TUT Breaks into Global Top 12% in 2026 EduRank

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has ranked 1,663rd out of 14,131 universities worldwide in the 2026 EduRank Rankings, placing it in the top 12% globally. The university also ranked 34th in Africa (out of 1,104) and 13th nationally among South Africa’s 26 public universities.

This impressive global standing is further strengthened by TUT’s continued dominance within its category. Among Universities of Technology, TUT maintained its leading position ahead of Durban University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Vaal University of Technology. 

These results underline TUT’s emergence as the premier University of Technology not only in South Africa but across the continent.

Notably, EduRank assesses institutions on three key pillars: Research Performance (45%), Non-Academic Prominence (45%), and Alumni Impact (10%). The ranking evaluates universities based on publications, citations, web visibility, and alumni influence.

This strong continental and national performance reflects TUT’s growing research output and enhanced digital presence. By making notable gains in these core evaluation areas, TUT is steadily narrowing the traditional divide between Universities of Technology and more research-intensive institutions.

To close the gap against traditional universities and achieve its Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) 2026–2035 target of entering the global top 1000, the Office of the DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement recommends intensified focus on:

• Research Performance: Increasing high-quality publications in DHET-accredited journals, strengthening international collaborations, and improving postgraduate throughput.
• Digital Prominence: Enhancing faculty profiles, expanding open-access repositories, and boosting overall web visibility.
• Alumni Impact: Greater promotion of notable graduates’ achievements.

These targeted interventions aim to build on the university’s current momentum. Commenting on the achievement, Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, said:

“These rankings validate TUT’s commitment to research excellence, innovation, and internationalisation. While we celebrate this progress, we remain focused on closing the gap with the top research-intensive universities through sustained investment in high-impact research, digital visibility, and strategic global partnerships.”

Looking ahead, TUT continues to establish itself as a competitive, research-driven University of Technology on both the African and global stage. With sustained strategic focus and institutional alignment, the university is well-positioned to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.