The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania, is a research-intensive institution for master’s, PhD and postdoctoral studies in science, engineering, technology and innovation. It is accredited by the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU).[1] It offers no undergraduate degrees in the pages we read.[2] We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
The 2025/26 fee structure sets tuition at TZS 4,472,500 per year for master’s students in its three largest schools if they come from Tanzania or East African Community and SADC countries, and USD 3,000 per year for other international students. PhD tuition is TZS 6,096,500 or USD 4,200 per year.[4] English is the primary language of instruction.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)[1] |
| Location | Tengeru campus, former CAMARTEC premises, 16 km east of Arusha city centre; postal address P.O. Box 447, Arusha[6] |
| Type | Postgraduate research institution, one of a network of Pan-African institutes of science and technology; accredited by TCU[1] |
| Founded | 2010, listed as a public institution (the institution’s own pages give no founding year)[7] |
| Students | 986 full-time equivalent (Times Higher Education 2026 data as reported by xuanxiao.org)[3] |
| Schools | The website lists five: Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering (LiSBE); Computational and Communication Science and Engineering (CoCSE); Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES); Earth Sciences and Engineering (ESE); Business Studies and Humanities (BUSH). The 2026 prospectus lists four, without ESE[2] |
| Levels | Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral programmes, plus short courses[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (no overall QS entry found)[3] |
| Times Higher Education 2026 tables | Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 601–800; Impact Ratings 801–1000[3] |
| Master’s tuition 2025/26 (CoCSE, LiSBE, MEWES) | TZS 4,472,500 per year (Tanzania, EAC, SADC) · USD 3,000 per year (other international)[4] |
| PhD tuition 2025/26 (CoCSE, LiSBE, MEWES) | TZS 6,096,500 per year (Tanzania, EAC, SADC) · USD 4,200 per year (other international)[4] |
| Application fee | TZS 50,000 or USD 20[4] |
| Language of instruction | English is the primary language of instruction[5] |
| Official website | nm-aist.ac.tz |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 8 November 2026.
About NM-AIST
NM-AIST is one in a network of Pan-African Institutions of Science and Technology across Sub-Saharan Africa, which were conceived by the late Nelson Mandela to train the next generation of African scientists and engineers. The Arusha institution is being developed into a research-intensive institution for postgraduate and postdoctoral studies and research in science, engineering, technology and innovation. Its curricula also include business studies and humanities, with an emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship and links with industry.[1]
The Tengeru campus is on the former CAMARTEC premises, 16 km east of Arusha city centre.[6] Wikipedia and the aggregator xuanxiao.org give 2010 as the founding year; NM-AIST’s own history page does not state one.[7][3]
How is NM-AIST ranked?
We could not confirm a position for NM-AIST in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026). The aggregator xuanxiao.org shows no QS entry for the institution.[3] The same page lists two Times Higher Education tables from 2026: the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (601–800) and the Impact Ratings (801–1000).[3] These are different rankings and cannot be compared with QS. Treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at NM-AIST?
NM-AIST offers master’s programmes, PhD programmes and postdoctoral programmes, each with its own list on the website.[2] Master’s degrees can be taken by coursework and dissertation, by coursework and project (three semesters of coursework and one semester in industry or a laboratory) or by research and thesis. PhDs run by coursework and dissertation or by research and thesis.[8]
As an example, the 2026/2027 call for applications names four master’s programmes: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Technology and Innovation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management, and Embedded and Mobile Systems.[9] The 2026 prospectus lists the schools LiSBE, CoCSE, MEWES and BuSH.[6]
How much does NM-AIST cost?
