Universities in Namibia

Unfortunately, Namibia does not have an excellent reputation for higher education. With a low rate of attendance, expensive programs and poor quality facilities, Namibia’s universities and colleges are disappointingly weak. The limited number of available universities and other higher educational institutions also poses a problem.
 
This does not mean, however, that the country is not doing everything to improve its standing in this area. With the abolishment of apartheid and the revision of the educational system, Namibia is taking careful steps to improve the country’s higher education programs.
 
Universities and Higher Education in Namibia
 
There are a total of two higher educational institutions in Namibia, though several training colleges also scatter the country. One is the University of Namibia, and the other is the Polytechnic of Namibia.
 

• University of Namibia: Admission is only allowed to students that have completed Namibian secondary schools up to grade 12, and have achieved excellent marks in at least five subjects. The university also requires students to pass an entrance examination, which can be taken as many as three times.
• Polytechnic of Namibia: The polytechnic has almost identical admission requirements as the University of Namibia. A further requirement (which may also be preferred at the national university) includes proficiency in the English language.
• Other educational opportunities beyond secondary include training colleges in teaching, agriculture and the police force.

 
Bachelor’s Degrees and Professional Programs in Namibia
 
The Polytechnic of Namibia, along with agricultural colleges, trains students for a total of 3 years so they may achieve a National Diploma. This includes degrees in engineering and technology, though they do not qualify as bachelor degrees. A 2-year extension of study, called a B Tech degree, can also be acquired through hands-on experience alongside academic education.
 
A bachelor’s degree in Namibia is only achieved after 4 years of successful study at the University of Namibia. This is the only place in Namibia where students can achieve a bachelor’s degree, and requires students to complete an approved time frame of the study.
 
Master’s Degrees in Namibia
 
There are very few master’s programs available in Namibia, mainly as a result of untrained educators and poorly equipped facilities. However, some essential studies do exist for Namibians. A student that wishes to attend a master’s program, however, must first achieve a bachelor’s degree – conveniently at the same school, University of Namibia. Sometimes, a postgraduate diploma from another college may gain admission as well.
 
A master’s study typically takes 1 to 3 years, and can be undertaken in two ways:

• Through research and development of a thesis
• Through coursework, exams, research and submission of a thesis.

 
Further higher education opportunities, such as those in Doctorate studies, are even more rare in Namibia than master’s programs. Most students who seek a PhD typically go out-of-country to another university. However, the University of Namibia does offer a handful of doctoral studies in the following areas:

• Philosophy (in education, mostly)
• Law
• Nursing Science

 
Individuals must truly commit to doctoral studies in Namibia, as they are usually expensive and last around 3 to 5 years.