This study investigated the challenges encountered by first year undergraduate university students of Saint Augustine University of Mwanza, Tanzania. Four research objectives guided this study: To establish teaching and learning related challenges, to examine the financial related challenges, to explore the social related challenges and to find out the possible ways of solving the challenges facing undergraduate university students at SAUT. The study employed mixed research approach in which convergent parallel design was used. Data was collected from a sample of 69 students, 20 lecturers and heads of departments, 10 hostel administrators as well as 1 dean of students. The study used both questionnaires and interviews to collect data. Data collection from quantitative data was analyzed by using description and a software known as the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS V. 20), while the qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The study observed that many challenges identified were diverse and ranged from teaching to learning, and involved issues such as lack of enough facilities, presence of outdated resource in the library as well as lack of seriousness of students in the learning process. From the data supplied by respondents, the study also discovered that financial challenges included insufficient and late issue of loans form HESLB, misuse of provided funds, as well as lack of financial support from families. Social challenges identified included lack of guidance and counseling, language problems as well as interaction between students; challenges were also identified in the way students make adjustment to university environment. Therefore, this study recommended that the university should create an independent department for guidance and counseling of students. There is a need to create cooperation between the university and students‟ parents or guardians in order to know their academic progress. Besides, students should be effectively oriented before learning process takes off; private hostel administrator should reform their process of receiving students in their hostels and make permanent register of students living in their premises. This would ensure safety and security of the students. Students too, are advised to be kind and keen in using the opportunities offered to them in their learning process.