| Programme | Tanzania, EAC and SADC students per year (TZS) | Other international students per year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s, schools CoCSE, LiSBE, MEWES | 4,472,500 | 3,000 |
| Master’s, school BuSH | 2,600,000 | 1,925 |
| PhD, schools CoCSE, LiSBE, MEWES | 6,096,500 | 4,200 |
| PhD, school BuSH | 4,000,000 | 2,800 |
These are tuition rates from the “Fees Structure for Masters and PhD Degree Programmes Offered at NM-AIST for 2025/2026 Academic Year”.[4] The document sets one tuition rate for students from Tanzania, the East African Community and SADC countries, in TZS, and another for all other international students, in US dollars. The amounts above are the same for coursework and for research-and-thesis routes.[4] We found no 2026/27 fee structure; the fee link on the website’s admission menu leads to a 2020/2021 file that is no longer available, so confirm the current amounts with the university.[2]
Tuition is only part of the cost. For a master’s in CoCSE, LiSBE or MEWES the document lists total direct university costs of TZS 5,487,500 or USD 3,450 per year, which include registration, medical capitation, TCU, student union and ID fees, a campus support and sustainability fee, health insurance and a temporary national ID for foreigners. The application fee is TZS 50,000 or USD 20.[4] For living costs, see our Tanzania guide.
How do you apply to NM-AIST?
- Master’s by coursework: at least a second-class bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or equivalent, or a postgraduate diploma with at least 4.0/5.0, in an appropriate field, plus the requirements of the hosting school. An entry assessment by interview, written test or both may be required.[8]
- Master’s by research and thesis: a bachelor’s GPA of at least 3.5/5.0 and either a prototype for incubation or one year of relevant work plus a first-author publication, with a one-page concept note.[8]
- PhD: a master’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.5/5.0 plus evidence of work or research experience, which depends on the route; a concept note is required for research-based PhDs.[8]
- Foreign qualifications: they must be validated and equated by TCU, with an official English translation if needed. Applicants receive a provisional admission letter during validation, subject to TCU approval.[5]
- Application: through the NM-AIST online admission system linked from the website.[5][2]
Scholarships
NM-AIST says a limited number of competitive scholarships may be available each year and advises students to find their own funding.[10] For the 2026/2027 intake it advertised four master’s programmes alongside the East African Community Scholarship Programme (EACSP), which covers full tuition and other benefits. It is open to citizens of EAC partner states other than Tanzania.[9]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. Check the current call on the website.
Which language level do you need?
English is the primary language of instruction, and every applicant must show adequate written and spoken English.[5] You can do this with any one of the following:[5]
- a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution where English is the language of instruction,
- a postgraduate degree from such an institution,
- a TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (internet-based), or
- an English course taken at NM-AIST with at least a B grade.
The criteria document is dated July 2024; confirm the current rules with the admission office.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NM-AIST offer bachelor’s degrees?
Not in the pages we read. The institution lists master’s, PhD and postdoctoral programmes and short courses.[2]
How much does a master’s at NM-AIST cost?
In 2025/26, tuition for a master’s in CoCSE, LiSBE or MEWES was TZS 4,472,500 per year for students from Tanzania, EAC and SADC countries and USD 3,000 per year for other international students. The BuSH school charged TZS 2,600,000 or USD 1,925.[4]
Is NM-AIST ranked by QS?
We could not confirm an overall position in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
Which English test does NM-AIST accept?
TOEFL with at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer) or 80 (internet), or a previous degree taught in English, or an English course at NM-AIST with at least a B.[5]
More about studying in Tanzania
- Tanzania: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Sokoine University of Agriculture
- University of Dar es Salaam
- University of Dodoma
Sources
[1] NM-AIST: Institution history (page without a date)
[2] NM-AIST: Home page (page showing items from 2026)
[3] xuanxiao.org: Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (aggregator, rankings and student figure) (page without a date; QS publishes its ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access)
[4] NM-AIST: Fees Structure for Masters and PhD Degree Programmes, 2025/2026 Academic Year (document for 2025/2026)
[5] NM-AIST: Criteria for Admission into Masters’, PhD and Postdoctoral Programmes (document dated July 2024)
[6] NM-AIST: 2026 Prospectus (prospectus published April 2026)
[7] Wikipedia: Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (founding year; secondary source)
[8] NM-AIST: Admission requirements (page without a date)
[9] NM-AIST: Call for applications, master’s programmes 2026/2027 with the EAC Scholarship Programme (event page for the 2026/2027 intake)
[10] NM-AIST: Solicit scholarship and financial aid (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.