Bahir Dar University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About Bahir Dar University

Bahir Dar University was established by merging two institutions. The Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute, now the Technology and Textile institutes, was set up in 1963 under technical cooperation between the Soviet Union and Ethiopia’s Imperial Government. The Bahir Dar Teachers’ College, then the Academy of Pedagogy, was created in 1972 by a tripartite agreement of the Imperial Government, UNESCO and UNDP and began work the following year.^[3] Council of Ministers regulation no. 60/1999 integrated them, and the university was inaugurated on 6 May 2000.^[3]

Wikipedia’s infobox gives other dates (1954 for the polytechnic, 2001 for the university), which conflict with the university’s own account; we follow the university.^[1] The university names its units: the Colleges of Science, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Business and Economics, and Education and Behavioral Sciences; the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, the Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, and the Institutes of Land Administration, of Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Studies and the Blue Nile Water Institute; the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences; the Schools of Law, Earth Science, Educational Science and Teacher Education; and the Sport and Maritime Academies.^[3]

How is Bahir Dar University ranked?

We found no Bahir Dar University entry in the QS World University Rankings 2027 table of the aggregator xuanxiao.org (pages 20 to 31, covering ranks from 951 to 1,504), so no QS position is given. QS’s own pages block automated access, so this is not proof that the university is absent.^[6] The university states the aim of being one of the top ten research institutions among African universities.^[3] How we compile rankings.

What can you study at Bahir Dar University?

The university reports 452 programmes: 113 undergraduate, 187 master’s and 115 PhD programmes (the three figures add up to 415, so the total on the page does not match its parts).^[3] Examples from faculty pages: the Faculty of Computing offers programmes in computer science, information systems, software engineering and computer engineering, and a two-year MSc in Information Technology that lists English as the medium of instruction.^[5][4] The postgraduate programmes of the apparel faculty at EiTEX cover MSc degrees in Fashion Design, Fashion Technology, Leather Technology and Leather Products Design and Engineering, and PhD programmes in Fashion Technology and Leather Engineering.^[7]

How much does Bahir Dar University cost?

We found no tuition schedule for Ethiopian or international students on the pages we could read. What is published: the Faculty of Computing’s admission call for 2026/27 (regular and extension programmes) names a non-refundable application fee of ETB 300.^[5] Ask the Registrar or the faculty for tuition and the currency for foreign students. For living costs in Ethiopia see our Ethiopia guide.

How do you apply to Bahir Dar University?

The central “Admissions” page of the university website still shows placeholder text, so the rules sit on faculty pages.^[8] The Faculty of Computing’s call for 2026/27 asks for original and photocopied academic credentials, an official transcript, a valid National Graduate Admission Test (NGAT) result and the application fee; sponsored applicants add a sponsorship letter and PhD applicants an advisor’s consent letter and a research concept note.^[5]

For the EiTEX apparel programmes, the faculty page says international students can apply and that African students have priority.^[7] The Faculty of Computing’s call names the head of its registrar as the contact for questions.^[5] We give no deadlines because they change every year.

Which language level do you need?

For the master’s programmes of the EiTEX apparel faculty, applicants from non-English-speaking countries must submit proof of English proficiency, with an IELTS score of 6.5 given as an example. Applicants whose previous degree was fully taught in English need no test score but must provide a certificate from the awarding institution.^[7] The MSc in Information Technology lists English as its medium of instruction.^[4] Requirements can differ by faculty.

More about studying in Ethiopia

• Ethiopia: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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• Hawassa University
• Jimma University
• Mekelle University