The implementation of the recently approved strategy of the North-West University (NWU) is starting to show positive results. The strategy – Taking the NWU forward: 2024 and beyond – prioritises, among other things, internationalisation, partnerships and impact. Consequently, the NWU now ranks in the top 4,1% of universities worldwide. This is according to the 2025 edition of the outcome-based Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). The CWUR published the latest ranking on 2 June.
Moving up from its 4,2% showing in last year’s list, the NWU is now ranked 860th out of 21 462 universities for academic performance, and shines among the top seven locally and the top 11 in Africa. The NWU is making an impressive showing in the rankings with the 1 610th (1 682nd last year) and the 820th (825th) place for employability and research respectively, obtaining an overall score of 71,5. This is an improvement on last year’s overall score of 71,3.
This latest impressive showing in the rankings underscores the commitment of the NWU to being a leading university locally and internationally. The university’s strategy is bearing fruit as it strives to continuously effect impact through innovation and forward-looking approaches and programmes.
Recent key developments show that the university is growing and expanding significantly in various fields. These developments include the establishment of the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine, the NWU Centre for Sustainable Mining, the NWU Veterinary School and the university’s Agri- and Artificial Intelligence hubs. These strategic initiatives are geared at advancing the impact and growth of the NWU, while promoting diversity and reinforcing operational excellence.
The latest rankings are a clear indication that the NWU can, through its expertise and initiatives, hold its place among the best in the world. The NWU is already a significant international role player, with 163 active international institutional partnerships and agreements, spanning 50 countries.
These collaborations strengthen the university’s efforts in research and innovation, as well as in teaching and learning.
More about the CWUR rankings
The CWUR publishes the largest academic rankings of global universities. The rankings are unique in that objective indicators are used for all four key pillars underlying the methodology of the ranking, with no reliance on surveys and university data submission. They also place equal emphasis on student-related and faculty-related indicators.
The ranking agency uses seven objective and robust outcome-based indicators grouped into four areas to rank the world’s universities: education (25%), employability (25%), faculty (10%), and research (output, 10%; high-quality publications, 10%; influence, 10%; citations, 10%).
Dr Nadim Mahassen, president of the CWUR, says the agency is a leading consulting organisation providing policy advice, strategic insights and consulting services to governments and universities to improve educational and research outcomes.
“Our authoritative global university rankings are known for objectivity, transparency and consistency, and are trusted by students, academics, university administrators and governments from around the world.” For more information, visit the CWUR’s website at http://www.cwur.org.
