Overview
For Students
Teaching and Research
profile logo default

University of the Witwatersrand

Ranked
sdgs/sdg overall
Sustainability Impact Rated
Johannesburg, South Africa
301–350th in World University Rankings 2026
  • About
  • Rankings
  • Impact Rankings
  • Key stats
  • Jobs
  • Subjects
  • Downloads
  • FAQs
  • Suggested universities

About the University of the Witwatersrand

Basic information and contact details for the University of the Witwatersrand

Commonly known as “Wits”, the University of the Witwatersrand developed out of the South African School of Mines, set up in Kimberley in 1896. The institution moved to Johannesburg in 1904 and acquired full university status in 1922. From the start, it embraced a philosophy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, which led to intense conflict with the government - including police raids and the detention of both faculty and students - during the apartheid era. 

Though located largely in the district of Braamfontein in central Johannesburg, a major expansion programme in the 1960s and 1970s saw the university establishing facilities in other areas of the city such as Hillbrow and Parktown. It also acquired two farms about 40 kilometres to the north-west, Sterkfontein and Swartkrans, which incorporate a celebrated set of limestone caves and have proved a rich source of archaeological remains.

Its location in Johannesburg means that Wits is close to the economic powerhouse of the whole African continent. It was one of the founders of the African Research Universities Alliance and has an active programme of collaborative projects right across Africa and beyond. Highly research-intensive, it has made a major contribution to applied areas such as healthcare and the challenges of deep-level mining but performs strongly in subatomic physics and other fields of fundamental science.

The most famous alumnus of the university is Nelson Mandela, who studied law there and went on to become President of South Africa and the 1993 Nobel laureate for peace. The novelist Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Prize for Literature, 1991) also attended for a year, while Aaron Klug (Nobel Prize for Chemistry, 1982) and Sydney Brenner (Nobel Prize for Medicine, 2002) both took their first degrees at Wits.

Faculties

Rankings

Select the type of rankings below to see stats

Impact Rankings

Select the type of ranking below to see stats

Discover similar universities

Find out more about studying, research and jobs at these universities

the colour logo

suggested

Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at the University of the Witwatersrand

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
60 F : 40 M (1)
globe fill
International student percentage
6% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
22.4 (1)
student
Student total
26928 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2026

