About the University

The Copperbelt University was established as a Public University by Act of Parliament No. 19 on 1st December 1987. Before then, it was one of the three constituent institutions of the then University of Zambia Federal system which comprised of the University of Zambia at Lusaka, the University of Zambia at Ndola and the University of Zambia at Solowezi. In 1987 the Government reconstituted the University of Zambia at Ndola into the Copperbelt University while the University of Zambia at Lusaka became The University of Zambia. The intended University of Zambia at Solowezi never came into being.

The University initially started with the School of Business and the School of Environmental Studies (later renamed School of Built Environment) which were carryovers from the Federal System. Since then the University has grown into six Schools and a directorate. In 1989, Zambia Institute of Technology was incorporated into the University as the School of Techonolgy. In 1995, the School of Forestry and Wood Science was established. In 2001, it was renamed the School of Natural Resources. The Centre for Life Long Education was established in 1990 to run short courses, seminars, conferences and distance education. In 2001, the Centre began offering certificate, diploma and degree programmes.

The University is one of the three Public Universities in Zambia and its programmes attract over 5000 applications for the 1200 places available each year. The University has a total student population of 5,155 and staff establishement of 695 of whom 207 are academic staff.