Studying in Senegal. Where to start?
Whether you're enrolling at a Dakar university, doing a semester exchange, or following a French-language program — Senegal is one of West Africa's top academic destinations. Here's your complete guide.
Student Profile — Monthly Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget student | Standard student | Comfortable student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (per person) | EUR 80-130 (shared apt) | EUR 150-250 (studio) | EUR 280-400 (studio furnished) |
| Utilities | EUR 20-35 | EUR 40-70 | EUR 60-90 |
| Food (groceries + local restaurant) | EUR 80-130 | EUR 130-200 | EUR 200-300 |
| Transport (bus + occasional taxi) | EUR 20-40 | EUR 40-70 | EUR 60-100 |
| SIM card + mobile data | EUR 5 | EUR 5-8 | EUR 8-15 |
| Internet (if not included) | EUR 0-20 | EUR 20-40 | EUR 30-50 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATE | EUR 200-360 | EUR 385-588 | EUR 638-955 |
University selector
UCAD
Public, flagshipUniversité Cheikh Anta Diop. 80,000+ students. Full range of faculties.
ISM Dakar
Private, businessInstitut Supérieur de Management. International programs. English & French.
ESP
EngineeringÉcole Supérieure Polytechnique. Part of UCAD. Engineering, tech, applied sciences.
Your profile checklist
Tick items as you complete them
Phase 1: Before departure
Weeks -3 to 0
Phase 2: Arrival & setup
Days 1 – 14
Phase 3: Setting In
MOnths 1 – 3
Curated guides
Concierge recommendation — Starter pack
Master’s student at ISM Dakar from Spain: ‘I didn’t know anyone in Dakar. The Visene call gave me a neighborhood to target, a checklist to follow, and the confidence to just go.’
Lucas M.
Best 150 EUR I spent
Solo or first visit
€150
One-time
Perfect for solo planning their first move to Senegal.
- Orientation call (45 min)
- Personalised checklist
- Key contacts
