Higher National Diploma Programmes
Three-year clinical programmes that train the mid-level health professionals hospitals and health districts depend on, built around supervised practice from the first year.
The HND cycle, known as the BTS in the francophone system, is the backbone of mid-level health training in Cameroon. It produces the nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists, imaging technicians and rehabilitation professionals who carry the daily work of a health facility.
Health specialities run longer than other BTS fields. Where a commercial or technical BTS takes two years, the health cycle takes three: a preparatory year that establishes the biomedical foundations, then two years of specialisation with placements running alongside the teaching rather than bolted on at the end.
Accreditation
These programmes are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) and the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTÉ).
Training of medico-sanitary personnel in Cameroon falls under both ministries: MINESUP for the academic cycle, and MINSANTÉ for professional practice in the health sector.
How long it takes
Three academic years, six semesters. The first year is preparatory and shared broadly across the health specialities; the second and third are specialisation, with clinical placement blocks in partner hospitals, laboratories and community health structures.
- Duration
- 3 years, 6 semesters
- Structure
- 1 preparatory year, then 2 years of specialisation
- Entry
- Baccalauréat, GCE A Level or recognised equivalent
- Language
- French and English
- Programmes
- 8
At a glance
How the programme runs
- 1
Application and admission
Apply online with your Baccalauréat or GCE A Level results and supporting documents. Admissions confirms your place, the qualification route for your intake, and the fee schedule in writing.
- 2
Preparatory year
Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, public health foundations and professional ethics, taught alongside the clinical vocabulary and record-keeping you will use on placement.
- 3
Specialisation
Two years in your chosen discipline, whether nursing, midwifery, laboratory science, imaging, physiotherapy, dentistry or optics, with the theory paced to match what you are seeing in practice.
- 4
Supervised clinical placement
Placement blocks in partner facilities, supervised and assessed. This is the part employers ask about, so it is compulsory and it is documented in your record.
- 5
Final assessment
Written and practical assessment covering the full cycle. The examination arrangements applying to your cohort are the ones confirmed at admission.
Programmes in this cycle
(8)Where it leads
Graduates work in hospitals, district health services, private clinics, diagnostic laboratories and community health programmes. Cameroon counted roughly 0.66 nurses and midwives per 1,000 people in 2022, and around 70 percent of regions sit below 1.5 health personnel per 1,000, so demand for competent mid-level staff is not theoretical.
The cycle is also the standard route into a Bachelor's degree (Licence), which requires a national diploma covering at least two years of higher study.