Study in Gambia

The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) oversees policy and the higher-education sector. The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) registers institutions and programmes, checks accreditation, maintains the Gambia National Qualifications Framework, supports quality assurance and handles recognition of prior learning and local or foreign qualification verification. NAQAA's register dated 24 March 2026 lists 11 degree-accredited higher-education institutions, including the University of The Gambia (UTG), CSU, UEG/Gambia College, USET, Sup de Co Banjul, Euclid University, AIUWA, Al Ihsan University, Al-Hikma University, Imam Bukhary University and IOU. Check both the institution and the specific programme because an unaccredited institution or programme is not recognized and can create problems with employment, further study or professional certification. UTG offers programmes in agriculture and environmental studies, arts and sciences, education, business and public administration, information and communication technology, journalism and digital media, medicine and allied health, law, engineering and architecture. Its qualification levels include undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees and Doctor of Philosophy programmes. Gambia College offers diploma, advanced diploma and higher national diploma programmes in areas such as education, agriculture, nursing and midwifery, and public or environmental health. Its campuses include Brikama, Banjul, Bwiam and Basse. Other institutions may follow different programme structures and academic calendars, including two-semester or three-semester models. UTG undergraduate admission generally requires five credits in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), or an equivalent qualification such as the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level), including English and Mathematics and obtained in no more than two sittings. UTG's mature-student pathway applies an age threshold of at least 30 years, at least five years of work experience and at least three credits including English or Mathematics. Applications normally require examination results, identification or passport details, a birth certificate, a photograph and payment receipts. Medicine, nursing and public-health applications additionally require hard-copy submission. For the 2026/27 UTG cycle, the stated deadline was 31 July 2026. The published charges were D500 for an undergraduate application, D600 for result verification, D750 for a master's or postgraduate-diploma application and D1,000 for a Doctor of Philosophy application, where D denotes Gambian dalasi. Gambia College generally requires four WASSCE credits or five GCE O-Level credits, with additional requirements depending on the school. The 2026 University of Education, Gambia pathway lists four years for pre-service education and two years for in-service education. Its published charges include a D1,000 PIN and D500 for each additional WASSCE result. Applicants should use the institution's current notice because requirements, charges and deadlines can change. UTG's nine-month Access/Remedial Course can strengthen preparation in Mathematics, English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Economics or Accounting. The published charges are D300 for the application and D3,000 per subject. Completion does not automatically create admission to a degree programme; the applicant still has to satisfy the relevant programme requirements and follow the admission process. A private WASSCE pathway may also be relevant where an applicant needs an additional examination result. Tuition and mandatory charges differ by institution, programme, student category and nationality. One UTG Business and Public Administration example lists D34,900 per year for a local undergraduate student plus D1,200 in mandatory fees. The listed Law fees are D40,000 per year for a local regular student, D70,000 for a local mature student and USD 4,950 for an international student. Indicative Gambia College charges range from D7,000 to D30,000 per year plus D1,000 for internet; the cited international Nursing and Midwifery figure is D31,000. These figures can change, so the offer letter and current fee notice should control payment planning. Students normally pay tuition and other required charges according to the institution's schedule and should retain authentic documents and receipts. A bachelor's degree from UTG can lead to a postgraduate diploma, master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy programme. A diploma or higher national diploma may lead to a degree only after the receiving institution assesses entry requirements and possible credit transfer. The qualifications framework also links academic, technical and vocational pathways. Recognition of prior learning is handled case by case. NAQAA verifies foreign qualifications, and from 1 April 2026 its certificate-authentication service charges D500 per certificate.