The Catholic University of Malawi
Malawi • Founded 2004
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 2006, The Catholic University of Malawi is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium city of Limbe (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Southern Region.
This institution also has a branch campus in Lilongwe. Officially recognized by the National Council for Higher Education of Malawi, The Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) is a medium-sized coeducational Malawian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion.
The Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study. This 18-year-old Malawian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.
The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this Malawian higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. CUNIMA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where The Catholic University of Malawi is located and how to contact its offices. Disability and accessibility information is usually held by a separate student services office worth contacting directly.
Academic Details
The Catholic University of Malawi's student-to-faculty composition and recognition standing are listed below. Student support staff (advisers, counsellors) are typically separate from academic staff and often uncounted here.
Academic Structures
Below: how The Catholic University of Malawi organises its faculties and constituent units. Distance learning programmes often sit in a separate division from on-campus teaching, with different administration.
Unit 7 items
- Faculty of Commerce
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Theology
Degrees
Also Certificate
Bachelor's 27 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Anthropology
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Foreign Languages Education
- Human Resources
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Law
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Native Language Education
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Political Sciences
- Religious Education
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Theology
Master's 3 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Bible
- Education
- Religious Studies
Diploma & Certificate 13 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Adult Education
- Business Education
- Computer Education
- Development Studies
- Education
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- Environmental Studies
- Foreign Languages Education
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Mathematics Education
- Native Language Education
- Science Education
- Special Education
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under National Council for Higher Education of Malawi.
Lilongwe (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business and Commerce
- Education
Commerce (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Marketing
Education (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Foreign Languages Education
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Special Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 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.
Nursing and Midwifery (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Community Health
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
Common Career Paths
- Registered Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Natural Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Community Development
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Leadership
- 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.
Theology (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Bible
- Religious Studies
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
The Catholic University of Malawi's programme finder filters by name across all degree levels. Departmental admissions criteria sometimes differ from institutional minimums — verify against the programme page before relying on either.
38 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Malawi
Bachelor's Degree 26 programmes
Showing 10 of 26.
Master's Degree 1 programme
Diploma 11 programmes
Showing 10 of 11.
How to apply to The Catholic University of Malawi
Practical steps to apply to The Catholic University of Malawi, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
-
1
Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. The Catholic University of Malawi offers 38 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
-
2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at The Catholic University of Malawi has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
-
3
Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
-
4
Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via The Catholic University of Malawi's online portal at www.cunima.ac.mw. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
-
5
Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +265 8860 74600. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Catholic University of Malawi
Common questions about The Catholic University of Malawi answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
In what year was The Catholic University of Malawi established?
The Catholic University of Malawi was founded in 2004 (approximately 22 years ago).
What city is The Catholic University of Malawi in?
The Catholic University of Malawi operates from Limbe, Malawi.
Is The Catholic University of Malawi a public or private institution?
It is a private higher-education institution.
How big is The Catholic University of Malawi's student body?
The Catholic University of Malawi serves approximately 6,000-6,999 students.
What programmes are available at The Catholic University of Malawi?
The Catholic University of Malawi offers bachelor's and master's programmes.
Does The Catholic University of Malawi have a religious affiliation?
The Catholic University of Malawi operates within the Christian-Catholic tradition.
What is The Catholic University of Malawi's academic structure?
The Catholic University of Malawi is organised into 7 academic units across its disciplines.
Is The Catholic University of Malawi accredited?
The Catholic University of Malawi is accredited by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
What is The Catholic University of Malawi's official website?
The Catholic University of Malawi's official website is www.cunima.ac.mw.
Top-Ranked Universities in Malawi
Industry partnerships of Malawi's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including The Catholic University of Malawi may still partner with strong employers locally.
Other Malawian Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Chaplaincy provision and pastoral care at Christian-Catholic institutions varies in depth — some maintain full-time chaplains; others bring in visiting clergy. Worth comparing across the peers listed below.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Programme-level scholarships for Education & Teaching students vary substantially across Malawi institutions. Often the less-marketed scholarships are the easiest to secure for qualified applicants.
Universities Compared with The Catholic University of Malawi
Beyond The Catholic University of Malawi, several other universities operate at a comparable level — by ranking, heritage, or scale. They are worth knowing as you build your shortlist, particularly if you want options at the same competitive tier.
Studying in Malawi: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
