University enrolment and examination data in Namibia have raised concerns about the institutions’ financial sustainability.
A recent survey by The Brief has revealed how student performance directly influences university revenue and enrolment patterns.
The 2024 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) results showed an improvement in qualification rates, rising from 25.2% in 2023 to 29.5% in 2024.
However, the number of students meeting university entry requirements remains significantly low, placing financial strain on institutions dependent on tuition revenue.
UNAM has seen a sharp decline in student enrolment over the past few years. The total student population has dropped from 29,151 in 2020 to 24,721 in 2024.
The most decline was seen in the first-year enrolments, which fell from 8,543 in 2023 to 6,097 in 2024.
According to UNAM’s Corporate Communications and International Relations Manager Simon Namesho, lower student retention and declining enrolments impact tuition income, which is a critical revenue source.
Namesho said although the university receives government subsidies, research grants, and project-based funding, these sources remain insufficient to cover all operational costs, leading to limitations in capital projects and programme expansions.
“In addition to tuition fees, UNAM’s revenue is also supplemented by annual government subsidies, research grants, and project-based funding. However, given the University’s size, these sources remain insufficient to fully cover operational costs, the opportunity cost being capital projects and the launch of new programmes. The recent decline in total enrolment, particularly in first-year admissions, is a growing concern, as it directly impacts tuition income,” Namesho said.
NUST has observed a steady increase in student enrolment despite academic performance challenges.
According to NUST Public Relations Officer Cindy-Lee van Wyk, enrolment figures stood at 16,609 in 2023 and increased to 17,546 in 2024.
The number of new students enrolling has also shown positive growth, with 4,850 new students in 2024 compared to 3,073 in 2021.
“The non-performance of students has an impact on the revenue especially if a student fails a year of their studies. When this happens to a bursary holder or a funded student, their financial aid can be revoked in the following academic year. This practice has been a common practice by funders, with the student then expected to carry the costs themselves. Over time, this has resulted in either the student taking a gap year to raise funds for tuition, or entering into a payment agreement plan with the University. Both cases result in increased student debt, which has a bearing on the University’s coffers,” van Wyk said.
Despite these challenges, NUST maintains an undergraduate promotion rate of approximately 89% and a student retention rate of over 81%, helping to stabilise revenue streams.
While NUST continues to experience slow but steady growth, UNAM’s declining enrolment raises concerns about long-term sustainability.
The International University of Management (IUM) was unable to provide enrolment data before publication.
