There are two steps to establish a university institution in Tanzania. Step one is application for Provisional Licence and step two is application for Certificate of Accreditation. The Provisional Licence is valid for three years, renewable once.

The procedure requires the institution or an individual wishing to establish a university institution in Tanzania to submit a formal application (in English) to TCU accompanied by a duly filled in TCU Form No. 1 as well as the following documents:

  1. Three copies of project write up for the proposed university;
  2. Evidence of basic facilities for development of the proposed university;
  3. Title deed or offer in the name of the proposed university or such other evidence on title to the proposed facilities;
  4. Master-plan for the long-term development of the proposed university;
  5. Implementation plan in related to the submitted master-plan;
  6. Draft curricula for the initial programmes and the proposed fee structure thereof;
  7. The draft charter using the model charter to be obtained from the Commission; and
  8. The details about the applicant showing clearly the proposed location of the proposed university as well as other details as shall be determined by the Commission.  

Please note that nonrefundable application fee for local investors is TZS 5,000,000 (five million shillings only) and foreign investors is $ 5,000 payable in advance. 

The Provisional Licence Holder who met the conditions thereof may apply for Accreditation using TCU Form No. 9.

Steps for Establishment of Universities

Ten (10) steps to be followed in establishing a university institution in Tanzania are indicated in the diagram below:

Step 1

Applicant submits application to establish a university institution in Tanzania in accordance with the Universities Act

Step 2

Commission verifies information submitted by the Applicant (Due Diligence exercise) including compliance with foreign investment an anti money laundering laws

Step 3

If cleared in step 2, applicant submits information required for grant of provisional licence - project write up, action plan and timetable, (draft) charter, initial programmes, staff profile among others

Step 4

If application is complete, Commission forms a Technical Evaluation Committee to verify information submitted in support of the application for a Provisional Licence

Step 5

If the TEC report is positive, Commission grants a provisional licence to allow the applicant setup the proposed university institution in the approved location

Step 6

Applicant works in close contact with the Commission so as to realise the establishment of the proposed university institution while addressing the quality assurance issues at all stages - programme design and development, facilities design and development, learning resources, staffing, by-laws, governance, administration and disciplinary matters, etc.

Step 7

Commission verifies progress on the requirements related to availability of programmes, facilities, teaching and learning resources and staff

Step 8

Applicant submits application for Certificate of Accreditation and Charter

Step 9

Subject to progress in step 7, Commission grants Certificate of Accreditation and register the university institution and allow it to admit stuents and issue awards in its own name

Step 10

Commission submits the (draft) Charter of the accredited university for grant/approval by the President and then continuously carry out Quality Assurance activities as by the Act and Charter