Makerere University’s Head of the Mature Entry Department, Simon Peter Musoke, has clarified that Mature Age Entry examinations are designed strictly for university admission, not as an academic equivalent to Senior Six qualifications.
In an interview with Farouq Sarkozy on the Gosssip Live Youth Tube Channel, Musoke noted that the scheme was established to support adults aged 25 and above who were forced to drop out of school due to circumstances such as financial hardships but now wish to pursue university education.
Four pathways to join university
Musoke explained that the Mature Age Entry scheme is one of four routes through which a person can be admitted to Makerere University.
The others are: Direct entry for Senior Six leavers with the required points, Diploma entry for diploma holders upgrading to degree level, and Degree entry for individuals seeking a second undergraduate degree.
Eligibility
To qualify for mature entry, an applicant must be at least 25 years old.
Musoke said Makerere University administers two sets of exams for mature applicants including Paper One ( Aptitude Test).
This exam screens all applicants and examines five key areas: reading and comprehension, language skills, numerical skills, general knowledge, and analytical skills.
He noted that an aptitude test helps determine or assess whether an applicant is ready to meet the academic rigour of the university like any other student.
Another paper II exam is called Programme Specific Examination. Musoke explains that this paper is divided into Arts and Humanities and Science, and applicants take the section aligned with the course they intend to study.
Passing the exam, set at a 50% pass mark, qualifies a candidate for consideration during admission, which still depends on competition and available slots in specific programmes.
Certificate valid for two years
Musoke clarified that the Mature Age Entry certificate is not equivalent to a Senior Six certificate. Instead, it is strictly used for admission purposes and remains valid for two years, allowing candidates who passed but were not admitted in the first attempt to try again without retaking the exam.
If an applicant fails to secure admission within the two-year window, they must sit for the exams again.
He emphasised that the certificate is recognised by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and can be used to apply to other universities but not as an equivalent to senior six certificate.
Musoke also stressed that candidates admitted under the Mature Age Entry scheme are bound to the programme they applied and were examined for.
“All the exams are tailored to the programme you choose. If you are successful, that is the programme you must take till the end. There is no changing of courses,” he said.
No bridging courses
Makerere University Academic Registrar, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, added that unlike other public universities, Makerere does not offer bridging or Higher Education Certificate (HEC) courses.
“If you sit Senior Six and get one principal pass instead of the required two which takes you direct to university admission, your option is to pursue the Higher Education Certificate for nine months at institutions that offer it. After passing, you can use those results to apply for a degree,” Buyinza explained.
He noted that although the HEC programme is approved by NCHE and offered by universities such as Mbarara and Gulu, Makerere University has chosen not to adopt it, but has other pathways which applicants can use.
NOTE: You can get the whole interview and more educative, edutaimnet and informative interviews on Gossip Live You Tube Channel.
For this specific interveiw just type in URL ADDRESS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuy6la4NPN0
