Paying for higher education in Angola
In Angola there is no general public student loan: higher education is funded mainly through INAGBE scholarships, family income and sometimes a personal loan taken out by a parent in paid employment at their own bank.
No State student loan in Angola
No public student loan programme comparable to those in other countries of the region has been identified. Angolan banks do not lend to a student without income, unless a parent whose salary is domiciled with them stands as guarantor.
INAGBE and domestic scholarships
The Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Bolsas de Estudo awards domestic scholarships for study in Angola. For 2022-2023 their number rose from 8,500 to 11,500, with undergraduate awards reserved for first or second year students under 25.
Master's and doctoral scholarships
For postgraduate study, INAGBE requires Angolan nationality, an average of at least 14 out of 20 in the previous degree, and a maximum age of 35 for a master's or 45 for a doctorate, according to the 2022 call.
Overseas scholarships for study abroad
INAGBE also manages overseas scholarships, notably to Portugal, Brazil and Russia. Delays in paying allowances to scholarship holders have been reported, which often forces families to keep a reserve in foreign currency.
Public and private universities in Luanda
Universidade Agostinho Neto and the provincial public universities charge limited fees, but places are scarce. Private universities in Luanda, Benguela and Huambo charge monthly fees known as propinas, which weigh heavily on family budgets.
When a working parent borrows for the student
The most common solution is for a parent in paid employment to borrow from their bank. This loan follows the rules of salary-backed credit and is recorded in the CIRC in the parent's name, who remains solely responsible for repayment.
Paying school propinas before university
Families already paying for private secondary colégios know these constraints well. Options for covering school fees before the end of secondary education are described on our page about school loans in Angola.
Working while studying in Luanda
Many Angolan students attend evening classes while working during the day in retail, administration or telecommunications. This income pays the propinas, but it is rarely enough on its own to obtain a bank loan.
Company and foundation scholarships
Sonangol, banks and oil operators have funded scholarships for technical courses, often tied to a commitment to work for them. Conditions change from year to year and should be checked directly with the organisation concerned.
Young graduates without a job
After university, many young Angolans spend several months without an employment contract. The training and microcredit options offered through INEFOP are presented on our page about financing without a job in Angola.
Currency risk for studies in Lisbon
Studies in Portugal are paid in euros, while families earn in kwanzas. After the 2023 depreciation, the cost of a year in Lisbon or Porto rose sharply in local currency, which complicates any financing plan.
Botswana's model by contrast
In Botswana, the State funds students through a system of repayable grants, presented on our page about the student loan in Botswana. Angola, by contrast, favours non-repayable scholarships awarded in limited numbers.
Putting together funding for studies in Angola
- Follow the INAGBE application calendar and prepare the transcripts requested.
- Compare the propinas of the public and private universities you are targeting, as well as enrolment fees.
- Look for company or foundation scholarships open in your chosen field.
- If borrowing is necessary, have the employed parent request a personal loan simulation from their bank.
- Keep a cash reserve in case a scholarship payment is delayed.
Study budget in Angola: items to cost
| Expense | Benchmark | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Private university propinas | Monthly, in kwanzas | Institution, course and city |
| Public university | Limited fees | Scarce places, entrance exam |
| Parent's personal loan | Bank's free rate | Domiciled salary, term and insurance |
| Studies in Portugal | In euros | Kwanza exchange rate and cost of living |
INAGBE file and the borrowing parent's documents
- Student's Bilhete de Identidade
- Certificado de habilitações and transcripts
- Proof of admission or enrolment at the institution
- For a parent's loan: declaração de serviço and recibos de vencimento
- NIF of the borrowing parent
Mistakes in funding Angolan studies
- Paying a middleman who promises an INAGBE scholarship for money, when applications go through official channels only.
- Counting on punctual payment of an overseas scholarship with no reserve, then being left without funds abroad.
- Borrowing in kwanzas for fees billed in euros without taking depreciation risk into account.
- Enrolling a student at a private university without checking that the institution and course are recognised by the ministry.
Lenders to contact
- Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA): Angolan commercial bank offering products such as home loans and car loans, with detailed technical information sheets for each credit product.
- Banco Angolano de Investimentos (BAI): Angolan commercial bank granting home loans to individuals and vehicle loans to companies, alongside its wider range of banking services.
- Banco BAI: Angolan commercial bank offering credit to businesses and individuals, including salary-backed loans and online personal credit through BAI Directo.
Scholarships and funding for Angolan students
Is there a bank student loan in Angola?
No general student loan product has been identified. Banks instead finance an employed parent through a personal loan. It is worth asking your own bank whether it offers a specific product for study costs.
Who can apply for an INAGBE domestic scholarship?
Under the 2022-2023 call, first or second year undergraduates under 25 who had not repeated a year could apply. The criteria change, so check each new INAGBE call carefully before submitting an application.
Do INAGBE scholarships have to be repaid?
They are scholarships, not loans: the information available mentions no repayment obligation. Some company scholarships, however, may include a commitment to work for the sponsoring company for a period after graduation.
How can studies in Brazil or Portugal be financed?
Families usually combine an overseas scholarship, savings and sometimes a personal loan. The main risk is currency, since expenses are paid in reais or euros while household income is earned in kwanzas.