Jobs you might be interested in

You may want to explore jobs from other universities which are relevant to you

See all

Assistant Professor, Division of Science

LINGNAN UNIVERSITY

Lingnan University

Hong Kong

institution

Lingnan University

Hong Kong


Lingnan University is one of the eight publicly funded institutions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and has the longest established tradition among the local institutions of higher education. It is widely recognised for providing quality education with a focus on whole-person development and conducting high-impact research for a better world. Moving forward, Lingnan University is well positioned to take lead as a comprehensive university in arts and sciences in the digital era, with impactful research and innovations. Lingnan University offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and research postgraduate programmes in the Faculties of Arts, Business, Social Sciences, and the Schools of Data Science, Graduate Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies. To foster interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific progress, Lingnan University established the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS), attracting distinguished scholars from around the world to collaborate with its faculty and students. With traditional strengths in arts, business, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, the University aims to equip students with practical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in the future. Subsequent to the establishment of the School of Data Science and LUIAS, Lingnan University is transforming into a hub for global leaders to develop and promote human-centric technology and social policies. Further information about Lingnan University is available at https://www.ln.edu.hk/. Applications are now invited for the following post: Assistant Professor Division of Science (Post Ref.: 26/128) The Division of Science (formerly known as Science Unit) (DoS) was established in 2015, comprising a dedicated team of scholars and researchers with expertise in biodiversity conservation, ecology, and sustainability analytics. The DoS offers 4 programmes in the field of environmental science and sustainability, including: (1) Minor in Environmental and Scientific Literacy; (2) MPhil in Environmental Science; (3) PhD in Environmental Science and (4) Master of Science in Sustainability and Environmental Analytics. Apart from teaching and research, the DoS is highly engaged in community outreach and knowledge transfer activities. We promote science education and sustainable development through immersive field visits and internships, citizen science initiatives, and Service-Learning projects. The Division of Science (DoS) invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor in biodiversity conservation, ecology, or a closely related field. We seek an outstanding and well-rounded scholar who can demonstrate excellence in research, teaching, student mentorship, grant acquisition, and external engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to obtain externally funded research projects, build and lead a productive research team, publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and teach effectively at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in a liberal arts setting. The appointee will also contribute to the academic, professional, outreach, and knowledge-transfer activities of the Division, School, and University, and is expected to build meaningful collaborations with local NGOs, government bodies, industry, and other external partners. General Requirements Candidates should have (1) a PhD/Post-doctoral experience in the field of biodiversity conservation ecology, or a closely related discipline; (2) relevant postdoctoral and/or independent research experience; (3) a strong publication record in peer-reviewed, international journals; (4) demonstrate success in securing competitive external research grants and fundings; (5) a strong commitment to excellent teaching, student supervision, outreach, and knowledge transfer; (6) experience in, or strong potential for, working with local NGOs and other external partners, and (7) the ability to contribute to, applied areas such as carbon auditing, sustainability assessment or related fields, alongside the university’s goal of producing socially significant research that informs sustainable development. The appointees are expected to submit applications for RGC grants, other local/overseas competitive grants and/or fellowship schemes. Appointment The conditions of appointment will be competitive. The remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include annual leave, medical and dental benefits, mandatory provident fund, gratuity and incoming passage and baggage allowance for the eligible appointee. Application Procedure (online application only) Please click "Apply Now" to submit your application. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only. We are an equal opportunities employer. Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the post is filled. Qualified candidates are advised to submit their applications early for consideration. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the post advertised, or to fill the post by invitation or by search. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Salary

Competitive

Posted

6 Jul 2026

Associate Professor of Teaching / Assistant Professor of Teaching, Office of the Faculty of Business

LINGNAN UNIVERSITY

Lingnan University

Hong Kong

institution

Lingnan University

Hong Kong


Lingnan University is one of the eight publicly funded institutions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and has the longest established tradition among the local institutions of higher education. It is widely recognised for providing quality education with a focus on whole-person development and conducting high-impact research for a better world. Moving forward, Lingnan University is well positioned to take lead as a comprehensive university in arts and sciences in the digital era, with impactful research and innovations. Lingnan University offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and research postgraduate programmes in the Faculties of Arts, Business, Social Sciences, and the Schools of Data Science, Graduate Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies. To foster interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific progress, Lingnan University established the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS), attracting distinguished scholars from around the world to collaborate with its faculty and students. With traditional strengths in arts, business, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, the University aims to equip students with practical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in the future. Subsequent to the establishment of the School of Data Science and LUIAS, Lingnan University is transforming into a hub for global leaders to develop and promote human-centric technology and social policies. Further information about Lingnan University is available at https://www.ln.edu.hk/. Applications are now invited for the following post: Associate Professor of Teaching / Assistant Professor of Teaching Office of the Faculty of Business (Post Ref.: 26/121) The Faculty of Business is an AACSB-accredited one aiming at continuous improvements of our academic level and education service in the liberal arts setting. The Faculty plays an important role in educating students about cutting-edge, practical knowledge and skills, improving students' academic and professional capabilities, as well as enhancing students' awareness on social responsibilities. Furthermore, we have been devoting every effort to the sustainable development of Lingnan University in the academic community and the substantive realization of our values and mission in the Hong Kong society and the world. The Faculty is looking for an experienced Assistant Professor of Teaching / Associate Professor of Teaching who will (1) teach courses in the STEM area focusing on information systems, business data analytics, python programming, etc., (2) support the promotion and admission as well as operation of taught postgraduate programmes at the master’s or doctoral level in the Faculty, (3) contribute to students’ academic and career advising, and (4) contribute to other administrative matters of the Faculty as required by the supervisors. General Requirements Candidates should have (i) a doctoral degree in computer science, information systems, data science or other relevant areas (candidates with both STEM and business background are highly desirable); (ii) at least 3 years of experience in teaching relevant courses; (iii) a recognizable experience in promoting and managing taught postgraduate programmes; and (iv) good command of English and Chinese (including Putonghua). Appointment The conditions of appointment will be competitive. The rank and remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include annual leave, medical and dental benefits, mandatory provident fund, gratuity, and incoming passage and baggage allowance for the eligible appointee. Appointment will normally be made on contract basis for up to two years. Application Procedure (online application only) Please click "Apply Now" to submit your application. Applicants shall provide names and contact information of at least three referees to whom applicants’ consent has been given for their providing references. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only. We are an equal opportunities employer. Review of applications will continue until the post is filled. Qualified candidates are advised to submit their applications early for consideration. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the post advertised, or to fill the post by invitation or by search. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Salary

