It is important to make right selection while applying for higher education, making sure you get what is expected as well right place to make your dream come true.
From my experience, I have witnessed many scholars are making mistakes either by choosing a learning institution or university or program, as well location that’s why I’m sharing my opinion about it.
There are many universities offer higher education in Tanzania, its is approximately more than 85 are registered in the country without including institutions and colleges.
Before go forward, lets discuss similarities and differences between institute and university in Tanzania.
Similarities between University, Institute and college:
- All offer higher education
- All offer Academic programs
- All have qualified lecturers/trainers
- All have same facilities for learning
- All prepare students for jobs
- All provide recognized certificates
- All are institutions for higher learning
Differences between University, Institute and College:
University
It is the highest learning institution comprises multiple departments, or institutes or colleges like University of Dar es Salaam. The university has wide range of programs like Bachelor, Master and PHD degrees. This is mainly focus on research and teaching. The final examination in each term is measured UE.
Institute
Institute is for technical and professional training which focus for few programs, just like IFM which is specialized with finance, another example is NIT, which is specialized with transport. Programs from institutes are for more practical that make the trainers savvier just like DIT. The final examination in each term is measured by final test.
College
It is smaller than university but it might follow university guidelines, or can be a part of university like DUCE or MUCE which are colleges by University of Dar es Salaam. The college can be independent just like the way I have already explain, good example is CBE.
After highlight similarities and differences between University, Institute and college, now let’s jump to the factor you should consider when selecting may be one, which are:
Reputation
You should ask other graduators or other experts about the course offered and how companies react to it. The reputation of any learning intuition can affect possibility of getting job or gaining trust to private sectors. You should choose your desired course from best universities/Institutes in Tanzania. Fail to consider it, you might hustle while wasting time with your certificates looking for job.
Employment demand
After hearing from experts like me or other who are active in employment for top companies, then you should choose courses that accelerate high employment possibilities. Choosing course that is not on market make it harder to make your dream come true. For instance, you choose accounting, while the market needs few accountants, thus decrease chance of getting a job compared to IT/Computer Science or engineering which increase higher chance employment.
Tuition fee
You should select a course that your family has able to cover it, because the life of higher education is hard compared to secondary because everything is expensive. If your family has ability to handle the tuition fee even if is higher, then it is free to opt, otherwise choose government institutions like University of Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Sokoine or Muhimbili.
Location
The location also can affect the hardship of your surrounding while putting enough efforts to make your dream come true. If you come from low-income earnings, then opt not to choose expensive location like Arusha or Dar es Salaam, Choosing Universities in Mbeya, Iringa or other places can make your budget well compared to big cities.
Final Thoughts: On choosing university of your choice, do not opt something that is beyond your expectation by asking first for either experts or employees. It is important to select something that can be handled well by your family or yourself, do not overthinking or underthinking because higher education life is complicated.