Dissertation (MA Sociology)For the last two decades, HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread all over the Tanzania affecting all segments of life and youth in particular. VCT is one of the important components of HIV prevention which aim at behavior change and ensures HIV/AIDS status of a particular person. The purpose of the study was to determine youth perception and response towards HIV/AIDS and VCT in Higher learning Institutions. For the purpose of this study, University of Dodoma, S.T Johns University and Institute of Rural Development Planning were selected in Dodoma Municipality. A purposive sampling and simple random sampling was applied in selecting number of respondents to represent in the study. Structured questionnaire was applied as a tool for primary data collection. Data collected were coded and analyzed by using Software Package for Social Science (SPSS Version 13.0). The study reveals that (82.5%) have heard VCT, more than half (55.0%) have enough information on VCT, Majority of students have attended only once to VCT. Most of them agreed that media is the best way to deliver knowledge on VCT. Further, the assessment of perception on effectiveness of VCT in behavioral change and HIV prevention shows that majority of respondents perceived VCT to be an effective instrument for shaping behavior and prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission. Based on the findings, regular training for VCT should be established and increased so as to impart new knowledge and skill to youth, also Government, CBOs and NGOs together with ministry of Education in collaboration with Institutions should adopt an integrated planning approach in which HIV/AIDS and VCT can go hand by hand.