Why study a Bachelor or Master in Tanzania

Study in Tanzania

If you want to study in Tanzania, there are several different reasons why you should do so. The amazing views, wildlife and Tanzanian culture are all advantages of studying in the country for many international students who love adventure. Read on to learn more about why you should study there and how much it costs students. 

Why should you study in Tanzania? 

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose to study in Tanzania: 

• You will see breathtaking views anywhere you go in Tanzania, whether you are going for coffee or going to a safari 
• Tanzanians are friendly and love to meet new people, which means you will always feel at home. You’ll also get the perfect opportunity to learn and practice Swahili, if you want to do so. 
• The Tanzanian culture is rich and immersing, influenced by over 120 tribes resulting in a unique blend of art, music, food and traditions. Swahili sung poetry, fragrant islands full of spices and handmade goods made by the people are unique features for international students to enjoy during their study abroad journey there. 

How much does it cost?

If you want to study in Tanzania, you will be interested in how much it will cost you to do so. On average, tuition fees at Tanzanian universities range from 5,000 to 8,000 USD dollars per academic year. 

Living in Tanzania

In general, living costs in Tanzania for a year will cost you anywhere between 4000 to 6000 USD dollars. There are several types of accommodation available for international students to choose from, from rentals to hostels. Read on to learn more about the kinds of housing you can live in if you study in Tanzania, as well as the other costs of living in the country. 

Accommodation

There are several types of accommodation available for students who want to study in Tanzania. Here are some of the most common types chosen by international students: 

 

• Apartment Rental: This is the most common type of accommodation and the one that really lets you experience the life of a Tanzanian citizen. Apartment costs differ based on size, number of rooms and location, as well as other services offered along with the rent. If you want to rent a house that is away from the city centre, you’ll pay from 200 USD to 800 USD a month. However, if you want to rent an apartment in the city centre, you’ll pay from 600 to 1000 USD a month. You can also choose to share an apartment with a roommate, or several other students, and share the cost between you. 
• Hostels: Hostel rental is also one of the most popular types of student accommodation for international students in Tanzania. This gives a cheaper option than apartment rentals, giving a room to live in whilst sharing a common kitchen and bathroom with everyone else. Rooms can also be shared by 2 to 6 people, so if you like living with people and are social, this will be a good option for you. You can also get to know people of other cultures. 
• On-campus dorms: Another option for students is on-campus dorms. As an international student, you are given priority for this accommodation type. A benefit of this type of accommodation is that you are close to facilities like the library, gym, training grounds, and computer centres. You’ll also get free wifi so you’ll only need to pay for the other utilities. This kind of accommodation typically also includes food so you won’t need to buy groceries. International students can expect to pay around 1200 USD a year for on-campus accommodation. 

Other costs of living

Other costs of living to consider are a monthly transportation pass of 8 dollars and a basic utility cost of around 70 dollars a month. You can also expect to pay around 52 dollars for internet monthly. Groceries are pretty cheap in Tanzania and you can expect to pay around 85 dollars a month for them. You’ll also need to pay for health insurance, which will cost an average of 180 dollars. 

 

Universities in Tanzania

There are many top-ranked universities in Tanzania if you are interested in studying there, offering degree programs in many subject areas. Read on to learn about the best universities there and the types of degrees offered at Tanzanian universities. 

 

Degrees available

In Tanzania’s higher education system, tertiary education, which is at the university level, takes at least three years. There are several universities that offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at this level, so it will be easy to find a degree program at the level you are interested in. 

Top-ranked universities

Here are some of the best universities in Tanzania that you should look into if you are interested to study in Tanzania: 

The University of Dar es Salaam

Location: Dar es Salaam, Iringa 

The top-ranked university in Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam is the largest and oldest university in Tanzania. It is subsidized by the government, like all other universities in the country. The university was founded in the year 1970 and is located in Dar es Salaam, with a branch in Iringa. The university has around 20,000 students attending and offers many courses and degree programs at the pre-bachelor, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels. 

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Location: Morogoro 

Another good university in Tanzania is the Sokoine University of Agriculture,  another public university located in the city of Morogoro. The university was established in 1984 and is also supported by the government. It teaches degree programs in the field of agriculture and farming. 

Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology

Location: Arusha

Founded in 2009, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology is a public university in Arusha that is recognised and approved by the Tanzania Commission for Universities. It is a tiny university with under 250 students but it teaches many specialised programs in the fields of science and technology. 

The University of Dodoma (UDOM)

Location: Dodoma 

Founded in 2007, another good university in Tanzania is The University of Dodoma. It’s another public higher education that can be found in Dodoma. It offers many degree programs in several areas for bachelor’s, masters and PhD students. 

Examples of other universities

Other good universities to look into if you are interested to study in Tanzania are the International Medical and Technological University, the Open University of Tanzania, which focuses on distance learning courses, and The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. 

 

Student Visa - Tanzania

When it comes to obtaining a study visa, many nationalities won’t need one but some citizens will need to obtain one. For example, US citizens will need a visa to travel and study in Tanzania. Some nationalities will simply need a valid passport and a few blank pages in it, to enter and study in Tanzania. You should look up your nationality and whether you will need a visa before you start carrying out the visa process, in case you don’t require one. 

General Requirements 

If you require a student visa, you’ll apply at your local Tanzanian embassy. The following documents are required if you are applying for a Tanzanian study visa: 

• Valid passport copy
• Letter of acceptance from university and covering letter that is written to the Immigration Department
• Passport-sized photo
• Proof of scholarship or sponsorship (if applicable)
• Filled in visa application form
• Proof you have paid the visa fee of 250 dollars 
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination 

 

It’s important to note that if you come from one of the East African Community Member States, you’ll be awarded an Exemption Certificate. This Exemption Certificate is free of charge. 

How to apply - Tanzania

To apply for a university in Tanzania, the process is simple and straightforward. You’ll just apply directly to the institution, once you have fulfilled all the requirements and made sure you are eligible for the program you have chosen. There are specific requirements when it comes to degree programs so you should look on the page of your institution to see what requirements are set for your degree program and university. 

General Requirements 

However, there are some general requirements for most university programs at different study levels. Read on to find out about the general requirements for each level of study. 

For bachelor’s level studies:

• Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) 
• Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE), with at least six subjects, with a minimum of two if them at the Advanced Level

 

For master’s and PhD level studies:

• Bachelor’s degree diploma
• Master’s degree diploma (if applicable)
• Previous academic transcripts 
• CV and work portfolio 
• Other documents showing work experience, or relevant documents 

Scholarship in Tanzania

If you are looking for ways to help you financially study in Tanzania, there are several options for scholarships and grants available. Here are some of the best scholarships to apply to if you want to study in Tanzania, with some financial aid:

• Aga Khan Foundation scholarships
• The School for Field Studies 
• CIEE GAIN scholarships 
• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program for American residents who want to study in Tanzania or any other non-traditional study abroad countries 
• MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
• DAAD scholarship: A fully funded German scholarship that pays for needs, food and transportation during the study period
• The Leakey Foundation scholarship: A program to fund research opportunities with a focus on the history and archaeology in Tanzania