HIGHER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

Introduction 


The Higher Education Certificate (HEC) provides learners with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for further higher education studies in their chosen field of study. The Higher Education Certificate Programme is an intensive programme intended for students who have successfully completed the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent science subjects, but who may not have attained sufficient grades to enroll for Diplomas or Degree programmes, in the higher education sector. The programme is also intended for students from countries whose secondary school qualifications are not considered equivalent to UACE but permit admission into Higher Education in those countries.

Career Options
General Objective
Target Group
Regulations
Classification of Awards
Admission Requirements
Programme Structure
FEES POLICY
Fees per semester
Grade points

There is an increasing number of candidates completing A’ level with less than two (2) principle passes or international students studying under the foreign system (e.g. from other countries). Both of these categories do not meet our minimum direct entry requirements for the degree program.

The current admission requirements to any higher education programme require at least two principal passes for degree programmes and one principal pass and two subsidiaries for a diploma programme. Unfortunately, there is no remedial programme for candidates who qualify for UACE award, but have not scored sufficiently good grades to enroll for degree or diploma programmes. The only available option is for them to repeat Senior Six or enroll for Certificate programmes in tertiary institutions, using the Uganda Certificate of Education (O-Level). The Higher Education Certificate Programme, therefore, is intended to provide the needed alternative route to join higher education. It is an equalizing/equity strategy, because many such citizens would have not been able to benefit from similar training facilities enjoyed by their contemporaries. In addition, this programme is a response to the call by the Government of Uganda for training institutions to promote science education.

The overall objective of Muteesa 1 Royal University is to provide a platform

and stimulate discussion on key issues in the fields of technology and social

economic challenges as well as to encourage research and discussion

surrounding these areas.

The course targets candidates who must have passed with at least four (4) Credit passes in the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination, or its equivalent plus at least three (3) subsidiary passes at the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent.

There shall be a Board of Examiners, which shall be composed of external and internal examiners appointed by the Senate after the recommendation of the Board of the MRU. The Board of Examiners shall receive, consider and recommend to Senate the final examination results of each candidate.

Class

CGPA

Class I (Distinction)

4.40-5.00

Class II (Credit)

2.80-4.39

Class III (Pass)

2.00-2.79

Admission Requirements

Admission into the degree of mass communication will be through any of the four avenues:

  • Direct entry
  • Mature Age Scheme
  • Diploma
  • Others

Direct entry

A candidate must have:

  1. Sat U.C.E. examination (or equivalent) with at least 5 passes, and
  2. Obtained at least one principal pass at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education

(U.C.A.E.).

Mature Age scheme

Aged 25 years and above and has passed a mature age entrance examinations with 50% and above. For degree students, a student may also be admitted if he/she possesses a diploma in journalism from any diploma awarding institutes in Uganda, recognized by UNEB.

Diploma entry

A candidate must have:

  1. Sat U.C.E. examination (or equivalent) with at least 5 passes, and
  2. Obtained at least one principal pass at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education

(U.C.A.E). UACE requirement must have been obtained at the same sitting. Must have passed a diploma course with an average of 60%.

Other; Bridging/access/remedial classes: that is, for students who have done their secondary education outside Uganda, which shall be accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.

. Programme Duration

This degree of mass communication will take three years.

·         Number and length of Semester

Each academic year will have two (2) semesters, each covering seventeen (17) weeks.

15 weeks for teaching and two weeks for examinations thus a total of six (6) semesters for the whole course.

 

Course Coding:

 Courses are coded for this program as follows:

 YEAR ONE, SEMESTER ONE 

CODE

NAME

LH

TH

PH

CH

CU

HEC  1101

Foundation Mathematics

30

30

00

60

4

HEC  1102

Computer skills

30

30

30

45

3

HEC  1104

Communication skills;

30

30

00

45

3

HEC  1105

Principles of Management.

30

30

00

45

3

HEC  1106

Basic English

30

30

00

45

3

TOTAL

SEMESTER LOAD AND TOTAL CREDITS

 

 

 

 

16

 YEAR ONE SEMESTER TWO 

CODE

NAME

LH

TH

PH

CH

CU

HEC  1201

Foundation economics

45

30

00

60

4

 

HEC  1202

East African tourism

30

30

00

45

3

 

HEC  1203

society and ethics

30

30

00

45

3

 

HEC  1204

Introduction to Development studies

30

30

00

45

3

 

HEC  1205

The elements of entrepreneurship success .

30

30

00

45

3

 

TOTAL

SEMESTER LOAD AND TOTAL CREDITS

 

 

 

 

16

 

TOTAL CREDIT

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

               
                   

 YEAR ONE SEMESTER TWO

CODE

NAME

LH

TH

PH

CH

CU

HEC 1206

Foundation Physics I

30

30

30

60

4

HEC 1207

Foundation Physical and Inorganic Chemistry

      30

    30

30

    60

      4

HEC 1208

Functional Biology and Molecular Genetics

30

30

30

60

4

HEC 1201

Introductory Animal and Plant physiology

30

30

30

60

4

HEC 1205

The elements of entrepreneurship success

30

30

00

45

3

TOTAL

SEMESTER LOAD

 

 

 

 

19

GRAND

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

35

  • Tuition and other University fees are due on the first day of the academic year. Privately- sponsored students who cannot pay full fees at the beginning of the academic year are required to pay at least 60% of the course load, if they wish by the set deadline.
  • First year privately-sponsored student who fails to pay the registration fee at the end of the second week of the beginning of an academic year shall forfeit his/her place in the University
  • A continuing privately-sponsored student who shall not have paid fees by the end of the
  • Sixthweek shall be de-registered.
  • Student should complete paying all the University fees by the sixth week of a semester and be registered then.
  • In case a student fails to raise enough money to pay for a full semester load a student can chose courses within the next first six weeks and make payment for the course load he/she can afford and get registered.
  • The minimum course loads to be permitted under this arrangement should be 60% of the total credit units for that semester.
  • Student will not be allowed to pay University fees and register after the end of the sixth week of a semester.
  • Only registered students will be allowed to use University facilities, to attend lecturers, do course work and sit for final examinations.

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PROGRAMME

DURATION

TUITION

FUNCTION FEES

Total Fees

National students

1yr

   

800,000/=

International students

1yr

   

1,125,000/=

Raw Marks

Alpha Grade

Grade Point

Logic Behind the Grade

80-100

A

5.0

Excellent performance indicating mastery of all course-learning outcomes.

75-79

B+

4.5

Very good performance indicating mastery of a substantial portion of course learning outcomes.

70-74

B

4.0

Good performance with some  errors/omissions

65-69

C+

3.5

Above average performance with a number of noticeable errors.

60-65

C

3.0

55-59

D+

2.5

Satisfactory performance.

50-54

D-

2.0

0-49

F

0.0

Fail. There is no evidence of mastery of the learning outcome and the candidate should repeat the course.