Competitive

Posted

6 Jul 2026

Senior Lawyer, Corporate, Commercial & Regulatory

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

The University of Sydney

Australia, Camperdown

institution

The University of Sydney

Australia, Camperdown


Full time continuing opportunity for an experienced senior lawyer to join the University's Office of General Counsel Hybrid work from home and from campus Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation About the opportunity Join a next generation legal team and use your talents to have meaningful impact in higher education and research. We are seeking an experienced senior commercial lawyer to join a dynamic and collaborative team within the University's Office of General Counsel, working on a diverse range of interesting and challenging matters of strategic importance to the University. The Senior Lawyer (Corporate and Commercial & Regulatory) will provide sound, timely and cost-effective legal advice and support to the University on a broad range of matters with a focus on the higher education regulatory landscape, general corporate and commercial law, and policy advice matters. In this role, you will work closely with clients within the University including Higher Education and Policy, Office of the Vice-Chancellor and President, Procurement, ICT, the Education Portfolio, University Faculties and Schools, as well as other University teams and Professional Service Units such as Finance, Risk Management and Marketing and Communications. You will be required to deploy your expertise and advise on a variety of matters which involve complex legal issues and other issues of strategic importance and/or high risk to the University. About us The Office of General Counsel enjoys a highly trusted and collaborative culture, based out of a modern office on our heritage Camperdown campus, and welcomes a hybrid model where staff work from home 2-3 days per week (subject to meeting an initial probation period). We are a trusted and strategic business unit that embraces innovation and continuous learning, including through a dedicated learning and development program with a focus on business, technology, and career skills. This role is ideal for an experienced legal professional who wants to work in a more innovative and business savvy legal team and is open to championing new ways of working. Your key responsibilities will be: providing high level strategic legal advice to University clients on a broad range of issues relating to the University's operations which may include intellectual property law, information technology law, privacy, procurement and probity, collaborations, corporations' law, contract law, trust law and competition law advising on changes and implications of legislation relevant to the higher education sector such as the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act, Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards), and the Education Services for Overseas Students Act advising on the interpretation and application of internal legislation and policy documents, and their relationship to external legal and regulatory requirements drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements actively partnering to share deep institutional knowledge and legal expertise to support strategically aligned decision making, and to optimize operational efficiencies proactively identifying actual and potential legal and regulatory risks and providing strategic recommendations for managing identified risks commercial dispute resolution, and to negotiate provisions which promote the University's strategic interests, as instructed by senior officers of the University contributing to the development of policy and legislation affecting the higher education sector communicating to the University about legal concepts, issues and developments. About you qualifications in law and admission to practice in Australia and hold a current practising certificate approximately 8 years post admission legal experience, with experience in the higher education sector desirable extensive experience in contracts, intellectual property and commercial law, and the conduct of negotiations, the drafting of documents and the provision of advice in these and related areas experience in drafting and reviewing a range of commercial agreements (including services agreements, documents for tenders, collaborative agreements, funding agreements, confidentiality agreements, and a range of collaborations between public and private sector organisations experience in providing advice on changes and developments in the Australian regulatory environment related to contracts and consumer protections excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate complex legal issues in verbal and written reports, including the ability to develop trusted relationships and operate with tact and professionalism across complex internal and external environments ability to work with a range of different stakeholders both internally and externally a growth mindset and willingness to tackle new challenges and ways of working is essential. Work Rights You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. Pre-employment checks Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment. EEO statement At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. How to apply Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nayomi Siriwardane, Recruitment Operations by email to nayomi.siriwardane@sydney.edu.au © The University of Sydney The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Applications Close Sunday 19 July 2026 11:59 PM

