University of Zimbabwe Biography

Background

The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is the oldest and largest public university in Zimbabwe. It was founded in 1952 as the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The university is located in Mount Pleasant, a suburb of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. Over the years, UZ has grown from a small college into a major institution with a wide range of academic programs and research activities.

Early History

• The idea for the university began in 1945 with the Rhodesia University Association.
• It officially opened in 1952 under a Royal Charter.
• UZ was first affiliated with the University of London, and later with the University of Birmingham for its medical school.
• After Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the university changed its name from the University of Rhodesia to the University of Zimbabwe.

Campus and Facilities

• The main campus covers 740 acres in Mount Pleasant, Harare.
• The university has 171 buildings, including academic halls, student residences, and staff housing.
• There are sports facilities and research units such as the Lake Kariba Research Station and Thornpark Estate farm.
• The Parirenyatwa Campus houses the College of Health Sciences.

Academic Structure

Faculties

UZ has eleven faculties, including:

• Agriculture, Environment & Food Systems
• Arts & Humanities
• Business Management Sciences & Economics
• Computer Engineering, Informatics & Communications
• Education
• Engineering & Built Environment
• Law
• Medicine & Health Sciences
• Science
• Social & Behavioural Sciences
• Veterinary Science

There are also two trans-disciplinary institutes: the Institute of Development Studies and the Institute of Environmental Studies.

Academic Calendar

• The main intake is from August to June, with graduation in September.
• Since 2016, there has been a second intake from February to December.

Students and Staff

• UZ serves more than 20,000 students, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and international students.
• The university employs over 800 academic staff, including professors, senior lecturers, and teaching assistants.

Fees and Uniform

• Local students pay between ZWL$51,088 and ZWL$68,998 per semester, or up to US$1,000 per semester, depending on the faculty.
• International students pay a minimum of US$2,499 per year.
• There is no official university-wide student uniform. Academic dress is only used for formal events.

Governance

• The Chancellor of the university is always the President of Zimbabwe.
• The Vice-Chancellor, currently Professor Paul Mapfumo, manages daily operations.
• The university is governed by a University Council and an Academic Senate.

Reputation and Challenges

• UZ is ranked first nationally and is among the top universities in Africa.
• The university has faced challenges such as academic strikes, funding cuts, and infrastructural problems, especially in the 2000s.
• There have been controversies, such as the awarding of a disputed PhD degree in 2014.

Student Life

• There are nine main student residences on campus, as well as additional housing in Harare.
• Students can participate in sports like athletics, football, and rugby.
• The university has various clubs and societies, including academic, professional, service, and cultural groups.

Rankings

See where UZ ranks on the top 20 list of best Universities in Zimbabwe in 2025.

We are working towards providing the most accurate rankings. Contact IBZIM support for more info: +263717238876 (whatsapp)