Great Zimbabwe University
Masvingo, Zimbabwe • Founded 1999
Updated May 2026 · Source: gzu.ac.zw · How we collect data
Overview
Established in 1999, the Great Zimbabwe University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Masvingo (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe, Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) is a small-sized coeducational Zimbabwean higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation) and bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.
This 25-year-old Zimbabwean higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this Zimbabwean higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
GZU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including housing, sports facilities, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Geographic and contact information for Great Zimbabwe University is listed below.
Academic Details
Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for Great Zimbabwe University are listed below.
Academic Structures
The academic units through which Great Zimbabwe University delivers teaching are listed below.
Unit 4 items
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Commerce
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Sciences
Degrees
Also Language Proficiency Certificate; Executive Certificate; Special Honours degree in Accounting, 1yr; MBA; Dual Degrees
Bachelor's 91 programs
- Accountancy
- Adult Education
- African Languages
- Agricultural Education
- Animal Husbandry
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art Education
- Art Management
- Banking
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Business Education
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Child Care and Development
- Communication Studies
- Computer Education
- Computer Science
- Continuing Education
- Crop Production
- Cultural Studies
- Development Studies
- E-Business/Commerce
- Economic History
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Energy Engineering
- English
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Fishery
- Foreign Languages Education
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Government
- Health Education
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- Home Economics Education
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Human Resources
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Irrigation
- Labour and Industrial Relations
- Law
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Media Studies
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Music Education
- Native Language Education
- Operations Research
- Peace and Disarmament
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Regional Planning
- Religious Education
- Religious Studies
- Rural Planning
- Rural Studies
- Science Education
- Secondary Education
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Soil Science
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Technology Education
- Tourism
- Town Planning
- Transport Management
- Water Management
- Wildlife
Master's 54 programs
- Accountancy
- African Languages
- African Studies
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Art Education
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Child Care and Development
- Curriculum
- Demography and Population
- Development Studies
- Economic and Finance Policy
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Foreign Languages Education
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Government
- Higher Education
- History
- Human Resources
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Leadership
- Literature
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Native Language Education
- Peace and Disarmament
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Regional Planning
- Religious Education
- Religious Studies
- Rural Planning
- Social Policy
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Technology Education
- Town Planning
- Vocational Education
Doctoral 14 programs
- Accountancy
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
- Rural Planning
- Sociology
- Town Planning
Diploma & Certificate 20 programs
- Adult Education
- Agricultural Education
- Agriculture
- Art Education
- Business Education
- Computer Education
- Continuing Education
- Education
- Foreign Languages Education
- Home Economics Education
- Human Resources
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Management
- Mathematics Education
- Native Language Education
- Pastoral Studies
- Religious Studies
- Science Education
- Social Sciences
- Technology Education
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe.
Gender and Cultural Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Gender Studies
- Social Policy
Agriculture and Engineering (School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Crop Production
- Fishery
- Soil Science
- Water Science
- Wildlife
Heritage and Education (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Curriculum
- Educational Sciences
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
Law and Business Sciences (School) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Cultural Studies
- Economics
- Finance
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Information Technology
- Management
- Tourism
Medical and Health Sciences (School) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biomedicine
- Laboratory Techniques
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
Natural Sciences (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Physics
Social Sciences (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Cultural Studies
- Gender Studies
- Human Resources
- Psychology
- Rural Studies
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
Programs Offered
Browse Great Zimbabwe University's programmes by level, or filter by name.
128 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Zimbabwe
Bachelor's Degree 60 programmes
Showing 10 of 60.
Master of Philosophy 17 programmes
Showing 10 of 17.
Master's Degree 23 programmes
Showing 10 of 23.
Doctorate 15 programmes
Showing 10 of 15.
Certificate 8 programmes
Diploma 5 programmes
How to apply to Great Zimbabwe University
A five-step path through the application process at Great Zimbabwe University.
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1
Research programmes at Great Zimbabwe University
Use the programme finder to browse Great Zimbabwe University's 128 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 Great Zimbabwe 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
Great Zimbabwe University processes applications through www.gzu.ac.zw. 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 dracademic@gzu.ac.zw or by phone at +263 (39) 263718. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Great Zimbabwe University
Common questions about Great Zimbabwe University — answers from its published profile.
When was Great Zimbabwe University founded?
Great Zimbabwe University was established in 1999 (approximately 27 years ago).
In which city is Great Zimbabwe University?
Great Zimbabwe University is based in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
What is Great Zimbabwe University's control type?
Great Zimbabwe University operates as a public institution.
How many students study at Great Zimbabwe University?
Great Zimbabwe University has approximately 2,000-2,999 students.
What programmes are available at Great Zimbabwe University?
Great Zimbabwe University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Does Great Zimbabwe University have a religious affiliation?
Great Zimbabwe University operates within the Christian-Catholic tradition.
How many faculties does Great Zimbabwe University have?
Great Zimbabwe University is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Great Zimbabwe University officially recognised?
Yes, Great Zimbabwe University is recognised by Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE).
How do I find Great Zimbabwe University online?
You can find Great Zimbabwe University online at www.gzu.ac.zw.
Members of Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA)
Great Zimbabwe University and the universities below are both members of Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA).
Other Zimbabwean Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Other Christian-Catholic-affiliated institutions in Zimbabwe appear below.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Universities in Zimbabwe with Education & Teaching programmes appear below, alongside Great Zimbabwe University.
Universities Compared with Great Zimbabwe University
Below are universities sometimes compared with Great Zimbabwe University.
Studying in Zimbabwe: guides and resources
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