Overview
The Somali National University (SNU), originally established in 1954 and officially recognized as a national university in 1969, is Somalia’s historic public university. After decades of closure during civil conflict, it was rebuilt and reopened in Mogadishu in August 2014. Today SNU serves approximately 16,000 students across multiple campuses including Gahler, Digger medical campus, Lafoole Teaching College, and the Polytechnic College. It operates as a tuition-free public institution, although students pay modest yearly faculty fees to support academic operations
SNU offers education through 15 faculties, covering fields such as medicine, engineering, veterinary science, agriculture, economics, law, education, social sciences, Islamic studies, languages, and health sciences. The university emphasizes rebuilding higher education in Somalia through research, community service, and rebuilding human capital. SNU promotes equitable access to education, technological innovation, and humanities curricula in multiple language faculties
2. General Information
| Name | Somali National University |
| Established | 1954 (university status from 1969) |
| Type | Public university |
| Location | Mogadishu, Somalia |
| Students | ≈ 16,000 across five campuses |
| Faculties | 15 faculties including Medicine, Engineering, Veterinary, Agriculture, Economics, Law, Education, Language & Islamic Studies, Social Sciences |
| Website | https://snu.edu.so |
3. Fee Structure
| Program | Annual Fee (USD) |
| Application fee | $30 (non‑refundable) |
| Admission fee | $50 (upon acceptance) |
| Faculty-based charge | Medicine / Science / Engineering: ~$250/year Economics / Law / Social Sciences / Languages: ~$160/year Agriculture / Veterinary: ~$160/year Education / Islamic Studies: ~$100/year Health Sciences & Tropical Medicine: ~$200/year |
4. Academic Programs
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in faculties such as Medicine & Surgery, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Architecture), Veterinary Science, Agriculture, Economics & Management, Law, Education, Islamic & Language Studies, Social Sciences, Health Sciences & Tropical Medicine, Science and Languages.
- Professional training and certificate programs in collaboration with regional institutions.
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP) preparatory program for language proficiency and academic readiness.
5. Facilities
- Campuses in Mogadishu Gahler main site, Digger medical faculty, Lafoole teaching college, Polytechnic College.
- Faculty-specific labs such as medical clinic facilities near Digger Hospital and engineering workshops.
- Libraries and bookstores with thousands of volumes and language study support
- Research and outreach centers as part of graduate school functionality.
6. Accommodation
SNU does not operate official student dormitories. Most students arrange shared or private accommodation in Mogadishu. University student services offer support and referrals for housing, especially for incoming or returning students.
- Private or shared rental housing in Mogadishu city
- Referrals via student support or admissions offices
7. Contact Information
- Email: via official contact forms at snu.edu.so
- Phone: listed through university’s central admissions directory
- Address: Multiple campuses in Mogadishu; main administration at Gahler Campus, Mogadishu, Somalia
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