The Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies' (DRGS) vision centres on excellence in research and graduate studies. It is headed by the Director who coordinates, monitors and administers two Departments. The current staffing of DRGS is sixteen including academic, accounting and support staff.

The Graduate Studies Department coordinates all postgraduate activities of the University from admission to graduation. It deals with approval of programmes, advertisement, enrolment, and examinations up to graduation. The Graduate Studies Department works in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officers in Schools (Deans) who are assisted by Assistant Deans (Postgraduate). The Graduate Studies Department is headed by the Director who is assisted by the Assistant Director (Research), Assistant Registrar (Graduate Studies) and Senior Administrative Officer (Graduate Studies).

The Research Department is responsible for the general administration of the research programmes of the University and is guided in its operations by the Research Board. This Department serves as a link between the University of Zambia and other research institutions and industry. The Research Department is headed by the Director (Research), who is assisted by the Assistant Director (Research) and Senior Administrative Officer (Research). The Department facilitates research activities in the University in conjunction with Assistant Deans (Research) in all the twelve Schools of the University.