Overview
Addis Ababa University (AAU) is Ethiopia’s oldest and most prestigious higher education institution, established in 1950 as University College of Addis Ababa. As the flagship university of Ethiopia, AAU has played a central role in the country’s academic and intellectual development. The university operates across multiple campuses in the capital city, offering comprehensive programs in diverse fields while maintaining particular strengths in development studies, African linguistics, and environmental sciences.
With 48,000+ students and 3,000+ academic staff (2023 reporting), AAU serves as Ethiopia’s primary research institution and one of the largest universities in East Africa. The university maintains strong international partnerships while focusing on research that addresses Ethiopia’s development challenges. AAU’s alumni include numerous prominent Ethiopian scholars, politicians, and professionals who have shaped the nation’s modern history. If you are also considering other options for science, engineering, and technology degrees, you may want to compare AAU with Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU).
2. General Information
| Name | Addis Ababa University (AAU) |
| Established | 1950 |
| Type | Public Research University |
| Location | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (multiple campuses) |
| Website | www.aau.edu.et |
| Student Population | 48,000+ (2023 data) |
| Academic Staff | 3,000+ |
| Language of Instruction | English (primary), Amharic |
3. Fee Structure
| Program | Tuition Fee (per semester, approx.) |
| Undergraduate Programs | ETB 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Medicine | ETB 8,000 |
| Engineering | ETB 7,000 |
| Graduate Programs | ETB 8,000 – 15,000 |
| International Students | $1,200 – $2,500 per semester |
| Continuing Education | ETB 4,000 – 10,000 per program |
4. Academic Programs
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- College of Health Sciences:
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Nursing
- College of Social Sciences:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- College of Humanities:
- Ethiopian Languages
- History
- Philosophy
- Archaeology
- Institute of Technology:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Graduate Studies:
- 100+ Master’s programs
- 60+ PhD programs
5. Facilities
- Main library with 700,000+ volumes
- Specialized research institutes
- Modern science and engineering labs
- Teaching hospital (Black Lion Hospital)
- Computer centers with internet access
- Student union and recreational facilities
- Museums (ethnological and archaeological)
- Distance education centers
6. Accommodation
AAU provides limited on-campus housing primarily for undergraduate students, with priority given to those from outside Addis Ababa. Most graduate students and international students arrange private accommodation in the city. If you are looking at additional student options outside Addis Ababa, you can also explore University of Gondar or Hawassa University for campus life and housing context in other regions.
- On-campus dormitories: ETB 500-1,000/month
- University-approved off-campus housing: ETB 1,500-3,500/month
- International student housing: $150-300/month
- Meal plans available at campus cafeterias
7. Contact Information
- Email: info@aau.edu.et
- Phone: +251 111 239 737
- Address: Sidist Kilo Campus, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
More Universities in Ethiopia
- University of Gondar
- Jimma University
- Bahir Dar University
- Mekelle University
- Haramaya University
- Hawassa University
- Arba Minch University
- Adama Science & Technology University
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