About DUS

Admissions

The University of Dar es salaam offers various academic programmes leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, and degrees. A total of 4 Certificates, 3 Diplomas and 65 Undergraduate Degree Programmes are offered at various academic units of the University of Dar es Salaam these include Evening Study programmes designed to offer opportunities to mainly the working people although any interested person who have requisite entry qualifications can apply.

Distance learning study programmes have been designed to benefit those who merit University education but for some reasons are unable to attend regular classes at the University. The number of students admitted at the University of Dar es Salaam has been increasing steadily, from 14 in 1961 to 21,502 (13,641 male and 7,861 female) undergraduate degree and non-degree in the 2011/2012 academic year. Female students constitute 36.5% of all undergraduate students at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Candidates wishing to be enrolled at the University of Dar es Salaam to pursue the various undergraduate degree and non-degree programmes have to fulfil the general minimum entrance requirements as well as the additional entrance requirements specific to each academic programme. Candidates applying for programmes under the IUCEA Students’ Exchange Programme must fulfil the entrance qualifications for similar programmes at the University of Dar es Salaam in addition to meeting the requirements of the admitting University whose decision shall be final.

Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Degree Programmes

General Minimum Entrance Requirements: A candidate shall be deemed eligible for consideration for admission to a first-degree programme of the University of Dar es Salaam if the candidate has one of the following qualifications:

1. Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (C.S.E.E.) or equivalent, with passes in FIVE approved subjects THREE of which must be at Credit level obtained prior to sitting for the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A.C.S.E.E.) or equivalent; And
2. Two principal level passes in appropriate subjects in the A.C.S.E.E. or equivalent with total points from three subjects not below 5 (for Arts programmes) and 4 (for Science-based programmes) based on the following grade to point conversion scale: A = 5; B = 4; C = 3; D = 2; E = 1; S = 0.5 and F = 0 point.

[Note: Principal level passes in Divinity/Islamic Knowledge are not counted]

1. An appropriate equivalent Diploma of not less than Second class/Credit level or B grade obtained from a college which is fully registered by NACTE and approved by the UDSM Senate. For Diplomas that are further classified into Upper and Lower classes, the requirement shall be an Upper Second class or B+ average.
2. A minimum score of 100 obtained from Mature Age Entry Examination (MAEE) consisting of a score of at least 50 in Paper I and 50 in Paper II. MAEE was introduced in order to give opportunity to exceptionally well qualified Tanzanian candidates who wish to study for a first degree of the University of Dar es Salaam but do not possess qualifications which satisfy the University’s Direct/Equivalent entry requirements. To qualify for MAEE one must be 25 years of age or older on 1st August of the year in which admission is sought. In addition, one must have obtained at least three credits in approved subjects at the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination or completed Form VI at least five years before 1st September of the year in which admission is sought.

Additional Entrance Requirements

In addition to the general minimum entrance requirements, there are additional qualifications, specific to the various degree programmes, as shown in the UDSM prospectus.

Fee Structure Higher Education Students Loan Board (HESLB) assist, on loan basis, needy Tanzanian students who secure admission in accredited higher learning institutions, but have no economic power to pay for the costs of their education. For more information on how to apply for a loan, visit HESLB web