The University of Zambia (UNZA) is a public university in Lusaka that began teaching in 1966.[1][2] Times Higher Education lists 34,947 students, 3% of them international, and places UNZA in the 1801–2000 band of its World University Rankings 2027.[3] We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position.[4]
On UNZA’s school fee pages, full-time undergraduate tuition is K31,878 a year for science-based programmes and K25,808 for art-based programmes for Zambians, SADC nationals, refugees and resident-permit holders. International students pay K62,890 and K51,363.[5][6] The pages do not name the academic year. English is the language of teaching and examination.[7]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Zambia (UNZA) |
| Location | Lusaka, Zambia (postal address P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka); Great East Road Campus and Ridgeway Campus[1] |
| Type | Public university[2] |
| Founded | Established by Act No. 66 of 1965 (in force 12 November 1965); first academic session 17 March 1966; Chancellor installed 12 July 1966[1] |
| Students | 34,947 according to Times Higher Education (3% international); about 30,000 according to Wikipedia (28,000 undergraduate, 2,000 postgraduate)[3] |
| Schools | 13 listed on the university’s homepage, from Agricultural Sciences to Veterinary Medicine[8] |
| Undergraduate programmes | 111 numbered programmes in the regular-programme advertisement for the 2027 intake[9] |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 1801–2000 band[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed (xuanxiao.org lists UNZA as not ranked by QS)[4] |
| Language of teaching | English (medium of instruction and examination for all programmes)[7] |
| Tuition, full-time science-based (year not stated) | K31,878 Zambian, SADC, refugee, resident permit · K62,890 international[5] |
| Tuition, full-time art-based (year not stated) | K25,808 Zambian, SADC, refugee, resident permit · K51,363 international[6] |
| Application fee (2026 intake form) | K150 or US$60 for international applicants (non-refundable)[10] |
| Official website | unza.zm |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.
About the University of Zambia
UNZA says that a Commission chaired by Sir John Lockwood recommended a university in Lusaka in November 1963. The University of Zambia Act (No. 66 of 1965) took effect on 12 November 1965, the first academic session began at the Ridgeway Campus on 17 March 1966, and President Kenneth Kaunda was installed as Chancellor on 12 July 1966.[1] Wikipedia describes it as Zambia’s largest and oldest university.[2]
The university works from two campuses in Lusaka: Ridgeway, where teaching began in 1966 and where the medical and pharmacy students are based, and Great East Road.[1][2] Its homepage lists 13 schools: Agricultural Sciences, Education, Engineering, the Graduate School of Business, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Mines, Natural and Applied Sciences, Nursing Sciences, Public Health and Veterinary Medicine.[8]
Student numbers differ by source: Times Higher Education gives 34,947 students (3% international),[3] while Wikipedia gives about 30,000.[2] UNZA’s own pages we read give no enrolment figure.
How is the University of Zambia ranked?
Times Higher Education places the University of Zambia in the 1801–2000 band of the World University Rankings 2027.[3] A band means the publisher does not give an exact position.
For the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026) we could not confirm a position. topuniversities.com blocks automated access, and the aggregator xuanxiao.org shows UNZA as “Not Ranked” for QS without naming an edition.[4] We therefore give no QS number. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat any one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For the wider picture, see universities in Zambia.
What can you study at the University of Zambia?
The advertisement for the 2027 intake lists 111 numbered undergraduate programmes, grouped by school.[9] Examples from that list:
- Medicine and health: Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, several nursing degrees and Public Health.[9]
- Engineering and mines: agricultural, civil and environmental, electrical and electronic, geomatic and mechanical engineering; mining, geotechnical and metallurgical engineering.[9]
- Humanities and social sciences: economics, history, international relations, psychology, social work, media and journalism, among others.[9]
- Natural and applied sciences: computer science, actuarial science, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics.[9]
The same advertisement lists Veterinary Medicine, Education (including Chinese-language teaching) and Agricultural Sciences.[9] Postgraduate applicants use a separate portal named on the international students page.[7]
How much does the University of Zambia cost?
| Full-time undergraduate | Zambian, SADC, refugee, resident permit per year | International per year |
|---|---|---|
| Science-based | K31,878 | K62,890 |
| Art-based | K25,808 | K51,363 |
These amounts come from the fee pages of two UNZA schools and are shown per academic year; neither page states which year they apply to.[5][6] The schedule uses “K” without naming the currency; it is the kwacha. Confirm the current year’s amounts with the university before you budget.
Conflicting part-time figures
The two pages disagree on part-time science-based tuition: the Agricultural Sciences page gives K7,970 (Zambian, SADC, refugee) and K15,723 (international),[5] while the Natural Sciences page gives K6,452 and K12,841.[6] We do not know which is current.
Other fees
Both pages list the same user fees: registration K40 a year, examinations K50 per course, library K250, technology K194, medical K200, recreation K300, student union K90, student ID K200 and a one-off K210 caution fee for first-years. University accommodation is K5,850 a year for those who use it.[5][6] Tuition is paid in four instalments of 25%, the first at registration together with the other fees.[5] Living costs come on top; see our Zambia overview.
How do you apply to the University of Zambia?
Undergraduates apply online through UNZA’s Student Information System; postgraduates use a separate postgraduate portal and distance-education applicants apply at online.unza.zm.[7] The advertisement for the 2027 intake names an online application link of its own and asks for Zambia Qualifications Authority certified Grade 12 results.[9] Because the pages name different portal addresses, use the link on the current advertisement.
Application forms carry a non-refundable fee of K150, or US$60 for international applicants.[10] The form asks non-Zambians for a passport number.[10] The pages we read do not say how foreign school certificates are certified, so ask the admissions office before you pay.
International students need a study permit for full-time study. UNZA lists the documents: an acceptance letter, passport and visa copies, two photos, proof of sponsorship, a medical report from the UNZA Clinic and a covering letter from the Dean of Students.[7] Exchange students apply through the international office of their home university.[7] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; check the current advertisement.
Which language level do you need?
English is the medium of instruction and examination for all programmes.[7] You do not have to submit proof of English with your application; if you hold a qualifying English grade you may attach it.[7] Most programmes expect a credit in five O-level subjects including English language; science-based schools add subject requirements such as Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and Medicine has its own list.[11]
Students who need to improve their English can take university English courses at three levels (elementary, intermediate and advanced); details come from the Head of the Department of Literature and Languages.[7] The requirements page notes that meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place, since admission depends on the places available.[11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at the University of Zambia for international students?
Is the University of Zambia ranked?
Do I need to prove my English to study at UNZA?
Do international students need a study permit?
Yes, for full-time study. UNZA lists the documents needed, including an acceptance letter and a medical report from the UNZA Clinic.[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] University of Zambia: History of the University (page without a date)
[2] Wikipedia: University of Zambia (history, campuses and student numbers)
[3] Times Higher Education: University of Zambia (World University Rankings 2027 data)
[4] xuanxiao.org: University of Zambia (aggregator; QS publishes its ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (page without a date; QS listed as not ranked, no edition named)
[5] University of Zambia, School of Agricultural Sciences: Undergraduate fees (page without a date; fee year not stated)
[6] University of Zambia, School of Natural Sciences: Undergraduate fees (page without a date; fee year not stated)
[7] University of Zambia: International students (page without a date; links 2025–2026 sessional dates)
[8] University of Zambia: Homepage (page without a date; footer 2024)
[9] University of Zambia: Undergraduate regular programmes, 2027 intake advertisement (PDF) (uploaded January 2026)
[10] University of Zambia: Application form for the 2026 intake (PDF) (uploaded October 2025)
[11] University of Zambia: Undergraduate 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.