TCU: BACHELORS DEGREE ADMISSION CRITERIA | SIFA ZA KUJIUNGA NA KOZI ZA DEGREE

TCU: Bachelors Degree Admission Criteria | Sifa Za Kujiunga na Kozi za Degree: The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) is a government agency which was established on the 1st July 2005, under the Universities Act, Cap. 346 R.E 2023 with a legal mandate to recognise, register and accredit universities in Tanzania.

It also regulates local or foreign university-level programmes, coordinates the proper functioning of universities and ensures a harmonised higher education system in the country.

FUNCTIONS OF TCU

The TCU implements the National Education Policy through its functions which can be clustered into three major areas:

Regulatory Function: Ensures quality assurance by evaluating universities, programmes, and systems. Validates programmes, accredits institutions, and evaluates university awards for use in Tanzania.

Advisory Function: Advises the government and public on university education, policy formulation, and international higher education issues.

Supportive Function: Coordinates university operations, students’ admissions, and provides training in areas like quality assurance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and resource mobilization.

TCU: BACHELORS DEGREE ADMISSION CRITERIA | SIFA ZA KUJIUNGA NA KOZI ZA DEGREE

Who is eligible to apply?

i. Form Six Leavers

ii. Holders of Ordinary Diplomas, FTC, and their equivalences

iii. Holders of Foundation Certificate of the Open University of Tanzania; and

iv. Holders of Bachelor’s Degree award.

What are the Procedures?

All applicants should:

i. Carefully read and understand the admission requirements provided in the Admission Guidebooks; and

ii. Lodge their applications directly through the online admission systems of the respective institutions.

NB: Tanzanian citizens holding fareign qualifications must have their qualifications validated and equated by NECTA or NACTVET for certificates of secondary education and teacher education, and for technical education in respect of NTA Level 6/Diploma qualifications, respectively.

Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications

The minimum entry qualifications for Admission into Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for all Bachelor’s Degree programmes are indicated in Tables 1, 2 and 3:

Group 1: General Minimum Entry Qualifications

I: Completed A-Level studies before 2014

Two principal passes (‘E’ and above) with a total of 4.0 points in two subjects defining the admission into the respective programme (where A = 5; B=4; C= 3; D = 2; E = 1; S= 0.5).

II. Completed A-Level studies in 2014 and 2015

Two principal passes (‘C’ and above) with a total of 4.0 points from two subjects defining the admission into the respective programme (where A = 5; B+ = 4; B = 3; C= 2; D = 1; E=0.5).

III. Completed A -Level studies from 2016

Two principal passes (‘E’ and above) with a total of 4.0 points in two subjects defining the admission into the respective programme (where A = 5; B = 4; C= 3; D=2; E=1; S=0.5)

IV. Equivalent applicants

At least four O’-Level passes (D grades and above) or NVA Level III with less than four O’-Level passes or equivalent foreign qualifications as established by either NECTA or NACTVET; and

i) At least a GPA of 3.0 for Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6); OR

ii) Average of C grade for Full Technician Certificate (FTC) (where A=5, B=4, C=3, and D=2 points); OR

iii) Average of ‘B’ Grade for Diploma in Teacher Education; OR

iv) Average of ‘B’ Grade for Healthrelated awards such as Clinical Medicine and others; OR

v) A Distinction for unclassified Diplomas and certificates; OR

vi) Upper Second Class for classified non-NTA diplomas.

V. Foundation Programme of the OUT

A GPA of 3.0 accumulated from six core subjects and at least a C grade from three subjects in respective cluster (Arts, Science and Business Studies)

PLUS

An Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination with at least 1.5 Points from two subjects OR

An Ordinary Diploma from the recognised institution with a GPA of at least 2.0 OR

NTA level 5 /Professional Technician Level II certificate.

Group 2: Harmonised Minimum Direct Entry Qualifications for Health Related Programmes

Doctor of Medicine (MD/MBBS), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)

Three principal passes in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with minimum entry of 6 points; i.e. an applicant must have at least D grade in Chemistry, Biology and Physics. In addition, an applicant must have at least five (5) passes in any nonreligious subject at O-Level

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Note:

1. A holder of a Bachelor Degree award shall be eligible for admission into another degree programme provided the admitting University has such provision in the student admission guidelines;

2. As part of outreach programmes, every University shall be allowed to offer certificate and diploma programmes in its relevant academic disciplines for the purposes of contributing to professional development and life-long learning initiatives of the citizens;

3. The minimum entry requirements for admission into ordinary diploma programmes/certificate (UQF Level 6) in any University shall be:

(a). Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A-Level) with at least one Principal level pass relevant to the discipline/programme applied AND at least four passes (‘D’s and above) at O- Level excluding religious subjects; and

(b). NTA Level 5 or Professional Technician Certificate Level II AND at least four passes (‘D’s and above) at O- Level excluding religious subjects.

4. In admitting Tanzanian applicants with foreign certificates every University shall vet the level of the foreign qualifications used in applying for admission with the national equivalences (NECTA and NACTVET) before processing the application.