The University of Buea (UB) is a public university in the South West Region of Cameroon that follows the English-speaking university tradition. It says it was “born in 1993”, after starting as a university centre in 1985; the website gives more than 33,000 students and about 80 degree programmes.[1][2]
The university publishes a fee table on its website: undergraduate studies cost 50,000 FCFA for Cameroonians; graduate studies start at 150,000 FCFA for Cameroonians and 450,000 FCFA for international students. The page gives no academic year.[3] It is in the 51+ band of QS Sub-Saharan Africa 2026.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Buea (UB)[1] |
| Location | Molyko, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon (P.O. Box 63)[1] |
| Type | Public university[5] |
| Founded | “Born in 1993” according to the university; started as a university centre in 1985 and became a university in 1992 (university home page and Wikipedia)[1] |
| Students | Over 33,000[1] |
| Staff | Over 650 permanent and 200 part-time members[1] |
| Programmes | About 80 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level[1] |
| Faculties | Arts; Science; Education; Health Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Laws and Political Science; Social and Management Sciences; Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine[1] |
| Schools | College of Technology; Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters (ASTI); Higher Technical Teachers Training College (HTTTC); Higher Teachers Training College (HTTC)[1] |
| International partners | Over 40 universities in Africa, Europe and North America[1] |
| Tuition, Cameroonians | Undergraduate 50,000 FCFA; graduate and postgraduate from 150,000 FCFA (academic year not stated)[3] |
| Tuition, international students | Graduate and postgraduate from 450,000 FCFA; undergraduate figure not filled in on the page[3] |
| QS Sub-Saharan Africa 2026 | 51+ band (of 69 ranked institutions); QS World University Rankings 2027 could not be confirmed[4] |
| Teaching tradition | English-speaking university tradition within Cameroon’s bilingual context[1] |
| Official website | ubuea.cm |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.
About the University of Buea
The University of Buea says it “was born in 1993 following wide-ranging university reforms in Cameroon” and follows the English-speaking university tradition within the country’s bilingual context.[1] Its home page and Wikipedia describe an earlier stage: a university centre founded in 1985 that became a full university in 1992. Wikipedia’s infobox lists 1992 as the year of establishment, and uniRank does the same, so sources give 1992 or 1993 depending on whether they count the first decree or the 1993 reform.[2][5][6]
The university is based at Molyko in Buea, the regional capital of the South West Region.[1][5] It reports over 33,000 students, over 650 permanent and 200 part-time staff and links with more than 40 universities in Africa, Europe and North America.[1]
How is the University of Buea ranked?
In QS’s inaugural Sub-Saharan Africa ranking (published 12 February 2026, 69 institutions) the University of Buea is in the 51+ band. The University of Dschang is 40th, the highest of three ranked Cameroonian universities.[4][7] We found no source that names the University of Buea in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026), so a position there could not be confirmed.
uniRank puts Buea 1st in Cameroon and 7,388th in the world, using its own web-based method.[6] A July 2026 opinion article reports that none of Cameroon’s eleven state universities, Buea among those named, appeared in the U.S. News Best Global Universities 2026–2027 list of 2,250 institutions.[8] Wikipedia calls it “regarded as the best university in Cameroon” without a source, which we do not repeat as fact.[5] How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Buea?
The university offers about 80 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level, organised in eight faculties and four schools:[1]
- Faculties: Arts (FA); Science (FS); Education (FED); Health Sciences (FHS); Engineering and Technology (FET); Laws and Political Science (FLPS); Social and Management Sciences (FSMS); Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (FAVM).
- Schools: College of Technology (COT); Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters (ASTI); Higher Technical Teachers Training College (HTTTC); Higher Teachers Training College (HTTC).
- Certification courses, including ICT certifications.
Fees and entry requirements for individual programmes are on the programme pages.[3]
How much does the University of Buea cost?
| Level | Cameroonians | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 50,000 | Not filled in on the page |
| Graduate | From 150,000 | From 450,000 |
| Postgraduate | From 150,000 | From 450,000 |
| Certification courses | From 150,000 | From 250,000 |
The page writes the amounts as “Frs”; we read this as CFA francs (FCFA), the currency of Cameroon. It does not state an academic year, and it directs you to the individual programme pages for programme-specific fees.[3] The same page mentions merit scholarships without giving criteria or amounts.[3]
Tuition is only part of the cost. For living costs see our Cameroon guide.
How do you apply to the University of Buea?
Applications are made online on the UB student portal. Requirements by level:[9]
- Undergraduate: a completed application form and a high school certificate or equivalent, such as the GCE Advanced Level or the Baccalauréat.
- Graduate: a good first degree or equivalent in the field from a recognised university; work experience is an advantage.
- Postgraduate: a good master’s degree or equivalent in the field from a recognised university; work experience is an advantage.
After applying you upload documents, the admissions office reviews them, and you receive a student letter with your student number. You then pay fees and medicals on the portal, visit the health centre and register for courses.[9] The site has an International Students section and an Exchange Students subsection but lists no extra requirements for them; the application route is the same portal.[10] Contact: info@ubuea.cm or +237 2 33 32 27 60.[10] We give no deadlines because they change every year.
Which language do you need?
UB describes itself as conceived in the English-speaking tradition within Cameroon’s bilingual and multicultural context.[1] Its admission page does not list an English test or a minimum score, and the international-students page states no language requirement.[9][10] If English is not your first language, ask the admissions office what proof of proficiency your programme expects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tuition fees at the University of Buea?
The fee page lists 50,000 FCFA for undergraduates who are Cameroonians, from 150,000 FCFA for Cameroonian graduate and postgraduate students and from 450,000 FCFA for international graduate and postgraduate students. No academic year is given.[3]
Is the University of Buea English-speaking?
How many students does the University of Buea have?
The university reports over 33,000 students, over 650 permanent staff and 200 part-time staff.[1]
How is the University of Buea ranked?
More about studying in Cameroon
- Cameroon: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Cameroon
- Catholic University of Central Africa
- University of Douala
- University of Dschang
- University of Yaoundé I
Sources
[1] University of Buea: About UB (page without a date; copyright 2024)
[2] University of Buea: home page (page without a date; 2026/27 applications listed)
[3] University of Buea: Fees and scholarships (page without a date; academic year not stated)
[4] xuanxiao.org: QS Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2026 (aggregator of the QS list, pages 1 and 2 of 69 entries; QS itself blocks automated access) (QS edition published 12 Feb 2026)
[5] Wikipedia: University of Buea (page last edited 14 Jul 2026; used for history and location)
[6] uniRank: University of Buea (aggregator; fees and enrolment not reported)
[7] Business Ghana: New ranking celebrates breadth and diversity of African higher education ecosystem (QS Sub-Saharan Africa 2026) (QS ranking released 12 Feb 2026)
[8] AllAfrica / Camer.be: Cameroun: aucune université dans le top 2250 mondial (U.S. News Best Global Universities 2026–2027) (opinion article dated 9 Jul 2026)
[9] University of Buea: Apply to the University of Buea (page without a date)
[10] University of Buea: International students (page without a date; copyright 2024)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.