Salary

Competitive

Posted

7 Jul 2026

Lecturer, School of Graduate Studies

LINGNAN UNIVERSITY

Lingnan University

Hong Kong

institution

Lingnan University

Hong Kong


Lingnan University is one of the eight publicly funded institutions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and has the longest established tradition among the local institutions of higher education. It is widely recognised for providing quality education with a focus on whole-person development and conducting high-impact research for a better world. Moving forward, Lingnan University is well positioned to take lead as a comprehensive university in arts and sciences in the digital era, with impactful research and innovations. Lingnan University offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and research postgraduate programmes in the Faculties of Arts, Business, Social Sciences, and the Schools of Data Science, Graduate Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies. To foster interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific progress, Lingnan University established the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS), attracting distinguished scholars from around the world to collaborate with its faculty and students. With traditional strengths in arts, business, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, the University aims to equip students with practical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in the future. Subsequent to the establishment of the School of Data Science and LUIAS, Lingnan University is transforming into a hub for global leaders to develop and promote human-centric technology and social policies. Further information about Lingnan University is available at https://www.ln.edu.hk/. Applications are now invited for the following posts: Lecturer (Three posts) School of Graduate Studies (Post Ref.: 26/68) The School of Graduate Studies (GS) is established for strengthening the central support for postgraduate programmes as well as the monitoring of their quality in alignment with the University’s strategic direction of expanding and providing quality postgraduate education. GS currently offers a diverse range of Taught Postgraduate (TPg) programmes under three academic clusters: Policy and Education Leadership Cluster, covering public administration, policy studies, and higher education management; Regional Development and Urban Studies Cluster, focusing on regional development, and urban governance, housing studies, and arts and heritage management; and Health, Ageing and Social Innovation Studies Cluster, addressing health services management, ageing studies, gerontechnology, and social innovation and entrepreneurship. To support the continuous growth of GS TPg programmes, the School is now inviting applications for three Lecturer positions specializing in any fields related to the three clusters. Preference will be given to candidates who have taught the following subject(s) before: Comparative public administration Theories and approaches of international relations Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), civil society and the state Data analytics in health and health services Policy and resource management issues in health systems China and regional studies: politics, policy, and international development Arts exhibition and performance management Critical issues for culture and heritage management Cultural arts management and entrepreneurship Appointees will contribute to teaching, project supervision, programme management, curriculum design, student learning support, and academic development activities within their assigned cluster. The appointees will also perform other administrative duties as assigned by the Dean or Associate Dean of the School, if any. General Requirements Applicants should hold a relevant postgraduate qualification in any of the above broad areas, with at least 4 years of relevant teaching experience in the higher education sector, preferably at the postgraduate level. Appointment The conditions of appointments will be competitive. Remunerations will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include annual leave, medical and dental benefits, mandatory provident fund, gratuity and incoming passage and baggage allowance for eligible appointees. Appointments will normally be made on contract basis for up to two years. Application Procedure (online application only) Please click "Apply Now" to submit your applications. Applicants shall provide names and contact information of at least three referees to whom applicants’ consent has been given for their providing references. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only. We are an equal opportunities employer. Review of applications will continue until the post is filled. Qualified candidates are advised to submit their applications early for consideration. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the post advertised, or to fill the post by invitation or by search. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Salary

