Rhodes University

Rhodes University is a public research university located in Makhanda, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It is one of the four universities in the province, alongside the Nelson Mandela University, the University of Fort Hare, and the Walter Sisulu University.

Rhodes University was founded in 1904 as Rhodes University College, named after Cecil Rhodes, the British businessman, mining magnate, and politician who was the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1893 to 1896. The college was established with the aim of providing higher education for white English-speaking students in the Eastern Cape.

In 1918, Rhodes University College became a constituent college of the University of South Africa (UNISA). This allowed the college's students to earn degrees from UNISA. However, the college continued to retain a degree of autonomy.

In 1951, Rhodes University College was granted full independence from UNISA and became a self-governing university. This was a significant milestone in the university's history, as it allowed the university to determine its own academic and administrative policies.

The apartheid era in South Africa (1948-1994) had a significant impact on Rhodes University. The university was forced to comply with apartheid policies, which discriminated against black South Africans. This led to a great deal of tension and conflict on campus.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, Rhodes University has made a strong commitment to transformation and social justice. The university has implemented a number of programs to support disadvantaged students and to promote racial and gender equality.

Rhodes University is ranked as the #10 top university in South Africa during 2025. The rank decreased by 1 point from last year.