Study and find schools in Angola

Studying in Angola

Angola is a large, Portuguese-speaking country on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa. It covers 1,246,700 km², has been independent since 11 November 1975, and its National Statistics Institute (INE) estimates the population at 38.8 million in 2026. Portuguese is the official language and the language of university teaching, alongside national languages such as Kikongo, Kimbundu, Chokwe and Umbundu. For students from Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries, the language makes Angola an accessible destination; for others, a good level of Portuguese is the first requirement.

Higher education has grown quickly and now reaches beyond the capital, Luanda. As an example of its scale, the governor of Huambo province reported in October 2026 that the province alone has seven higher-education institutions, two public and five private, with 41,696 students and 1,637 lecturers.

The education system

Higher education is supervised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESCTI). The ministry oversees universities and other higher-education institutions, and it approves or closes undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The legal framework includes the Basic Law of the Education System (Lei 17/16, amended by Lei 32/20), the legal regime for higher education (Presidential Decree 310/20) and the general curricular rules for undergraduate degrees (Presidential Decree 193/18).

The main levels are:

• Licenciatura: the first university degree; at the Universidade Católica de Angola, for example, the degree in Computer Engineering takes five years (ten semesters)
• Mestrado (master's degree): postgraduate study after the licenciatura
• Postgraduate and professional courses offered by individual faculties

The sector combines public and private institutions, including church-run universities such as UCAN. The academic year 2026/2027 was formally opened on 2 October 2026. The ministry acts against unauthorised providers: on 28 September 2026 it closed an establishment in Caála, Huambo province, that was enrolling students in higher-education courses without legal approval. Before you apply, check that the institution and the course are authorised by MESCTI.

Admission and recognition

Admission to undergraduate degrees is by entrance exam set by each institution. At the Universidade Católica de Angola (UCAN), entry is always through admission exams, and the exam result is the only criterion for a place. Registration for the 2026/2027 exams opened on 13 July 2026 and is done online. Engineering applicants need a secondary or pre-university course with a strong component of mathematics and physics.

Foreign applicants need a secondary-school qualification that the institution accepts as equivalent, and for postgraduate study a recognised first degree. Ask the admissions office early which documents must be legalised or translated into Portuguese, and how long recognition takes.

Student visa

Foreign nationals who are not exempt need a study visa, which is granted to foreign students admitted to Angolan educational institutions. According to the Embassy of Angola in the United States (checked October 2026), the requirements are:

• A completed and signed application form
• A passport valid for at least six months
• Proof of enrolment or admission
• Proof of means of subsistence
• A vaccination certificate

Applications are made through the Angolan embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. The Migration and Foreigners Service (SME) also lets foreign nationals request and follow visa applications on its online portal. Requirements and fees are confirmed by the consular section, so check with the mission that covers your country before you travel.

Costs

No official national table of tuition fees is published. Fees are set by each institution, and private universities charge their own tuition. At UCAN all payments are made by bank transfer only; cash is not accepted. The National Institute for the Management of Study Grants (INAGBE) awards internal and external scholarships, but these are designed for students in the Angolan system. Ask the institution for its current tuition, enrolment and exam fees in writing before you commit.

Where to study

Luanda, the capital, has the largest concentration of universities. The Universidade Católica de Angola, the higher-education institution of the Catholic Church in Angola, was authorised by Decree 38-A/92 of 7 August 1992; its first preparatory classes in law and in economics and management began on 22 February 1999, and since January 2009 it has been based in the Palanca district. It has five faculties (Law, Economics and Management, Engineering, Human Sciences and Theology), four institutes and seven master's programmes. Students do not have to be Catholic to enrol.

Huambo, on the central plateau, is another university centre, home to the Universidade José Eduardo dos Santos and the ISCED-Huambo teacher-training institute.

Climate and practical life

Angola has two main seasons: a dry season from May to September, known as cacimbo, and a rainy season from October to April. According to the government portal, average temperatures range from a maximum of 27 °C to a minimum of 17 °C, but on the central plateau temperatures can fall below 10 °C during the cacimbo. Assessment can include oral exams: at UCAN's law faculty, for example, they are compulsory.

Frequently asked questions

What language are university courses taught in?

Portuguese, which is Angola's official language. You should be able to follow lectures and write exams in Portuguese.

Do I need a visa to study in Angola?

Most foreign students need a study visa, granted to students admitted to an Angolan institution. You will need proof of admission, proof of means of subsistence, a passport valid for six months and a vaccination certificate.

How do I get into an Angolan university?

Through the institution's entrance exam. At the Universidade Católica de Angola, registration for the 2026/2027 exams opened online on 13 July 2026.

How can I check that a university is officially recognised?

Higher-education institutions and their courses must be authorised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESCTI), which closes establishments that operate without approval.