development, which is globally relevant, yet rooted in the upliftment and transformation of our local communities. SU is home to an academic community of more than 32,500 students, including more than 3,700 international students from 104 countries.

Their ten faculties (AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Military Science, Science, and Theology) as well as the School for Climate Studies, the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking and the Stellenbosch Business School are located across five campuses in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

They have a reputation for research built over decades of diligent and persistent effort and they are widely recognized for their world-class research on amongst others infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and HIV/Aids, mother and child health, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Acceptance Rate – 45%

5.       University of Ibadan

Ranked as 1st  in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan is known as one of the best universities in Africa for medicine. Established in 1948, the University of Ibadan, UI as it is fondly referred to, is the first University in Nigeria.

The University, which took off with academic programs in Arts, Science, and Medicine, is now a comprehensive citadel of learning with academic programs in sixteen Faculties namely, Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Agriculture, the Social Sciences, Education, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Technology, Law, Public Health, Dentistry, Economics, Renewable Natural Resources, and Environmental Design and Management.

 The Faculties of the Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, and Dentistry are organized as a College of Medicine. The University of Ibadan has the best economics and medicine dept in Nigeria. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO), ranking of tertiary health institutions shows that the UCH where UI medical students are trained is the best in West Africa and the 3rd in all over Africa.

Acceptance Rate – 11%

6.        Makerere University

Founded in 1922 as a humble technical school, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa. The University is ranked 1st in Uganda in the list of universities in Africa for medicine. The school grew quickly in size, expanding into medical care, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and teacher training courses.

Acceptance Rate – 50%

7.        University of the Witwatersrand

This university was founded in 1922 and is ranked 2nd in South Africa as one of the best universities in Africa for medicine. As an open university, they are home to 56 research entities, 12 donor-sponsored research chairs, 30 South African Research Chairs, 6 Centres of Excellence, and 434 National Research Foundation-rated researchers. They have over 50 active projects around Africa and the University is represented globally through various partnerships.

They are also the co-founder of the African Research Universities Alliance. They established the first clinical trial in South Africa and on the continent for a Covid-19 vaccine in 2020, one of many firsts in their 100-year history. The school trains the highest number of medical specialists and sub-specialists in South Africa. A new R22-million Wits Advanced Surgical Skills Lab helps to enhance the training of surgeons.

Acceptance Rate – 25%

8.       Cairo University

Founded in 1908, Cairo University is ranked 1st in Egypt on the list of universities in Africa for medicine. Cairo University has a reputation for excellence in medical education and research. It has a well-equipped campus with modern facilities and laboratories, and highly qualified faculty members, making it top of the list.

Acceptance Rate – 90%

9.       Ain Shams University

This university was founded in 1950 and ranks 2nd in Egypt as one of the best universities in Africa for medicine. Ain Shams University comprises seven campuses, all of which are located in Great Cairo. Ain Shams University is an educational, research, and service institution that adopts innovation and qualifies, academically and skillfully, a graduate capable of competing in the labor market and community service in accordance with international developments.

Acceptance Rate – 66%

10.   University of Nairobi

Founded in 1970, the University of Nairobi is ranked 1st in Nairobi and tops the list of universities in Africa for medicine. As the only institution of higher learning in Kenya for a long time, the University of Nairobi responded to the national regional, and African high-level manpower training needs by developing and evolving strong, diversified academic programs, and specializations in sciences, applied sciences, technology, humanities, social sciences, and the arts. To date, the range of programs offered numbers is approximately two hundred. The University of Nairobi is a research-intensive university with a reputation for excellence and a strong and vibrant research culture.

Acceptance Rate – 66%

11.   University of Nigeria

The University of Nigeria was founded in 1960 and is ranked 4th in Nigeria and also on the list of the best universities in Africa for medicine. The University of Nigeria is the first full-fledged indigenous and first autonomous university in Nigeria, modeled upon the American educational system. It was the first land-grant university in Africa and one of the five most reputed universities in Nigeria. The university has 17 Faculties and 102 academic departments. The university offers 108 undergraduate programs and 211 postgraduate programs.

Acceptance Rate – 38%

12.   Mansoura University

This university was founded in 1972, is located in the middle of the Nile Delta in Egypt, and is ranked  3rd in Egypt among the list of best universities in Africa for medicine. The school is comprised of 18 faculties with different faculty programs. The university is known for its medical facilities, with nine major hospitals and medical centres including a children’s hospital, a Medical Experimental Research Centre (MERC), and a Urology and Nephrology Centre

Acceptance Rate – 70%

13.   Alexandria University

This is another school on the list of universities in Africa for medicine. It is ranked as the 4th in Egypt and was founded in 1942. The University of Alexandria is a national, educational, research, and development institution integrated into producing and disseminating knowledge. It also emphasizes the building of a modern human being and cultural rehabilitation of the society. And be able to assume leadership positions in all sectors.

