Zambian Open University

Private university in Zambia

Zambian Open UniversityMotto| University without walls

|

Type| Private
Established| 2002
Founder| Mr. Edward Choolwe

Academic affiliation

| AAU, ACU, HEA
Location|

Lusaka

Zambia

15°25′37″S 28°11′58″E﻿ / ﻿15.4270°S 28.1995°E﻿ / -15.4270; 28.1995
Campus| Urban
Nickname| ZAOU
Website| zaou.ac.zm

Zambian Open University (ZAOU) is a private university, founded in 2002. It is one of the oldest private universities in Zambia. It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.[1][2][3][4]

## School of Education

[edit]

The School of Education is one of the two original Schools of the Zambian Open University (ZAOU) that started as soon as the University opened its doors to students in 2005. The other pioneer school was the School of Law and Social Sciences.

The School of Education started with three programmes namely Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, Bachelor of Education in Primary Education and Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education. Later the School developed three other programmes: Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling and Bachelor of Education in Special Education.

In 2012, the University decided to abolish the School of Media, Performing and Fine Arts. As a result, Fine Arts was absorbed into the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, while Theatre Arts was incorporated in the School of Education, thus giving seven programmes to the School of Education, making it the biggest School in the University.

## School of Agricultural Sciences

[edit]

The school offers several degree programmes.

Undergraduate programs offered;

Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)

Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science with Education)

Bachelor of Science ( Agribusiness Management)

Bachelor of Science ( Agricultural Economics)

Bachelor of Science ( Agricultural Extension)

Bachelor of Science (Horticulture)

Bachelor of Science (Plant Science)

## School of Humanities and Social Sciences

[edit]

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences has three Departments, namely, Development Studies, Governance and Public Administration and Fine Arts. Each of these Departments offers a Degree Programme.

Undergraduate Degrees offered;

Bachelor of Arts with Development Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Governance and Public Administration

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Bachelor of Social Work

## School of Law

[edit]

The School of Law at Zambian Open University is the second law school to be established in Zambia after the school of law at the University of Zambia. It is one of the oldest schools at ZAOU. The School of Law is currently the biggest Law School in Zambia.

## School of Graduate Studies

[edit]

The Zambian Open University started offering post-graduate studies in 2006 with an intake of 15 students in one program – Master’s degree of Education in Literacy and Development. Since then more postgraduate programs [5] have been introduced; including:

Master of Business Administration

Master of Business Administration (Human Resources Management)

Master of Business Administration (Project Management)

Master of Arts in History

Master of Arts in Special Education

Master of Arts in English Language and Linguistics

Master of Arts in Linguistics and African Languages

Master of Arts in Religious Studies

Master of Arts in Transformative Community Development

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education

Master of science in Geography

Master of Education in Literacy and Development

Master of Education in Management and Administration

Master of Arts in Development Studies

Master of Arts in Sociology

Master of Arts in Trade, Development and International Relations

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

Master of Laws (with various specializations)

Master in Peace, Security and Strategic Studies(MPSSS)

Master of Science in Plant Studies

Master of Science in Agricultural Economics

Master of Science in Animal Breeding and Genetics.

DOCTORATE PROGRAMS [6] including:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Early Childhood Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education, Management and Administration

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Special Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Linguistics

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Literacy and Development

Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Development Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law

## School of Business Studies

[edit]

The School of business Studies offers a number of degree programmes which include Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes. The Programmes are offered on full-time and open and distance learning.

ACCA Accreditation

Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) Degree Programme offered by the Zambian Open University was in January, 2020 accredited by the Association of Charted Certified Accountants (ACCA). In this regard ACCA members will be offered Exemptions in order to obtain a Degree in Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) offered by ZAOU.

## ZAOU students vs the Zambia Institute for Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE)

[edit]

In 2009 the Lusaka High Court ordered the Zambia Institute for Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) to enrol law students from Zambia Open University (ZAOU) for the 2009 and 2010 legal practitioners qualifying course after the student took ZIALE to court. The High Court Judge Nigel Mutuna in his judgment delivered in chambers also directed the counsel for ZIALE to certify the ZAOU law degree qualifications as being equivalent to those offered at the University of Zambia (UNZA).This move by ZAOU students enabled law students from other private universities to be enrolled at ZIALE to this day.

## Notable Alumni

[edit]

* Vincent Mwale (Former Minister)[citation needed]
* Jean Kapata (Former Minister)[citation needed]
* Coaster Mwansa (Media Personality)[citation needed]
* Simon Mwila Mulenga (Lawyer)[citation needed]

## See also

[edit]

* List of universities in Zambia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Association of Commonwealth Universities Members in Zambia". Association of Commonwealth Universities. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
2. ^ "Prof. Yamba appointed Zambia Open University Chancellor". www.lusakatimes.com. July 23, 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
3. ^ "Zambian Open University". www.educationinzambia.com. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
4. ^ "ZAOU partners eLearnAfrica to extend learning throughout Africa". IT News Africa. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
5. ^ "Zambia Open University". zaou.ac.zm. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
6. ^ "Zambia Open University". zaou.ac.zm. Retrieved 2025-08-17.

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