Official emblem of University of Livingstonia

University of Livingstonia

Livingstonia, Malawi Founded 1875

Overview

English Name: University of Livingstonia
Acronyms: UNILIA
Founded: 1875
Control Type: Private
Religious Affiliation: Christian-Presbyterian
Motto: Courage, Excellence and Confidence
Official emblem of University of Livingstonia

Founded in 2003, the University of Livingstonia is a private higher education institution located in the medium town of Livingstonia (population range of 2,500-9,999 inhabitants), Northern Region.

This institution also has branch campuses in Mzuzu, Ekwendeni and Livingstonia. Officially recognized by the National Council for Higher Education of Malawi, University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) is a small-sized coeducational Malawian higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Presbyterian religion.

University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) 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, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 20-year-old Malawian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

UNILIA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for University of Livingstonia. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.

Address: P.O. Box 112
Other Sites: Laws, Ekwendeni and Kaning’ina Campuses
Map:
Phone: +265 (1) 311 111
Fax: +265 (1) 311 111

Academic Details

University of Livingstonia's student body, faculty composition, and recognition framework are summarised below. Use this section to gauge institutional weight before drilling into specific programmes.

Accrediting Agency: National Council for Higher Education (NCHE)
Admission Requirements: Malawi School Certificate of Education (M.S.CE.) or equivalent, with an aggregate of not more than 36 points in the best 6 subjects. Applicants must have a credit in English; Admission tests and interview
Student Enrollment: 2
Academic Staff Range: 100-199

Academic Structures

University of Livingstonia's teaching units laid out by faculty and school. Deep hierarchies (faculty to school to department) versus flat structures affect administrative complexity for students.

Unit 6 items
  • Faculty of Agri-Sciences
  • Faculty of Applied Sciences
  • Faculty of Business and Communication Studies
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Theology

Degrees

Also Certificates

Bachelor's 21 programs

Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.

  • Accountancy
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agriculture
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Education
  • Computer Engineering
  • Development Studies
  • Education
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Management
  • Food Science
  • Human Rights
  • Humanities and Social Science Education
  • Journalism
  • Mass Communication
  • Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Rural Planning
  • Science Education
  • Social Sciences
  • Theology
Master's 7 programs

Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.

  • Development Studies
  • Epidemiology
  • Gender Studies
  • Public Health
  • Religious Studies
  • Sanitary Engineering
  • Theology
Diploma & Certificate 9 programs

Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.

  • Accountancy
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agriculture
  • Business Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Journalism
  • Mass Communication
  • Rural Planning
  • Theology

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under National Council for Higher Education of Malawi.

Agri-Sciences (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Agriculture

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Applied Sciences (Faculty) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Computer Science
  • Environmental Management
  • Food Science
  • Nutrition
  • Public Health

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Business Administration and Communication Studies (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration
  • Mass Communication

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Education (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • 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.

Social Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Development Studies
  • Human Rights

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Policy Analyst
  • Social Worker

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Theology (Faculty) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Development Studies
  • Gender Studies
  • Religious Studies
  • Theology

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

Below: University of Livingstonia's programme list by level. Programme intakes vary — some offer multiple entry points per year (Sep, Jan, May), others a single annual intake.

Bachelor's Degree

17 programmes

University of Livingstonia delivers 17 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.

Bachelor of Accountancy Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Agribusiness
Bachelor of Science in Rural and Agrarian Development Natural Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Development Communication Communication Studies
Bachelor of Business Management Business & Management
Bachelor of Education in Humanities Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Development Studies Politics & International Relations
Bachelor of Theology Islamic & Quranic Studies
Bachelor of Science in Food Security and Nutrition Nutrition & Dietetics
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Business & Management
Bachelor of Science in Public Health Public Health
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Computer Sciences
Bachelor of Social Science in Development Studies Politics & International Relations
Bachelor of Social Science in Human Rights Law
Bachelor of Education in Information and Communication Technology Communication Studies
Bachelor of Education in Sciences Education & Teaching

Master's Degree

5 programmes

Explore 5 programmes of postgraduate study at University of Livingstonia. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.

Master of Science in Public Health Public Health
Master of Science in Global Sanitation Politics & International Relations
Master of Arts in Theology and Development Studies Politics & International Relations
Master of Arts in Theology and Gender Studies Islamic & Quranic Studies
Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies Islamic & Quranic Studies

Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications

1 programme

These 1 programme cover University of Livingstonia's associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation options — qualifications valued for fast, targeted, or pathway-oriented study.

University Certificate in Education Education & Teaching

How to apply to University of Livingstonia

Step-by-step guidance for applying to University of Livingstonia, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. University of Livingstonia offers 23 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Each programme at University of Livingstonia 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. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    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. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Apply directly via University of Livingstonia's online portal at www.unilia.ac.mw. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +265 (1) 311 111. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of Livingstonia

Common questions about University of Livingstonia answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.

In what year was University of Livingstonia established?

University of Livingstonia was founded in 1875 (approximately 151 years ago).

In which city is University of Livingstonia?

University of Livingstonia is based in Livingstonia, Malawi.

Is University of Livingstonia a public or private institution?

University of Livingstonia is a private institution.

How many students study at University of Livingstonia?

University of Livingstonia has approximately 2,000-2,999 students.

What qualification levels does University of Livingstonia offer?

Programmes at University of Livingstonia cover bachelor's and master's programmes.

Is University of Livingstonia affiliated with a religion?

University of Livingstonia is associated with Christian-Presbyterian.

How is University of Livingstonia organised academically?

The institution comprises 6 academic units.

Is University of Livingstonia accredited?

The institution holds recognition from National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

How do I find University of Livingstonia online?

You can find University of Livingstonia online at www.unilia.ac.mw.

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Looking for the strongest names in Malawi? These are the highest-ranked institutions nationally — useful context for benchmarking University of Livingstonia against the country's most established universities. National benchmarks also signal the upper bound of academic prestige in Malawi.

Other Malawian Universities Affiliated with Christian-Presbyterian

Curriculum integration of Christian-Presbyterian content varies — some affiliated universities maintain core religious modules, others treat affiliation as cultural orientation only. Worth verifying programme by programme.

Where Else to Study Politics & International Relations

Cohort intake size shapes class culture meaningfully in Politics & International Relations. Some Malawi institutions accept a few dozen, others hundreds — the difference affects peer-learning depth and faculty access.

Universities Often Compared with University of Livingstonia

Beyond University of Livingstonia, 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.

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