Bahir Dar University
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia • Founded 2000 • World Rank #2434
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 2001, the Bahir Dar University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the small city of Bahir Dar (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Amhara Region.
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Ethiopia, Bahir Dar University (BDU) is a coeducational Ethiopian higher education institution. Bahir Dar University (BDU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
BDU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Address, contact details, and online presence for Bahir Dar University are summarised below. Cross-check with the official website if you intend to send documents or financial information.
Academic Details
Below are the institutional metrics for Bahir Dar University: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.
Academic Structures
The internal academic structure of Bahir Dar University — by faculty, school, and unit. Research-only units exist alongside teaching units; their function and student involvement differ.
Unit 4 items
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Natural Business and Economics
Degrees
Bahir Dar University's qualification tiers and the degrees within each. Foundation years for international students often run separately and feed into year-one of a bachelor's programme.
Bachelor's 2 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Education
- Engineering
Master's 24 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Agronomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Business Administration
- Demography and Population
- Economics
- Engineering Management
- Environmental Management
- Ethics
- Finance
- Fishery
- History
- Horticulture
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Marketing
- Media Studies
- Peace and Disarmament
- Political Sciences
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Sports
- Water Science
Doctoral 1 program
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Foreign Languages Education
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education of Ethiopia.
Maritime Academy (Academy) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Marine Engineering
Sport (Academy) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Sports
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (College) 12 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Management
- Agriculture
- Botany
- Development Studies
- Environmental Management
- Fishery
- Natural Resources
- Rural Planning
- Water Management
- Water Science
- Wildlife
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business and Economics (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Economics
- Information Technology
- Management
- Marketing
- Transport Management
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Educational and Behavioural Sciences (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Adult Education
- Curriculum
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health and Medical Sciences (College) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Public Health
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Clinical Researcher
- Healthcare Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Industrial Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Sports
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- Communication Studies
- English
- Folklore
- Journalism
- Literature
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Civics
- Environmental Studies
- Ethics
- Geography
- History
- Political Sciences
- Social Work
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Disaster Risk Management and Food Security (Institute) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Land Administration (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Rural Planning
Technology (Institute) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Information Technology
- Water Science
Textile and Fashion Technologies (Institute) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Clothing and Sewing
- Fashion Design
- Textile Design
- Textile Technology
Law (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Each programme at Bahir Dar University is grouped by the degree it leads to. New programmes can take 6–12 months to propagate through search engines, so the live catalogue here is the authoritative list.
101 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Ethiopia
Bachelor's Degree 22 programmes
Showing 10 of 22.
Master's Degree 44 programmes
Showing 10 of 44.
Doctorate 35 programmes
Showing 10 of 35.
How to apply to Bahir Dar University
Below is a five-step path through the application process at Bahir Dar University, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
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1
Research programmes at Bahir Dar University
Use the programme finder to browse Bahir Dar University's 101 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Programme-level requirements at Bahir Dar University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Gather supporting documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Lodge your application
Bahir Dar University processes applications through www.bdu.edu.et. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +251 (58) 220 0137. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bahir Dar University
Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about Bahir Dar University, drawn directly from institutional records.
How old is Bahir Dar University?
The institution opened in 2000 (approximately 26 years ago).
In which city is Bahir Dar University?
Bahir Dar University is based in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Is Bahir Dar University a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How many students study at Bahir Dar University?
Bahir Dar University has approximately 30,000 students.
What is Bahir Dar University's ranking?
It ranks #2434 globally and #5 in Ethiopia.
What degrees does Bahir Dar University offer?
Bahir Dar University delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
How is Bahir Dar University organised academically?
Bahir Dar University is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Bahir Dar University officially recognised?
Bahir Dar University is accredited by Ministry of Science and Higher Education;Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency (HERQA).
What is Bahir Dar University's official website?
Bahir Dar University's official website is www.bdu.edu.et.
Faculties at nearby universities
Regional industry partnerships shape career outcomes across the cluster near Bahir Dar University. Comparable employer networks often persist whether you choose Bahir Dar University or a neighbour.
Where Else to Study General Engineering
Choosing the right General Engineering programme is rarely about one university alone. Institutions across Ethiopia cover the same discipline as Bahir Dar University from different academic angles, and the right fit depends on what kind of teaching environment suits you.
Universities Compared with Bahir Dar University
Peer cohort post-graduation outcomes — employment rates, graduate-school placement, salary data — often track closely across institutions at Bahir Dar University's level. Comparable cohorts tend to land in comparable places.
Studying in Ethiopia: guides and resources
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