Study and find schools in Namibia

Studying in Namibia

Namibia, on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, is a large and very sparsely populated country. Its 2023 Population and Housing Census, run by the Namibia Statistics Agency, counted 3,022,401 people, with a density of 3.7 persons per square kilometre and just under half (49.5%) living in urban areas. The most populated region is Khomas, home to the capital, Windhoek, with 494,605 inhabitants.

For international students, Namibia offers a compact higher-education system that admits students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond, with fields of study shaped by its environment, from marine and coastal research to agriculture and veterinary medicine.

The education system in Namibia

Higher education is coordinated by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), which was set up to promote a coordinated higher-education system, widen access and ensure quality. The NCHE lists three public higher education institutions: the University of Namibia (UNAM), the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL). It also lists 18 registered private higher education institutions, among them the International University of Management, Botho University and Welwitchia University.

Under the Higher Education Act, 2003, private institutions offering higher-education programmes must be registered; registration gives them the legal authority to offer those programmes. The NCHE also accredits programmes and audits institutions, and its website publishes the list of recognised institutions, which is the first place to check before applying.

Qualifications are placed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), managed by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA). The NQF has ten levels, each representing a different level of difficulty in learning. Qualifications are measured in credits, and the NQA explains that one credit represents about 10 hours of notional learning time. Universities award certificates and diplomas, bachelor's degrees (some with honours), master's degrees and doctorates; UNAM alone offers 63 master's degrees and 39 doctoral degrees.

Admission and recognition

Each institution sets its own admission requirements and publishes them in its prospectus and admission guides. At UNAM, applications are made online, and the university publishes general admission requirements and faculty admission guides for each year. International applicants submit their high-school results, and those whose qualification is not on the Namibian NQF may need it evaluated.

That evaluation is done by the NQA. It covers qualifications that are not registered on the Namibian NQF, including those obtained in other countries. The NQA checks the legality, validity and credibility of the document and expresses the qualification in terms of the Namibian framework, to help other bodies recognise it for academic, career or professional purposes. Namibian graduates who want their degree recognised abroad follow the rules of the destination country.

Study permit and visa

According to UNAM, under the Immigration Control Act of 1993 all international students, from SADC and non-SADC countries alike, must hold a valid study permit and visa before entering Namibia to study. Permanent residents, refugees and asylum seekers, and diplomatic representatives are exempt if they hold the relevant documents (information checked October 2026).

The UNAM international students page lists the documents needed for a first study permit, including:

• High-school results and the admission letter from the university
• Proof of registration and proof of accommodation in Namibia
• An original medical certificate and a radiological report
• A police clearance from the home country
• A deed of surety form and a letter stating who is paying for the studies
• Proof of valid and active medical aid or insurance

UNAM and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security have an agreement that lets international students apply for their study permit during registration. For first-year students, the university states a handling fee of 80 Namibian dollars (NAD) at application and a permit fee of NAD 2,200 once the permit is approved, both paid to the ministry rather than the university. Students must state at the border that they are entering Namibia for academic registration.

Costs

Each institution sets its own fees, and the NCHE uses its statistics to coordinate tuition fees at public institutions. It also runs a Tuition Fees Portal. At UNAM, current fees are published in the yearly Student Fees Prospectus and in the university's advertisements, and international students have their own fee information. Fees are paid in Namibian dollars, which UNAM notes are at par with the South African rand (1 NAD = 1 ZAR). No official source gives a figure for student living costs.

Where to study

Windhoek, the capital, is the main study city and the seat of UNAM. The university also has regional campuses, which include the Sam Nujoma Campus, focused on marine and coastal research, and the Ogongo Campus, known for agricultural projects.

The school currently listed on SpainExchange for Namibia is the University of Namibia (UNAM) in Windhoek. It was established by an Act of Parliament on 31 August 1992 and describes itself as a multicampus public research university. UNAM has 12 campuses, four faculties and 17 schools, covering agriculture, engineering, natural sciences, commerce, law, health sciences, veterinary medicine, education and humanities. In the 2025 reporting cycle it had about 26,302 students from more than 40 countries.

Practical life

Namibia's small population and long distances mean that student life is concentrated in Windhoek and a few regional towns. International students must have valid medical aid or insurance for their study permit; UNAM notes that a medical aid option is available through the university. Accommodation must be arranged before the permit application, since proof of accommodation is required.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a study permit to study in Namibia?

Yes. International students, from SADC and other countries, must hold an approved study permit and visa before entering Namibia to study, except permanent residents, refugees and diplomats with the relevant documents.

How much does a Namibian study permit cost?

According to UNAM, first-year students pay a handling fee of NAD 80 when applying and a permit fee of NAD 2,200 once the permit is approved, both to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

How many universities does Namibia have?

The NCHE lists three public higher education institutions (UNAM, NUST and NAMCOL) and 18 registered private higher education institutions.

Will my foreign qualifications be recognised in Namibia?

Qualifications not registered on the Namibian NQF, including foreign ones, can be evaluated by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), which expresses them in terms of the Namibian framework.