
Tanzania has 43 universities, with a total of 220,238 students enrolled in the 2019/2020 academic year, marking the highest number of enrolled students since 2017/2018. In the 2020/2021 academic year, over 51,000 students enrolled in courses in the field of education, making it the most preferred field of study in the country. However, the transition rate from primary to secondary education in Tanzania is relatively low, with only about 75% of students continuing their education beyond primary school.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students enrolled in universities in Tanzania | 220,238 (2019/2020) |
| Number of students enrolled in universities in Tanzania by field | Education (51,000), Business (38,500), Medicine and Health Sciences (24,600) (2020/2021) |
| Number of students enrolled in universities in Tanzania | 206,000 (2020/2021) |
| Number of graduates from university-level education in Tanzania | 48,600 (2020), 51,200 (2019), 48,621 (2022) |
| Number of universities in Tanzania | 43 |
| Number of students who complete primary school in Tanzania | 58% |
| Number of students who complete secondary education in Tanzania | 34% |
| Literacy rate in Tanzania | 77.89% (2015) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

In 2020, 48,600 students graduated from university in Tanzania
The number of university graduates in Tanzania has been on an upward trajectory. For example, in 2021, the number of graduates increased to 54,810. The following year, in 2022, 48,621 students graduated from university. While the total number of graduates decreased from 2021 to 2022, the percentage of male graduates increased from 55% in 2020 to about 56% in 2022.
Tanzania has 43 universities, which are regulated by the Tanzania Commission for Universities. To enrol in a university programme in Tanzania, students must pass Form 6. Students who fail Form 4 or 6 can enrol in an Advanced Vocational School, where they can train to become head primary school teachers, among other options.
Primary and secondary education completion rates in Tanzania are relatively low. According to the Tanzania Education Corp, only 58% of students complete primary school, and only 34% complete secondary school. This is reflected in the country's literacy rate, which was 77.89% as of 2015. However, enrolment rates have been increasing. For example, in 2019, 95% of children of primary school age were enrolled in school, and 2.3 million students were enrolled in secondary schools.
UArizona Student Housing: Supply Meets Demand?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Tanzania has 43 universities
The number of students enrolled in universities in Tanzania has been steadily increasing. This can be attributed to various factors, including the country's growing population and the increasing importance placed on higher education. Additionally, the Tanzanian government has been investing in its higher education system, which has likely contributed to the rising enrolment rates.
The universities in Tanzania offer a range of academic programs and courses, catering to diverse fields of study. These include well-known institutions such as the Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology. The quality of education varies across these institutions, with three universities in Tanzania making it to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The 43 universities in Tanzania include both public and private institutions. On average, private university students correspond to one-third of the total student population across the country. The availability of private universities provides an alternative option for students who seek a different educational environment or specialized programs that may not be offered in public universities.
The high number of universities in Tanzania reflects the country's commitment to expanding access to higher education and providing opportunities for its citizens to pursue tertiary education. This expansion has likely contributed to the country's social and economic development, equipping a growing number of individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to Tanzania's progress.
Malone University's Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Two-thirds of students attend public institutions
Tanzania's higher education sector has seen impressive growth in recent years. In the 2019/2020 academic year, there were 220,238 students enrolled in universities in Tanzania, with two-thirds of these students attending public institutions. This figure represents the highest number of enrolled students in tertiary education since the 2017/2018 academic year. The distribution of students across public and private institutions has remained consistent over the years, with private university students accounting for one-third of the total student population.
Tanzania's higher education system is regulated by the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU). The country boasts 43 universities, offering a range of academic programmes. In the 2020/2021 academic year, Education was the most popular field of study, attracting over 51,000 students. Business and Medicine & Health Sciences followed as the second and third most preferred fields, with approximately 38,500 and 24,600 students, respectively.
Despite the encouraging enrolment numbers, Tanzania's education sector faces challenges. The transition rate from primary to secondary education is a pressing issue, with around 25% of students not advancing to secondary school by 2019. Additionally, only 58% of students complete primary school, and this completion rate drops further to 34% for secondary education. These low completion rates contribute to the country's literacy rate, which stood at 77.89% in 2015.
