University Tuition and Cost of Study in Tanzania

Tuition at public universities

Public university tuition for Tanzanian citizens varies by field of study more than by institution. At the University of Dar es Salaam , arts, humanities and education programs cost around TZS 1,000,000 a year. Social sciences, engineering, agriculture and commerce programs run TZS 1,100,000 to TZS 1,300,000. Computer science, accounting, law and telecommunications programs cost around TZS 1,500,000, and the Doctor of Medicine degree costs about TZS 1,800,000 a year. Other public universities set their own schedules around similar ranges, so pull the current fee book for your specific university and program rather than assuming these figures apply everywhere.

Tuition and fees at private universities

Private university tuition varies more widely and often costs more than the public equivalent, though the gap depends heavily on the program. Beyond tuition, private universities charge their own bundle of fees. St. Augustine University of Tanzania, for example, publishes a separate capitation fee (reduced for students holding a National Health Insurance Fund card) and an on-campus accommodation charge in its yearly fee-structure documents, so download the current SAUT fee structure for the exact amounts. Get the current, complete fee schedule directly from a university's finance or bursar's office before you budget, since figures change from one intake to the next.

Fees beyond tuition

Almost every university charges registration, examination, ICT and library fees on top of tuition, and most now require proof of health insurance such as an NHIF card. Add these into your budget as fixed yearly costs, since universities typically block registration or exam entry until you clear them.

Accommodation costs

On-campus halls remain the cheapest housing option. At UDSM, older halls charge around TZS 800 per bed per day, while newer hostels and international student blocks charge different rates by student category. At Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, local undergraduates pay roughly TZS 174,000-190,000 per bed for the academic year, while the TZS 1,250 (SUA students) and TZS 1,350 (students from other institutions) daily rates apply only to long-vacation stays. Check whether your university quotes accommodation per academic year or per day, since daily rates usually apply only to vacation stays and multiplying them out overstates a normal term-time bill. Halls fill up fast, so apply for a room as soon as you confirm admission.

Monthly living costs

Food, transport, phone data and personal items make up your biggest recurring costs outside tuition and rent. General cost of living data for Dar es Salaam suggests a single adult spends several hundred thousand shillings a month excluding rent, though students who cook at home, share rooms and use public dala dala transport spend well below that. Build your budget around food, local transport, mobile data and toiletries as fixed monthly costs, then add tuition and accommodation as your two largest yearly costs.

Rough yearly total

Treat these ranges as a starting budget, not a fixed quote. Confirm the exact figures for your university, program and intake year before you commit.