Africa’s leading medical schools are distinguished by excellent teaching quality, modern campus and hospital facilities, affordable costs, high international and continental rankings, and strong support for international students. This list highlights the ten best universities for medical education across Africa.
We selected schools based on multiple criteria: the rigour of their medical programs, the resources of their teaching hospitals and research centres, tuition costs and financial aid options, rankings in global and African university lists, and services for international learners. For example, U.S. News ranks the University of Cape Town (UCT) as Africa’s top university, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand and Cairo University.
These top 10 best medical universities in Africa are examined below, summarising the university’s history, location, medical degree programs, African and world rankings, reasons for its standing, latest tuition fees (2025), and number.
Here are the Top 10 Best Medical Universities in Africa:
- University of Cape Town
- Cairo University
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Makerere University
- Mohammed V University of Rabat
- University of Ibadan
- University of Ghana, Legon
- University of Nairobi
- Addis Ababa University
- University of Pretoria
1. University of Cape Town
Founded as a college in 1829 and formally established as a university in 1918, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa’s oldest higher education institution. It is located in the suburb of Rondebosch, Cape Town.
UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences offers a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) for undergraduates, as well as programs in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and public health. Postgraduate degrees include Master’s (M.Med., M.Sc) and doctoral (Ph.D.) qualifications in medical and health disciplines.
UCT is consistently ranked #1 in Africa for medical education and in the world’s top 300 universities for medicine (EduRank: #1 in South Africa, #212 worldwide). This ranking reflects UCT’s strong research output, eminent faculty, and state-of-the-art Groote Schuur Hospital facilities.
Tuition for the MBChB program is about R102,470 per year (≈ $6,400).
For general inquiries, UCT can be reached by phone at +27 21 650 9111.
2. Cairo University (Egypt)
Cairo University, Egypt’s premier public university, was founded on December 21, 1908, as the Egyptian University. Its main campus sits in Giza, on the western bank of the Nile, near Cairo.
The Faculty of Medicine provides an English-language Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program equivalent to the MBBS, along with undergraduate programs in pharmacy and biomedical sciences; graduate programs include various medical specialties and research degrees.
Cairo University is ranked among Africa’s best (US News lists it #3 in Africa) and #283 globally for medicine (#1 in Egypt, #283 worldwide by EduRank). Its reputation is based on its large student body, historic teaching hospitals, and research contributions (including Nobel laureates among alumni).
Local tuition is very low: around EGP 20,000 (~ $640) per year for the Medicine faculty.
For inquiries, Cairo University’s main switchboard can be contacted at +20 2 2409 7600.
3. University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
The University of the Witwatersrand, commonly known as Wits, is a public research university in central Johannesburg. Its origins date to 1896 (as the South African School of Mines), and it was granted university status in 1922.
Wits’s medical school is part of the Faculty of Health Sciences, offering a 6-year MBChB program, as well as degrees in dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and public health. The faculty’s affiliated teaching hospital is the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Wits is ranked #2 in Africa (by US News) and stands around #3 in South Africa’s med schools, with a global medicine ranking around #292. These high rankings reflect Wits’s rigorous academics and prolific medical research.
Tuition is about R77,700 per year (≈ $4,100) for the MBChB program.
For information, general enquiries can be made by calling +27 11 717 1000.
4. Makerere University (Uganda)
Makerere University in Kampala is Uganda’s oldest and largest university, established in 1922 as a technical school. Today, its College of Health Sciences offers a five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), along with programs in dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and public health.
Makerere also has postgraduate programs, including Master of Medicine (M.Med) in various specialties and a School of Public Health. It is ranked #1 in Uganda and around #12 in Africa for medicine (#657 world), reflecting its status as a premier East African medical school.
Makerere’s teaching hospitals (e.g. Mulago Hospital) and its research in tropical diseases contribute to its strong reputation.
Tuition for Ugandan nationals is relatively low (on the order of a few million UGX per year, roughly several hundred USD); international students may pay more.
Makerere University’s switchboard can be reached at +256 414 542803.
