Universities in South Sudan: Admission, Costs and How to Apply
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 07, 2026 • African Countries & Cities, Africa Admissions & Exams
South Sudan has about a dozen recognized universities, five of them public, led by the University of Juba with roughly 40,000 students. Admission runs mainly through central placement by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, with a direct-entry route for students who miss that list.
🎓 5 public universities: Juba, Upper Nile, Dr. John Garang Memorial, Rumbek, Bahr el Ghazal
📩 You need the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education or an equivalent, with Mathematics and English among your passes
💵 University of Juba private-admission tuition runs about $200 to $300 a year for most colleges
🏠 Leading private options include Catholic University of South Sudan and St. Mary's University in Juba
Higher education in South Sudan
South Sudan became independent in 2011 and inherited a small higher education system built around one university. The country now has close to a dozen recognized universities, a mix of public institutions run by the government and private universities registered by religious groups or independent founders (Mabumbe ). The system stays small next to neighboring countries, and most programs run in English.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST) sets national policy, licenses universities, and coordinates admission into public institutions.
Public universities
Five public universities carry most of the country's student population.
| University | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Juba | Juba | Founded 1975, the oldest and largest, with about 40,000 students across 23 schools, 3 colleges and 4 institutes (Wikipedia ) |
| Upper Nile University | Malakal | Second-oldest public university, teaches partly from Juba because of insecurity in Malakal |
| Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology | Bor | Focused on science, agriculture and technology programs |
| Rumbek University of Science and Technology | Rumbek | Newer public university serving the Lakes region |
| Bahr el Ghazal University | Wau | Serves the Bahr el Ghazal region |
Private universities
Private universities fill gaps in subjects and locations that public institutions do not cover. Recognized private options include the Catholic University of South Sudan in Juba, St. Mary's University in Juba, Stamford International University, and Star International University College (Mabumbe ). Confirm current government licensing status directly with MoHEST before enrolling, since not every institution advertising itself as a university holds a valid license.
Entry requirements
To join a bachelor's program you need the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) or an equivalent qualification, with passes in at least seven subjects including Mathematics and English language. Diploma programs ask for five subjects. Applicants who already hold a placement through direct admission at one institution are not eligible for a second central placement in the same cycle (MoHEST admission guide ).
Some programs, particularly medicine and engineering, set higher subject and grade requirements. Check with the specific university's admission office for program-level cutoffs before you apply.
How to apply
Sit and pass the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education exam, or hold an equivalent certificate.
Register for the MoHEST central placement process, which assigns students to public universities and programs based on exam results and stated preferences.
If you are not placed centrally, or you prefer a specific university, apply for direct or private admission at that university's admission office. Most public and private universities run their own direct-admission intake alongside the central placement (University of Juba direct admissions ).
Submit your certificate, transcripts and passport photos, and pay the university's application fee.
Complete registration and pay tuition once you receive an admission letter.
Tuition and fees
Public university tuition for centrally placed students stays subsidized and low relative to direct or private admission. Direct and private-admission fees are set in US dollars because of South Sudan's currency instability. At the University of Juba, private-admission tuition dropped by half in February 2023 for most colleges: medicine fell from $600 to $300 a year, and other colleges such as agriculture fell from $400 to $200 a year, while fees for general admission, postgraduate study and evening classes stayed the same (Eye Radio, 2023 ). Universities add separate registration and development fees on top of tuition, so budget for those as extra line items and confirm current amounts directly with the admission office before you commit.
Practical tips
Apply to both the central placement and a private or direct-admission option if your program is competitive, so you have a backup.
Keep physical and digital copies of your CSE certificate and transcripts. These get requested repeatedly through the process.
Budget in US dollars for private-admission fees, since local currency prices move fast.
Contact the university admission office directly to confirm this cycle's fees and deadlines rather than relying on figures from a previous year.