University Of Livingstonia

What University Of Livingstonia does

The University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) is a private faith-based university established in 2003 by the CCAP (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian) Synod of Livingstonia, operating from Mzuzu in Malawi's northern region. It is Malawi's first privately owned university and traces its institutional legacy to Rev. Dr Robert Laws and the Overtoun Institute founded at Khondowe in the early 1900s. The institution offers accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes spanning Education, Sciences (including Computer Engineering, Environmental Management, Public Health, Food Security and Nutrition), Theology and Religious Studies, Business (Accountancy, Business Management), Social Sciences, Journalism, and Agriculture, with specialised master's degrees in Global Sanitation and Public Health/Infectious Disease Epidemiology.

UNILIA delivers education through five functional campuses — Laws Campus (Rumphi District), Ekwendeni Campus (Mzimba District), Kaning'ina Campus (Mzuzu), Ekwendeni College of Health Sciences, and the developing Lilongwe Campus in Area 18 — and is scaling an Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) channel to extend reach beyond physical sites. Revenue is generated almost entirely from tuition and academic fees billed per semester, with programme-level pricing ranging from approximately MK 275,000 for certificate programmes to MK 1,100,000 for master's programmes, denominated in Malawian Kwacha. Additional student-paid charges cover boarding, graduation fees, and weekend/evening delivery premiums. The customer base consists of individual prospective higher education students in Malawi, with no disclosed enterprise customers and no venture, private equity, or public shareholders.

The institution holds National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) accreditation across its core campuses, has retained Malawi's top private university position in Webometrics rankings since 2020, and was awarded the 2023 ESQR International Diamond Prize for Excellence. International partnerships include the University of Aberdeen, Lancaster University, Chandigarh University, and multiple German universities (Munster, Freiburg, Dortmund, Helmholtz) supporting research, curriculum development, and academic exchange. The UNILIA Foundation, a US-based charity, supplements scholarship and infrastructure funding. As of October 2025, the university had produced 7,541 cumulative graduates, including 1,144 in the most recent cohort, of which 57% were female.

Name

University Of Livingstonia

Legal name

University of Livingstonia

Website

https://unilia.ac.mw

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

University of Livingstonia is a private faith-based university in Malawi owned by the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, delivering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across five campuses to Malawian higher education students and funded primarily by tuition fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Higher Education Capacity Building & Scholarships (BPADAKAG)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Postgraduate degree programs
• Distance learning education
• Theological education

Headquarters

HQ city

Mzuzu

HQ country

Malawi

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Primary revenue from tuition fees charged per semester for undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and postgraduate programmes. Fees vary by programme level and delivery mode (on-campus vs off-campus).

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) is a private, faith-based higher education institution in Malawi that delivers accredited undergraduate, diploma, certificate, and postgraduate degree programmes across multiple disciplines including Education, Sciences, Theology, Social Sciences, Business, Agriculture, Health Sciences, and Journalism. Programmes are delivered through three primary campuses (Laws, Ekwendeni, and Kaning'ina) plus a developing Lilongwe campus, with growing Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) options.

