Equating is the process of determining the equal value of foreign qualifications against recognized Ugandan qualifications such as UCE and UACE and to determine entry points (performance). Validating is the process of ensuring that qualifications from other countries are recognized and have an equal value to their counterpart in the Ugandan educational framework. Combined, these important processes ensure that students being admitted into IUEA have had their foreign qualifications scrutinized and that an equal value to Ugandan qualifications, as the basis of entry, has been made. Equating should be authorized by the relevant equating body such as the Ugandan Examinations Board (UNEB) for the equating of pre‐tertiary level qualifications or the Ugandan National Council of Higher Education (UNCHE) for the equating of post‐secondary qualifications. For the purposes of advising students on their study options based on foreign qualifications, this guide presents  only directions and should not be used as the basis of interpretation of foreign qualifications that may be subject to internal changes and/or political factors. Any ambiguities should be referred to the Academic Registrar as the supreme Officer of Admissions.

Applicants must submit their completed applications at least two (2) weeks before the advertised start date of the intake to ensure placement on their programme and to prepare for their studies and submit any additional required documentation. Students applying late may be considered. Conditional admission may be offered to students who have not submitted the required documentation for one (1) semester providing that this is submitted before the end of the semester. All applicants coming from high-school shall be offered provisional admission pending the submission of their official UNEB or the equivalent results slips.

Direct entry into a Bachelor programme

1. At least five (5) passes at the Ugandan Certificate of Education (UCE) level obtained at the same sitting or its equivalent

2. At least two (2) principal passes at the Ugandan Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) level obtained at the same sitting or its equivalent

Admission will be conditional on verification upon receiving the official Ugandan National Examinations Board (UNEB) Results slips. 

Direct entry into a Diploma programme

1. At least five (5) passes at the Ugandan Certificate of Education (UCE) level obtained at the same sitting or its equivalent

2. At least one (1) principal passes at the Ugandan Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) level obtained at the same sitting or its equivalent

3. A Higher Education Certificate with a ‘pass’ classification

Admission will be conditional on verification upon receiving the official Ugandan National Examinations Board (UNEB) Results slips. 

Diploma holder’s entry into a bachelor’s degree

1. Applicants with evidence of having completed an accredited Diploma or its equivalent from a recognized institution may be eligible for direct entry into the second year of a Bachelor’s programme with a credit classification or the first year of a Bachelor’s programme with a ‘pass’ classification.

Exemptions or special entry considerations

1. Exemptions require special consideration and permission from the relevant Faculty Admissions Boards and the Senate in accordance with the University’s policies on Exemption and Credit and Accumulation and Transfer. 

Direct entry into a Higher Education Certificate

1. Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with at least two subsidiary passes or its equivalent

2. Vocational Qualifications at level 2 or level 3 of the Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework

3. Qualifications equivalent to Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) as shall be determined by the National Council in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board;

4. Foreign students without UACE or its equivalent qualifications; who have successfully completed secondary school education and are admissible to university degree or diploma programmes in 5 Admissions Guide Version 2.0 (2019) their respective home countries. Such students shall have passed at least five subjects with a minimum overall grade of C (Plain). In addition, foreign students whose studies were not conducted in English shall show proof of proficiency in the English Language.

Admission will be conditional on verification upon receiving the official Ugandan National Examinations Board (UNEB) Results slips. 

Foundation of Higher Education Certificate holder’s entry into a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree

1. Applicants with evidence of having completed an accredited Foundation or Higher Education Certificate or its equivalent from a recognized institution may be eligible for direct entry into a Diploma with a ‘pass’ mark or Bachelor Programme with a ‘credit’ or higher classification

International applicants

1. International Applicants should provide evidence of qualifications from recognized institutions from their home country or the country where they studied. 

2. Applicants who successfully completed a 13-year education system in their home country or the country where they studied may be considered for direct entry into a Diploma or Bachelor programme pending equating of their results from the UNEB. 

3. Applicants who successfully completed a 12-year education system in their home country or country where they studied may be considered for direct entry into a Degree programme provided that they were admitted onto and studied one year in a tertiary qualification in that country pending equating of their results from the NCHE. 

4. Applicants without with a or b are required to complete a Foundation or Higher Education Certificate. 

Applicants shall be granted conditional admission for one semester pending the completion of equating of their qualifications through the required authority (UNEB or NCHE).

Mature age entry

1. IUEA is an inclusive institution and applicants over the age of 25 years without the required entrance requirements are encouraged to apply for our programmes and take advantage of a quality education. To apply, applicants must have passed an accredited Mature Age Entrance Examination with a pass mark of 50% through an approved Centre by the NCHE.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is equivalent to UCE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, any grades used as the basis of entry from IGCSE must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry.

GCE A’ Levels are qualifications based on Ofqual (UK) A’ Levels and are equivalent to UACE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, any grades used as the basis of entry from GCE A’ Levels or the equivalents from any country must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Dip.) is equivalent to UACE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, a minimum of 24 Points is considered a pass mark for IB. Any grades used as the basis of entry from an IB Diploma qualification must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry.

The Kenyan Certificate of Education (KCSE) is equivalent to UCE. As a minimum entry requirement, students holding this qualification are required to successfully complete an accredited foundation or access programme or Higher Education Certificate or its equivalent for one year as the basis of entry into any programme at IUEA.

The education system of DRC concludes with the Diplôme d’État d’études secondaires and is equivalent to UACE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, any grades used as the basis of entry from the Diplȏme d’Etat must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry as well as reviewing the English Language Proficiency of the applicant.

The Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) is equivalent to UACE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, any grades used as the basis of entry from the ACSEE must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry. 

The Rwanda Advanced Level Certificate of Education (RALCE) is equivalent to UACE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, any grades used as the basis of entry from the RALCE must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry. TVET qualifications may also be considered as the basis for entry into Diploma courses at IUEA. 

The Burundi education system concludes with the Diplôme de Fin d’Études Secondaires and is equivalent to UACE. For the purposes of advising prospective students, any grades used as the basis of entry from the Diplôme de Fin d’Études Secondaires must be reviewed by the Admissions Board and based on equating by UNEB and consultation from NCHE as the basis of entry as well as reviewing the English Language Proficiency of the applicant. 

The South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (SSCSE) is equivalent to UCE. As a minimum entry requirement, students holding this qualification are required to successfully complete an accredited foundation or access programme or Higher Education Certificate or its equivalent for one year as the basis of entry into any programme at IUEA. 

Eritrean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (ESECE) is equivalent to UCE. As a minimum entry requirement, students holding this qualification are required to successfully complete an accredited foundation or access programme or Higher Education Certificate or its equivalent for one year as the basis of entry into any programme at IUEA. 

The National Examinations Council (NCEO) Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are equivalent to UCE. As a minimum entry requirement, students holding these qualifications are required to successfully complete an accredited foundation or access programme or Higher Education Certificate or its equivalent for one year as the basis of entry into any programme at IUEA. All other qualifications of higher education from Nigeria must be referred to the NCHE. In countries where English was not the medium of instruction, the English Language Proficiency of the applicant should also be tested.

Given the complexities of the education systems in Somalia, all applicants are required to successfully complete an accredited foundation or access programme or Higher Education Certificate or its equivalent for one year as the basis of entry into any programme at IUEA. All other qualifications of higher education from Somalia must be referred to the NCHE. The English Language Proficiency of the applicant should also be tested.