TCU Registered Overseas Student Recruitment Agencies in Tanzania

The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) is a government agency which was established on the 1st July 2005, under the Universities Act, Cap. 346 of the Laws of Tanzania with a legal mandate to recognise, register and accredit universities in Tanzania.

It also regulates local or foreign university-level programmes, coordinates the proper functioning of universities and ensures a harmonised higher education system in the country.

FUNCTIONS OF TCU Tanzania

The TCU implements the National Education Policy through its functions which can be clustered into three major areas:

1. Regulatory Function: Ensures quality assurance by evaluating universities, programmes, and systems. Validates programmes, accredits institutions, and evaluates university awards for use in Tanzania.

2. Advisory Function: Advises the government and public on university education, policy formulation, and international higher education issues.

3. Supportive Function: Coordinates university operations, students’ admissions, and provides training in areas like quality assurance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and resource mobilization.

TCU Registered Overseas Student Recruitment Agencies in Tanzania

Under Regulation 47(1) (d) and (f) of the Universities (General) Regulation, G.N. 226 of 2013, no person or institution, whether local or foreign, shall without the express approval of the Commission, advertise to offer any university-level award, organise exhibitions on university education or recruit students in the United Republic of Tanzania to join foreign university institution.

In recent years, Tanzania has experienced the establishment of Overseas Student Recruitment Agencies (OSRAs) to help enroll students in foreign universities. However, this sector has been unregulated as there was no documented information on their registration status as well as guidelines and criteria for the services rendered by such agencies.

In view of the aforesaid, TCU has established guidelines that require every agency intending to carry out overseas education student recruitment to lodge their applications for registration to TCU.

The aim is to ensure the quality of graduates recruited by these agencies, as well be satisfied that students are admitted in institutions which deliver quality higher education. Currently there are 30 Overseas Student Recruitment Agencies registered by the Commission.

To view the licensed Overseas Student Recruitment Agencies, click here.