Destinations
Each country guide covers how international students apply, documents, tuition, visas and the universities you can study at.
Algeria
114 universities
Angola
7 public regional universities (created by the 2009 split of Agostinho Neto University) + ~40+ private universities/institutes. universities
Benin
~4 public national universities + many private higher-education institutions co-accredited by the Ministry. universities
Botswana
3 public universities (UB, BIUST, BUAN) + several private universities/colleges. universities
Burkina Faso
~6 public universities + private institutions; ~85% of HE students in comprehensive public universities (2018). universities
Burundi
1 main public university (University of Burundi) + ~15 private universities/institutions. universities
Cabo Verde
1 public university (Uni-CV) + ~6 private universities/institutes. universities
Cameroon
8 state (public) universities + private universities and the Catholic University of Central Africa; bilingual dual system (French + British models). universities
Central African Republic
1 main public university (University of Bangui) + a few specialized institutes/private schools; very small system. universities
Chad
~8 public universities (N'Djamena + regional) + private/Islamic institutions; small system. universities
Comoros
1 public university (University of the Comoros) + a few specialized/private institutes; micro-state system. universities
Côte d'Ivoire
~6 public universities + INP-HB (polytechnic) + private universities/grandes écoles; francophone system. universities
Democratic Republic of the Congo
~40+ universities (public + private); large francophone system (~410 programs across ~40 institutions per Free-Apply). universities
Djibouti
1 public university (University of Djibouti, est. 2006) + a few institutes; small developing system. universities
Egypt
~27 public universities + ~30+ private/national universities + Al-Azhar + technical; one of the largest HE systems in Africa/Arab world (~3M+ students). universities
Equatorial Guinea
1 national public university (UNGE) + a few specialized/private institutes; small system. Africa's only Spanish-speaking country. universities
Eritrea
No comprehensive university since 2006 (University of Asmara closed); replaced by ~7-8 specialized public colleges under a central board. universities
Eswatini
1 national public university (UNESWA) + a few private/specialized institutions (Southern Africa Nazarene University, Limkokwing Eswatini, etc.); small system. universities
Ethiopia
~50 public universities (rapid expansion since 2000s) + ~30+ private; large English-medium system. universities
Gabon
3 main public universities (Omar Bongo, USTM Masuku, Health Sciences) + private institutes; small francophone system. universities
Ghana
~15 public universities + ~80+ private/chartered tertiary institutions (GTEC-accredited); large anglophone system. universities
Guinea
Several public universities (UGANC Conakry, Kankan, Sonfonia, Labé, N'Zérékoré) + private institutes; francophone system. universities
Guinea-Bissau
1 public university (Universidade Amílcar Cabral) + a few private (Universidade Lusófona da Guiné, Colinas de Boé); small Lusophone system. universities
Kenya
~40 public universities + ~30+ private/chartered (CUE-accredited); large anglophone system. universities
Lesotho
1 public university (National University of Lesotho) + Limkokwing Lesotho + colleges; small anglophone system. universities
Liberia
~11 universities (per uniRank): University of Liberia (public flagship) + private (Cuttington, AME, Stella Maris, United Methodist) + colleges; anglophone system. universities
Libya
~45 universities (per uniRank) — public + private; Arabic-medium system. universities
Madagascar
6 public regional universities (Antananarivo, Toamasina, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toliara, Antsiranana) + private institutes; francophone system. universities
Malawi
~6 public universities (after the 2021 University of Malawi delinking) + private; anglophone system. universities
Mali
4 public universities in Bamako (after the 2011 University of Bamako split) + Université de Ségou + private; francophone system. universities
Mauritania
1 main national public university (Nouakchott Al Aasriya) + Islamic University (Aioun) + higher institutes; small francophone/Arabic system. universities
Mauritius
~4 public universities (UoM, UTM, Open University, Université des Mascareignes) + private/branch campuses; anglophone system with free public tertiary education for citizens. universities
Morocco
