Universities in Cameroon

Cameroon has a bilingual university system with French and English traditions side by side. Higher education is run by the Ministry of Higher Education (Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, MINESUP), which is responsible for government policy on higher education, supervises the state universities and accredits private institutions. For international students, the country offers both French-speaking and English-speaking universities in one system, and degrees organised in three cycles: bachelor's, master's and doctorate.

SpainExchange currently lists one university in Cameroon: the Université de Buéa (University of Buea), a state university in Buea, the capital of the South West Region.

How the university system works

The ministry lists eleven state universities on its website: the University of Bamenda, the Université de Bertoua, the University of Buea, the Université de Douala, the Université de Dschang, the Université d'Ebolowa, the Université de Garoua, the Université de Maroua, the Université de Ngaoundéré and the Universités de Yaoundé 1 and Yaoundé 2. Alongside them, the ministry counts about 430 private higher-education institutes (Instituts Privés d'Enseignement Supérieur, IPES), spread across the country's regions and published in an official list of authorised institutions.

The ministry's tasks include the organisation and academic supervision of higher education, quality assurance, the accreditation of private institutions and oversight of the Baccalauréat and the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, the two secondary-school qualifications that give access to university. Several specialised schools, such as the Institut des Relations Internationales du Cameroun (IRIC) and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics (ENSTP), also come under its academic supervision.

Degrees follow three cycles: bachelor's, master's and doctorate. In the French-speaking tradition the first degree is called the Licence; in the English-speaking tradition it is a bachelor's degree. The University of Buea, for example, states that it offers approximately 80 degree programmes at the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels, designed to comply with the European Bologna system. Its fields include agriculture, accountancy, biochemistry, medicine, microbiology, nursing and translation and interpretation.

Language of instruction

Cameroon's two official languages, French and English, shape the universities, and the language of teaching differs from one institution to another. The University of Buea was conceived in the English-speaking tradition within the bilingual and multicultural context of the country. It draws its students mainly from the English-speaking part of Cameroon but also admits students from other regions and from abroad. Check the language of each programme before you apply, as some programmes and entrance exams are run in only one language.

Admission for international students

Admission is decided by each university. At the University of Buea, undergraduate applicants need a completed application form and a high school certificate or equivalent, such as A Levels or the Baccalauréat. Graduate applicants need a good first degree in a related field from a recognised university, and work experience is an advantage. Applications are made online, and admitted students pay their fees and complete a medical check at the university health centre before registering for courses.

Some faculties and professional schools in Cameroon admit students through a competitive entrance exam (concours). The ministry publishes these calls and their results, for example for engineering, medicine and nursing programmes at the state universities.

Visa applications for Cameroon are made through the official e-visa portal of the Republic of Cameroon, and the requirements depend on your nationality, so check them with the Cameroonian embassy or consulate for your country before you travel.

Recognition of qualifications

Degrees obtained abroad are recognised in Cameroon through the ministry's National Commission for the Evaluation of Training Received Abroad (Commission Nationale d'Evaluation des Formations Dispensées à l'Etranger), which meets in regular sessions and publishes the equivalences it grants. Students who plan to return to their own country should ask their home ministry of education how a Cameroonian degree is recognised there.

Costs and scholarships

Fees depend on the university and programme, and international students pay more than Cameroonian students at the University of Buea. There, undergraduate fees for Cameroonians are 50,000 francs, while graduate and postgraduate programmes start from 150,000 francs for Cameroonians and from 450,000 francs for international students. Fees for specific programmes are given on each programme page. The university awards academic scholarships based on merit, as well as athletic scholarships and research grants.

How to choose a university

• Language: decide whether you want to study in English, in French or in both, and choose a university with the matching tradition.
• Status: check that a private institute appears on the ministry's list of authorised institutions.
• Admission route: find out whether your programme requires an entrance exam and when it takes place.
• Qualification: confirm that the degree is a state-recognised Licence, bachelor's, master's or doctorate.
• Location: Buea lies in the South West Region, while the other state universities are spread across the country's regions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Cameroon?

Yes. Cameroon has two official languages, French and English, and the University of Buea was conceived in the English-speaking tradition. Check the language of each programme, as it differs between universities.

How many universities does Cameroon have?

The Ministry of Higher Education lists eleven state universities and about 430 authorised private higher-education institutes.

How much does a university degree cost in Cameroon?

Fees vary by university and programme. At the University of Buea, graduate programmes for international students start from 450,000 francs, and undergraduate fees for Cameroonians are 50,000 francs.

Do I need a visa to study in Cameroon?

Visa applications are made through Cameroon's official e-visa portal. The requirements depend on your nationality, so check them with the Cameroonian embassy or consulate in your country.