University of Dschang

QS World University Rankings – Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 UDs ranks 4oth

The University of Dschang has been ranked #40 in the QS World University Rankings in Sub-Saharan Africa 2026, placing it among the leading higher education institutions in the region. This inaugural edition of the regional ranking provides a comprehensive snapshot of university performance across Sub-Saharan Africa and establishes an important benchmark for future progress.

A Diverse and Expanding Landscape

The ranking includes institutions from 21 different locations 260 institutions analysed,69 institutions ranked, underscoring the diversity of higher education systems across Sub-Saharan Africa. It reflects the varied historical contexts, funding models, research priorities and institutional missions that shape universities across the region. The results confirm that excellence is not confined to one particular system or country, but is emerging through multiple pathways.

Strong South African Presence

The top seven institutions are all based in South Africa, reflecting sustained strength across key indicators such as Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation. These universities are University of Cape Town            ,University of Johannesburg and  the University of Witwatersrand .Several countries, notably Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda demonstrate growing momentum. Their universities are strengthening research output, building targeted areas of academic excellence and increasing international engagement. This regional progress signals a broader shift toward enhanced global visibility and competitiveness.

Tailored Methodology for Regional Relevance

To ensure the ranking accurately reflects regional realities, QS introduced adjustments to its global methodology. Additional indicators were incorporated, including Citations per Paper, Papers per Faculty, Staff with PhD, and Web Impact. These measures provide a clearer picture of research productivity, academic qualifications and digital presence.

The weighting of certain indicators was also refined. Greater emphasis was placed on Employer Reputation, International Research Network and Sustainability, recognizing their growing importance in institutional development and societal impact. At the same time, the weighting of Academic Reputation and Student–Faculty Ratio was reduced to better balance traditional prestige measures with performance-based outcomes.

Together, these refinements ensure that the ranking captures both established strengths and emerging priorities within Sub-Saharan Africa’s higher education landscape.

Performance Profile: University of Dschang

With an overall score of 21.8, the University of Dschang demonstrates a distinct performance profile shaped by research collaboration and productivity. The university records particularly strong results in International Research Network (50.4) and Papers per Faculty (40.7). These scores indicate active participation in global research partnerships and solid research output relative to institutional size.

Its Faculty–Student Ratio score of 41.7 suggests comparatively favourable teaching capacity, supporting student engagement and academic support. Meanwhile, the university’s scores in Citations per Paper (18.4) and Sustainability (26.7) highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen research impact and institutional responsibility.

Reputation-based indicators, including Academic Reputation (5.5) and Employer Reputation (2.8), present opportunities for further development. Enhancing international visibility, alumni engagement and industry partnerships could contribute to improvements in these areas over time. 

The Way forward

As the first edition of this regional ranking, the QS World University Rankings Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 establishes a valuable baseline for measuring institutional performance. For the University of Dschang, its placement among the top 40 institutions reflects meaningful progress and strong foundations in research collaboration and productivity. With continued strategic focus, the university is well positioned to build on its strengths and enhance its regional and global standing in future editions.