Top 10 South African Universities for Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that creates and trains smart machines that can mimic human actions. These smart machines are endowed with the ability to think, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experiences. AI focuses on understanding and performing intelligent tasks such as reasoning, learning new skills, and adapting to new situations and problems. It’s a combination of computer science, psychology, and philosophy. In this post, we’ll tell you the top South African Universities for AI.
Top tech companies employ most AI professionals. These professionals work on a variety of applications, systems, and machines. They create algorithms that offer people suggestions on services like YouTube or Netflix, develop, test, and improve self-driving cars and drones, or create digital personal assistants which provide useful information.
The South African government has invested massively in AI over the past decade. The bulk of this investment went towards IoT and social media, followed by planning, scheduling, and optimization, as well as smart mobile.
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Top African Universities for Artificial Intelligence AI
Subjects you need to pass in High school before you can Study AI
To study AI, you need to have advanced knowledge of mathematics, algorithms, statistics, and probability. Another requirement is to have solid expertise in programming languages.
What Do AI students do after graduation?
After graduation, most AI professionals work as AI researchers, AI specialists, machine learning engineers, computational linguists, robotics engineers, etc.
Topics to Cover in the AI program
Some of the topics you can expect to study during a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Artificial Intelligence are computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition, software engineering principles, autonomous systems, machine learning, image analysis, signal and sound processing, ethics and social implications of AI, among others.
Best South African Universities for AI
If you are considering studying AI in South Africa, we have compiled a list of the top South African Universities for AI for you. These schools offer courses in AI up to the post-graduate level. In addition, we will also tell you the ranking of these universities on the local, continental and global levels following the format local; continental; global. To know more about AI programs in the respective schools, please visit the school website by clicking on the links provided.
Here is the list of the 15 best Universities in South Africa for AI:
University of Cape Town (1; 3; 664)
UCT is an inclusive and engaged research-intensive African university that inspires creativity through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery, and citizenship; enhancing the lives of its students and staff, advancing a more equitable and sustainable social order, and influencing the global higher education landscape.
Applications for undergraduate study at UCT in 2023 are ongoing. Applications started on 1 April 2022 and would close on 31 July 2022. Applicants who need financial assistance must submit separate applications to NSFAS.
N/B: Application deadlines for postgraduate programs can be confirmed with the relevant faculty office.
Click Here to Start Application.
University of Pretoria (2; 4; 672)
The University of Pretoria (UP) is one of Africa’s top universities and the largest contact university in South Africa. The institution is notable for producing socially impactful research to find solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. UP offers high-quality training to students in a highly conducive learning environment and prepares the students for the world beyond.
Applications for undergraduate study at UP in 2023 are ongoing. Applications started on 1 April 2022 and would close on 30 June 2022.
Visit the Admission Website to Apply
University of Stellenbosch (3; 6; 761)
The University is one of South Africa’s leading tertiary institutions based on research output, student pass rates, and rated scientists, and is recognized internationally as an academic institution of excellence.
It boasts the highest weighted research output per full-time academic staff member of all South African universities and the second-highest number of scientists in South Africa who have been rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF). It also has the highest student success rate in the country.
University of the Witwatersrand (4; 9; 862)
The University of Witwatersrand is a public institution that is committed to academic excellence and research. It is home to four Nobel Prize Winners: Nelson Mandela (Peace), Sydney Brenner (Medicine), Nadine Gordimer (Literature), and Aaron Klug (Chemistry).
Wits has produced over 200, 000 alumni including illustrious artists, lawyers, politicians scientists, accountants, and business moguls.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (5; 11; 955)
This institution is a truly South African University of Choice that is academically excellent, innovative in research, entrepreneurial, and critically engaged with society. UKZN aims to establish a value-driven organizational culture that empowers the Institution and its people to achieve institutional goals.
Application for the 2023 admission is now open. The application will close on the 30th of June, 2022.
University of South Africa (6; 16; 1173)
UNISA is a reputable, comprehensive, flexible, and accessible open distance learning institution that offers internationally accredited qualifications and has world-class resources. Unisa offers a diverse choice of study fields at levels from certificate to degree to over 400, 000 local and international students
University of Johannesburg (7; 21; 1385)
UJ is a vibrant, multicultural, and dynamic, South African University well-prepared for its role in actualizing the potential that higher education holds for the continent’s development.
UJ offers a world-class, internationally recognized academic programs based on curricula informed by cutting-edge developments in both undergraduate and postgraduate education, and that are designed to prepare students for the world of work and for global citizenship
Tshwane University of Technology (8; 28; 1647)
North-West University (9; 36; 1780)
The NWU is a unitary, integrated, multi-campus university that enables equity, redress, and globally competitive teaching and research. The NWU offers more than just an education: the school provides a lifetime experience and adequately equips its students to fulfill their potential and start preparing for their careers.
Application for 2021 admissions is ongoing. Visit the school website to apply.
University of the Free State (10; 48; 2138)
The University of the Free State (UFS) creates opportunities and growth through leading learning and teaching, focused research, and impactful engagement with society. It is situated in the heart of South Africa.
Application for 2023 admission is open. Visit the school website to apply.
