TCU The Tanzania Commission for Universities Details

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.

Almanac of Meetings of the TCU and its Committees

The Governance and Organisation Structure of the Tanzania Commission for Universities is comprised of the Commission, Committees of the Commission and the Secretariat.

The Commission is the highest decision-making organ which provides an oversight role on all matters related to university education in Tanzania. The Commission operates through the Committees established under Section 9 of the Universities Act, Cap. 346 which provide technical advice to the Commission.

Guided by the appropriate government instruments, the Commission holds its meetings on quarterly basis (4 meetings per year). Matters which require the decision of the Commission therefore, need to be submitted to the secretariat, channeled to the appropriate Committee then presented to the Commission for the final decision and/or guidance. The decision of the Commission is then communicated to the respective stakeholders by the Secretariat.

TCU Almanac July 2025 to June 2026

TCU Tanzania Statistics

University Institutions: 50

Academic Programmes: 2,212

Overseas Student Recruitment Agencies: 27

TCU Tanzania Official Working Hours

Our offices are open from Mondays to Fridays between 07:30am to 03:30pm. Also, services are offered online from Mondays to Fridays. There is no physical service on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.