~12 public universities + private/partnership universities + al-Qarawiyyin (Fez, 859 — oldest continuously operating university in the world); large Arabic/French system. universities
Mozambique
Several public universities (Eduardo Mondlane, Pedagógica, Lúrio, Zambeze) + private (Catholic University + others); Lusophone system. universities
Namibia
2 main public universities (UNAM, NUST) + NAMCOL (open learning) + International University of Management (private); anglophone system. universities
Niger
~6 public universities (Abdou Moumouni Niamey + regional: Zinder, Maradi, Tahoua, Dosso, Agadez) + private institutes; francophone system. universities
Nigeria
~250–300 universities (NUC-accredited): ~50 federal, ~60 state, ~150+ private; largest HE system in Africa by institution count. universities
Republic of the Congo
2 main public universities (Marien Ngouabi + the new Denis Sassou Nguesso) + private institutes; small francophone system. universities
Rwanda
1 consolidated public national university (University of Rwanda, 7 colleges) + ~30 private/international institutions; anglophone (switched from French in 2008). universities
São Tomé and Príncipe
1 public university (USTP) + 2 private institutions; tiny Lusophone island system. universities
Senegal
~8 public universities (UCAD + Gaston Berger + Assane Seck, Alioune Diop, Amadou Mahtar Mbow, Sine Saloum, etc.) + private; francophone system. universities
Seychelles
1 public university (University of Seychelles) + a few specialized institutes; tiny anglophone island system. universities
Sierra Leone
~3 public universities (University of Sierra Leone, Njala University, Ernest Bai Koroma University) + private/colleges; anglophone system. universities
Somalia
~50+ mostly private universities (post-1991 proliferation) + reopened Somali National University; fragmented/rebuilding system. universities
South Africa
26 public universities (11 traditional, 6 comprehensive, 9 universities of technology) + ~131 private HEIs; Africa's strongest & best-ranked system. universities
South Sudan
~5 public universities (Juba, Upper Nile, Bahr el Ghazal, Rumbek, Dr John Garang) + private; anglophone (world's newest country, 2011). universities
Sudan
~128 higher-education institutions (36 public + 20 private universities + colleges); Arabic/English system, severely disrupted by the 2023 war. universities
Tanzania
~50 universities (public + private) accredited by TCU; anglophone (English-medium; Swahili national language). universities
The Gambia
1 public university (University of The Gambia) + private institutions (American International University West Africa, etc.); small anglophone system. universities
Togo
2 main public universities (Lomé, Kara) + Catholic University & private institutes; francophone system. universities
Tunisia
~13 public universities + private; Arabic/French system (strong in medicine, engineering, sciences). universities
Uganda
~10 public universities + ~40+ private (NCHE-accredited); anglophone system. universities
Zambia
~10 public universities + ~50+ private (HEA-registered); anglophone system. universities
Zimbabwe
~21 universities (public + private, ZIMCHE-accredited); anglophone system. universities
Antigua and Barbuda
1 UWI campus (Five Islands) + Antigua State College + private offshore medical schools (American University of Antigua, University of Health Sciences Antigua); small anglophone Caribbean system. universities
Argentina
~130 universities (~60+ public national universities + private universities + provincial). Public national universities are tuition-FREE. universities
Bahamas
1 national public university (University of The Bahamas) + Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute + private/offshore (e.g. medical); small anglophone system. universities
Barbados
UWI Cave Hill (flagship) + Barbados Community College + Codrington College + offshore medical (American University of Barbados, Ross/Bridgetown); anglophone system. universities
Belize
1 national public university (University of Belize) + Galen University (private) + UWI Open Campus + St John's/Belize Adventist colleges; small anglophone Central American system. universities
Bolivia
~60 universities (11 autonomous public 'sistema de la universidad pública' + private + indigenous); Spanish-medium. universities
Brazil
~2,500 higher-education institutions (~300 universities; the rest faculdades/colleges). ~110 public (federal + state) universities are tuition-FREE; the majority of institutions are private and fee-charging. universities
Canada
~100 universities (degree-granting; Universities Canada has ~97 members) + many colleges/polytechnics. Education is a PROVINCIAL responsibility — no federal ministry. universities
