Study and find schools in Eswatini

Studying in Eswatini

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a small, landlocked kingdom in southern Africa, between South Africa and Mozambique. English is an official language alongside siSwati and is the language of instruction at universities. Its higher-education sector is small: the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), the national public university, is the main institution, alongside a few private and church universities and colleges.

For international students, Eswatini can be an affordable base for a degree in agriculture, health sciences, education or commerce, or a short stay through a university partnership. Students from other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries pay the same fees as local students at UNESWA.

The education system in Eswatini

Higher education is regulated by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), established in 2015 under the Higher Education Act, 2013. ESHEC runs the quality-assurance system, including the registration and accreditation of higher-education institutions, institutional audits and the national qualifications framework, and publishes a list of registered institutions. Check that a school and its programme appear there before you enrol.

Universities offer certificates, diplomas and bachelor's degrees at undergraduate level, followed by master's degrees and PhDs. Secondary school ends with the Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education (SGCSE) or the IGCSE, which are the basis for university admission.

The University of Eswatini was established in 1972, with a focus on agriculture, and grew out of the former University of Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini (UBLS). Its Kwaluseni campus was opened by King Sobhuza II on 8 September 1973. Today it has three campuses:

• Kwaluseni, 9 km from Manzini and 34 km from Mbabane: Commerce, Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, Humanities and Education, plus the Institute of Distance Education and the Institute of Post-Graduate Studies
• Luyengo, in the Malkerns Valley: Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, with a university farm
• Mbabane: Health Sciences, next to the Mbabane Government Hospital

Admission and recognition

At UNESWA, applications are made online, and the prospectus for 2026/2027 sets out the requirements for each programme. An offer of admission is valid only for the academic year for which it is made. Applicants aged 22 or over with at least four passes in the SGCSE, IGCSE or an equivalent qualification can also apply through the Mature Age Entry Scheme, which includes a special entrance examination with a general English paper and a paper in the chosen field.

Applicants with foreign school-leaving certificates need a qualification equivalent to the SGCSE/IGCSE; the prospectus lists the requirements. Because English is the language of instruction, students from non-English-speaking countries should be ready to show their level of English.

Student visa and residence

EU citizens do not need a visa to travel to Eswatini, according to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (advice valid on 7 October 2026). The passport must be valid for at least three months after entry and have at least two blank pages; more blank pages are needed if you continue to South Africa or Mozambique. A stay for a full degree requires a study or residence permit from Eswatini's immigration authorities; ask the university's admissions office for the current procedure after you receive an offer.

Costs

UNESWA publishes separate fees for local and SADC students and for international students. For international students, a full-time undergraduate degree costs E1,647 per credit for non-science subjects and E1,788 for science subjects under the credit system; under the older non-credit system the fees are E60,742 (non-science) and E63,000 (science). Local and SADC students pay E549 per credit for non-science degrees. Other fees include:

• Application fee: E430, and an acceptance fee of E450
• Annual residence fees: E3,900 to E5,200
• Master of Business Administration: E6,302 per credit for international students

The university reminds students to budget for textbooks, printing, transport, food and accommodation on top of tuition. Funding includes the Eswatini Government Tertiary Education Scholarship and scholarships from the UNESWA Foundation; the university itself does not offer bursaries.

Where to study

Kwaluseni and Manzini, in the centre of the country, have both schools in our directory. Besides the main UNESWA campus at Kwaluseni, Manzini is home to Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU), a Christian university launched in 2010 from three colleges: the Nazarene College of Nursing, Nazarene Teacher Training and the Nazarene College of Theology. SANU has campuses in Manzini and Siteki and teaches health sciences (nursing, midwifery and medical laboratory sciences), education and theology. It is recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training, and its professional courses are recognised by bodies such as the Swaziland Nurses Council and the Teachers' Service Commission. Applications for 2026/27 are open.

Mbabane, the capital, has UNESWA's health sciences campus, and the Luyengo campus in the Malkerns Valley is the centre for agriculture.

Practical life

Safety: the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travelling with caution. Protests and strikes take place occasionally, mainly in Mbabane and Manzini, and should be avoided. The ministry also recommends not walking in the centre of Mbabane and Manzini after dark.

Health: medical care is limited, especially in rural areas, and serious cases are usually evacuated to South Africa, so comprehensive health insurance with evacuation cover is essential. Malaria is endemic throughout the country.

Climate and transport: the rainy season runs from October to March, with a frequent risk of floods. Traffic drives on the left, and driving at night on rural roads is not recommended.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are there in Eswatini?

The main one is the public University of Eswatini (UNESWA), with campuses in Kwaluseni, Luyengo and Mbabane. Southern Africa Nazarene University in Manzini is a private Christian university. The Eswatini Higher Education Council publishes the full list of registered institutions.

How much does it cost to study at the University of Eswatini?

International students pay E1,647 per credit for non-science undergraduate degrees and E1,788 for science degrees. Students from SADC countries pay the local rate, for example E549 per credit for non-science degrees.

Do I need a visa to study in Eswatini?

EU citizens need no visa to enter, but a full degree requires a study or residence permit; the university's admissions office can explain the procedure after you are admitted.

What language are university courses taught in?

English, which is an official language of Eswatini alongside siSwati.