Universities in Angola

Universities in Angola teach in Portuguese and belong to a higher-education system that is overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESCTI). The sector includes public universities and higher institutes as well as private and church-run institutions, and it has spread well beyond the capital, Luanda. In Huambo province alone, the governor reported in October 2026 seven higher-education institutions, two public and five private, with 41,696 students and 1,637 lecturers.

For international students, Angolan universities are mainly an option for those who speak Portuguese well, for example students from Portugal, Brazil or other Portuguese-speaking countries.

How it works

MESCTI supervises the higher-education institutions, creates and closes undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and is responsible for recognising (homologação) higher-education certificates and diplomas obtained in Angola and abroad. The legal framework includes:

• The Basic Law of the Education System (Lei 17/16, amended by Lei 32/20)
• The legal regime for higher education (Presidential Decree 310/20)
• The general curricular rules for undergraduate degrees (Presidential Decree 193/18)

The first degree is the licenciatura, which usually takes several years; at the Universidade Católica de Angola (UCAN), for example, the licenciatura in Computer Engineering lasts five years, divided into ten semesters. Postgraduate study includes the mestrado (master's degree) and other postgraduate courses run by individual faculties. The 2026/2027 academic year was formally opened on 2 October 2026, and the minister announced work on a mechanism to regulate the courses on offer so that they match the needs of the national economy.

The ministry also acts against unauthorised providers: on 28 September 2026 it closed an establishment in Caála, Huambo province, that was enrolling students in higher-education courses without legal approval.

The university in our directory is the Universidade Católica de Angola in Luanda, the higher-education institution of the Catholic Church in Angola. It was authorised by Decree 38-A/92 of 7 August 1992, and its first preparatory classes, in law and in economics and management, began on 22 February 1999. Today it has five faculties (Law, Economics and Management, Engineering, Human Sciences and Theology), four institutes and seven master's programmes, as well as a quality assessment office. Students do not have to be Catholic to study there.

Admission

Admission to undergraduate degrees is by entrance exam set by each institution. At UCAN, entry is always through admission exams, and the exam result is the only criterion for a place. Registration for the 2026/2027 exams opened on 13 July 2026 and is done online, from anywhere with an internet connection. Engineering applicants need a secondary or pre-university course with a strong component of mathematics and physics.

Foreign applicants need a school-leaving certificate that the institution accepts, and for postgraduate study a recognised first degree. Ask the admissions office early which documents must be legalised or translated into Portuguese. Foreign students admitted to an Angolan institution apply for a study visa at the Angolan embassy or consulate; the Embassy of Angola in the United States lists a signed application form, a passport valid for six months, proof of enrolment or admission, proof of means of subsistence and a vaccination certificate.

Costs and funding

No official national table of tuition fees is published. Each institution sets its own registration, enrolment and tuition fees, and private universities charge their own tuition. At UCAN all payments are made by bank transfer only; cash is not accepted. The National Institute for the Management of Study Grants (INAGBE) awards internal and external scholarships, but these are aimed at Angolan students. Ask the university for its current fees in writing before you commit.

How to choose

• Authorisation: check that the institution and the course are authorised by MESCTI.
• Language: you need to follow lectures and write exams in Portuguese.
• Admission exam: find out the exam subjects and registration dates for your course.
• Recognition: if you plan to work or study further elsewhere, ask how the degree is recognised in that country.
• Location: Luanda has the largest number of institutions, while provinces such as Huambo also have public and private universities.

Frequently asked questions

In what language do Angolan universities teach?

In Portuguese, Angola's official language. You should be able to follow lectures and write exams in Portuguese.

How do I get into a university in Angola?

Through the institution's admission exam. At the Universidade Católica de Angola, registration for the 2026/2027 exams opened online on 13 July 2026, and the exam result is the only criterion for a place.

Do I need a visa to study in Angola?

Most foreign students need a study visa, which is granted to students admitted to an Angolan institution. You need proof of admission, proof of means of subsistence, a passport valid for six months and a vaccination certificate.

How can I check that a university is recognised?

Higher-education institutions and their courses must be authorised by MESCTI, which closes establishments that operate without approval.