Fourah Bay College

Freetown, Sierra Leone · University · Public institution · Founded 1827 · Accredited by Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Sierra Leone; public university continued by the Universities Act 2021; TEC programmatic accreditation per uniRank · Taught in English · 3,465 students

Fourah Bay College is a public university in the neighbourhood of Mount Aureol in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Founded on 18 February 1827, it is the first western-style university built in Sub-Saharan Africa and, furthermore, the first university-level institution in Africa. It is a constituent college of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) and was formerly affiliated with Durham University (1876–1967).

Programmes

• English
• Linguistics
• French
• Philosophy
• Theology
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geology
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Accounting and Finance
• Economics
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Political Science
• Mass Communication
• Law (LLB)

Tuition

• Tuition: SLE 3,438 to 9,472 per year
• 2025/26 tuition for Sierra Leoneans: NLe 3,438 (Arts/Social Sciences, later years) to NLe 9,472 (Law); Engineering NLe 4,883 to 6,268; Pure Sciences NLe 5,860 to 7,175. Registration NLe 200.

Admissions

• Degree: 5 WASSCE/GCE O-Level credits in no more than two sittings, including at least C6 in English Language, plus faculty requirements
• Diploma: 4 credits including English; Certificate: 3 credits including English
• Mature entry only for some diplomas and certificates (5+ years of experience)
• Accepts international applicants

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