University of Botswana

Small State Global Stage: The University of Botswana's Rise in University Rankings

In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the University of Botswana (UB) has quietly but decisively stepped into the global spotlight rising into the 1001–1200 band. This is an improvement of 74 places over the previous year and with 94 new universities being ranked represents a significant rise in the rankings.

UB now ranks among the top half of African universities and holds a strong position in Sub-Saharan Africa—16th out of 56 institutions. For a small, landlocked country with a population of just over 2 million and just one comprehensive public university and three small, specialized public universities this achievement is both rare and remarkable.

UB’s performance is particularly strong in research quality and international outlook, areas where it now competes with institutions from far larger and better-resourced nations. In a global landscape where, small states often struggle for visibility, the University of Botswana has emerged as a leader. Among countries with populations under 10 million—such as Malta, Cyprus, Iceland, and Estonia, Namibia, Rwanda, Mauritius —UB, Botswana’s flagship university stands shoulder to shoulder with the best.

Reflecting on this milestone, UB Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris remarked:

“This achievement reflects our commitment to becoming a globally competitive institution. It is a tribute to the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students, and to our strategic focus on research, partnerships, and academic excellence. We are proud to represent Botswana on the world stage.”

The University of Botswana’s quiet climb in the rankings is a testament to what can be achieved even for a small state when national ambition meets institutional focus. It signals to the world that Botswana is not merely participating in the global knowledge economy—it is helping to shape it.