The University of Dar es Salaam (UDES) is the major institution of higher learning in Tanzania. Originally part of the University of East Africa, UDES became independent in 1970. Since that time, the University has made considerable advancements in research and curriculum development.
The student body is predominantly from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Zambia. Of the 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students studying on campus, 85% are male. The University is actively working to attract more female students with each academic year. UDES has prominent alumni serving in high government posts, not-for-profit organizations and private companies.
The University occupies a 1,625 acre campus on Observation Hill, 13 km west of Dar es Salaam city center. Campus facilities include a central library, lecture halls, classrooms, computer center, administrative offices, main cafeteria, several cafes, student residence halls and faculty housing.
UDES offers Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees through its faculties, centers and institutions.
Faculty of Informatics and Virtual Education
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Arts and Social Science
Faculty of Commerce and Management
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Aquatic Science and Technology
College of Engineering and Technology
Dar es Salaam University College of Education
Institute of Development Studies
Institute of Kiswahili Research
Institute of Marine Science located in Zanzibar
Institute of Resource Assessment
Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism
Center for Continuing Education
Centre for Entreprenuership Development
Centre for the Study of Forced Migration
The Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) is the main medical, allied health and nursing institution of higher learning in Tanzania. Originally a unit of the University of Dar Es Salaam, MUCHS became an independent medical school in 2007.
Muhimbili University consists of the following faculties and institutes.
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Dentistry
Faculty of Pharmacy
Faculty of Nursing
Institute of Allied Health Sciences
Institute of Development Studies
Institute of Public Health
Institute of Primary Health Care & Continuing Health Education
Institute of Traditional Medicine
Approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students study at MUCHS. The majority of the student body is Tanzanian, with most international students coming from East African countries of Kenya and Uganda.
The curriculum at Tanzanian universities is based on the British higher education system.
Many classes will have a syllabus, although you should not expect a syllabus in every class.
Professors utilize lecture, discussion, and/or hands-on teaching styles, depending on the subject.
The language of instruction is English.
While there are some similarities to the USA, there are also some differences.
Students are expected to work more independently, courses may have fewer assignments and professors are less likely to provide study sheets for exams.
It is not uncommon to have your course grade based on one or two exams or projects.
Many students at UDES and MUCHS come from small townships.
Their experiences are very different than students who grew up in large cities and in the USA.
Professors may have to spend additional time on basic concepts that often seem redundant to students from the USA.
Please have an open mind and realize that you are in a different country with different needs.
Help your peers.
Most will appreciate your input and world views.
Grading is based on the British educational model.
Assessment methods may be different from universities in the USA.
Professors may test students orally (as opposed to passing out written exams); students from the same class may be asked different questions on their exams, and your final grade may be based on just one or two assignments and/or exams.
