Universities in Mauritania

Higher education in Mauritania is a small sector centred on the capital, Nouakchott. According to the statistical yearbook of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS), updated in February 2026, the country has 46 higher education institutions and 45,384 enrolled students. The ministry's online directory lists 17 public and 10 private institutions, from universities to specialised institutes and schools.

Teaching is mainly in Arabic and French, and some specialised institutions use English. For international students, Mauritania is a niche destination: it suits French- and Arabic-speaking students, researchers interested in the Sahel and the Atlantic coast, and exchange students from partner universities, but it calls for careful practical preparation.

How university studies work

Universities follow the licence-master-doctorate (LMD) model used in France and much of francophone Africa. At the Université de Nouakchott, the structure is:

• Licence (bachelor's level): three years after the baccalauréat, six semesters and 180 credits, either academic (fondamentale) or professional
• Master: two more years (bac+5), four semesters and 120 credits, either research or professional
• Doctorate: three years after the master's (bac+8) and 180 credits, of which 120 credits are for the thesis

Besides the universities, the public sector includes specialised institutions. Examples from the ministry directory are the École Normale Supérieure in Nouakchott, created in 1970; the Institut Supérieur de Comptabilité et d'Administration des Entreprises (ISCAE), created in 2009; the Institut Supérieur d'Anglais, where courses are taught mainly in English, with Arabic and French also in the programme; and the Institut Supérieur des Études et Recherches Islamiques, created in 1979. Outside the capital, the directory lists the Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Mer in Nouadhibou and the Institut Supérieur de l'Enseignement Technologique in Rosso, which focuses on agriculture, livestock and food processing. The private universities in the directory include the Université Libanaise Internationale, founded in Nouakchott in 2008, and the Université Moderne de Chinguitti.

Admission and recognition

A licence programme starts after the baccalauréat, so foreign applicants need an equivalent school-leaving qualification. Each institution handles its own admission; there is no central online application for international students. Contact the faculty or institute directly and ask about the language of instruction, the documents required and the academic calendar.

Within the ministry, the Directorate of Academic Qualifications and Recognition of Diplomas has a dedicated diploma recognition service, and a separate directorate handles guidance, scholarships and international cooperation. Students who plan to use a Mauritanian degree abroad should also check the rules of the country where they will use it.

Visa and practical matters

Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a visa is required to enter Mauritania. Since 5 January 2025, every traveller who needs a visa must obtain an electronic visa before boarding the flight, and the passport must be valid for more than six months. The same source describes health conditions as very precarious and considers it essential to take out health insurance with the widest possible cover, including air evacuation. Requirements depend on nationality, so confirm them with the embassy of Mauritania that covers your country (information checked on 7 October 2026).

Costs and funding

We found no official tuition fees for international students on the ministry or university websites; ask each institution for its fees before applying. The local currency is the ouguiya (MRU), at around 40 ouguiyas per euro according to the Spanish travel advice. Exchange students can sometimes use Erasmus+ mobility grants: the Université de Nouakchott takes part in Erasmus+ mobility with the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

The Université de Nouakchott

The university listed on SpainExchange is the Université de Nouakchott, also called Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya. It was created in July 2016 by merging the Université des Sciences, de Technologie et de Médecine and the earlier Université de Nouakchott. According to its home page, it has 30,000 students, 599 teachers, five institutions, more than 100 study programmes and students of 20 nationalities. Its faculties cover science and technology, medicine, law, economics and management, and letters and human sciences, together with a professional university institute.

It offers 24 academic and 17 professional licences and 16 research and 8 professional master's programmes. Its doctoral page lists schools in science and technology (biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics and computer science, and physics), law and economics, and letters and human sciences. The website is published in French and Arabic. The university states that it has cooperation agreements with institutions in countries including France, Spain, Italy, Morocco and Senegal.

How to choose a university

• Language: check whether the programme is taught in Arabic, French or English
• Type of institution: a university with several faculties, or a specialised institute or school with a professional focus
• Level: licence, master or doctorate, academic or professional track
• Recognition: ask how the degree is recognised in Mauritania and in the country where you plan to use it
• Location and safety: most institutions are in Nouakchott; check the travel advice for the region before choosing a campus elsewhere

Frequently asked questions

In which language are university courses taught in Mauritania?

Mainly in Arabic and French. Some specialised institutions use other languages; at the Institut Supérieur d'Anglais, courses are taught mainly in English.

How long does a degree take in Mauritania?

Universities use the LMD system: a three-year licence with 180 credits, a two-year master with 120 credits and a three-year doctorate.

How many students are there in Mauritania?

According to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, 45,384 students were enrolled in 46 higher education institutions (figures updated in February 2026).

Do I need a visa to study in Mauritania?

Most foreign nationals do. Since 5 January 2025, travellers who need a visa must obtain an electronic visa online before boarding their flight.