Time to think what next after A-Level

Whereas many students work hard to get points that will see them enrol for their dream courses, the final decision to get admitted lies with the institution. Isaac Tugume, a third year Civil Engineering student at Kyambogo University had wanted to be a civil engineer since his childhood.

At A-Level, he studied Physics, Economics and Mathematics. After his results, he applied to both Makerere and Kyambogo for the same course. Whereas he preferred Makerere, only Kyambogo had offered him the course. Makerere had given him Mechanical Engineering which he ditched.

As the current applicants get ready to start the search, they should know there are a number of options to choose from and should not be limited to the big names.

Public universities
The country currently has nine public universities which include: Makerere, Kyambogo, Busitema, Kumi, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Gulu, Kabale, Muni and Lira universities. Most students apply to join any of them on government sponsorship at Senior Six. However, as you wait, you need to prepare yourself to know whether you might be among the lucky ones.

The points to get you admitted on government admission are a bit higher than those for private sponsorship.
For instance, for one to qualify for a civil engineering course at Makerere University, they need at least 51 points using the weighting system.

Using the weighting system, both O-Level and A-Level results are considered. For O-Level, distinctions 1 and 2 weigh 0.3 points. Credits 3 to 6 weigh 0.2 points and F.9 carries 0.0 point. To get a total of the weight at O-Level, multiply the number of distinctions/credits/passes by their respective weights. For instance, if one scored 10 distinctions at O’ level, it will be 10x 0.3= (3).

For A-Level, subjects are classified as Essential, Relevant and Desirable depending on the course a student is applying for. For instance, if a student scored AAA11 in PEM, the student will qualify for an engineering course at university with a consideration of Physics and Mathematics as the Essential subjects as Economics is a Relevant subject.

Essential subjects are mainly considered and weigh higher. For instance, Physics and Mathematics will carry 3 points each.
Economics weighs 2 points as a relevant subject. ICT and General Paper are Desirables weighing 1 point each. The weights are multiplied by the Principal or Subsidiary pass. So, for a student with AAA11 in PEM; (Physics= 6x3= 18, Mathematics= 6x3=18, Economics=6x2=12.) General Paper and ICT carry 1 point each. (18+18+12+1+1= 50.) A-Level =50, O-Level =3. Add both A and O level points to get the total. 50+3= 53 points.

This is a sample calculation basing on last year’s cut off points for a student interested in Civil Engineering at Makerere University.

According to UACE results released this year, there were more students who had passed with two or three principal passes compared to last year. This, therefore, shows that cutoff points might go high.

Private universities
If you do not get admitted to a public university, remember that currently, there are 37 private universities in the country. Both public and private universities follow the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) policy of two principal passes and one subsidiary at A-Level to admit students depending on course preference.

But different private universities have different admission criteria. Christa Oluka, the director of Admissions and Students records at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono, says the university looks beyond the two principal passes while admitting students, especially for degree courses. Oluka says for courses such as Law and Medicine, a student has to sit for pre-entry exams and score a 50 per cent mark to get admission.

Muhammed Sumare is the Academic Registrar at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).

He says, “We require two principal passes and one subsidiary. For example, if one is interested in medicine, the two principal passes should be in Chemistry and Biology. For business-related courses, a student should have a background of Economics and Entrepreneurship,” he says.

Upcountry study centres
Universities have also established upcountry campuses to cater for the needs of students in other districts. These branches are established in regional centres such as Arua, Mbale, Hoima, Mbarara, Jinja, Kabale, Gulu, and Fort Portal Town. Other universities have established affiliations with mainly private tertiary institutions.

Universities also provide diploma courses for those with one principal pass in essential subjects.
It is also important that a student considers his interests such as hobbies, culture, sports, religion before enrolling for a given course in a university for a fulfilling university life.

Business/technical colleges
These are governed under the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board. Today, at least five government technical colleges offer diploma and certificate in engineering courses. Such courses include; plumbing, civil engineering and architecture among others.

Jacob Akunobere, the principal at Uganda Technical College, Kyema in Masindi district, says they also follow the statutory requirements to admit students. Consideration is given to Physics, Mathematics, and Technical Drawing as Essentials.
Other subjects such as Economics are relevant for one to join any government technical college for a diploma after A’ level. A minimum of one principal pass in an essential subject and two subsidiaries are considered.

However, Akunobere says one should have scored at least credits in sciences, Maths and English at O-Level for a certificate courses.

Government Business colleges under Uganda College of Commerce are currently five in number and offer both diploma and certificate courses. But one must have a background in Economics, Entreprenuership, Mathematics and Accounts.

A number of private institutions have sprung throughout the country. Some purely offer technical courses while others offer business related courses.

Meanwhile, others have incorporated both technical and business aspects. For instance, Royal Institute of Business and Technical Education is one such institution located in Bwaise.

One of the administrators says they are strict on admission. He says for one to qualify for any business related course, he or she must have a background in Economics, Entrepreneurship and Mathematics. And a good performance in Commerce and Accounts at O-Level.

Some private colleges have humanities’ courses such as teaching, guidance and counselling, social work and social administration as well as social sciences.

Specialised tertiary institutions
Apart from business and technical colleges, there are other colleges specialised in training students in a particular field offering mainly diploma and certificate courses in Education, Law, Aviation, Medicine, Tourism, Forestry, Agriculture, Media, Theology and Management. Such institutions are strict on admission criteria.

For instance, to be eligible for direct entry in diploma or certificate in a nursing programme at Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery, a candidate must have credits in English, Biology, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. At A-Level a principal pass in Biology and two subsidiaries in Chemistry, Physics, Food and Nutrition as well as Mathematics.

At Bukalasa Agricultural Institute, for anyone interested in a Diploma in Animal Husbandry, Crop Production, Human Nutrition, and Horticulture, they should have scored a principal pass in Biology or Chemistry which are considered essentials.

For an Agribusiness course at the college, Agriculture and Entrepreneurship are essential. For a certificate in the same courses, a student should have scored credits in sciences in addition to Mathematics and English at O-Level.
For students interested in joining teaching colleges such as primary teaching college, you are required to have a minimum of credits in all the subjects at O-Level.

Law Development Centre offers courses in Law. For a Diploma in Law, one is required to have at least one principal pass and two subsidiaries.

From nursing, engineering to law, a student should be strategic in the choice of university or tertiary institution if they are to pursue a dream course.

One should also have at least two other alternatives if the first one fails. Also cast the nets wider by applying to three or four institutions.