Postgraduate research studies, usually, are undertaken by individuals with focus on a particular area of study that they are passionate about and most often than not by those with the intent to pursue an academic career. It is usually more extensive, and more demanding than undergraduate research. Africa is home to top universities with open opportunities for masters by research or PhD research studies. Here we take a look at the top 20 African research institutions to consider for a top-notch research experience.
The top 20 African schools for postgraduate research include:
1# University of Cape Town, South Africa
The University of Cape town is a top-ranking university in Africa that offers research training and development opportunities to postgraduate students through a variety of programs. It is home to research centers such as the Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER), Marine and Antarctic Research Center for Innovation and Sustainability (MARIS), Center for Social Science Research, and many more. These research units allow the training and collaboration of postgraduate students from home and abroad to work on long-term research projects and contribute to knowledge.
2# University of Pretoria, South Africa
The University of Pretoria is home to more than 60 research units. The university offers training and support to postgraduate students who intend to carry out research. Research centers include the Stable isotope facility, the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and others. Postgraduate research at the University of Pretoria usually takes 2 years. Students also receive grants to support their research.
3# Cairo University, Egypt
This university provides quality training and research in various post-graduate programs. The Centre for Environmental Research and Scientific Computational Center assist postgraduate students to compete favorably in different research fields. Students also get funding and research assistantship positions to offset the cost of research and living expenses.
4# University of Johannesburg, South Africa
The University of Johannesburg has numerous research institutes and centers of excellence across various faculties. These serve as a hub to train postgraduate research students and support their research in various fields such as engineering, agriculture, health, and medical sciences.
5# University of Ghana, Ghana
The University of Ghana has been ranked as one of the best Ghanaian universities for many years. It offers postgraduate students training and financial support to carry out innovative research. Its world-class research units such as the Biotechnology Research Centre and the West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens. Research is carried out across various fields of study.
6# University of Ibadan, Nigeria
The University of Ibadan is ranked 6th in Africa in terms of research potential. The University promotes postgraduate research and encourages students to engage in it. It also grants numerous scholarships for research work in fields such as epidemiology.
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7# University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
The University of Witwatersrand is among the top10 universities in Africa with great research output and potential. It trains postgraduate students and supports their research at various research units such as the Molecular Sciences Institute and Materials Physics Research Institute.
8# Ain Shams University, Egypt
This university trains students to be research experts in different postgraduate fields. It collaborates with other institutions to proffer innovative solutions and research output that is globally recognized. It is ranked among the top 5 best universities in terms of medical research. It has world-class research institutes such as Ain Shams Medical Research Center and Middle East Research Studies Center. It also has grants and funding for prospective graduate research students.
9# University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the top 10 universities in Africa that is known for innovative research. The University offers postgraduate research programs in science, engineering, management, and health sciences. Postgraduate students who are interested in health fields can undertake globally significant research at various research centers such as The Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The university is globally recognized as the third most productive university in South Africa in terms of research breakthroughs.
10# University of Ilorin, Nigeria
The University of Ilorin is one of the oldest and best universities in Nigeria. The University is famous for its quality of research. Postgraduate students will be trained and carry out research projects. The University has research facilities such as Central Research Lab, seeding labs, medical labs, Sugar Research Institute, and many more. The University offers postgraduate programs such as chemistry, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical science, veterinary medicine, and others.
11# Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Stellenbosch University allows students to explore the research fields of their choice. As part of their graduate studies, students are required to pursue innovative research in various fields. Stellenbosch university partners with other international universities to carry out research. Students can apply for funding opportunities through the grant management office to get involved in the research between these universities and Stellenbosch university.
12# University of Nairobi, Kenya
The University of Nairobi promotes quality research through its masters and PhD programs. Research is conducted across 11 faculties and in fields such as engineering, architecture, science and technology; agriculture, veterinary medicine, business, and social sciences. The University of Nairobi currently has over 2067 peer-reviewed articles and 2515 pre-prints that contribute to scientific knowledge. The University trains postgraduate students in various research institutions such as the Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and the Institute of Developmental Studies.
13# Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Obafemi Awolowo University offers students an opportunity pro conduct extensive research and course work in both masters and PhD programs. Students can decide to research in areas such as agricultural economics. Students can apply for research grants to fund their projects. Postgraduate research at Obafemi Awolowo University usually takes from 2-5 years.
14# Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology, Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology (KNUST) is ranked #587 in Best Global Universities by U.S.News which ranks schools according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The university boasts of over 1300 of its publications in 2022 ranking among top 10% of globally recognized research contributions in science, technology and medicine.
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15# Makerere University, Ugandan
Makerere University trains students and professionals in various fields of research. The University has world-class research facilities especially in the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation, Agricultural Research Institute, Makerere Institute of Social Research and others. The university offers masters or PhD research in fields such as public health, agricultural and rural innovation amongst others. Research typically takes 2-3 years.
16# Universite de Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
Universite de Tunis El Manar trains postgraduate students through its higher education and fifteen research institutes in fields such as engineering, health and others. The University of Tunis El Manar ranks is the best in terms of research in Tunisia. Research is carried out at five doctoral schools, 60 laboratories, and 62 research units. It is also renowned for having more than 65 Cooperation Agreements and about 117 scientific cooperation projects.
17# Rhodes University, South Africa
Rhodes University trains postgraduate students to demonstrate an international research potential. The University is known to have an excellent postgraduate success rate, and the best research output per academic staff member. Postgraduate students who are interested in research in fields such as accounting, anthropology and pharmacy can also apply for funding.
18# University of Cape Coast, Ghana
The University of Cape Coast is the best in Ghana in terms of high-quality education and research. It is ranked first in Africa for global research influence. The University offers postgraduate research programs in fields such as agriculture, health, life sciences, engineering, amongst others. Students can apply for the Emelia Brew-Butler and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) grant which supports research students to publish their scholarly articles in recognized local and international journals, as well as attend research conferences.
19# American University of Cairo, Egypt
The American University of Cairo offers postgraduate research opportunities in over 50 programs. The University gives students the opportunity to apply research methods and procedures in projects of scientific significance. Postgraduate students can apply for fellowships to find their studies.
20# University of Lagos, Nigeria
The University of Lagos offers over 110 postgraduate research opportunities for students. The University has world-class research facilities in its various research centers such as Arthur Mbanefo digital research center. The University of Lagos is ranked 6th in Africa in terms of medical research. It has published over 3,115 peer review journals and articles.