Study and find schools in Zimbabwe

Studying in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa with a long-established, English-speaking university system. English is the language of teaching at its universities: the University of Zimbabwe delivers all programmes in English, and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) uses English as its language of instruction. Students from other African countries come for degrees in fields such as agriculture, accounting, education, law, theology and the sciences.

The higher-education sector is overseen by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. Its list of universities names 21 state and private institutions, from the University of Zimbabwe and Midlands State University to church universities such as Africa University and Solusi University and the Zimbabwe Open University.

The education system

Post-school education in Zimbabwe has four main types of institution, according to the ministry:

• Universities: state and private universities awarding diplomas, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees
• Polytechnic colleges: technical and vocational colleges in cities such as Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare, plus a School of Hospitality and Tourism
• Teachers' colleges: institutions that train primary and secondary school teachers
• Industrial training centres: practical training for trades

Quality is assured by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE). Under the ZIMCHE Act of 2006, every higher-education institution must hold a certificate of accreditation, and ZIMCHE accredits both institutions and individual programmes. If you are unsure about a university or a programme, check that it appears on ZIMCHE's lists before you apply.

The oldest university is the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), established in 1955 in Mount Pleasant, Harare. It has 11 faculties and, according to the university, 17,718 undergraduate and 2,681 postgraduate students, including 287 international students.

Admission and recognition

Each university runs its own admissions. At the University of Zimbabwe, non-Zimbabwean students can apply for a full degree or enrol for one semester as non-degree (occasional) students. International qualifications are evaluated for equivalency, and the non-refundable application fee is US$70. Accepted students must prove that they can support themselves financially before they are allowed into the country.

English requirements vary. Solusi University, for example, asks for TOEFL, IELTS or proof of previous English-medium education, waived for native speakers.

To use a foreign qualification in Zimbabwe, for work or further study, you can ask ZIMCHE for a qualification assessment. The fee is US$175 for qualifications obtained outside Zimbabwe and US$200 for non-Zimbabwean citizens, and results take at least four weeks.

Study permit

International students need a study permit. The University of Zimbabwe advises applying at the nearest Zimbabwean embassy or mission before leaving home: without a permit you may be refused entry, and the university may not register you. At the discretion of the Department of Immigration, the application can also be processed on arrival, with a temporary permit issued at the border. The University of Zimbabwe lists these documents (checked October 2026):

• Residence Permit application form IF5, completed and attested by a Commissioner of Oaths
• Letter of acceptance from the university
• Proof of accommodation, such as the institution's undertaking to house you
• Proof of payment of fees
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport bio-data page
• Chest X-ray report and two passport photos
• Non-refundable fee of US$200

Solusi University also asks for police clearance from your home country. The permit must remain valid throughout your studies and must be renewed within 30 days before it expires; the renewal fee at UZ is also US$200.

Costs

Fees are usually quoted in US dollars. Solusi University, for example, publishes international fees of US$990 per semester for undergraduate study, US$1,200 per semester for a master's degree and US$2,400 per semester for a doctorate (DPhil). Other universities publish their own schedules, so check the current fee page of the institution. Add the study permit, medical checks and accommodation to your budget.

Accommodation is often on campus. At the University of Zimbabwe, international students normally live in halls of residence together with local students, and self-catering apartments are reserved mainly for international postgraduates.

Where to study

• Harare: the University of Zimbabwe, the country's oldest university
• Bulawayo: NUST, established by an Act of Parliament in 1991, which opened on 8 April 1991 with 270 students; and Solusi University, a private Seventh-day Adventist university that grew out of a mission founded in 1894, became a university in 1994 and reports more than 1,200 students
• Gweru: Midlands State University, which became Zimbabwe's third state university under an Act of April 1999 and has campuses in Zvishavane, Harare and Kwekwe
• Mutare: Africa University, a university of the United Methodist Church at Old Mutare, whose first 40 students arrived in 1992 and which was officially opened on 23 April 1994

Frequently asked questions

Are university courses in Zimbabwe taught in English?

Yes. The University of Zimbabwe delivers all programmes in English, and NUST uses English as its language of instruction.

Do I need a study permit?

Yes. The University of Zimbabwe advises getting the study permit from a Zimbabwean embassy before travelling; without it you may be refused entry or registration. The application fee is US$200.

How can I check that a university is recognised?

The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) accredits institutions and programmes under the ZIMCHE Act of 2006 and publishes lists of registered institutions.

How much are tuition fees for international students?

Fees differ by university and are usually in US dollars. Solusi University, for example, charges international students US$990 per semester for undergraduate study.