Copperbelt University (CBU) is a public university in Kitwe, on Zambia’s Copperbelt, founded in 1987.[1][2] In the QS Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2026 (published 12 February 2026) it is 39th of 69 institutions.[3] We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
The 2025/26 undergraduate fee schedule lists tuition of 22,833 for non-lab-based programmes such as Business for Zambian and SADC students and 34,249 for foreign students; for lab-based programmes such as Engineering the figures are 29,948 and 44,921.[4] The schedule names neither the currency nor the billing period. Applicants need five O-level credits including English and Mathematics.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | The Copperbelt University (CBU) |
| Location | Riverside, Jambo Drive, Kitwe, Zambia[6] |
| Type | Public university[1] |
| Founded | 1987, under Act of Parliament No. 19 of 1987; before that a campus of the University of Zambia (UNZANDO)[1] |
| Schools | 12 schools and units listed on the homepage, including Business, Engineering, the Built Environment and the Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine[2] |
| Campuses (homepage) | Main Campus, Lusaka Campus and Ecampus[2] |
| Students | About 15,000 according to Wikipedia; the official homepage gives no enrolment figure[1] |
| QS Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2026 | 39th of 69 (overall score 22.2)[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed[3] |
| Tuition 2025/26, non-lab-based (e.g. Business) | 22,833 Zambian and SADC · 34,249 foreign (currency not named)[4] |
| Tuition 2025/26, lab-based (e.g. Engineering) | 29,948 Zambian and SADC · 44,921 foreign (currency not named)[4] |
| Application processing fee | 200 (same for Zambian, SADC and foreign applicants in the 2025/26 schedule)[4] |
| Minimum entry | Five O-level credits including English and Mathematics[5] |
| Official website | cbu.ac.zm |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.
About Copperbelt University
Copperbelt University was established in 1987 under Act of Parliament No. 19 of 1987. Before that it was a campus of the University of Zambia’s federal system known as UNZANDO. The Zambia Institute of Technology was incorporated on 1 January 1989 to form its School of Technology.[1] The university’s homepage says it was founded in 1987.[2]
Its address is Riverside, Jambo Drive, in Kitwe.[6] The homepage lists three campuses (Main Campus, Lusaka Campus and Ecampus) and twelve schools and units, among them Business, Engineering, Mines and Mineral Sciences, Natural Resources, the Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine.[2] The Lusaka Campus stands at Plot 37605, Lake Road, Kabulonga.[5]
The homepage shows “15,000+” graduated students and “50+” programmes.[2] Wikipedia gives about 15,000 current students; we found no official enrolment figure.[1]
How is Copperbelt University ranked?
In the QS Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2026, published on 12 February 2026, Copperbelt University is 39th of 69 institutions, with an overall score of 22.2.[3] This is a regional table for Sub-Saharan Africa, not the QS World University Rankings. It is the only Zambian university in that table.[3]
We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026): topuniversities.com blocks automated access and the aggregator page we read shows no world rank. Treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also universities in Zambia.
What can you study at Copperbelt University?
The homepage lists twelve schools and units: the Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, the Directorate of Distance Education and Open Learning, the Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, and the Schools of Business, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Mines and Mineral Sciences, Natural Resources, and the Built Environment.[2]
Applicants interested in Engineering or Medicine apply through the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences under the Bachelor of Science non-quota programme; the other schools take applications directly.[7] The School of Medicine’s advertisement for the January 2027 intake lists programmes such as Medicine and Surgery, Dental Surgery, Clinical Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health and Physiotherapy.[8]
How much does Copperbelt University cost?
| Undergraduate programme type | Zambian and SADC | Foreign |
|---|---|---|
| Non-lab-based (e.g. School of Business) | 22,833 | 34,249 |
| Lab-based (e.g. School of Engineering) | 29,948 | 44,921 |
| Diplomas (lab-based) | 15,912 | 23,867 |
These figures are from the official “Undergraduate fees for 2025/2026” schedule.[4][9] The schedule shows no currency and no billing period (year or semester) for these lines, which sit under the heading “Tuition fees”. Confirm both with the university before you budget.
Other lines in the schedule
Hostel bed space costs 4,538 (old) or 6,050 (new) at Riverside and at the School of Medicine, and 7,050 at the Kapasa Makasa campus, for all three categories.[4] For Zambian and SADC students the schedule lists examinations 484, medical 303, insurance 91, recreation 385, technology 424 and registration for first years 303. In the “foreign” column the same lines all show 3,025, which looks like a formatting error, so ask the bursar for the foreign user-fee amounts.[4] The application processing fee is 200 in every column.[4]
The Lusaka Campus says all its programmes are self-sponsored and it offers no bursaries, loans or scholarships.[5]
How do you apply to Copperbelt University?
Applications go through the university’s online portal. You enter at least five subject results and the system totals your points; only applications that are completed, submitted and paid for through a bank bill are processed, and a submitted application cannot be edited.[7] The School of Medicine’s advertisement describes the payment step as a K200 payment at a ZANACO branch against a printed bill form.[8]
The portal has no separate instructions for international applicants; the sign-up form accepts either a national registration card or a passport.[7] We did not find CBU guidance on study permits or on the treatment of foreign school certificates, so contact the admissions office. We give no deadlines here because they change every year.
Which language level do you need?
CBU asks for a credit or better in English as part of its minimum of five O-level credits; the Lusaka Campus FAQ puts it as English, Mathematics and any three other subjects.[5] The School of Engineering requires an ordinary-level pass in English and Mathematics plus a science subject.[10] The School of Medicine requires credits in Mathematics, English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.[8]
The pages we read do not name an English test for international applicants, so ask the admissions office what proof is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Copperbelt University for foreign students?
The 2025/26 undergraduate schedule lists 34,249 for non-lab-based programmes such as Business and 44,921 for lab-based programmes such as Engineering for foreign students.[4] The schedule names neither currency nor billing period; confirm with the university.
How is Copperbelt University ranked?
It is 39th of 69 in the QS Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2026.[3] We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position.
What are the entry requirements?
Where is Copperbelt University?
How do I apply?
Apply through the online portal on the university’s website and pay the application fee through the bank bill.[7]
More about studying in Zambia
- Zambia: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Zambia
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Copperbelt University (history and student numbers)
[2] Copperbelt University: Homepage (page without a date)
[3] xuanxiao.org: QS Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2026 (aggregator; QS publishes at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (edition released 12 February 2026; 69 institutions)
[4] Copperbelt University: Undergraduate fees for 2025/2026 (PDF) (file created 26 March 2026; no currency stated)
[5] Copperbelt University, Lusaka Campus: Frequently asked questions (page without a date)
[6] Copperbelt University, Centre of Excellence: Contact and location (page without a date)
[7] Copperbelt University: Online application (page without a date)
[8] Copperbelt University: Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine advertisement for admissions, 2026/2027 (posted 3 September 2026)
[9] Copperbelt University: Approved fees (page without a date; publishes the 2025/2026 schedule)
[10] Copperbelt University, School of Engineering: Admission requirements (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.