Study in Somalia

Who this applies to

Students at Somali universities. Somali/English/Arabic; mostly private universities + the reopened national university.

Governing authority

Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (limited central accreditation; many private institutions self-organize).

Degree system

Bachelor + some postgraduate. Somali/English (Arabic in Islamic studies). System collapsed 1991, rebuilding since.

Admission

How

Secondary completion + university entrance; international/diaspora students apply directly.

Language

Somali, English, Arabic.

Tuition

Public

SNU free (only public, no tuition).

Private

Fee-paying (most universities).

Note

Higher education almost entirely rebuilt by private/community initiative after 1991.

Student visa & residence permit

Study visa (security-dependent).

Scholarships

Turkish/Arab/diaspora & bilateral scholarships; limited government support.

Sources & references

• SNU free/public — https://snu.edu.so/ (2026-06-12)
• HE state/private proliferation — https://www.heritageinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/HIPS_Higher_Education_ENGLISH.pdf (2026-06-12)