United Methodist University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 8 November 2026.

About United Methodist University

UMU’s own profile says the church began planning higher education in the 1970s, started a junior-college business programme in 1980 at the College of West Africa in Monrovia, and, after delays from the civil war, committed in 1997 to a full university. The Legislature chartered UMU on 9 October 1998 and academic operations began in January 2000 under Rev. Dr. Emmanuel F. Bailey.^[1]

The university states that it is owned and operated by the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.^[2] Its address is on Ashmun Street in Monrovia.^[1] The admissions information page names the Monrovia office, the Gbarnga School of Theology campus and the Ganta campus.^[4] Wikipedia says the Legislature granted the charter in 1998 and that the National Commission on Higher Education certifies UMU for bachelor’s and master’s degrees; we found no accreditation statement on the university’s own pages.^[3]

How is United Methodist University ranked?

We could not confirm a position for UMU in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, and found no entry for it in the sources we read. We show “Not confirmed” and give no number. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at UMU?

The homepage lists these groups of degree programmes:^[2]

• Management and Administration: including Management, Banking and Finance, Public Administration, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Economics and Accountancy.
• Health Sciences: Nursing and Midwifery.
• Liberal and Fine Arts: including Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work and Mass Communication.
• Agriculture and Forestry and Natural and Applied Sciences (including Marine Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry and Biology).
• Theology: Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity.
• Joseph Jenkins Roberts College of Education and Bishop Samuel J. Quire College of ICT (Information Technology, Computer Science).

The homepage’s expression-of-interest notice also mentions master’s programmes in theology, public health, education, nursing and business administration.^[2] Check the academics pages for the current list.

How much does UMU cost?

We found no published tuition schedule. The admissions information page lists only entrance and placement test fees and refers candidates to the listed phone numbers or to info@umu.edu.lr for tuition.^[4] The homepage shows the label “$15/ CreditHour” beside the Management and Administration programmes. It has no date, does not name a currency and does not cover the other colleges, so do not treat it as a general rate.^[2]

The application page requires proof of an application-fee payment but does not give the amount or currency.^[5]

How do you apply to UMU?

• Entrance and placement test: pick up and return the test application form at the Monrovia office, the Gbarnga School of Theology campus or the Ganta campus, submit it with two passport-size photos, sit the test and check results at the testing site.^[4]
• Undergraduate admission: a high school diploma or equivalent with at least five credits including English Language, letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency where applicable.^[5]
• Graduate admission: a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency where applicable.^[5]
• Documents: certified transcripts and certificates, birth certificate, photos, medical certificate and proof of the application fee. International applicants add a passport copy, a student visa and health and life insurance documents.^[5]

The application form is available at the Admissions Office on the Monrovia main campus or online through the university website.^[5] Test dates and deadlines change each term, so we list none.

Which language level do you need?

The application page asks for proof of English proficiency “if applicable” and names no accepted test or score. Undergraduate applicants also need English Language among their five credits.^[5] Ask the admissions office what counts as proof for your case.

More about studying in Liberia

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

More university profiles in Liberia

• African Methodist Episcopal University
• Cuttington University
• University of Liberia