Postgraduate research studies are usually conducted by individuals with a focus on a particular field of study that they are passionate about and usually by those with the intention of pursuing an academic career. It is usually more extensive and demanding than undergraduate research. Africa is home to top universities with open possibilities for masters through research or doctoral research. Here we 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 premier university in Africa that offers research training and development opportunities to postgraduate students through various 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 provides training and support to postgraduate students who wish to undertake 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 postgraduate programs. The Center for Environmental Research and the Scientific Computing Center help postgraduates to compete favorably in various fields of research. Students also receive funding and research assistantships to offset research costs and living expenses.
4# University of Johannesburg, South Africa
The University of Johannesburg has numerous research institutes and centers of excellence in different faculties. These serve as a hub for training 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 years. It provides postgraduate students with training and financial support to conduct innovative research. Its world-class research units such as the Biotechnology Research Center and the West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens. Research is being done in various fields.
6# University of Ibadan, Nigeria
The University of Ibadan ranks 6th in Africa in terms of research potential. The university promotes postgraduate research and encourages students to participate in it. It also awards numerous fellowships for research work in fields such as epidemiology.
Also check: List of Nigeria Universities (Top 50)
7# University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
The University of Witwatersrand ranks among the top 10 universities in Africa with great research output and potential. It educates postgraduates and supports their research in various research units such as the Molecular Sciences Institute and Materials Physics Research Institute.
8# Ain Shams University, Egypt
This university trains students to become research experts in various postgraduate fields. It collaborates with other institutions to offer innovative solutions and research results that are recognized worldwide. It is in the top 5 best universities in the field of medical research. It has world-class research institutes such as the Ain Shams Medical Research Center and the Middle East Research Studies Center. It also has scholarships and funding for future graduate research students.
9# University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the top 10 universities in Africa known for innovative research. The university offers postgraduate research programs in science, engineering, management and health sciences. Postgraduate students interested in health fields can conduct important research worldwide in various research centers such as The Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The university is recognized worldwide as the third most prolific 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 known for its quality of research. Postgraduate students are 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 Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and others.
11# University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
University of Stellenbosch allows students to explore the research areas of their choice. As part of their graduate research, students are required to conduct innovative research in various fields. Stellenbosch University collaborates with other international universities to conduct research. Students can apply financing options 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 master’s and PhD programmes. Research is conducted in 11 faculties and in fields such as engineering, architecture, science and technology; agriculture, veterinary medicine, business administration and social sciences. The University of Nairobi currently has more than 2067 peer-reviewed articles and 2515 pre-prints contributing to scientific knowledge. The university trains postgraduates 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 the opportunity to undertake extensive research and coursework in both master’s and PhD programs. Students may decide to conduct research in areas such as agricultural economics. Students can request research grants to finance their projects. Postgraduate research at Obafemi Awolowo University usually takes 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 USNews, which ranks schools by their performance against a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. The university will have more than 1,300 of its publications in 2022 and is among the top 10% of globally recognized research contributions in science, technology and medicine.
Also Check: Ghana Medical Schools: A Guide To Study Medicine In Ghana
15# Makerere University, Ugandan
Makerere University educates students and professionals in various fields of research. The university has world-class research facilities, especially in the Center for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation, Agricultural Research Institute, Makerere Institute of Social Research and others. The university offers, among others, master’s or PhD research in areas such as public health, agriculture and rural innovation. Research usually takes 2-3 years.
16# University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
Universite de Tunis El Manar educates postgraduate students through its higher education and fifteen research institutes in fields such as engineering, health and others. The University of Tunis El Manar ranking is the best in terms of research in Tunisia. Research is carried out in five doctoral schools, 60 laboratories and 62 research units. It is also known for its more than 65 collaboration agreements and about 117 scientific collaboration projects.
17# Rhodes University, South Africa
Rhodes University trains postgraduates to demonstrate international research potential. The university is known to have an excellent postgraduate pass rate and the best research output per academic staff member. Postgraduate students interested in research in fields such as accounting, anthropology and pharmacy can also apply for financing.
18# University of Cape Coast, Ghana
The University of Cape Coast is Ghana’s best in quality teaching and research. It ranks first in Africa for global research influence. The university offers postgraduate research programs in fields such as agriculture, health, life sciences, engineering, among others. Students can apply for the Emelia Brew-Butler and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) scholarship that supports research students to publish their scholarly articles in recognized local and international journals, and to attend research conferences.
19# American University of Cairo, Egypt
The American University of Cairo offers postgraduate research opportunities in more than 50 programs. The university gives students the opportunity to apply research methods and procedures in projects of scientific interest. Postgraduate students can apply for scholarships 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 the Arthur Mbanefo digital research center. The University of Lagos ranks 6th in Africa in terms of medical research. It has published more than 3,115 peer-reviewed journals and articles.
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