Top 10 Best Medical Universities In Africa 2022

The best medical universities in Africa are old institutions of education that have over the years made huge contributions to the study of medicine on the continent. These prestigious institutions help make Africa a better place not just today, but also for the future because they help promote medical research- the discovery of new ways of treating illnesses and promoting public health.

African doctors have not been restricted to working in their countries of origin; many have immigrated to Europe and America- meaning that these medical universities have also contributed to the field of medicine in countries beyond the continent.

In their respective counties, they are the premier universities of choice for students intending to study medicine or any health-related courses of study.

Top 10 Best Medical Universities In Africa

1. University Of Cape Town (UCT)

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

The University of Cape Town is an age-old institution; it was founded in 1829 and has grown to become one of the most important citadels of learning in the whole country.

The University Of Cape Town has several faculties such as Commerce, Engineering & and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science.

The University of Cape Town is publicly controlled and funded, and it has a strong culture of research which is why it is a great place to study medicine.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the UCT was established over a century ago; in 1912. It has been key to the development of medical practice in South Africa, and even today it remains very popular with over 22,000 students every year- a good number of whom are foreign students.

2. University Of The Witwatersrand

Location: Johannesburg

The University of Witwatersrand was established as far back as 1896. It is commonly known as the University of Wits; and is one of the most prestigious universities in Africa.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University was established in 1922; and has contributed immensely to the high standard of the medical profession in the country.

The University of the Witwatersrand boasts a new R22 million advanced surgical skills laboratory, where the training of surgeons across several fields of medicine takes place.

The University of the Witwatersrand, along with its many partners is involved in research to find permanent solutions to HIV, Tuberculosis, Corona Virus, and Malaria. The university is also involved in research to develop new drugs, and also to discover new ways of administration of existing ones.

3.  Ain Shams University

Location: Egypt

Ain Shams University was established in 1947. This is one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, and a very well recognized citadel of learning in the whole of the continent.

Ain Shams University is prestigious because it has produced presidents, space scientists, notable composers, academics and other important people- not just in Egypt, but also in countries like Turkey, Gambia, Syria, and so on.

Ain Shams University’s Faculty of Medicine is very old, but it became incorporated into the University in 1950. This school of medicine has made many important contributions to the development of medical studies. It continues to devote extensive resources to medical research so as to develop better ways of ensuring public health.

The faculty is made up respected academics in the field of medicine; and the school is a very attractive place to study. Over 6,000 undergraduate students, and 1500 post graduate students are enrolled to study at this famous place of learning.

Every year, the Ain Shams University holds a conference dedicated to recent advances in medical science.

4.  Cairo University (CU)

Location: Giza Egypt

Cairo University was established in 1908. This great university has gone by several names, and it has been housed in several locations before its present location. This institution has produced many notable alumni including Inventors, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Government Spies, Nobel Laureates, and so on.

This institution’s Faculty of Medicine was established in 1827. As a center of research excellence it is one of the best medical universities in Africa; producing thousands of capable medical professionals in 35 different medical specializations.

Cairo University is a historic place of learning; and so the standards are quite high. Therefore, when it comes to medical studies, Cairo University is an excellent place to study.

5.  Stellenbosch University

Location: South Africa

Stellenbosch University is one of the most prestigious universities in South Africa; it was established in 1918. This institution is one of the best in Africa; especially in the area of science and technology, where it has blazed the trail.

For example; as far back as 1999, Stellenbosch University designed and produced Africa’s first satellite; which was launched in 1999.

Stellenbosch University’s faculty of medical science is led by much respected academics; many of who have received several awards over their careers.

Aside from producing top medical practical practitioners in the country; Stellenbosch University is a major center for all kinds of medical research, including dietary science, anatomy, psychology, and so on.

6.  Mansoura University

Location: Cairo Egypt

Mansoura University was established in 1972. However, because it already had a faculty of medicine before it became a full-fledged University, (when it was part of the Cairo University) one can say that the Faculty of Medicine predates the university.

