The University of Dar es salaam offers various academic programmes leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, and degrees. A total of 4 Certificates, 3 Diplomas and 65 Undergraduate Degree Programmes are offered at various academic units of the University of Dar es Salaam these include Evening Study programmes designed to offer opportunities to mainly the working people although any interested person who have requisite entry qualifications can apply.

Distance learning study programmes  have been designed to benefit those who merit University education but for some reasons are unable to attend regular classes at the University. The number of students admitted at the University of Dar es Salaam has been increasing steadily, from 14 in 1961 to 21,502 (13,641 male and 7,861 female) undergraduate degree and non-degree in the 2011/2012 academic year. Female students constitute 36.5% of all undergraduate students at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Candidates wishing to be enrolled at the University of Dar es Salaam to pursue the various undergraduate degree and non-degree programmes have to fulfil the general minimum entrance requirements as well as the additional entrance requirements specific to each academic programme. Candidates applying for programmes under the IUCEA Students’ Exchange Programme must fulfil the entrance qualifications for similar programmes at the University of Dar es Salaam in addition to meeting the requirements of the admitting University whose decision shall be final.