Chile
~60 universities (the 'traditional' CRUCH universities — state + Catholic/private with state links — plus private universities), regulated by the Ministerio de Educación and the CNA accreditation body. universities
Colombia
~300+ higher-education institutions (public + private; ~80 universities) registered in SNIES; Spanish-medium. universities
Costa Rica
5 public state universities (CONARE: UCR, TEC, UNA, UNED, UTN) + ~50 private; Spanish-medium. universities
Cuba
~50 public universities (all state, free) under MES; Spanish-medium socialist system. universities
Dominican Republic
~40+ higher-education institutions registered with MESCyT; Spanish-medium; public UASD (huge) + many private. universities
Ecuador
~60 universities (public + private + polytechnic) under SENESCYT/CES; Spanish-medium. universities
El Salvador
~40 universities (1 public flagship UES + private); Spanish-medium. universities
Grenada
St George's University (major international/offshore medical & veterinary) + UWI Open Campus + T.A. Marryshow Community College; small anglophone Caribbean system. universities
Guatemala
1 public (USAC) + ~14 private universities; Spanish-medium. universities
Guyana
1 national public university (University of Guyana) + private/offshore medical (Texila American, GreenHeart); small anglophone system. universities
Haiti
1 public flagship (UEH, multi-faculty/regional) + private (Quisqueya, INUQE, etc.); French/Creole; system disrupted by 2010 earthquake & ongoing instability. universities
Honduras
~20 universities (public flagship UNAH + UPNFM + private); Spanish-medium. universities
Jamaica
UWI Mona (flagship UWI campus) + University of Technology Jamaica + Northern Caribbean University + UCC; anglophone Caribbean system. universities
Mexico
~3,000+ higher-education institutions; ~10 dominant flagships (huge autonomous public UNAM/IPN/UANL/UdeG/BUAP + elite private ITAM/Tec/Ibero); Spanish-medium. universities
Nicaragua
~10 CNU-member public/subsidized universities + private; Spanish-medium. universities
Panama
5 official public universities (UP, UTP, UNACHI, UDELAS, UMIP) + ~private; Spanish-medium. universities
Paraguay
~50+ CONES-habilitadas universities (public + private); Spanish + Guaraní (both official). universities
Peru
~90+ SUNEDU-licensed universities (public + private); Spanish-medium. universities
Suriname
1 public university (Anton de Kom University) + a few colleges/institutes; Dutch-medium (only Dutch-speaking country in the Americas). universities
Trinidad and Tobago
UWI St Augustine (flagship UWI campus) + University of Trinidad and Tobago + University of the Southern Caribbean + COSTAATT; anglophone Caribbean system. universities
United States
~4,000 degree-granting postsecondary institutions (~2,600 four-year; the rest community/2-year colleges). No central ministry — institutions are accredited by recognized regional/national accreditors. universities
Uruguay
1 dominant free public university (UdelaR) + UTEC (public tech) + ~5 private; Spanish-medium. universities
Venezuela
~50 universities (autonomous public free + experimental public + private); Spanish-medium. System strained by economic crisis & academic exodus. universities
Afghanistan
~40 public universities + private; Dari/Pashto (+ English in STEM). System severely disrupted; women BANNED from universities since Dec 2022. universities
Armenia
~25 state + private universities; Armenian-medium (Russian/English available); post-Soviet Bologna system. universities
Azerbaijan
~40 state + private universities (under Ministry of Science and Education); Azerbaijani-medium (Russian/English available); post-Soviet Bologna. universities
Bahrain
1 public flagship (University of Bahrain) + GCC-regional AGU + ~15 private/branch campuses; Arabic + heavy English-medium. universities
Bangladesh
~160 universities (~54 public + ~106 private), UGC-regulated; Bengali + English (English-medium private). South-Asian British-model system. universities
Bhutan
Royal University of Bhutan (federated, ~11 colleges) + Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences + Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law + private colleges; English-medium. universities
Brunei
5 public + ~6 private higher institutions; Malay + English (English-medium common); oil-funded. universities
Cambodia
~125 higher-education institutions (public + many private); Khmer-medium (French/English legacy & instruction). universities
China
