Why study a Bachelor or Master in Namibia
Find all the study programs in Namibia
About Namibia
Namibia is a country located in the southwestern part of Africa with vast open spaces, a diverse environmental mix and a rich cultural history. With a population just exceeding 2.6 million, Namibia is known for its friendly people, wildlife and interesting floral kingdom. One can discover the Namibian beauty through the country’s magnificent wildlife as it is home to over 200 animal species. The country was named after the Namib Desert (which means “vast place”), the oldest desert in the world, which is at least 55 million years old. The Namib desert is home for some of the highest sand dunes in the world.
Languages
Namibia’s diversity of languages is remarkable as it has 30 languages that are spoken in the country; Namibia has 10 indigenous languages and 3 Indo-European languages. The majority of Namibians speak at least 2 languages. Despite English being the official language of Namibia, the most popular household spoken language is Oshiwambo (49%), other dialects include Khoekhoegowab (11%), Afrikaans (10%), RuKwangali (9%) and Otjiherero (9%). Additionally, international languages such as English, German, Portuguese and Indian are also spoken in Namibia. Even though less than 10% of the population speaks English, the government chose it as the country’s official language to consolidate alliance with other countries.
Currency
The Namibian Dollar is the currency of Namibia which is equal to the South African rand. South Africa Rand is accepted all over Namibia although Namibian Dollar is not accepted in South Africa. You can draw the currency of Namibia from any ATMs using international cards.
Geographical Information
Namibia is officially republic of Namibia and it was internationally until 1968 South West Africa. Namibia is located on the southwestern coast of Africa. Namibia is bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the southeast and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
Religion
Namibia is dominated by several branches of Christianity. The majority, 90% of Namibian citizens identify themselves as Christian.
Political Stance
The Republic of Namibia is a democratic, sovereign, secular, and unitary State. The Namibian government is divided into three powers: Executive, Legislative, and the Judiciary. The county’s president is elected in a national election every five years. Namibia’s constitution created in 1990 included a ‘Bill of Rights’ granting freedom of speech, assembly, press, association, and religion. Hence, it was considered one of the most democratic in the world. As a result of Namibia’s freedom of the press law, Namibia ranks first in Africa and 17th worldwide.
Tourism
If you are a nature lover and the idea of observing wild animals and plants excites you, then Namibia is the place for you! About 90% of Namibian land remains natural habitat. The best time to travel to Namibia is from July to October as the weather is not too hot and there are low chances of rain. English is the official language of Namibia, so there should not be any language barriers. The country is safe and politically stable. There are so many activities to do in Namibia including hiking, camping, stargazing, observing wildlife, bird-watching, immersing in a new culture as Namibians continue living with ancient traditions and lifestyles. Namibia is one of the top stargazing destinations in the world; this is a result of its relatively cloudless skies, the lack of air pollution and the absence of artificial lights. Some of Namibia’s most famous National Parks include Etosha National Park, Bwabwata National Park and Khaudum National Park, which are home to more than 114 mammal species, 110 reptile species, and over 340 bird species. There are many more places to visit such as Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, which are high red dunes hugging a salt and clay pan; Fish River Canyon (the largest canyon in Africa); the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.
Food
The Namibian cuisine heavily depends on grilling the meat of several animals and topping them off with delicious sauces and dressings. The dishes include antelope, kudu, zebra, ostrich, giraffe, oryx, beef and lamb.Made up of several traditional methods of cooking, the Namibian cuisine is influenced by German and South African flavors. The most frequent ingredient is Corn. Namibia is famous for having some of the best free range beef in the world as a result of farmers allowing cattle to roam freely without being fed growth hormones or antibiotics. Namibia’s popular meal dishes include cooking different species of Antelopes such as Gemsbok, Springbok and Kudu. Namibia is also famous for having fish caught and served on a daily basis and Oysters are a specialty there.
Study in Namibia
The chance to study at Namibia will expose you to several new adventures; for many, it is a chance to step outside your comfort zone and experience an entirely new way of living and delving into other cultures. They are welcoming people and their country has a lot to offer!
Why should you study in Namibia?
There are approximately 400,000 students in Namibia, the majority of which attend state-run schools. The educational system is considered to be the fundamental element of success within this type of environment. Therefore, it is highly valued. There are various school options for students who are seeking a higher education, including:
- Four teacher-training colleges
- Three colleges that deliver agricultural education
- A Polytechnic, which has a curriculum at the university level
- A police training academy
- A National University
How much does it cost?
