Malawi’s six public universities have collectively selected 20 682 students out of 29 812 who qualified for both generic residential and Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL programmes as well as two colleges in a move that reflects widened access to higher education.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in conjunction with the National Council for Higher Education (Nche) released the 2026/27 public university selection out of 32 527 applicants.
The intake includes 8 713 females and 11 969 males.
Secretary for Education Ken Ndala said 10 597 students, representing 36 percent of eligible candidates, have been selected into face-to-face programmes while 7 776 or 26 percent will pursue studies through ODeL.
He said 1 000 students have been selected to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) under the economic fee-paying mode, with 1 309 selected into Domasi and Nalikule colleges of education.
Ndala said government is shifting from selecting students based on bed space to prioritising merit and programme capacity to expand access.
“We realise accommodation challenges, but if we relied on bed space, we would not reach these numbers. Universities are constructing hostels and we expect improvements in the coming years,” he said.
To ease financial barriers, Ndala said the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board plans to increase the number of beneficiaries to 38 000 this year, up from 34 000, with coverage extended to some private universities.
Nche acting chief executive officer John Sadalaki said the harmonised selection system has eliminated multiple placements and improved fairness.
However, he stressed the need to maintain quality amid rising demand, noting that private institutions are closely regulated through accreditation and audits.
Luanar Vice-Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda welcomed the selection, saying universities are expanding intake through local and international partnerships.
Despite the increase, thousands remain without places. Last year, 24 582 qualified candidates competed for just 14 175 slots.
The selection covers the University of Malawi, Kamuzu College of Health Sciences, Mzuzu University, Luanar, Malawi University of Science and Technology and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, as well as Domasi and Nalikule colleges of education.
