Congratulations are in order. A-Level students have fought the good fight; they’ve come this far by sacrificing so much to be at this stage, so congratulations! Not forgetting the parents and guardians, teachers and support system who’ve done a tremendous job, you are valued. To the student still struggling with self-doubt: you have done your best, and there is still much to look forward to ahead.

Now, what does the future look like? The transition from secondary school to tertiary institutions or the job market begins! This article will focus solely on the transition into university, helping guardians and students understand the best course that aligns with specific combinations and the best universities to do them at.

Before we dive deep into the conversation on universities and combinations, let’s discuss what happens when you qualify for a UACE certificate but do not qualify to do a bachelor’s degree program. Or, what happens when you qualify for a bachelor’s degree program, but cannot afford it? Often, students find themselves embarrassed because they either do not qualify for a degree program or they cannot afford it. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, nothing to worry about. Certificates and Diplomas remain qualifications that lift you from your current position. One thing you should note is that diploma programs or Higher Education Certificates are not a sign of failure.

Kenya’s second president, Arap Moi, started with a certificate in education. Because of his determination, he rose from being a primary 3 teacher to leading a whole country for 24 years. The founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, dropped out of college after only six months of study and went ahead to establish a multimillion-dollar company. These examples aren’t to encourage you to ditch higher education; it is very fundamental in helping an individual establish their future. However, if there is no way to finance this path, do not think it is the end of the world.

Mrs Ayo Birabi, the former dean of students at Uganda Christian University (2015 – 2019) and an education enthusiast, points out that interest is key because it determines your completion of the program you set out to pursue. She says, “With that certificate or diploma, you can grow. Ask yourself what you are passionate about, what you do best that makes you feel good and focus on that. DO NOT LAMENT BECAUSE YOU’VE NOT GONE FOR A DEGREE PROGRAM.”

Ugandan University Guide for UACE Candidates
Now, when looking at Universities, the first thing to understand is that two principal passes and at least five passes at UCE are required to qualify for a bachelor’s programme at any university in Uganda. However, for science courses, a minimum of two principal passes in Mathematics and Physics are required, unlike arts courses, where principal passes are not subject-specific. Choosing what course to pursue mostly depends on the A-Level combination you took.

For example, students who did BCM/ICT and PCB/SubMath often do medical courses that require principal passes in Biology and Chemistry. Some of the medical courses open for such students are pharmacy, radiography, nursing, midwifery and dentistry.

Those who did BAG/SubMath, BAC/SubMath, BCFN/SubMath, and BAFN/SubMath tend to incline more towards health sciences. Courses in this path include Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science and Entrepreneurship, Food and Nutrition, Food Processing and Food Technology, and Environmental Science.

Students who did engineering and physical sciences, Physics and Mathematics are core subjects. PCM/ICT, PEconM, PEntM, and PAM are some of the combinations that align with students seeking to pursue civil, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications engineering. For students who did PMTD, architectural courses are the best option.

If you are looking for Universities that specialise in this field, these are a few public and private options to consider: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda Petroleum Institute, Equator University of Science and Technology, Fins Medical University (Fort Portal) and Valley University of Science and Technology.

Haddijah Nagujja, a secondary school Physics and Chemistry teacher in Mukono, says that students are encouraged to pursue sciences if they can. However, she also notes that as teachers, they look at the strengths of their students and encourage them to focus on those. She also adds that, “competitive universities in the central region (Kampala, Mukono), may reject students because of cut off points, while universities in upcountry may accept the student regardless.”  Therefore, students are encouraged not to put all their eggs in one basket and to explore universities across the country.

Students who have done business combinations such as MEG, MEconEnt, MEconTD, and MEA are eligible to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics, as well as courses in Accounting and Finance, Procurement or Surveying. The core subjects for business courses are Economics and Mathematics, so having studied them is compulsory.

For arts students, their cut-off points are much higher, especially if you’re looking for a government scholarship: 18 points for a bursary bachelor’s degree and 13 points for a bursary in a diploma course. If a student has done HEG, HEFA/SM, DEG, HDL, GEL, GEA or HAL, then they’re eligible to do courses in Tourism, Law, Journalism, Counselling and Guidance, Business Administration, Social Work and Art and Design. Advantageously for art courses, there are no specific subjects one has to take to qualify.

Ainamaani Mary Patience, a recent university graduate and a secondary school teacher in Fort Portal, describes the transition from secondary school to university as a fair experience. She says, “It’s a change that comes with so much, so get prepared. Prepare your minds to adapt to change and adjust accordingly. Know what you want and stick to that.”

The shift from Secondary school to university is major. It requires a level head, a clear vision and of course money. Some universities do have financial aid options; however, even if you qualify, you will still have to cater for your feeding and personal needs. The move towards higher education encourages a balance of maturity and exploration. Be sure to have fun, but also remember your mission.

Here is a list of other Universities in Uganda to consider.
Busitema University
Gulu University
Kabale University
Kyambogo University
Lira University
Makerere University
Mountains of the Moon University
Soroti University
Uganda Management Institute
Makerere University Business School (MUBS)

African Bible College
Bishop Stuart University
Bishop Braham University College
Bugema University
Muni University
Kabale University
Busitema University
Clarke International University
Great Lakes Regional University Kanungu
ISBAT University

Islamic University in Uganda
Ibanda University
Uganda Christian University
International University of East Africa
Cavendish University
Uganda Martyrs University
St Lawrence University
Aga Khan University
Kampala International University
Uganda Technical College Bushenyi

Muteesa I Royal University
Ndejje University
Nkumba University
St Peters University
Uganda Pentecostal University
University of Sacred Heart Gulu