Similar to other educational institutions, the academic year is divided into semesters. You will need around 5,000 USD for the total duration of studying (2-4 years) excluding registration fees and costs of living. Focusing on Namibia’s #1 university; University of Namibia (UNAM), a degree may cost you US$1,000 per year. On the other hand, postgraduate tuition fees range between US$1,000-2,500 per year.
Living in Namibia
When in Namibia, foreigners ought to be cautious. Even though Namibia is considered to be safe relative to neighboring South African countries, there is still a chance of crime due to poverty and the high rate of unemployment. In general, watch out for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and make sure to lock doors and windows before leaving the house to avoid break-ins.
Accommodation
There are many types of accommodations available in Namibia to suit all tastes including budget friendly B&Bs, fancy hotels, personal guest farms, nature-oriented campsites and grand lodges. On average, student residence can cost between $125-$170/month (including Water, electricity, Wi-Fi, security, entertainment facilities and cleaning services included).
Other costs of living
The average monthly expenses of a single person in Namibia is approximately $539 (excluding rent). Overall, the cost of living in Namibia is around 48% lower than the United States average. Finally, rent in Namibia is approximately 75% lower than the US.
Universities in Namibia
There are several degrees and study programs at Namibia which are constantly improving and becoming more well-rounded in terms of opportunities, fields and research facilities. The universities are attempting to become more internationally recognized and ensure the maximum welfare of all their students.
Degrees available
The degrees available at Namibia vary, you can enroll at a university which specializes in certain fields either a public or private university. There are universities in Namibia with international associations, one of the most prestigious degrees to earn at Namibia is a degree in management.
Top ranked universities
- Universities in Namibia
The highest ranked university in Namibia is a public university which was established in 1992. The university has now become the primary option for students seeking the best education in Namibia and is where 30,000 students are enrolled annually. Their academics are divided into four faculties; faculty of agriculture, engineering and natural sciences, faculty of commerce, law and management, faculty of education and human sciences and faculty of health sciences and veterinary medicine. There is a total of sixteen different schools under these faculties providing many study options for students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Namibia University of Science and Technology
The university was established in 1985 and is a public university aiming to provide students with a studies focused on science and technology. The establishment has received accreditation by the ministry of education in Namibia and offers different degrees; students seeking an undergraduate degree and students seeking graduate degrees will find a place for them at this university. The university’s academics are comprised of six faculties; Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Management Sciences and Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences.
- The International University of Management
The third ranked university in Namibia was founded in 1993, and offers specialized courses in the fields of management and business. The university aims to become a more internationally recognized establishment and introduce more developed ways of teaching; it currently has 14 associations with lead universities in the United States and Europe. Its academics are divided into six faculties all with a focus on management; the following ae the faculties; management, tourism, business administration, education, health sciences and information communication and technology.
Examples of other universities
There are also other universities in Namibia with diverse environments, continuously improving teaching styles and standards for learning, such universities are; National Institute of Technology, Namibian College of Open Learning and Namibia Business School.
Student Visa - Namibia
To enter Namibia, it is required that passports are valid at least 6 months beyond the planned date of departure and a minimum of 3 completely blank passport pages. Upon entry, all students must present a valid and approved Study Permit for the purpose of studying or a study visa. The requirements will differ based on your citizenship and so you must review the documents with the nearest embassy or consular office in your country.
How to apply - Namibia
In order to obtain a study visa or a study permit during your time at Namibia, you will have to apply for it following the acceptance letter from your desired host university. This will be done online and can take up to 3 months for processing. In order to apply online you must follow the following steps:
- Visit the UNAM website http://unam.edu.na/
- Go to Study @ UNAM and then online application (new students)
- Fill in the Biographical Information as per fields in the form
- Upload any additional required documents and proceed with payment
This simple process will provide you with your study permit and you can then head to Namibia!
Scholarship in Namibia
There are several scholarship opportunities for students wishing to study at Namibia, citizens of African countries are more likely to receive them but everyone is eligible to apply. There are many programs and they differ based on your desired program of study. When evaluating your application, the establishment will focus on viewing your cumulative GPA, your presented financial income statements and your extracurricular activities. The scholarships are rewarded on for annually and the percentage granted may differ amongst students.
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