News8 min
Makerere trims undergraduate courses as it doubles down on research
The practical effect for sixth-formers: a narrower but better-resourced menu, and tighter cut-offs.
6 Jun 2026Read
FeaturedUNEBMixedDay & Boarding
Makerere University
Makerere Hill, Kampala Central, Kampala
Founded
1922
Enrolment
35,000
Teaching staff
1400
Class size
~60
About
What this school is, in plain words
Founded in 1922 as a technical school, Makerere is Uganda's oldest and most prestigious university and one of Africa's leading research institutions. Its ten colleges span the humanities, sciences, health, engineering, agriculture, business and law, awarding undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees.
A message
From the vice-chancellor
“For a century Makerere has been the intellectual engine of Uganda and the region. We build knowledge in service of society, rigorous, independent and unafraid.”
Performance
National exam results
Graduate outcomes 2024
Over 13,000 students graduated across ten colleges at the latest graduation ceremony
Research 2024
Uganda's top-ranked university and a leading research-output institution in East Africa
What this school emphasises
Focus areas
Academic AchievementResearch & InnovationTertiary PathwaysEmployment Pathways
The Praecip verdict
Uganda's flagship university, the benchmark for higher education in the region
Makerere's scale, research depth and alumni network are unmatched in Uganda. A degree from "the Hill" still opens doors across East Africa and beyond.
Large class sizes and stretched facilities are the trade-off for prestige and breadth. For self-directed students it remains the most consequential choice in the country.
Praecip ratings
How we score this school
4.13/ 5 · Praecip composite
Academics9.00
Core Curriculum8.80
University Admissions8.50
Teaching Quality8.40
Campus & Facilities7.80
Alumni, Reputation & Prestige9.40
Meals & Wellbeing6.80
Personal Development8.20
Sports7.60
Technology & Innovation8.40
Music, Dance & Drama7.80
Pastoral Care7.00
Fees
Tuition by class & residency
| Level | Class | Residency | Amount | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tertiary | Humanities (per year, govt) | day | USh 1,500,000 | / year |
| Tertiary | Sciences (per year, private) | day | USh 3,200,000 | / year |
| Tertiary | Medicine (per year, private) | day | USh 6,500,000 | / year |
Payment methods
- · Bank Transfer
- · AKIBA / e-payment
Term-fee installment plans available.
What fees cover
- · Tuition
- · Functional fees
- · Library & ICT access
Bursaries & discounts
Government Sponsorship
Merit-based state scholarships allocated on UACE results through the national admissions cycle.
Need-based & donor scholarships
Mastercard Foundation, Female Scholarship Initiative and various faculty-specific awards.
For new entrants, one-off extras
- Registration & IDUSh 100,000
- Guild & development feeUSh 120,000
Application & registration
What you'll need
Application requirements
- UACE result slip (or equivalent)
- UCE result slip
- National ID / passport
- Passport-size photos
Application fee: USh 50,000
Cut-off points
- A-Level
Competitive courses (Medicine, Law, Engineering) typically require 17–20 points for government sponsorship; private admission from two principal passes upward.
Admissions open
2025: 45,000 applied · 16,000 offered places
Diary
Upcoming events
Private admissions deadline (2026/27)
3 August 2026
In the news
Latest from the school
Makerere marks a century of scholarship
Centenary programmes continue with new research-chair appointments and an expanded postgraduate intake.
10 April 2026
News & insights
Related reading
Insight8 min
Faith-founded girls' schools and the Nabisunsa model
Read a school's founding story as a clue to its culture, not just its chapel timetable.
5 May 2026Read
Admissions4 min
10 things to check before choosing a secondary school in Uganda
A practical checklist for parents weighing the decision, from results to the things the prospectus never mentions.
16 Jun 2026Read
Where alumni go
The afterlife of a school
Notable alumni
Multiple heads of state, scholars and business leaders
Across East Africa and the Commonwealth
Where alumni work
- · Government of Uganda
- · Bank of Uganda
- · United Nations agencies
- · MTN Uganda
- · Major NGOs & multinationals
Campus
Facilities
curricular
- · Main Library (one of Africa's largest)
- · College of Health Sciences (Mulago)
- · Engineering & technology labs
- · ICT & innovation hub
extracurricular
- · Halls of residence
- · Sports grounds & swimming pool
safety
- · Campus security & university clinic
Gallery
A look around
On social
Follow this school
Parent reviews
What families are saying
The Makerere name carries weight everywhere in the region
The Makerere name carries weight everywhere in the region. You make your own path here.
A Graduate18 March 2026Be the first to find this useful
Reviews are post-then-flag moderated. Sign in to write a review (coming soon).
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