5. Mohammed V University of Rabat (Morocco)
Mohammed V University (UM5) in Rabat is Morocco’s oldest modern university (founded in 1957). It is a large public institution with a Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy offering a French-style medical curriculum (Doctor of Medicine) and postgraduate specialisations.
UM5 is ranked #1 in Morocco and about #919 globally for medicine, owing to its strong academics and research in biomedical fields. Its urban Rabat campus has modern libraries and labs.
Tuition is very affordable: local Moroccan students pay around 108 USD per year (roughly MAD 1,000), while non-Moroccan students pay a minimum of about 1,000 USD per year. These rates make it one of the most accessible medical programs.
Contact UM5 by phone at +212 537 770 400.
6. University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
The University of Ibadan (UI), founded in 1948 in Ibadan, Oyo State, is Nigeria’s oldest university. Its College of Medicine is based at the University College Hospital (UCH), offering a 6-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) and training in many health professions.
Ibadan is rated #1 among Nigerian medical schools and around #10 in Africa (#605 world), reflecting its extensive research output and history of alumni in Nigeria’s healthcare leadership. The college includes postgraduate residency and research programs in all major specialties.
In 2024–25, fresh medical students faced tuition around ₦400,000 per year (approximately $500) after a recent fee increase.
For enquiries, UI’s main telephone is +234 809 430 2333 (University College Hospital switchboard).
7. University of Ghana, Legon
The University of Ghana (UG) at Legon, Accra, was founded in 1948 (as University College of the Gold Coast). Its College of Health Sciences includes the School of Medicine and Dentistry, which offers the MBChB program (medical degree) and related health science degrees.
UG is ranked #1 in Ghana and roughly #16 in Africa for medicine (#805 world), owing to its strong national reputation and growing research. The medical school is linked with Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, one of West Africa’s largest hospitals.
Tuition for Ghanaian medical students is about GH₵3,300 per year (≈ $240), making it relatively affordable.
For general inquiries, call the university at +233 303 951 482.
8. University of Nairobi (Kenya)
The University of Nairobi (UoN), located in Nairobi, Kenya, traces its roots to 1956 and became an independent university in 1970. Its College of Health Sciences includes the School of Medicine, which offers a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), as well as programs in dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and public health.
UoN is ranked #1 in Kenya and #19 in Africa for medical education (#854 world), based on its comprehensive programs and extensive research. Its Kenyatta National Hospital affiliation provides clinical training.
Tuition for Kenyan students in medicine is moderate (on the order of a few hundred thousand KES per year); exact fees vary by year of study.
The University of Nairobi can be contacted at +254 20 491 0000.
9. Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)
Addis Ababa University (AAU) was established in March 1950 as the University College of Addis Ababa. It is the oldest university in Ethiopia, located in the capital city, Addis Ababa.
The College of Health Sciences at AAU administers the Bachelor of Medicine (MD) and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), as well as nursing, pharmacy and public health programs, followed by Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in various medical fields.
AAU is ranked #1 in Ethiopia and around #15 in Africa for medicine (#769 world), reflecting its leading role in training Ethiopian doctors and its research in tropical and infectious diseases. The main medical campus includes Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Hospital.
Local tuition is relatively low (government-subsidised); in 2024, it was on the order of tens of thousands of birr (a few hundred USD) per year.
Addis Ababa University’s main phone is +251 11 827 8433.
10. University of Pretoria (South Africa)
The University of Pretoria (UP) is a multi-campus public research university in Pretoria, South Africa. It was established in 1908 (initially as a branch of Transvaal University College) and has grown into one of South Africa’s largest universities.
UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences includes medicine (6-year MBChB), dentistry, veterinary science, physiotherapy, and allied health programs, with training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Onderstepoort Veterinary Hospital.
UP is ranked among Africa’s top medical schools (#5 in South Africa) (#425 world), due to its large research output and high success in health sciences innovation.
Tuition for South African and SADC students in medicine is about R74,000–R89,000 per year (≈ $4,000–$4,800), depending on the year of study.
The UP contact centre can be reached at +27 12 420 3111 for general inquiries.