Competitive

Posted

6 Jul 2026

Postdoctoral Fellow, LU Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Scheme

LINGNAN UNIVERSITY

Lingnan University

Hong Kong, Tuen Mun

institution

Lingnan University

Hong Kong, Tuen Mun


LU PRESIDENTIAL POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP SCHEME Postdoctoral Fellow (Post Ref.: 24/888) Lingnan University is one of the eight publicly funded institutions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and has the longest established tradition among the local institutions of higher education. It is widely recognised for providing quality education with a focus on whole-person development and conducting high-impact research for a better world. Moving forward, Lingnan University is well positioned to take lead as a comprehensive university in arts and sciences in the digital era, with impactful research and innovations. Lingnan University offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and research postgraduate programmes in the Faculties of Arts, Business, Social Sciences, and the Schools of Data Science, Graduate Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies. To foster interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific progress, Lingnan University established the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study (LUIAS), attracting distinguished scholars from around the world to collaborate with its faculty and students. With traditional strengths in arts, business, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, the University aims to equip students with practical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in the future. Subsequent to the establishment of the School of Data Science and LUIAS, Lingnan University is transforming into a hub for global leaders to develop and promote human-centric technology and social policies. Further information about Lingnan University is available at https://www.ln.edu.hk/. We are launching the LU Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Scheme (PPRF) and invite applications from early career researchers from all over the world. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with our academics in a supportive and dynamic research environment. The University will provide them with the resources, expertise, and mentorship to achieve their research goals. Eligibility Applicants should have obtained / been conferred a PhD degree or an equivalent qualification, and the PhD degree should have been received no more than three years prior to the start of the Fellowship. They are expected to have a good research track record and demonstrate good potential in publishing high quality papers. Duration and Requirements of the Fellowship The duration of the Fellowship will normally be three years. The appointment will normally be made on an initial contract of 1 year, and further appointment for a period of 2 years is subject to the appointee’s satisfactory performance. The appointees are required to submit applications for the RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme (JRFS) or the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application (JC STEM ECRF), and are encouraged to apply for other local / overseas grants or fellowship schemes. Terms and Benefits The conditions of appointment will be competitive. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include annual leave, medical and dental benefits, mandatory provident fund, gratuity, and incoming passage and baggage allowance for the eligible appointees. The appointees will also be provided with research funding of HK$10,000 per year to support their research activities. Application Procedure Applicants are required to contact potential supervisors at Lingnan University and submit a research proposal (as discussed/developed by the applicants in conjunction with the potential supervisors) together with their applications. In the research proposal, please also indicate the name and the department of the potential supervisor. Please click "Apply Now" to submit your application. Applicants shall provide names and contact information of at least three referees to whom applicants’ consent has been given for their providing references. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only. We are an equal opportunities employer. Review of applications will continue until the posts are filled. Qualified candidates are advised to submit their applications early for consideration. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the posts advertised, or to fill the posts by invitation or by search. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Salary

Competitive

Posted

6 Jul 2026

Do you work for this institution?

Make your university stand out by adding more stats, events and more.

Subjects Taught at the University of the Witwatersrand

See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of the Witwatersrand

Arts and Humanities

  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art, Performing Art and Design
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics

Business and Economics

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Business and Management
  • Economics and Econometrics

Computer Science

  • Computer Science

Education Studies

  • Education

Engineering

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • General Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Law

  • Law

Life Sciences

  • Biological Sciences
  • Sport Science

Medical and Health

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Other Health

Physical Sciences

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Physics and Astronomy

Psychology

  • Psychology

Social Sciences

  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Geography
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Sociology