Acceptance Rate – 60%

14.   University of Ghana

The University of Ghana, the premier university in Ghana, was founded as the University College of the Gold Coast by Ordinance on August 11, 1948, for the purpose of providing and promoting university education, learning, and research. As a University poised to distinguish itself in the area of research to make an impact at the national and international levels, the University launched a Strategic Plan in 2014.

The strategic plan (2014-2024) is intended to consolidate the gains made from the review of the University’s mission and practices and situate these within the context of a very dynamic environment of higher education in Ghana and beyond.

Acceptance Rate – 28

15.   Addis Ababa University

Addis Ababa University was founded in 1950 and ranked 1st in Ethiopia on the list of universities in Africa for medicine. Addis Ababa University (AAU), which was established in 1950 as the University College of Addis Ababa (UCAA), is the oldest and the largest higher learning and research institution in Ethiopia. Since its inception, the University has been the leading center in teaching-learning, research, and community services.

Beginning with an enrollment capacity of 33 students in 1950, AAU now has 47,610 students (29,872 undergraduate, 15,398 Master’s, and 2,340 Ph.D. students) and 8,709 staff (3,110 academics, 4,346 admin support staff and 1253 health Professionals). In its 14 campuses, the University runs 70 undergraduate and 293 graduate programs (72 PhD and 221 Masters), and various specializations in Health Sciences.

Over 222,000 students have graduated from AAU since its establishment. In recent years, the University has been undertaking various reform schemes in order to cope with and respond to the fast-changing national and international educational dynamics.

At present, the University has 10 colleges, 4 institutes that run both teaching and research, and 6 research institutes that predominantly conduct research. Within these academic units, there are 55 departments, 12 centers, 12 schools, and 2 teaching hospitals

Acceptance Rate – 65%

16.   Obafemi Awolowo University

Founded in 1962, this university is ranked 2nd in Nigeria and is amongst the list of best universities in Africa for medicine. The school is made up of different colleges, faculties, departments, centers, and institutes. They also offer both undergraduate studies and postgraduate studies.

Acceptance Rate – 7%

17.   University of Lagos

Founded in 1962, the University of Lagos is ranked 3rd in Nigeria and amongst the list of best universities in Africa for medicine. The University of Lagos has, for over 5 decades, provided qualitative and research-oriented education to Nigerians and all those who have entered its domain in search of knowledge. The University has built a legacy of excellence and has been instrumental in the production of top-range graduates and academia who have had tremendous impact, directly or indirectly, on growth and development in Nigeria.

Acceptance Rate – 11%

18.   University of Zimbabwe

Ranked as 1st in Zimbabwe, the University of Zimbabwe is a public, comprehensive research institution and is also amongst the best universities in Africa for medicine. It was founded in 1955 with 11 colleges and faculties with 74 teaching departments. Their insistence on quality assurance in the curriculum, student resources, and facilities has paid huge dividends. In addition to their academic rigor, the University’s social skills development program empowers students to manage their lives responsibly now and into the future.

The University offers 84 accredited undergraduate programs and 71 specialized postgraduate degrees in Agriculture, Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Law, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, and Veterinary Studies. In today’s world of rapid information and technological advancement, the University has become an ICT-driven institution whose students and staff enjoy fast and reliable wireless internet connectivity which accesses them to the latest e-library resources from virtually any point on campus and their mobile phones. All our graduates are therefore highly proficient in the use of ICT in their different disciplines.

Acceptance Rate – 57%

Conclusion

This article has been updated with the current universities in Africa currently offering medicine. So, feel free to enroll into anyone of your choice, after reading through.

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3 comments

  1. Your list is not credible as there were no criteria on which it is based. You simply picked them based on your own preferences or personal knowledge. There is not a single university on this list from any of the top schools in North Africa. What about South Africa…no medical top schools there?

    So you should change the headline of your article to “My Personal List of Med Schools in Africa”. They are actually good suggestions, but please do not call them the Top 5 as if you did some kind of scientific study.

    Angelo

    1. Hi Angelo.

      The schools listed here were drawn from the list of the best schools in Africa. We chose the first five schools on the list that offer medicine.

      If you have contrary suggestions, you can go ahead and make them so we look into that.

    2. Angelo dear believe it or not, MakCHS (MAKERERE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES) is the best Medical school in Africa.

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