Study and find schools in DR Congo

Studying in DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the largest countries in Africa, and the ministry and universities publish their official information in French. Higher education is overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education, University Education, Scientific Research and Innovation (ESURSI). Its online register lists 1,006 higher-education institutions, public and private, from universities to specialised higher institutes in technology, teacher training, agriculture, medical techniques and the arts.

Before planning a stay, check the security situation. In October 2026 the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all non-essential travel to the DRC and against any travel to the east and north-east, including Ituri, North and South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami, Haut-Uélé, Bas-Uélé and parts of Mai-Ndombe and Kwilu. It considers the rest of the country, including Kinshasa, a medium-risk area.

The education system

The DRC introduced the Licence-Master-Doctorat (LMD) system from the 2021-22 academic year, with national curriculum models for eight broad fields, from health sciences and law to science and technology. According to the ministry:

• the licence (bachelor's level) takes 3 years and 180 credits
• the master takes 2 more years and 120 credits
• the doctorate takes 3 years of research

The ministry grants the official approval (agrément) that public and private institutions need to operate legally, and works with the national quality assurance agency, ANAQ-ESU. It has also launched a national platform for open and distance learning. Because the status of institutions varies (approved, provisionally approved or only authorised to operate), check a school's status in the ministry's register before you enrol.

Admission and recognition

Admission is organised by each institution. At the Université de Lubumbashi (UNILU), the documents required depend on the applicant's situation, country of origin and planned studies. UNILU advises applicants to choose two faculties or schools that match the section they followed at secondary school, because a first choice may not be accepted if places run out. Students with previous studies should contact the department first: they may be exempted from some courses and given up to five complementary courses; beyond that, they start the cycle from the beginning.

The ministry handles the authentication and equivalence of diplomas, for Congolese qualifications used abroad and foreign qualifications used in the DRC. Keep certified copies of all diplomas and transcripts.

Visa and entry

A visa is required. According to the Spanish Foreign Ministry, it must be obtained in advance from the DRC embassy (in Spain, in Madrid) or in the country of residence, and a valid visa does not guarantee entry. The UK FCDO advises allowing at least 2 to 3 weeks for processing and considering a long-term visa for a longer stay. Other requirements, checked on 7 October 2026:

• a passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival
• a yellow fever vaccination certificate
• a departure tax of US$55 on international flights and US$10 on domestic flights

On 15 May the Ministry of Health announced an outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola in Ituri, which has since spread to five other provinces and the WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern; some countries have tightened health checks for travellers from the DRC.

Costs and funding

There is no official source for tuition fees across the system, so ask each institution. The ministry awards national solidarity and excellence scholarships, and scholarships through bilateral and multilateral cooperation for certain fields. Belgian university cooperation programmes (ARES and VLIR-UOS) also support joint research and training with Congolese universities such as UNILU.

Where to study

Lubumbashi, in the copper-mining region of Katanga in the south, is home to the Université de Lubumbashi, the only school in our directory for the DRC. Its history goes back to the Université Officielle du Congo et du Ruanda-Urundi, created by Belgian royal decree on 26 October 1955, which opened in 1956; the Université de Lubumbashi in its present form was created in 1981. Its faculties and schools cover agronomy, architecture, criminology, law, economics, engineering (ESI and Polytechnique), letters, medicine, veterinary medicine, fisheries and aquaculture, pharmacy, psychology, public health, sciences and social sciences. The university states that it attracts students from other African countries for full degrees and European students as interns and researchers.

In October 2026 UNILU opened applications for new first-year master's programmes in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity and robotics, supported by the World Bank; selected candidates receive a World Bank scholarship. Pre-registration costs US$10 and the deadline is 24 October 2026.

In the east, the ministry temporarily suspended academic activities at several institutions in Goma and Bukavu in August 2026 and announced special measures for students from conflict-affected areas.

Practical life

UNILU's university residences have rooms for single students, allocated by a housing committee after a lease is signed with the student services office; another service helps students find shared or individual housing in the city. Safety requires care: the Spanish Foreign Ministry reports a rise in youth gang activity in Kinshasa and other cities such as Lubumbashi and advises against walking in any city, and the FCDO warns that foreign nationals are at particular risk of street robbery in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Health services are very limited, so travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to study in the DR Congo?

It depends on the region. In October 2026 Spain advises against all non-essential travel to the DRC and against any travel to the east and north-east; it rates the rest of the country, including Kinshasa, as medium risk.

How are degrees organised in the DR Congo?

Under the LMD system introduced in 2021-22: a 3-year licence (180 credits), a 2-year master (120 credits) and a 3-year doctorate.

Are there scholarships for students in the DR Congo?

The ministry awards national solidarity and excellence scholarships and cooperation scholarships for some fields. Some programmes are funded by partners, such as UNILU's new World Bank-supported master's programmes.

How can I check that a Congolese institution is recognised?

The ministry publishes a register of approved institutions, public and private, with their approval status, and handles the authentication and equivalence of diplomas.