Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

Dakar, Senegal

The Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD) is a major public university in Dakar, Senegal. Named after the prominent Senegalese scientist and historian Cheikh Anta Diop, it serves over 60,000 students and stands as one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in West Africa.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

Cost Of Living

$ 40000

Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar Departments

  • Department of Germanic Languages and Civilizations
  • Department of English Languages and Civilizations
  • Department of Arabic Languages and Civilizations
  • Department of Romance Languages
  • Department of History
  • Department of Geography
  • Department of Ancient Languages and Civilizations
  • Department of Modern Literature
  • Department of Linguistics
  • Department of Philosophy
  • Department of Psychology
  • Department of Slavic Languages and Civilizations
  • Department of Sociology
  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Department of Physics-Chemistry-Materials Science
  • Department of Biology-Chemistry-Geosciences
  • Department of Plant Biology
  • Department of Geology
  • Department of Geology
  • Department of Physics
  • Department of Economic Analysis and Policy
  • Department of Decision Mathematics
  • Department of Management
  • Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties
  • Department of Medical Biology and Functional Explorations
  • Department of Human Genetics
  • Department of Parasitology-Mycology
  • Department of Public Law
  • Department of Political Studies
  • Department of Educational Management and Administration

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

 UCAD's mission is deeply rooted in the education of African elites, the promotion of cutting-edge research, and the active contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of Senegal and Africa. The university's guiding motto, "Lux mea lex" (Light is my law), reflects its unwavering commitment to enlightenment, knowledge dissemination, and intellectual integrity. Its vision is to operate as a high-performance university at the service of sustainable development while remaining firmly grounded in the value systems that form the foundation of the Senegalese nation. Inclusivity is a core principle, as UCAD is open to all qualified students without distinction of nationality, race, gender, or religion.

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Distinguished Alumni of Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

Infrastructure & Facilities at Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

The general infrastructure of UCAD comprises a vast urban campus that blends historical heritage with modern functional spaces to meet the demands of a growing academic community. While many amphitheaters are often overcrowded and student residences have historically been saturated, significant government-led efforts are underway to expand capacity. The university is equipped with administrative offices, research centers, state-of-the-art laboratories, and recently improved student housing. Modern amenities, such as a newly renovated prosthodontics clinic and the ongoing construction of a dental training center, highlight the university's commitment to strengthening its physical infrastructure across all faculties.

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Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar Student Life

Student life at UCAD is exceptionally vibrant, characterized by a bustling campus atmosphere filled with academic, cultural, and social activities throughout the year. Students are actively engaged in various clubs, associations, and political movements, fostering a strong sense of community and civic participation. Beyond academics, students often participate in income-generating activities to supplement their stipends, showcasing their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. The campus serves as a microcosm of Senegalese society, where intellectual discourse thrives alongside artistic expression, making the student experience at UCAD both enriching and transformative.

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Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar Career support

Career support at UCAD is strategically focused on tackling graduate unemployment by fostering student entrepreneurship and professional integration. The university leads initiatives such as the UCAD Leadership Factory (ULF) and the "TÀGGU NDAW ÑI" incubator, which provide comprehensive training in management skills, intellectual property, and legal structuring to aspiring entrepreneurs. Strong partnerships with corporate entities like Mazars Senegal further bolster these efforts by developing student employability through practical workshops, internship opportunities, and direct connections to the professional world, effectively bridging the gap between academic training and the job market.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

1. For Senegalese baccalaureate holders: admission is processed through the national orientation platform, Campusen.

2. For holders of foreign baccalaureates: admission is done exclusively through the CAMPUSEN platform (http://orientation.campusen.sn).

Required Documents for First Time Registration

3. A receipt for registration fees.

4. A certified copy of the provisional BAC certificate.

5. A certified copy of the BAC transcript.

6. A birth certificate.

7. A certified copy of the national identity card.

8. A recent passport sized photo.

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

Student recruitment at UCAD is strictly managed through the national orientation platform, Campusen, for all Senegalese baccalaureate holders. For international students holding foreign baccalaureates, admission is also processed exclusively via the Campusen portal, ensuring a centralized and equitable admission process. Newly admitted baccalaureate holders must validate their orientation proposal and pay registration fees of 25,000 FCFA, accompanied by a transfer fee of 500 FCFA. The required documentation for first-time registration includes a receipt for registration fees, a certified copy of the provisional BAC certificate, a certified copy of the BAC transcript, a birth certificate, a certified copy of the national identity card, and a recent passport photo.

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  • American Express

Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar Corporate Partnership

  • Sonatel : Sonatel has signed a strategic partnership with UCAD to strengthen training in digital professions and accelerate the university's digital transformation. Students benefit from enhanced connectivity, digital services, and specialized training programs that prepare them for the digital job market.
  • Industries Chimiques du Sénégal (ICS-INDORAMA) : The École Supérieure Polytechnique (ESP) of UCAD has a strategic partnership with ICS-INDORAMA to strengthen training and support for the Senegalese industry. This collaboration provides students with practical experience, internships, and potential employment opportunities in the chemical industry.
  • Mazars Sénégal : The Fondation UCAD has signed a framework partnership agreement with Mazars Sénégal to support students in their academic success and socio-professional integration. This partnership focuses on developing student employability through the UCAD Leadership Factory (ULF) program
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Notable Achievements of Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

Achievements

01.
Entry into Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

UCAD achieved a major milestone by entering the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the first time. The university was ranked 76th out of 151 African universities and was recognized in six disciplines, including Medicine and Health, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences

Year
2026
02.
Victory at the ECOWAS Court of Justice Moot Court Competition

The Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences (FSJP) of UCAD won the 2nd edition of the ECOWAS Court of Justice Moot Court Competition, solidifying the university's status as a leading academic institution in West Africa

Year
2026
03.
Exceptional Performance at CAMES CCI 2025

UCAD reinforced its position as a university of excellence with a remarkable 96.2% success rate at the 2025 Consultative Inter-African Committees (CCI) of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), up from 94.2% in 2024

Year
2025

Notable Innovation, Research & Development Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar

Notable Innovation

01.
INFILTR’EAU Automatic Infiltrometer

Dr. Waly Faye of UCAD developed INFILTR’EAU, an automatic infiltrometer that is faster and more precise than traditional methods. This tool facilitates the measurement of water infiltration variables, particularly hydraulic conductivity, which is essential for modeling water circulation in soil, especially in semi-arid zones

Year
2024
02.
Innovation in the Exploitation of Thiès Phosphates

A team of UCAD researchers developed a process for recovering and separating alumina and phosphate from the aluminium phosphates of Thiès. This innovation, patented under OAPI number 21680, allows for the production of 95% pure alumina and phosphate concentrate, offering an economically and ecologically viable method for valorizing this important mining resource

Year
2024

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