The process of establishing a university institution in Tanzania involves two key steps:

  1. Application for a Provisional Licence (valid for three years and can be renewed severally); and

  2. Application for a Certificate of Accreditation.

 

To initiate this process, the individual or institution intending to establish a university must submit a formal application (in English) for Provisional Licence to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU). The application must include a duly completed TCU Form No. 1, accompanied by the following documents:

  1. Three copies of the project write-up for the proposed university.

  2. Evidence of the basic facilities (if already in place) necessary for the development of the proposed university.

  3. A title deed or other proof of ownership (in the name of the proposed university) for the proposed facilities.

  4. A master plan outlining the long-term development of the proposed university.

  5. An implementation plan corresponding to the submitted master plan.

  6. A Draft Charter prepared using the model charter provided by the Commission.

  7. Details of the applicant, including the proposed locationof the university and any other information required by the Commission.

 

Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee (paid in advance) as follows:

  1. TZS 5,000,000 (five million Tanzanian Shillings) for local investors, or

  2. USD 5,000 (five thousand United States Dollars) for foreign investors.

Steps for Establishment of Universities

Pursuant to the provisions of the Universities Act, Cap. 346 R.E. 2023 and the attendant regulations therein, upon receiving the application, the following key steps shall be undertaken:

Step 1

The Commission shall undertake the verification of the particulars submitted by the applicant by reviewing the documents and visiting the proposed location of the university for purposes of carrying out inspection and assessment of the facilities (if already in place), among other things, as may be required by the Commission. 

Step 2

Following the verification, the Commission shall grant (if the application complies with the requirements) the applicant a Provisional Licence.