To address these challenges, organisations like Asante Sana for Education (ASFE) are dedicated to providing educational support and opportunities to Tanzanian children. They achieve this by upgrading existing facilities and providing tools and resources to enhance the overall standard of education. Furthermore, the UNESCO Office in Dar es Salaam is implementing initiatives to improve student health and life skills through their O3 Plus NSC Project, currently covering around 15 institutions, including the universities of Dodoma and Dar es Salaam.
Harvard Scholarships: International Students' Opportunities
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Education is the most popular field of study
Tanzania has approximately 43 to 44 higher education institutions, including 12 public universities and colleges, 21 private universities and colleges, and 11 non-university higher education institutions. In the academic year 2019/2020, there were 220,238 students enrolled in universities in Tanzania, two-thirds of whom were enrolled in public institutions. This was the highest number of enrolled students in tertiary education in the country since the academic year 2017/2018.
Another factor contributing to the popularity of education as a field of study is the bilingual method of teaching in Tanzania. Children can be taught in both English and Kiswahili, with public schools using Kiswahili in primary education and English from secondary education onwards. This bilingual approach may encourage students to pursue education as a field of study to improve their language skills and become effective teachers themselves.
Additionally, the rich wildlife and cultural experiences that Tanzania offers provide unique opportunities for students studying education. With approximately one-third of the country designated as conservation areas and national parks, students can gain hands-on learning experiences through expeditions and field work. They can collect data and make observations on a diverse range of wildlife, from large carnivores like lions to smaller mammals like gazelles. These immersive experiences can enhance their understanding of the natural world and provide valuable skills for their future careers in education.
Moreover, the transition of Tanzania into an industrialized country may also play a role in the popularity of education as a field of study. The government is advocating for more science and technology in schools, and there is a strong demand among students for this curriculum focus. Students pursuing education degrees may aim to incorporate these scientific and technological advancements into their teaching methods, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped with the skills needed in an evolving job market.
In conclusion, the popularity of education as a field of study in Tanzania can be attributed to a combination of factors, including government initiatives, a bilingual teaching approach, rich cultural and wildlife experiences, and the country's transition into an industrialized economy. These factors create a conducive environment for students to pursue education as a field of study and actively contribute to the development of the sector.
Does Columbia Offer Financial Aid to International Students?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

In 2019, 25% of students did not transition to secondary education
Tanzania has 43 universities, with a total of 220,238 students enrolled in the 2019/2020 academic year. Two-thirds of these students were enrolled in public institutions, with private university students making up the remaining third. This number of enrolled students was the highest recorded since 2017/2018.
Despite the expansion of primary and secondary enrolment in Tanzania in recent years, 25% of students did not transition to secondary education in 2019. This issue is largely due to the language barrier between primary and secondary education. Primary school lessons are taught in Kiswahili, while the language of instruction in secondary school is English. Many children have no prior exposure to English, and there is often no free extra or private help available. This barrier affects students' abilities to pursue higher education.
To address this issue, secondary schools have implemented a programme called Pre-Form 1, which is a two-month English introduction. While students typically have to pay for this programme, some organisations, such as the Tanzanian Children's Fund (TCF), offer it for free.
The Tanzanian government has also been emphasising the importance of education since the country's independence in 1961. Free and accessible education is a human right in Tanzania, as outlined in the government's National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty in 2005. This strategy focuses on inclusive education, aiming to include groups that have been traditionally excluded from educational opportunities.
Furman University Student Tragic Death: What Happened?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There were 220,238 students in universities in Tanzania during the 2019/2020 academic year, the highest number since records began in 2017.
There were over 206,000 university students in Tanzania during the 2020/2021 academic year.
There are 43 universities in Tanzania.











