Mansoura University has put itself firmly on the map; in 2018, a team of paleontologists under Dr. Hesham Sallam of Mansoura University discovered a genus of herbivorous lithostrotian sauropod dinosaur. He then proceeded to name it after the University; calling it the Mansourasaurus.

That discovery sent ripples through the academic world; it showed what an African university can do- that the quality of African education has improved dramatically.

The Faculty of Medicine at the Mansoura University is a prestigious institution; aside from its very good classroom work; the university maintains several Hospitals and medical centers including; the Urology and Nephrology Center, Specialized Medical Hospital,  Mansoura University Hospitals, Emergency Hospital, Mansoura University Children’s Hospital, Oncology Center, Ophthalmic Center, Gastroenterology Surgical Center, Medical Experimental Research Center (MERC)

7.  Pretoria University (UP)

Location: South Africa

The University of Pretoria was established in 1908 and is one of the most respected citadels of learning in South Africa. The institution started as a small school for 32 students in a single late Victorian house and has now become a great institution with more than 53,000 students.

Pretoria University has nine faculties, and the institute is divided into two schools. One of the most prestigious faculties at the Pretoria University is the Faculty of Health Sciences; which was established in 1943. Pretoria University’s faculty of health is considered to be the fourth-best medical school in South Africa and also the seventh-best in Africa.

8.  University Of Ibadan (UI)

Location: Nigeria

The University of Ibadan; popularly known as UI, is the most respected university in Nigeria. The institution was established in 1948, and at the time of its establishment, it was a college of the University of London. The University of Ibadan is a place of excellence; everything about the university is excellent.

Even though this university is best known for the arts; it is also a great place for the study of medicine. The University of Ibadan has much to offer anyone interested in the study of medicine. Some of the Faculties of medicine include; Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, and Dentistry- all of which fall under the College of Medicine.

The university has other academic units for the study of medicine; some of them are: the Institute of Child Health, Centre for Child Adolescent and Mental Health, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), Centre for Drug Discovery, Development & Production (CDDDP) and Centre for Control & Prevention of Zoonosis (CCPZ), and Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.

The University recently established the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), and the National Institute for Maternal, Child & Neonatal Health (NIMCNH).

9.  Makerere University

Location:  Kampala, Uganda

Makerere University is Uganda’s oldest and most prestigious university. Its history dates back to 1922, and in 1949 it became known as University College, which operated under the University College of London. Makerere University became a fully independent university in 1970.

Makerere University is one of the most popular institutions in East Africa; it has a student population of about 38,000. This famous institution has produced several presidents, prime ministers, and other important personalities.

Makerere University School of Medicine is considered the best in Uganda, and the ninth-best medical school in Africa. It has been at the forefront of the struggle to advance medical research in Uganda; the school has strategic partnerships with many private organizations; making the school a place of choice for students looking to study medicine.

10.  University Of Ghana

Location: Accra, Ghana

The University of Ghana was established in 1948 as an affiliate of the College of the University of London. The University of Ghana has a population of 30, 000 students, with 1, 000 international students. The University of Ghana has been known to have the following areas as its strong points; seismology, ecology, migration studies, and population studies.

The University of Ghana’s Faculty of Medicine encompasses the School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, and School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences.

The University of Ghana also has the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and its School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, and School of Education and Leadership. Also important is the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

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Closing

Health is wealth they say; if our medical practitioners today enroll in one of the best medical Universities in Africa, they would come out great as these Universities make use of good teaching aids in a conducive learning environment.

The best medical universities in Africa are scattered all over the continent; they are mostly age-old institutions that have earned their prestige by making notable contributions to medical science in their countries.

Some of these institutions -such as Ain Shams University- actually set the standards for medical research in their country by organizing conferences where leading researchers come together to share ideas. By so doing they contribute to medical science not just in their countries, but throughout the continent.