# Barwaaqo University, Somaliland's women's university

> Barwaaqo University near Hargeisa: Somaliland's first residential women's university, founded 2017, its education degrees, fees, admission and results.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/institutions/barwaaqo-university/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## In short

Barwaaqo University (BU), in Somali *Jaamacadda Barwaaqo*, is a non-profit university for women in [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwaaqo_University)). It is Somaliland's first residential women's university (same source). Its campus is near Baliga Cas, about 30 km north of Hargeisa (same source).

It belongs to the Abaarso Network with [Abaarso School](/en/institutions/abaarso-school/) and the Kaabe primary schools ([Abaarso Network](https://abaarsonetwork.org/)).

## How it started

Ava Ramberg and Jonathan Starr co-founded the university in autumn 2017 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwaaqo_University)). The first class graduated in spring 2021, and President [Muse Bihi Abdi](/en/people/muse-bihi-abdi/) gave the first commencement address (same source).

Its stated mission is to prepare Somali women to become professionals who drive development in their communities (same source).

## What it teaches

Wikipedia lists these degrees ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwaaqo_University)):

- Bachelor of Education in English Studies
- Bachelor of Education with Montessori Specialisation
- Bachelor of Education with Secondary Humanities Specialisation
- Bachelor of Arts in English for International Communication (discontinued from 2025)

The network says 90% of Barwaaqo graduates are employed, and that 90% of teachers at its Kaabe primary schools are Barwaaqo graduates ([Abaarso Network](https://abaarsonetwork.org/)).

## Cost and admission

For 2022 to 2026, the full cost of tuition, room and board was $3,500 a year; organisations and private donors give scholarships ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwaaqo_University)). Applicants sit an entrance exam, write an essay and show a secondary school certificate (same source).

## Campus and student life

The campus has two quadrangles, one for students and one for staff, plus a community school and a mosque ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwaaqo_University)). The architect Stephen Finney designed the staff quadrangle and the community school (same source).

Students live in houses on campus, up to four to a room, in 48 rooms (same source). Clubs include an Islamic club, a maths (*xisaab*) club, gardening, spelling bee, drama and hiking; sports include football, basketball and volleyball (same source). In the "Barwaaqo Gives Back" programme, students volunteer during school breaks (same source).

## Read more

- [Abaarso School](/en/institutions/abaarso-school/)
- [Women in Somali society](/en/society/women-in-somali-society/)
- [Universities in Somalia](/en/society/universities-in-somalia/)

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