Tanzania Commission for Universities

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF PROCEDURES, REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM ADMISSION ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1.0. Background

This is to inform the General Public and all Prospective applicants for admission into various undergraduate degree programmes that, pursuant to section 5(1)(c)(i) of the Universities Act, Cap. 346 of the Laws of Tanzania, the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) is mandated to provide guidance and monitor criteria for admission to universities in the United Republic of Tanzania. The minimum admission entry qualifications currently in use were approved by the Commission in 2011.

2.0. Rationale for change of Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications

In recent years, there have been concerns from different stakeholders on the quality of candidates being admitted to various universities, hence negatively affecting the quality of training and the resultant output/graduates. Similarly, there are concerns that by lowering the minimum points for admission into university institutions, almost every candidate with two principal passes is eligible to join a university and therefore leaving most of the middle level tertiary institutions without qualified students.

3.0. New Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications

In view of such concerns, the Commission has decided to raise the threshold for the minimum entry points for admission to university education. Thus from the 2016/2017 academic year, the new Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications for Undergraduate Students shall now be as follows:

NO.	CATEGORY OF APPLICANTS	MINIMUM ADMISSION ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS
1.	Completed A-Level studies before 2014	Two principal passes (Two Ds) with a total of 4.0 points (where A = 5; B = 4; C= 3; D = 2; E = 1).
2.	Completed A-Level studies in 2014 and 2015	Two principal passes (Two Cs) with a total of 4.0 points (where A = 5; B+ = 4; B = 3; C= 2; D = 1).
3.	Completed A –Level studies from 2016	Two principal passes (Two Ds) with a total of 4.0 points (where A = 5; B = 4; C= 3; D = 2; E = 1).
4.	Recognition of Prior Learning qualification	B+ Grade: where A =75-100, B+ = 65-74, B=50-64, C =40-49, D = 35-39, F = 0-38.
5.	Equivalent applicants	At least four O’-Level passes (Ds and above) or NVA Level III with less than four O’-Level passes or equivalent foreign qualifications as established by either NECTA or VETA; AND
		i) At least a GPA of 3.5 for Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6); OR
		ii) Average of B for Full Technician Certificate (FTC) (where A=5, B=4, C=3, and D=2 points); OR
		iii) Average of ‘B+’ Grade Teacher Education; OR	for	Diploma	in
		iv) Average of ‘B+’ Grade for Health related awards such as Clinical Medicine and others; OR
		v) A Distinction for unclassified diplomas and certificates.
		vi) Upper Second Class for classified non-NTA diplomas.