~3,000 higher-education institutions (~1,270 offer bachelor's-and-above degrees). Regulated by the Ministry of Education (MOE). universities
Georgia
~60 accredited HEIs (state + private); Georgian-medium (+ English/Russian); post-Soviet Bologna. universities
India
~1,100+ universities (54 central, ~460 state, ~150 deemed, ~430 private) + ~45,000 colleges + autonomous IITs/IISc/IIMs/NITs; English + Hindi/state languages. One of the world's largest HE systems. universities
Indonesia
~4,004 higher education institutions in 2022 (3,820 private + 184 public). Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)-medium (+ English programs). One of the largest HE systems in the world. universities
Iran
~2,183 universities in 2022 (state under MSRT ~318 + ~same number private/Islamic Azad + Payame Noor distance); government merger program aims to reduce to ~400. Persian (Farsi)-medium (+ English in medical/international programs). universities
Iraq
~85+ universities (≥35 public + private) per Wikipedia; ~110 HEIs per uniRank. Arabic-medium (+ English, esp. medicine; English-medium in the Kurdistan Region). Kurdistan Region universities run under KRG MOHE separately. universities
Israel
~11 universities + 53 colleges (as of Jan 2026), recognized/supervised by the Council for Higher Education (CHE). Hebrew-medium (+ extensive English in graduate/research & international programs; also Arabic). Among the most highly-educated populations in the world. universities
Japan
~800 universities (~86 national + ~100 public/prefectural + ~600+ private). Regulated by MEXT. universities
Jordan
10 public + 17 private universities + 51 community colleges (per MOHE). Arabic-medium (+ extensive English in medicine/engineering/sciences). Large international/refugee student presence; a regional HE hub. universities
Kazakhstan
~50+ accredited universities. Kazakh + Russian medium (+ growing English; Nazarbayev University is fully English & Western-modeled). Post-Soviet Bologna system with a modern English-medium top layer. universities
Kuwait
2 public universities (Kuwait University + new Abdullah Al-Salem University) + ~18 private universities/colleges (Private Universities Council). Arabic at the public university (+ English in medicine/engineering/sciences); private universities largely English & American/British-modeled. Oil-funded — free/heavily subsidized for nationals. universities
Kyrgyzstan
~74 accredited universities (≈53 under the Ministry of Education and Science + ~23 private). Kyrgyz + Russian medium (+ English at AUCA & international programs). Major destination for foreign (esp. South Asian) medical students in English-medium MBBS programs — ~34 institutions train medical personnel. universities
Laos
5 public universities + colleges/institutes (small system). National University of Laos (NUOL) dominates. Lao medium (+ French legacy & growing English). Post-socialist single-party state; low tertiary enrollment. universities
Lebanon
~41 private higher-education institutions (~31 universities) + 1 PUBLIC university (Lebanese University). TRILINGUAL — Arabic + French + English; French (Jesuit/Francophone) & American (AUB/LAU) elite-private heritage. Economic crisis since 2019 + 2020 Beirut blast disrupted the sector. universities
Malaysia
20 public universities + ~50 private universities/colleges + many branch campuses (Nottingham, Monash, Xiamen etc.). Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) + extensive English (UiTM & IIUM fully English). Strong globally — UM ~QS 58. Ministry of Higher Education + MQA accreditation. universities
Maldives
2 universities (Maldives National University + Islamic University of Maldives) + several private colleges (Cyryx, Mandhu, Villa, Avid). Dhivehi + English (English widely used in HE). Small island-nation system; MNU serves over half the tertiary population. universities
Mongolia
88 HEIs (2020/21): 37 universities + colleges/institutes — 16 public + 50 private + 3 religious. Mongolian (Cyrillic) medium + growing English. Post-socialist Bologna-aligned system. universities
Myanmar
~170+ HEIs across multiple ministries (Education, Health, Science & Technology, etc.). Burmese (Myanmar) medium + English (medicine/engineering English). British-derived system, severely disrupted by decades of military rule and the 2021 coup. universities
Nepal
~11 universities + several health-science academies + ~1,400+ campuses (mostly affiliated). Nepali + English (English common in HE). British-derived affiliating-university model — Tribhuvan University alone affiliates ~1,053 colleges. Major medical-education destination. universities
North Korea
