Study and find schools in Cameroon

Studying in Cameroon

Cameroon is a bilingual, English- and French-speaking country in Central Africa, and its universities reflect that. According to the Ministry of Higher Education (Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, MINESUP), the country has 11 state universities, among them the University of Buea, the University of Bamenda, the Université de Douala, the Université de Dschang and the Université de Yaoundé 1 and Yaoundé 2. Higher education also counts about 430 authorised private higher-education institutes (Instituts Privés d'Enseignement Supérieur, IPES).

Our directory currently lists one Cameroonian institution, the University of Buea, a state university in the South West Region that teaches in English.

The education system in Cameroon

Higher education in Cameroon is overseen by MINESUP, which publishes the list of state universities and authorised private institutes. Besides the 11 state universities, the ministry lists international institutions such as the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

The two language traditions shape the system. The University of Buea was conceived in the English-speaking tradition and, according to the university, seeks to keep the essence of that system within Cameroon's bilingual and multicultural context. Most of its students come from the English-speaking part of the country, but it also serves the other regions and the international community.

Degrees follow the bachelor's, master's and doctorate structure. The University of Buea states that it offers about 80 degree programmes at bachelor's, master's and PhD level, designed to comply with the European Bologna system.

Admission and recognition

Applications to the University of Buea for the 2026-27 academic year are made online through its Go-Student portal. The university distinguishes two routes:

• General Admission, for programmes that only require the submission of documents
• Entrance Examination, for programmes that require a pass in a written competitive exam

Applicants pay an admission fee, which is not the same as the tuition fee, and enter their secondary qualifications. In the English-speaking system these are the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level (O/L and A/L) results. Each programme has its own requirements, listed on the portal.

Exchange students are selected by their home institution under a partnership agreement. The University of Buea's cooperation office handles incoming exchange applications, issues admission letters, helps with visa applications and with finding off-campus accommodation, and organises orientation.

Diplomas obtained abroad are examined, to attest their authenticity, by the National Commission for the Evaluation of Training Received Abroad (Commission Nationale d'Evaluation des Formations Dispensées à l'Etranger, CNE). MINESUP publishes the lists of equivalences granted after each session.

Student visa and residence

Visa applications to Cameroon are made through the government's online portal, evisa Cameroun, which describes itself as the official portal for visa applications to Cameroon. The portal does not publish the student visa requirements on its public pages, so applicants should create an account there and check the conditions for their nationality. Exchange students can ask the University of Buea's cooperation office, which facilitates visa applications for incoming students and issues the admission letter and letter of invitation that are part of the exchange process.

Costs

Tuition at the University of Buea depends on the programme and on the student's nationality. On the university's fees page, undergraduate fees for Cameroonians are 50,000 Frs; the figure for international undergraduates is not published there. Graduate and postgraduate programmes cost from 150,000 Frs for Cameroonians and from 450,000 Frs for international students. Certification courses start at 150,000 Frs for Cameroonians and 250,000 Frs for international students. Each programme page gives its specific fees.

The university offers academic scholarships based on merit, athletic scholarships and research grants. It states that most of its students benefit from a scholarship each academic year.

Where to study

The University of Buea is in Buea, the capital of the South West Region, a historic town that was the capital of German Kamerun and later of the federated State of West Cameroon. The university was founded as a University Centre in 1985 and became a full university after the government decree of 1992 that reorganised the state universities; it reports more than 33,000 students and over 650 permanent staff.

Its faculties cover arts, science, education, health sciences, engineering and technology, law and political science, social and management sciences, and agriculture and veterinary medicine. It also has the Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters (ASTI), a College of Technology and two teacher training colleges. Programmes range from agriculture, accountancy and biochemistry to medicine, nursing, microbiology and translation and interpreting.

The South West Region also has many private institutes on the ministry's list, among them the Catholic University Institute of Buea and the Pan African Institute for Development (PAID).

Practical life

The University of Buea has received more than 600 international students between 2012 and 2024, including full-degree students, exchange students, interns and study abroad students. It works with partners at over 40 universities in Africa, Europe and North America. Its campus services include a health centre, transport, accommodation support and sports, and student clubs and cultural events are part of campus life.

Frequently asked questions

What language are courses taught in at the University of Buea?

English. The university was conceived in the English-speaking tradition, although it operates within Cameroon's bilingual English and French context.

How many universities are there in Cameroon?

MINESUP lists 11 state universities and about 430 authorised private higher-education institutes.

How much does the University of Buea cost for international students?

Graduate and postgraduate programmes start at 450,000 Frs for international students and certification courses at 250,000 Frs. The undergraduate fee for international students is not published on the fees page, so ask the university.

How do I get a visa to study in Cameroon?

Visa applications go through the official evisa Cameroun portal. Exchange students receive an admission letter and letter of invitation from the University of Buea, whose cooperation office helps with the visa application.