Universities in Zambia

Zambia's university sector combines a small number of long-established public universities with several private institutions, most of them in and around Lusaka. Teaching is in English, which makes the country accessible to students from across Southern Africa and further afield.

The oldest institution is the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka: Act Number 66 of 1965 brought it into legal existence, and its first students arrived on 17 March 1966. Other examples are Mulungushi University, a public university with its main campus near Kabwe, and two private universities in Lusaka: the University of Lusaka (UNILUS), registered as a university in January 2008, and Cavendish University Zambia, established in 2004, which describes itself as the country's first private university.

How Zambian universities work

Universities offer certificates and diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorates, often in full-time, distance and online modes. Universities are registered and their programmes accredited by national bodies; Cavendish University Zambia, for example, states that it is registered under the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013.

Qualifications are placed on the Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF), the national system that classifies and compares all qualifications in the country. It is managed by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Education that also verifies and evaluates qualifications. A bachelor's degree sits at ZQF level 7; at Mulungushi University, for example, the Bachelor of International Relations and Development is accredited at that level and lasts 48 months.

Several universities have medical and health schools. UNILUS has a teaching hospital, and Cavendish University Zambia and Mulungushi University both have a school of medicine.

Admission for international students

Undergraduate admission is based on the school-leaving certificate. Mulungushi University, for example, asks for a credit (grade 6) or better in English Language and Mathematics plus three other subjects for business programmes, in the Zambian School Certificate, the General Certificate of Education or Cambridge International Examinations. International applicants with other qualifications should ask the admissions office how their certificate is assessed.

English proficiency is expected. UNZA does not ask for an English test at the application stage, but it runs English courses at three levels for admitted students who need them. Exchange students come under agreements between UNZA and partner universities: they usually pay fees to their home university and receive credit there.

Foreign nationals who study full time or part time at a Zambian institution need a study permit from the Department of Immigration. The application includes a letter of acceptance from the institution, a medical report from a Zambian government medical facility and proof of the sponsor's financial status. Holders may not take up paid work that the permit does not allow. Procedures vary by nationality: UNILUS advises non-SADC students to get a visa before travelling and then apply for the permit in Zambia within a 30-day grace period, and Cavendish University Zambia points out that full-time students cannot enter on a visitor's visa.

Costs and funding

Fee policies differ by university, so always check the current schedule:

• Mulungushi University: international students pay the same tuition as Zambian students; only the application fee differs (US$50 instead of K150)
• UNILUS: students from SADC countries pay local fees, while other international students pay in US dollars
• Study permit: UNILUS gives the first-time fee as K9,000, and Cavendish University Zambia estimates it at K9,090

How to choose

• Public or private: compare fees, class size and the range of programmes
• Location: Lusaka has the largest choice; Mulungushi University's main campus is outside Kabwe
• Study mode: full-time places can fill up; in October 2026 Mulungushi University stated that its full-time programmes were full and only distance and online programmes were open to new applicants
• Accreditation: check that the programme is accredited and placed on the ZQF
• Support: ask about student housing and help with the study permit

Frequently asked questions

What language are university courses taught in in Zambia?

Courses are taught in English. The University of Zambia expects students to be proficient in English and offers language courses at three levels for those who need them.

Do international students pay more at Zambian universities?

It depends on the university. Mulungushi University charges international students the same tuition as Zambian students, while UNILUS charges non-SADC students in US dollars.

Do I need a study permit to study in Zambia?

Yes, foreign nationals studying at a Zambian institution need a study permit from the Department of Immigration. You need a letter of acceptance, a medical report from a Zambian government facility and proof of your sponsor's finances.

How can I check that a Zambian degree is recognised?

The Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) keeps the national qualifications framework and verifies qualifications. Check that your programme is accredited and has a ZQF level.