~300 HEIs claimed (state figures, unverifiable). State-controlled single-party system; Korean medium (PUST is English). Data extremely scarce & propaganda-influenced — all figures LOW CONFIDENCE. universities
Oman
Several public universities (Sultan Qaboos University + University of Technology and Applied Sciences) + ~private universities/colleges. Arabic at SQU (+ English in sciences/medicine/engineering); private universities English & Western-affiliated. Oil-funded — subsidized for nationals. 11 Omani universities in QS Arab Region 2026. universities
Pakistan
~250+ HEIs (HEC-recognized): large public affiliating universities + autonomous elite (NUST/LUMS/Aga Khan) + private sector. English-medium (+ Urdu). British-derived system; ~48 universities ranked by THE. universities
Palestine
~26 accredited universities (+ colleges) across the West Bank, East Jerusalem & Gaza. Arabic medium (+ English in sciences/medicine). Severely disrupted by Israeli occupation (West Bank) and the 2023–2025 Gaza war (Gaza universities heavily damaged/destroyed — 'educide'). universities
Philippines
~2,300 HEIs recognized by CHED (overwhelmingly private, incl. a large Catholic sector). English-medium (+ Filipino). American-influenced system; free tuition at state universities since 2017. universities
Qatar
Public flagship (Qatar University) + Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar Foundation research) + ~10 foreign branch campuses in Education City (US/European) + a few private universities. Arabic at QU (+ English); branch campuses English & American. Oil/gas-funded — free/subsidized for nationals + Qatar Foundation funding. universities
Saudi Arabia
~30+ public universities + private universities/colleges; 34 ranked in the THE Arab rankings. Arabic at most public universities (+ English in medicine/engineering/sciences; KAUST & KFUPM fully English). Oil-funded — free for nationals + stipends; sex-segregated campuses. universities
Singapore
6 publicly-funded autonomous universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS) + the new University of the Arts Singapore (UAS, est. 2024) + private and foreign-affiliated institutions (SIM, James Cook Singapore, Curtin Singapore, etc.) + the graduate Duke–NUS Medical School. universities
South Korea
~203 universities + ~136 junior/community colleges (2020). Korean medium (+ growing English-taught programs). Ministry of Education; high-stakes Suneung (CSAT) admission; elite 'SKY' trio + KAIST/POSTECH science-tech; strong global rankings. universities
Sri Lanka
~17 state universities under the UGC (uniRank counts ~20 public; all government) + non-state/private institutes. English + Sinhala/Tamil medium. British-derived; highly competitive G.C.E. A-Level (Z-score) admission with limited state seats. universities
Syria
Several public universities (Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia/ex-Tishreen, Homs/ex-Al-Baath + newer regional) + private universities + the Syrian Virtual University. Arabic medium (+ English/French in medicine/sciences). System devastated by the 2011–2024 civil war; post-Assad (Dec 2024) transitional de-Ba'athification renames under way. universities
Taiwan
~150+ universities & colleges (Taiwan / Republic of China). Mandarin Chinese medium (+ growing English-taught programs). Top global rankings (NTU ~QS 63). Strong public + private mix; demographic decline pressuring smaller institutions. universities
Tajikistan
~40 HEIs (state-dominated). Tajik + Russian medium (+ some English). Post-Soviet system; unified entrance testing (NTC); Bologna-aligning. Tajik National University is the flagship. universities
Thailand
~310 colleges, universities & tertiary institutes (58 affiliated with MHESI incl. 54 public + autonomous + private + Rajabhat/Rajamangala networks). Thai medium (+ growing English/international programs). Top regional rankings (Chula/Mahidol ~QS 220–360). Never colonized — own indigenous HE tradition. universities
Timor-Leste
1 public national university (UNTL) + several private colleges/institutes. Portuguese + Tetum medium (+ Indonesian legacy, growing English). Young system (independence 2002); UNTL dominant. universities
Turkey (Türkiye)
208 universities
Turkmenistan
~25 HEIs (state-controlled). Turkmen medium (+ Russian; English at the international university). Post-Soviet but highly closed/authoritarian — DATA EXTREMELY SCARCE & state-controlled; all figures low confidence. universities
United Arab Emirates