Product overview

University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) is a private university in Malawi operated by the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, offering a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across three main campuses: Laws Campus (core sciences, education, public health, computer engineering), Ekwendeni Campus (theology and social sciences), and Kaning'ina Campus (business, communication, agriculture). The academic offerings include Bachelor degrees in Education (Sciences, Humanities, ICT), Science programs (Computer Engineering, Environmental Management, Public Health, Food Security and Nutrition), Social Sciences (Development Studies, Human Rights), Theology, Business (Accountancy, Business Management), Journalism, and Agriculture. Postgraduate offerings include Master of Arts programs in Theology and Development/Gender/Religious Studies, MSc Global Sanitation, and MSc Public Health with focus on Infectious Disease Epidemiology. The university is developing Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) delivery for all programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Education in Sciences Undergraduate Bachelor of Education programme focusing on science subjects, offered at Laws Campus for students preparing to teach science at secondary level.
• Bachelor of Education in Humanities Undergraduate Bachelor of Education programme focusing on humanities subjects, offered at Laws Campus.
• Bachelor of Education in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Undergraduate Bachelor of Education programme with focus on ICT, offered at Laws Campus.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Undergraduate degree programme in Computer Engineering, offered at Laws Campus.
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Undergraduate degree in Environmental Management focusing on environmental sustainability and resource management.
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health Undergraduate degree in Public Health, offered at Laws Campus.
• Bachelor of Science in Food Security and Nutrition Undergraduate degree focusing on food security, nutrition science, and sustainable food systems.
• Bachelor of Social Science in Development Studies Undergraduate degree in Development Studies, offered at Ekwendeni Campus.
• Bachelor of Social Science in Human Rights Undergraduate degree focusing on human rights studies and social justice.
• Bachelor of Theology Undergraduate degree in Theology offered at Ekwendeni Campus.
• Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Development Undergraduate degree combining theology with development studies.
• Bachelor of Accountancy Undergraduate degree in Accountancy offered at Kaning'ina Campus.
• Bachelor of Business Management Undergraduate degree in Business Management offered at Kaning'ina Campus.
• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Development Communication Undergraduate degree in Journalism and Development Communication offered at Kaning'ina Campus.
• Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture Undergraduate degree in Sustainable Agriculture offered at Kaning'ina Campus.
• Bachelor of Science in Rural and Agrarian Development Undergraduate degree focusing on rural and agrarian development.
• Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Undergraduate degree in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship.
• Bachelor of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations Undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, registered by NCHE in 2023.
• Bachelor of Education in Agriculture Undergraduate education degree specialising in agriculture, registered by NCHE in 2023.
• Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies Postgraduate Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies offered at Ekwendeni Campus.
• Master of Arts in Theology and Gender Studies Postgraduate Master of Arts combining theology with gender studies.
• Master of Arts in Theology and Development Studies Postgraduate Master of Arts in Theology and Development Studies.
• MSc Global Sanitation Master of Science in Global Sanitation, a specialised postgraduate programme hosted at gsgs.unilia.ac.mw, aligned with Lancaster University partnership on sanitation issues.
• MSc Public Health (Infectious Disease Epidemiology) Master in Public Health focusing on Infectious Disease Epidemiology, developed with DAAD funding in partnership with University of Mzuzu, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, and Universities of Munster and Freiburg through the Nozgeka Project.
• Diploma Programmes Diploma-level qualifications offered across various disciplines at UNILIA campuses, priced at MK 385,000 tuition and academic fees per semester (off-campus) or MK 485,000 on-campus with boarding.
• Certificate Programmes Certificate-level qualifications offered at UNILIA, priced at MK 275,000 tuition and academic fees per semester (off-campus) or MK 375,000 on-campus with boarding.
• Weekend and Evening Courses Flexible weekend and evening course delivery at MK 618,750 per semester, designed for working students and mature learners who cannot attend regular weekday classes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top private university ranking maintained since 2020 in Webometrics
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Taylor University (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Donated microscopes and science books to UNILIA. Donation followed a partnership visit by the Vice Chancellor to the US in August 2025 with logistical support from Professor Philip Grabowski. Equipment distributed to Laws, Kaning'ina, and Lilongwe campuses.
• Lancaster University (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024MoU signed for knowledge sharing and academic staff exchange. Partnership focused on sanitation issues aligned with UNILIA's Master of Science in Global Sanitation programme. Professors will exchange for teaching.
• Chandigarh University (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024MoU signed for research, academic staff exchange, student mobility and cultural exchange. Collaboration aims to foster academic exchange and research initiatives between institutions.
• University of Aberdeen (Scotland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Exploring potential for partnership in research, knowledge transfer and other areas. Officials visited UNILIA campuses in February 2024. Leading mentorship for British Academy Writing Workshops Award. Areas of focus include research collaboration and academic exchange.
• University of Munster (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Supporting curriculum development for Nozgeka Project - Master in Public Health focusing on Infectious Disease Epidemiology.
• University of Freiburg (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Supporting curriculum development for Nozgeka Project - Master in Public Health focusing on Infectious Disease Epidemiology.
• Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Coordinating Nozgeka Project from German side. Partnership with University of Mzuzu and UNILIA for Master in Public Health focusing on Infectious Disease Epidemiology.
• University of Dortmund (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical lead of CoMMPASS programme (Communicating Migration and Mobility: E-learning Programs and Newsroom Applications for sub-Saharan Africa) funded by European Union.
• Malawi University of Business and Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoMMPASS programme partner in Malawi alongside UNILIA.
• Makerere University (Uganda)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoMMPASS programme partner in Uganda alongside Uganda Christian University.
• Uganda Christian UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoMMPASS programme partner in Uganda alongside Makerere University.
• University Joseph Ki-Zerbo (Burkina Faso)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoMMPASS programme partner in Burkina Faso alongside University of Thomas Sankara.
• University of Thomas Sankara (Burkina Faso)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoMMPASS programme partner in Burkina Faso alongside University Joseph Ki-Zerbo.
• University Institute of Lisbon (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoMMPASS programme partner in Europe implementing the migration reporting award programme.
• University of Mzuzu (MZUNI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Nozgeka Project alongside UNILIA. Universities of Livingstonia and Mzuzu implementing Master in Public Health focusing on Infectious Disease Epidemiology with DAAD funding.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• University of Zambia (UNZA): Public university in Zambia — one of UNILIA's stated operating geographies. Comparable higher education peer in the same Southern African regional market for cross-border student recruitment.
• University of Dar es Salaam: Public university in Tanzania — one of UNILIA's stated operating geographies. Comparable regional higher education peer for student recruitment and academic partnership opportunities in East Africa.

Direct peers

• Mzuzu University: Public university also located in Mzuzu, northern Malawi. Direct peer for tertiary education in the same region, co-partner in the DAAD-funded Nozgeka Project (MSc Public Health).
• University of Malawi: Malawi's flagship public university system (UNIMA, Bunda, Chancellor College). Comparable higher education institution in Malawi; provides the closest benchmark for academic programme portfolio and competition.
• DMI-St. Eugene University: Private university in Malawi. Competes with UNILIA for private-university students across multiple disciplines.
• Catholic University of Malawi: Private faith-based university in Malawi. Directly comparable as another private religious higher-education institution competing for the same student segment in Malawi.
• Pentecostal University of Malawi: Private faith-based university in Malawi. Comparable faith-based higher education peer competing for the same religiously-affiliated student segment.
• Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR): Public university headquartered in Lilongwe, Malawi, with a strong focus on agriculture and natural sciences. Comparable to UNILIA's Sustainable Agriculture, Agri-Business, and Environmental Management programmes; will be a co-located peer in Lilongwe.
• Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS): Public university in Blantyre, Malawi. Comparable peer in business and applied sciences programmes; co-implementation partner with UNILIA on the EU-funded CoMMPASS programme.

Emerging players

• Exploits University: Private university in Malawi. Comparable emerging private higher education institution targeting similar student segments in Malawi.

Market position

Strengths6 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-livingstonia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University Of Livingstonia