Is it possible to graduate in Senegal?
July 3, 2023
Yes, it is, and in recent years the number of university students has been increasing which is clearly good for the development of Senegal. Universities in Senegal are part of an education system that is influenced by the French model. The country has 19 public and 12 private universities that offer degree programs in various fields such as humanities, natural sciences, engineering, health, and arts. Universities are under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
Admission to the university is conditional upon successful completion of the bachelor's exam (baccalauréat), which takes place at the end of secondary school. The exam consists of a written and an oral part and its difficulty varies according to the field of study. Students can choose between four majors: literature, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology. The exam is graded on a scale from 0 to 20 points, with the minimum requirement for success being 10 points.
Students who pass the bachelor's exam can apply for a place at the university.
The higher education system in Senegal consists of three cycles: license (bachelor), master (master), and doctorate (doctor). The bachelor's license lasts three years and includes theoretical and practical training in the given field. The master's lasts two years and focuses on advanced specialization and research. A doctorate lasts three to five years and requires the completion of an original dissertation under the supervision of a professor. All these degrees are recognized internationally.
The most prestigious universities in Senegal include:
- University of Cheikh Ant Diop (UCAD) in Dakar is the oldest and largest university in Senegal, founded in 1957. It offers various disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to natural and technical sciences. Over 80,000 students study here.
- Gaston Berger University (UGB): Founded in 1990, this university is located in the city of Saint-Louis, which is the historical center of Senegalese culture and the former capital of the French colony. The university focuses on social sciences and humanities, but also on applied sciences and technologies.
- Alioune Diop University (UAD): Founded in 2013, this university is located in the city of Bambey, about 120 km from the capital Dakar. It is one of the newest and most modern universities in Senegal, specializing in agriculture, environment, and rural development.
And how much does it cost to study at university? Public universities are generally cheaper than private ones, but they also have lower quality and capacity. Private universities are more expensive but offer better facilities, services, and international accreditations. According to StudyinAfrica.com, annual tuition fees at public universities range from €50 to €100, while private universities can go up to €3,000.
Senegal has approximately 16 million inhabitants, more than half of whom are under the age of 25. Education is the most important factor in the development and social progress of a country. According to the World Bank, about 200,000 students were studying at universities in Senegal in 2019, which represents 1.3 % of the total population. This number has been increasing in recent years due to the growing demand for higher education and the expansion of university fields.