70+ CAA-licensed universities & colleges across the seven emirates (grown from 1 in 1976). Arabic at public universities (+ extensive English; research/private universities English). Oil-funded — free/subsidized for Emirati nationals; a major branch-campus hub (Dubai Intl Academic City; NYU Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, Heriot-Watt/Wollongong/Birmingham Dubai). universities
Uzbekistan
~200+ HEIs (rapidly expanding; enrollment from 9% (2016) to 38% (2024), ~1.3M students). Uzbek medium (+ Russian; English at international universities & foreign branch campuses). Post-Soviet, reforming/opening; many new foreign branch campuses (Webster, Inha, MDIS, Turin Polytechnic, Westminster). universities
Vietnam
~240+ universities & colleges. Vietnamese medium (+ growing English programs). MOET-regulated; post-Đổi Mới reform; two big national-university SYSTEMS (VNU Hanoi & VNU-HCM, each a federation of member universities) + sectoral & regional universities. Rising in rankings (Ton Duc Thang, Duy Tan). universities
Yemen
~7 public universities (Sana'a, Aden, Hodeida, Taiz, Ibb, Dhamar, Hadhramout/Mukalla) + private universities (USTY, Al-Saeed, etc.). Arabic medium (medicine/engineering often English at privates). MOHE-regulated. ⚠ SEVERELY DISRUPTED by civil war (2014–present): Houthi-controlled north (Sana'a) vs internationally-recognized government south (Aden); currency collapse, salary crises, damaged campuses, fractured administration. universities
Albania
~15 public universities + ~20 private/non-public HEIs. Albanian-medium (+ growing English; private layer English-medium). Ministry of Education and Sports; Bologna/EHEA (3-cycle); Matura Shtetërore (state matura) admission. Public flagships concentrated in Tirana + regional universities (Shkodra, Elbasan, Vlorë, Korçë, Gjirokastër, Durrës). universities
Andorra
1 public university (Universitat d'Andorra — the country's only university) + a few specialized/online study centres. Catalan-medium (official language). Micro-state in the Pyrenees; most Andorran students study abroad in Spain or France. universities
Austria
22 public universities + ~21 universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) + private universities. universities
Belgium
~11 universities split across two language communities (Flemish: KU Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp, VUB, Hasselt; French/FWB: UCLouvain, ULB, Liège, Namur, Mons, Saint-Louis) + university colleges (hogescholen/hautes écoles). universities
Denmark
8 universities (this dataset covers all 8) + university colleges (professionshøjskoler) + artistic/maritime institutions. universities
Finland
13 universities + ~22 universities of applied sciences (ammattikorkeakoulu/UAS). universities
France
~70 public universities + ~200+ grandes écoles (engineering/business/ENS) and specialized schools; ~3,500 higher-education institutions in total counting all écoles. universities
Germany
~423 higher-education institutions (~120 universities + ~210 universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen/HAW) + ~50 art/music/film colleges + others). uni-assist processes international applications for ~180 member universities. universities
Ireland
~22 higher-education institutions with degree-awarding status (incl. ~8 universities + 5 technological universities + colleges). universities
Italy
~97 universities recognized by MUR (~67 public state universities + ~30 private, including ~11 online/telematic universities). universities
Netherlands
~13 research universities (WO) + ~36 universities of applied sciences (HBO/hogescholen). All publicly funded ones use Studielink. universities
Norway
~10 public universities + specialized/scientific colleges + private institutions (BI, etc.); ~21 accredited universities & university colleges in total. universities
Poland
~130 public higher-education institutions (incl. ~18 traditional universities + technical/medical/economic universities) + ~250 private; ~400 HEIs total. universities
Portugal
~14 public universities + polytechnic institutes + private universities (Católica, Lusíada, etc.); ~50+ higher-education institutions total. universities
Spain
~90 universities (~50 public + ~40 private, including online universities such as UNED and UOC). universities
Sweden
~50 higher-education institutions (universities + university colleges); ~16 are full universities. universities
Switzerland
12 universities (2 federal: ETH Zurich & EPFL; 10 cantonal) + universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) + teacher-training colleges. universities
United Kingdom
~165 universities (institutions with degree-awarding powers); ~285 higher-education providers registered with the Office for Students (England). Separate regulators in Scotland/Wales/NI. universities