Namibia University of Science and Technology

About Namibia University of Science and Technology

NUST is an independent statutory university whose seat is in Windhoek. The institution traces its history to the Polytechnic of Namibia, established in 1994, while the current university was established by Act 7 of 2015. That Act commenced on 16 November 2015 and replaced the earlier Polytechnic legislation. This distinction matters when interpreting the founding date: 1994 describes the continuing institution’s origin, whereas 2015 marks its legal transition to the present university name and status. The university organizes teaching across the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Faculty of Health, Natural Resources and Applied Sciences, and Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education. The Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business also delivers postgraduate business education. Official programme information confirms awards at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as other credentials that applicants should evaluate separately. NUST accommodates full-time, part-time, and distance students, although availability varies by qualification and campus. The main campus is in Windhoek, and the 2027 undergraduate application form also identifies satellite locations at Eenhana, Lüderitz, and Rietfontein. Applicants should therefore confirm the teaching site and mode for their intended programme rather than assuming that every qualification is available throughout the network. Active 2027 application forms and official 2026 academic materials establish that the university remains operational and accepting prospective students.

For 2027 undergraduate admission, NUST’s current application form gives a closing date of 25 September 2026 and a non-refundable application fee of N$240. Applicants select a programme, mode, and campus or regional centre, but should first verify that their intended qualification is offered in that combination. The university’s general undergraduate guidance bases normal entry on Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification and describes a minimum aggregate of 25 points from no more than five qualifying subjects, including at least an E symbol in English. Individual programmes can impose additional or higher subject requirements. A mature-age route exists for applicants who do not meet normal entry requirements, subject to its own eligibility and assessment rules. Applicants using qualifications earned outside Namibia must obtain an evaluation from the Namibia Qualifications Authority and attach the required evaluation and records. Documents in a language other than English require an appropriate sworn translation. For 2027 postgraduate applications, the official form sets 25 September 2026 as the standard deadline and 30 October 2026 as the late deadline. It lists fees of N$360 for an on-time application and N$690 for a late application. Master’s admission generally requires a recognized four-year bachelor’s degree with a research component or an approved equivalent, but programme-specific rules control. Postgraduate applicants must also provide academic records, a curriculum vitae, referee details, and the other materials required by the form or programme.

NUST’s academic portfolio extends beyond its science-and-technology name. Computing offerings include computer science, informatics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital forensics, and journalism and media technology. Engineering and built-environment study encompasses fields such as civil, mechanical, industrial, mining and metallurgical engineering, architecture, geomatics, land administration, quantity surveying, and urban and regional planning. Other areas include health sciences, mathematics and statistics, agriculture, natural-resource management, accounting, economics, management, logistics, communication, languages, and education. The 2026 prospective-student guide and official programme listings show a tiered portfolio covering undergraduate degrees, honours study, master’s degrees, and doctorates. Examples of verified doctoral provision include computer science, informatics, engineering, spatial sciences, mathematics, statistics, natural sciences, health sciences, and applied linguistics. Programme availability is not static: official lists identify some qualifications as phasing out or not offered in a particular year. Prospective students should use the relevant faculty prospectus and current application form, not the broad online catalogue alone, to verify intake status. Admission and curriculum requirements are programme-specific. Some undergraduate routes include an Introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics bridging programme, while postgraduate entry ordinarily requires a prior qualification at the appropriate National Qualifications Framework level. NUST’s Cooperative Education Unit works with public- and private-sector organizations to integrate theory and practice and to gather employer input for curriculum development. However, the presence and structure of work-integrated learning should be checked for each individual qualification.

Key Highlights

• Statutory public university operating under Act 7 of 2015
• Institutional history dates to the Polytechnic of Namibia established in 1994
• Main campus in Windhoek with additional satellite and regional provision
• Full-time, part-time, and distance options depend on programme availability

Student Life & Environment

Student life is supported by a Department of Student Services covering health, counselling, social welfare, career guidance, accommodation, sport, arts, and culture. Primary health services include health promotion, illness prevention, screening, minor-injury care, and counselling. Academic and personal counselling is available individually and in groups, while social-welfare programming addresses topics such as stress management, relationships, substance abuse, and student orientation. On-campus housing is limited. The 2026 prospective-student guide reports three hostels with 417 beds, while a current general student-services webpage states 440 beds. Because those official figures conflict, applicants should request the latest capacity information rather than treating either number as guaranteed availability. The 2026 guide says preference is given to students whose homes are outside Windhoek, and the 2026 regulations restrict residence consideration to admitted, full-time students meeting specified registration conditions. Residence registration occurs by semester, and meals are provided through kitchen services. Students can participate in sport, cultural activities, and recognized societies. Career guidance includes individual and group counselling, job-search preparation, workshops, and an annual career fair connecting students with prospective employers. These services provide practical support, but applicants should not infer guaranteed internships, placements, or employment outcomes.

Location & Surroundings

NUST’s main campus is at 13 Jackson Kaujeua Street in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. Official prospective-student material describes the institution as being in the heart of the city, making the campus an urban rather than isolated residential setting. This location places students near national public institutions, businesses, professional organizations, and city services, although the university does not promise that proximity will produce employment or internship opportunities. The university also operates through satellite campuses and regional provision. Its 2027 undergraduate form lists Windhoek Main Campus and satellite campuses at Eenhana, Lüderitz, and Rietfontein, with full-time, part-time, or distance selections shown in the application materials. The actual combinations available depend on the chosen programme. Applicants should confirm where face-to-face teaching, laboratories, examinations, and administrative services are delivered before choosing a site. Housing capacity on the Windhoek campus is small relative to overall enrolment, so applicants—especially those relocating to the capital—should prepare an alternative accommodation plan. Official regulations explicitly advise unsuccessful residence applicants to arrange housing before travelling to Windhoek.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Costs vary substantially by qualification because the 2026 fees booklet itemizes tuition by course and programme rather than publishing one universal tuition figure. Students should calculate a personal total from the modules required in their 2026 curriculum. Tuition excludes books, stationery, accommodation, transport, and other living expenses. Applicants planning for 2027 should treat the 2026 booklet as the newest published guide located during this review and recheck for a 2027 fee schedule before registration. For 2026, residence charges for Namibian and Southern African Development Community citizens range from N$9,010 per semester for a double room to N$11,510 for a single room with a balcony. A refundable N$1,230 residence breakage deposit applies. Resident students are charged at least 50 percent of the published meal fee, N$10,110 per semester, whether or not all meals are used. These amounts are specifically dated 2026 and should not be presented as guaranteed 2027 prices. International or other fee classifications may differ. NUST provides career counselling, career-development workshops, job-search preparation, and an annual career fair where students can meet prospective employers. Its Cooperative Education Unit also works with public- and private-sector organizations to integrate theory and workplace practice. These are useful employability supports, but the available official sources do not establish placement rates, graduate salaries, or guaranteed employment, so applicants should evaluate career prospects by programme and occupation.