Cheapest Universities in Zimbabwe with Tuition Fees
Zimbabwe is an African country located southward of the continent and has its capital at Harare. It has interesting land features and wildlife reserves. It was ruled by Robert Mugabe for years since independence until 2017 when he resigned following national grievances and protests. The economy relies on mining, gold, agriculture, tourism, etc.
- Harare Institute Technology
Year of establishment – 1988
Location – Harare
Average Tuition Fees – $695
Website – https://www.hit.ac.zw
This is a government-owned university, initially known as the national vocational training center, it’s a technological institution with some programs in automotive, and engineering. It is renowned for being one of the best science and technology institutes in the country.
- Midlands State University
Year of establishment – 2000
Location – Gwenu
Average Tuition Fees – $790
Website – https://www.msu.ac.zw
This is also a government-owned university in the region of midlands, and also one of the best in the country. Some of the available courses are arts, medicine, law, etc.
- Catholic University of Zimbabwe
Year of establishment – 1999
Location – Harare
Average Tuition Fees – $1200
Website – https://www.cuz.ac.zw
This is a privately owned university, established by the Christian catholic church so it’s affiliated with the church though not faith-based. There are 6 undergraduate and postgraduate programs including accounting, social science, theology, business, management, etc.
- Zimbabwe Open University
Year of establishment – 1999
Location – Harare
Average Tuition Fees – $1600
Website – https://www.zou.ac.zw
This is a government-owned university, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe with online and distance learning services. It was initially attached as a campus to the university of Zimbabwe but transformed over time into an autonomous university. Some of the available courses are agriculture, Arts, education, etc.
- Solusi University
Year of establishment – 1894
Location – Bulawayo
Average Tuition Fees – $1609
Website – https://www.solusi.ac.zw
This is a privately owned university, coeducational learning center established by the Seventh-day Adventist church but later rebranded after Chief Solusi where the mission was located during its foundation in Zimbabwe. Some of the available courses are Business, education, technology, etc.
Studying in Zimbabwe on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Zimbabwe. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: you will need a study permit or student visa for Zimbabwe. Requirements for Nigerian applicants typically include an admission letter, proof that you can fund tuition and living costs, a valid passport, medical clearance and a police report. Processing times vary considerably, so start once you hold a firm offer — not after.
Language of instruction: English is an official or primary language of instruction in Zimbabwe, so you will not face a language barrier in the classroom. Many institutions also waive IELTS or TOEFL where your previous degree was taught in English — and Nigerian universities teach in English. Ask the admissions office directly whether your Nigerian certificate qualifies for a waiver before you pay for a test.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Zimbabwe, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Zimbabwe itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Zimbabwe?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Zimbabwe subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Zimbabwe and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Zimbabwe?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Zimbabwe shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Zimbabwe before you apply or pay anything.