Govt justifies public university fees hike

Government has assured Malawians that no eligible student will be denied access to higher education despite the increase in public university tuition fees.

In a statement, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the selection process for loans and grants has also been strengthened to ensure more financially disadvantaged students benefit from the programme.

Meanwhile, under the revised fee structure, annual undergraduate tuition at UNIMA, LUANAR, MUBAS, MUST and Mzuzu University has increased from K650,000 to K1.3 million, while fees at KUHeS have risen from K1 million to K2 million.

The new fees will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic year.

The ministry has also said that the fee adjustment is intended to improve the quality of teaching and learning, strengthen laboratory and ICT facilities, enhance student welfare, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of public universities.