About SIU


Brief Background

Founding and Status:

Established: 2015, making it a relatively new private higher education institution in South Sudan.

Legal Basis: It was formally registered by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs under the Companies Act, 2012, and operates in accordance with the Higher Education Act 2012 of South Sudan.

Previous Affiliation: Interestingly, it was previously known as Cavendish University Uganda - South Sudan Study Centre, which was affiliated with Cavendish University Uganda. The name changed to Star International University (SIU) when its contract with Cavendish University Uganda expired.

Academics and Programs: SIU offers a wide array of programs at the Bachelor's degree (Honors) and Diploma levels, demonstrating a broad scope of academic offerings. The typical duration for Bachelor's degrees is 4-5 years, and diplomas are generally 3 years.

Here's a list of the schools and some of their programs:

School of Applied and Industrial Sciences:

BSc (Hon.) Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Food Science and Technology, Electronics and Instrumentation.

School of Medicine:

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (6 years).

School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies:

BSc (Hon.) Agricultural Sciences, Animal Production, Environmental Studies, Wildlife and Conservation, Fisheries, Forestry, Geology and Mining.

School of Veterinary Medicine:

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine.

School of Engineering and Architecture:

BSc (Hon.) Agricultural Engineering, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.

School of Computer Science and Information Technology:

BSc (Hon.) Computer Science, Information Technology.

School of Mathematics:

BSc in Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Actuarial Science.

School of Law:

Bachelor of Law (LLB).

School of Social and Economic Studies:

BSc Economics, Political Science, Sociology and Social Anthropology, Statistics and Demography.

School of Business and Management:

BSc in Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration.

School of Education:

BSc Biology and Chemistry (General), Chemistry, Arabic.

School of Community Studies and Rural Development:

BSc (Hon.) Development Communication, BA (Hon.) Rural Development, BA (Hon.) Communication Studies (Social Work), BSc (Hon.) Community Studies (Food and Nutrition), BSc (Hon.) Library and Information Science.

School of Arts and Humanities:

BA (Hon.) Geography Curriculum, History, Archeology, Philosophy, Psychology, Arabic Language, English Language, French Language, Mass Communication.

School of Journalism, Media and Communication Studies:

BA Journalism and Media Studies, Communication Studies.

School of Music, Art and Drama:

BA Music, Art, Drama.

Additional Programs/Centers:

Qualifying Program: A 1-year program.

National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI): Offers short courses (5 days to 3 months).

Centre for Human Resource Development and Continuous Education: Offers Diplomas in various fields like Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics and Banking, Natural Resources Management, Rural Development, Communication and Public Relation, Computer Science, and Information Technology.

Centre for Distance Education: Offers Bachelor's degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, English (language and literature), History and Geography, Rural Development, Pure Economic, Political Science.

Student Life and Recognition:

SIU has a growing student population, with over 600 students graduating in its 5th Convocation in April 2025.

The university actively participates in national competitions. Notably, in September 2023, SIU won the championship of the 5th South Sudan International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition, an annual event hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This victory allowed them to represent South Sudan in the All-Africa IHL Moot Competition.

Accreditation and International Recognition:

SIU is recognized as a licensed private university within South Sudan.

Regarding international recognition, while winning regional competitions (like the All-Africa IHL Moot Competition) can raise its profile, direct international accreditation status or global university rankings for SIU are not readily available in general searches. For definitive information on international recognition, it would be crucial to:

Check the university's official website for details on any international partnerships or accreditations.

Consult the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in South Sudan, as they would be the ultimate authority on recognized institutions within the country.

Look into specific program accreditations if a particular field of study is of interest.

For the most up-to-date and specific details about admissions, fees, faculty, and detailed course outlines, it is always recommended to visit the official website of Starford International University College in Juba directly or contact their admissions office.

60+

Undergraduate Majors

18

Graduate programs

18

Online programs

  • 17:1 student/faculty ratio
  • 1,000+ faculty members who are researchers and scholars in their fields
  • $111 million annual research expenditures
  • Incoming students are assigned professional and faculty advisors
  • Free tutoring through our Centers for Learning, Advising, and Student Success
  • Explore all Academic Programs.

Student Life

7460+

Undergraduate and graduate students

38

Division 1 athletic teams

#1

  • 3,700 students live on campus
  • 10 residence halls, including suites, apartments and Living-Learning Communities
  • 250+ clubs & organizations
  • 300+ study abroad programs
  • Incoming first-year class profile: 3.69 GPA, 1265 SAT
  • Our welcoming campus is located in the culturally vibrant city of Lowell where we’re close to Boston and part of the Massachusetts technology corridor. Come visit today!

Diversity

44%+

Of undergraduates are students of color

45%

Of first-year students are first generation

9%

International students

  • 1,450 veteran students
  • 96% of buildings are accessible
  • National HEED Award (2024) for outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion
  • Visit our Diversity Portal.

Career Outcomes

98%

Of class of 2022 is employed, in grad school or volunteering

700+

Companies offer co-op positions to our students

40+

Start-ups created by our students in the last decade

  • At least 1 guaranteed paid career-connected experience for every undergraduate student (starting with 2023 incoming class)
  • City of SIU serves as a learning lab for students and faculty through internships and research partnerships
  • Free professional career support for students & alumni
  • Visit our Career & Co-op Center.

Take a Virtual Tour of SIU

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