
The Reformed Church University (RCU) was formed out of the Charter given to the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) in 2010. This gave the Church the opportunity to start laying down concrete milestones towards the ultimate opening of our new University in 2012. [ Read More … ]
Name: | Reformed Church University |
Motto: | Knowledge, Equity, Excellence |
Established: | 2010 |
Type: | Private, Comprehensive University |
Location: | Masvingo, Zimbabwe |
Campuses: | Masvingo, Harare |
About the Reformed Church University (RCU)
P.O. Box 80
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
For More: info@rcu.ac.zw | +2638688002249 | www.rcu.ac.zw
RCU mission goes beyond the traditional teaching, research and community service to include socialization of knowledge and targeting teaching and research towards sustainable socio-economic progress based on value addition of local natural resources. This developmental matrix is based on deployment of local resources, human and material to address local development gaps and finding sustainable local solutions to a host of challenges faced by the people. To compliment and accelerate government efforts of positively transforming lives, the University has aligned itself to the national developmental goals and aspirations as championed by the National Vision 2030, as well as the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, 5.0 philosophy.
Within this framework, the RCU emphasizes innovations and creativity for producing goods and services of relevance for local and global impact hence drifting from merely regurgitating theoretical bodies of knowledge. Upon the realization that some constituency of our stakeholders could not benefit from COVID-19 awareness campaigns as a result of disability, the University crafted and launched a sign-language communication platform in line with its Christian value of inclusivity.
RCU adheres to international best practice as explicitly expressed by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development through such documents as the Ministry’s Strategic Plan and The Skills Audit and the Qualifications Framework.


Motivated by a compelling desire not only to bring the spiritual transformation to the people of Zimbabwe and beyond, but also by a great passion to develop them in the areas of education and health, the Reformed Church University (RCU) was established through a Charter given to the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) in 2010. That gave the Church the opportunity to start laying down concrete milestones towards the ultimate opening of the new University in 2012 in line with its vision of being a relevant world class centre of excellence in special needs education, theology and community service embedded in Christian values.
The mission of the RCU is to empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users and creators of information. Consistent with its inclusivity orientation, the institution’s niche area is “special needs education” which resonates very well with the Reformed Church of Zimbabwe history of selfless passion for catering for lepers, the deaf and dumb and the blind. The university is therefore building on this legacy. RCU has gained a national reputation for this inclusivity orientation and is set to be a global leader in this respect. As RCU leverages on its niche area of inclusivity, it has immediate plans to establish a National Institute of Inclusivity, Research and Rehabilitation which apart from teaching and research would be a hub for innovation, production and warehousing of assistive devices across a wide range of disabilities.
2012
At the beginning of 2012, with the generous support of the Church, the Reformed Church University was able to raise funds to finance the accreditation of the first four degree programmes and the subsequent opening of the Reformed Church University on 12 August 2012.
The programmes that the University offered on its inception are Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Special Needs Education, Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Early Childhood Development, a Bachelor of Theology Honours Degree and a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Human Resources, Industrial and Labour Relations Management.
On 8 December 2012, the Reformed Church University successfully hosted the Launch and Installation of Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor event. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Washington T. Mbizvo was the Guest of Honour at the event
2013
In line with the Reformed Church University’s vision of being a relevant world class centre of excellence in special needs education, theology and community service embedded in Christian values, an application for the accreditation of new degree programmes was made to ZIMCHE in February 2013 with the view of widening the options of courses available to people living with and without disabilities. The application was also made with the view of addressing skills requirements much needed in business and industry in the country.
The programmes were:
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Public Administration,
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Marketing,
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Business Management.
2018
The Reformed Church University moved from Morgenster Mission to its main campus at Riebeek Farm which is located 7km from Masvingo town along Bulawayo-Mashava road. This marked the new beginning of a fully-fledged functioning university running on its own campus. Since then till now, this is the university’s main campus, while there is another campus in Harare at Highfield Youth Centre in Highfield. More satellite campuses are going to be introduced in Kwekwe, Chiredzi, Bulawayo and Mutare during the course of the year.
The university is pleased to announce that by end of 2018, thirteen (13) new programs have been accredited by ZIMCHE and the institution is now offering twenty (20) degree programs from the four which were running. Three of these new programs are postgraduate degrees. The following are all the degrees now being offered by the university:
FACULTY OF COMMERCE
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Accounting
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Human Resources, Industrial and Labour Relations Management
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Marketing
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Business Management
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Banking and Finance
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Public Administration
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Mathematics
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Early Childhood Development
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Inclusive Education
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in African Languages(Chishona)
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Information and Communication Technology
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Sports Science
- Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Foundations of English and Literacy Education
FACULTY OF ARTS, THEOLOGY & HERITAGE STUDIES
- Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Media and Development Studies
- Bachelor of Theology Honours Degree
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
- Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Social Work
POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
- Master of Education Degree in Early Childhood Development
- Master of Education Degree in Inclusive Education
- Master of Education Degree in Business Administration
NB: The University is currently enrolling for the August 2021 semester.
2021
RCU introduced the following certificates, diplomas and short courses:
INCLUSIVE AND SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION
1. Certificate in Sign Language
2. Certificate in Braille
3. Certificate in Guidance and Counselling
4. Certificate in Diversity and Community Leadership
ECD AND SOCIAL WORK
1. Certificate in Social Work
2. Certificate in Programme Monitoring and Evaluation
3. Certificate in Early Childhood Centre Management
4. Certificate in Caregiver Infant Toddler Programme
DIPLOMA COURSES
1. Diploma in ECD Para Profession or
2. Diploma in Para-Professional Child Care
COMMERCE
1. Certificate in Tax and Payroll Administration
2. Certificate in Finance for Non-Financial Managers
3. Certificate in Labour Relations Management
4. Certificate in Project Management
5. Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation
6. Certificate in Disaster Management
7. Certificate in Risk Management
Building Hostels Project is in Progress