Study in Mali

Mali's higher education system includes academic and professional programs in sciences, technology, engineering, health, agriculture, water and forests, livestock, law, political and public administration, economics and management, languages and literature, social sciences, education, communication and journalism, social work, sport and youth, and Islamic studies. Programs may be offered during the day or, in some cases, in the evening. Professional qualifications include Licence Professionnelle, DUT, BTS, DTS and engineering diplomas. The national LMD structure follows the 2008 framework decree, although implementation differs between institutions and some programs are undergoing reorganization. A Licence normally lasts six semesters and requires 180 credits. A Master normally lasts four semesters and requires 120 credits. A Doctorat normally lasts six semesters and requires 180 credits, research work and a thesis. One semester represents 30 credits. DUT, BTS, DTS, engineering diplomas and state-recognized doctoral qualifications supplement the LMD structure. Completing a diploma does not automatically provide access to the next program because capacity, program authorization, selection and institutional rules still apply. Mali has public universities, public grandes écoles and institutes, and private higher education institutions. DGESRS records 10 public universities, 13 public grandes écoles and institutes, and 207 private higher education institutions; public higher education institutions enrolled 140,375 students in 2023. Public universities include Université de Gao, Université de Kayes, Université de Ségou, Université de Sikasso, Université de Tombouctou, USSGB, USTTB, UKB, UPB and UYOB. Public grandes écoles and institutes include CIAR-Mali, CERFILTEX, ENI-ABT, ENETP, ENSUP, ESJSC, IPU, IHERI-ABT, INFTS, INFSS, INJS, IPR/IFRA and IZSEJ. The Baccalauréat or an accepted equivalent is the usual entry qualification for first-degree study. A Master's program normally requires a Licence or equivalent, while a Doctorat normally requires a Master or equivalent. Programs may use open registration, file review or a competitive examination. Exact age, nationality, document and selection rules depend on the institution and program. Common documents include a copy of the Baccalauréat or previous diploma, transcripts, a birth certificate, a certificate of nationality and photographs; some programs also request a CV or an equivalence document. Applicants to public institutions must generally pre-register online through Campus Mali. The platform allows applicants to search by level, field, institution and qualification, and normally permits up to three choices. After an institution accepts one choice, the applicant confirms it and completes physical registration and payment. Private institutions use their own application procedures, deadlines and document requirements. There is no single national fee for all higher education programs. Campus Mali displays the applicable registration and teaching fees for each public program, while private institutions set their own tariffs. For example, a USSGB Licence may show a one-time registration fee of XOF 20,000, annual teaching fees of XOF 450,000, annual library and card charges of XOF 10,000, and a mémoire charge of XOF 20,000. A 2026 USTTB Master's specialization gives different totals: XOF 250,000 registration plus XOF 600,000 per year for a non-scholarship UEMOA student, and XOF 500,000 registration plus XOF 1,200,000 per year for a scholarship holder or a non-UEMOA student. These examples are institution-specific and do not establish a national tariff. CENOU administers student services and financial support such as scholarships, trousseau payments, internship, mémoire and thesis allowances, transport support, housing, meals, health and social assistance. Scholarship decisions use academic and social criteria and are not automatic. The MON CENOU platform and SAMA Money are used for relevant digital processes. CENOU residences and restaurants operate in locations including Bamako, Koulikoro, Ségou and Kabala. DGESRS also manages additional scholarship opportunities for study abroad. MESRS sets national higher education policy, manages access and student flows, and supervises public and private institutions. DGESRS implements policy, provides information, handles admissions and habilitation, and manages diploma equivalence. AMAQ-SUP evaluates institutions, programs and research as the higher-education quality-assurance body. A private institution needs authorization to be created and opened, and its programs need habilitation, meaning formal authorization to offer the recognized program. A foreign diploma is assessed by DGESRS through an equivalence process. The resulting equivalence letter confirms how the qualification is treated in Mali after review. Listed fees are XOF 5,000 for a Baccalauréat, XOF 15,000 for a DEUG, DUT or BTS, XOF 20,000 for a Licence or Maîtrise, XOF 25,000 for a Master, DEA, DESS or engineering diploma, and XOF 30,000 for a Doctorat, CES or DES. DU qualifications and short, refresher or professional-development certificates are not automatically eligible for equivalence. The usual progression is from the Baccalauréat to a Licence, Licence Professionnelle, DUT, DTS or BTS, or to a grande école through a competitive examination; from a Licence to a Master or employment; and from a Master to a Doctorat. The appropriate study progression depends on the qualification, institution, available places, program authorization and selection rules.