Varsities likely to raise entry points, science courses most competitive

Stephen Ariyono (L) of Luyanzi College, Bweyogerere, who scored 1AA2 in PCM/ICT, Mike Ssembiro (2nd R) who scored 2BCB6 in BCA/Sub math, and Mwalye Eddie, 1ABB4 in HED/Sub math celebrate with their teacher Richard Olimi (2nd L). PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE

What you need to know:

98.4per cent of the candidates qualify for UACE certificates compared to 97.4 per cent in 2013.

Kampala- The improved performance in last year’s Advanced Level examinations is likely to cause stiff competition in choosing courses at university.

Like it has been over the last three years, the competition is likely to be stiffer for science courses such as Medicine, Engineering, Petroleum Geoscience and Production, Health Management, Pharmacy and Population Studies.

According to the results released yesterday, 98.4 per cent of the candidates passed and qualify for the award of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, compared to 97.4 per cent in 2013. Out of the 107,297 candidates who sat the examinations, 64,132 (59.8 per cent ) qualify to join university.

Last year, overall, admission points for more than 80 per cent science courses went up, according to the Joint Admissions Board records.

For instance, a student needed 50.4 points to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Gulu University, up from 48.2 points in 2013, while at Makerere University, the same course required one to have 52.5 points from 48.5 points the previous year.

No cut-off for Law
However, there will be no cut-off mark for law as it has been in the last three years as new entrants will be subjected to pre-entry exams in order to gain admission to pursue the course.

At Makerere University, Business Administration, Petroleum Geoscience and Production, Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Pharmacy and Population Studies, were the most competitive courses last year, as was the case in 2013.

At Kyambogo University, Guidance and Counselling, Building and Civil Engineering and Economics and Statistics were among the top courses. At Gulu University, Development Studies had the highest cut-off point of 52.8, followed by Medicine and Quantitative Economics.

This is going to be the second batch to join university since government changed the grading system in 2012. The grading at university changed following the introduction of two other subjects at Advanced Level; Sub-Math and Computer Studies.

This means students who pursue science combinations or combinations having Economics, are required to add Sub-Math as a subsidiary, while those doing Arts must add Computer Studies. However, those who do Mathematics are exempted from Sub-Math.

Science subjects at university are weighted differently from humanities/arts subjects. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some subjects are divided into three papers and others two.

Candidates who obtained an overall Grade of 7,9,Y or Z in their Senior Four results will not qualify for university admission. The current guidelines favour only those who passed at least five subjects at Ordinary Level (Senior Four) without a Grade 9.

Currently, government sponsors 4,000 students in public universities. Of these, 3,000 are selected on academic merit, with 75 per cent of the places going to those admitted to science courses and 25 per cent reserved for humanities or Arts courses.

In addition, 40 slots go to talented sports students, 64 to persons with disabilities, while districts take 896 under the district quota system.
Due to the limited vacancies available in the seven public universities, a large number of students who passed will have to try their luck in the 27 private universities countrywide.

There is also a plan to increase students benefiting from the University Loan Scheme from 1,200 beneficiaries last year, to 2,000. It is still unclear whether the government scholarship scheme at university will be scrapped and let all students apply for loans.

All admissions usually depend on the students’ ability to meet the entry points set by the respective universities. This implies that the planned number may slightly drop or increase in the respective public universities.

Public universities usually admit about 80,000 students and one needs two principal passes to gain admission. Academic year for universities starts in August.

Most competitive courses in 2014

Makerere Cut-off points
BA Business Admin 53.8
BA Procurement & Supplies Mgt 53.4
BA International Business 53.2
BA Petroleum Geoscience & Prdtn 54.5
BA of Pharmacy 54.4
BA of Population Studies 53.7
Indstrl &Organisational Psychology 53.2
Kyambogo
BA Guidance and Counseling 51.8
BA Eng in Civil & Building Eng 51.6
BA Economics and Statistics 50.2
BA Engineering in Telecom Eng 51.5
Gulu
Bachelor of Development Studies 52.8
BA Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 50.4
BA Quantitative Economics 47.2
Busitema
BA Sci in Natural Rsce Econ 48.7 - 51
BA Sci in Water Rsce Eng 48.1-48.4
BA Computer Engineering 46.3-48.5
MUST
BA Science in Nursing 48.7-49.5
BA Pharmacy 52.3
BA Medicine and BA of Surgery 51
MUBS
BA Business Computing 53.1
BA Ent & Small Business Mgt 53.1
BA International Business 53.3
BA Leisure & Hospitality Mgt 53.6
BA Office &Information Mgt 52.7
BA Business Administration 53.1