This Page is informing the current Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST) Admission Entry requirements 2021/2022 academic session. See the NMAIST Entry requirements – sifa za kujiunga na NMAIST for all Courses and Programmes
What are NMAIST entry requirements?
NMAIST Entry requirements are formal criteria you NMAIST meet in order to be considered for a degree course you’re applying to at the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST).
These criteria are set by the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, to determine whether you’re capable of meeting its objectives. This is based on relevant or similar skills, knowledge and ability you’ve demonstrated in previous qualifications, exams and assessments – see below the full list of entry requirements you might need to meet, for a given course at the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST).
The following is the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology Entry requirements, every prospective student at the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology is recommended to read the Entry requirements before applying for Admission to any academic programme available at NMAIST for the 2021/2022 Academic Year.
Admission Requirements
Master’s by Course work and Dissertation
To be admitted into a Master’s programme by Coursework and Dissertation at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:
- Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
- The applicant must satisfy the programme and specialty specific requirements as specified by the respective School/Department hosting the programme.
- The applicant may be expected to undergo an entry assessment by a panel appointed by the host School/Department, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, or (3) interview plus written assessment.
Master’s by Coursework and Project
This is a professional Master’s programme and a student will spend the first three semester’s doing coursework and one final semester in a pre-selected industry or NM-AIST laboratory to solve a pre-agreed problem of the industry or community.
To be admitted into a Master’s programme by Coursework and Project at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:
- Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization and working experience in related field (as guided by relevant School) will be added advantage.
- The applicant must satisfy the programme and specialty specific requirements as specified by the respective School/Department hosting the programme.
- The applicant may be expected to undergo an entry assessment by a panel appointed by the host School/Department, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, or (3) interview plus written assessment.
Master’s by Research and Thesis
To be admitted into a Master’s programme by Research and Thesis at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:
- Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a GPA of at least 3.5/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization and, either:
- Possession of a prototype that requires incubation/scaling up in line with NMAIST’s research and innovation policy and guidelines, or
- Evidence of at least ONE-year working experience in related field and at least ONE publication in an accredited peer-reviewed journal as the FIRST author.
- Submission along with application documents, a concise ONE-page concept notes or details of a prototype of what he/she wishes to work on as part of his/her study provided it is within the NM-AIST research agenda.
- The applicant should be ready to pursue prescribed skills and capacity enhancing courses which are offered to all Master’s students at NM-AIST as common core courses and as may be recommended by the supervisors, to enhance research performance. The courses may be taken flexibly during the duration of the programme but MUST be successfully completed before graduation.
PhD by Coursework and Dissertation
To be admitted into a PhD programme by Coursework and Dissertation at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:
- Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
- Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or its equivalent and at least an average of “B” in the relevant subjects or field of specialization.
- The applicant must satisfy the Programme and specialty specific requirements as specified by the respective School/Department hosting the programme.
- The applicant may be expected to undergo an entry assessment by a panel appointed by the host School/Department, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, or (3) interview plus written assessment.
To be admitted into a PhD programme by Research and Thesis at the NM-AIST, the following requirements will be taken into consideration:
- Possession of at least a second class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees (e.g. M.D, BVM & DDS) should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
- Possession of Master’s degree from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0.
- Demonstrate working and research experience by either producing evidence of:
- At least TWO years working experience in related field and at least TWO publications in accredited peer-reviewed journals, being the FIRST author in ONE publication or
- ONE publication and a patent/prototype emanating from his/her research/innovation work in line with NM-AIST’s Research and Innovation Policy, or
- A prototype that requires incubation/scaling up in line with NM-AIST’s Research and Innovation Policy, or
- A funded research project with a PhD training component in which the applicant is the project PI/ Co PI in a related field, or
- Working experience (in related field) of at least FIVE years and a statement of purpose (education background, motivation for study programme, study plan and map, plan after study, honours and awards).
- Submission along with application documents, a concise TWO-page concept note or details of a prototype of what he/she wishes to work on as part of his/her study provided it is within the NM-AIST research agenda.
- The applicant may be expected to defend the concept note or prototype before a panel appointed by the host School/Department to demonstrate the candidate’s research skills and work experience.
- The applicant should be ready to pursue prescribed skills and capacity-enhancing courses that are offered to all PhD students at NM-AIST as common core courses and the supervisors may recommend as, enhancing research performance. The courses may be taken flexibly during the duration of the programme but MUST be successfully completed before graduation.
Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST) General Minimum Entry Requirements for Equivalent Applicants
| Category of Applicants | Minimum Undergraduate Admission Entry Qualifications |
| Ordinary
Diploma, FTC and Equivalent Qualification Applicants |
At least four passes in non-religious subjects (“D‟s and above) at O‟ Level or NVA Level III with less than four O‟ Level passes or equivalent foreign qualifications as established by either NECTA or VETA; AND |
| i) At least a GPA of 3.0 for Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6); OR | |
| ii) Average of “C” 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 Health-related 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. | |
| 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 a respective cluster (Arts, Science and Business Studies) PLUS
An Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination with at least 1.5 from two subjects OR An Ordinary Diploma from the recognized institution with a GPA of at least 2.0 OR NTA level 5 /Professional Technician Level II Certificate. |
Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST) General Minimum Entry Requirements for Direct Applicants
| Category of Applicants | Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications |
| Completed A’ Level
Studies before 2014 |
Two principal passes 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) |
| 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) |
| Completed A’ Level
Studies from 2016 onwards |
Two principal passes 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) |
| 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 a respective cluster (Arts, Science and Business Studies)
PLUS An Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination with at least 1.5 from two subjects OR An Ordinary Diploma from the recognized institution with a GPA of at least 2.0 OR NTA level 5 /Professional Technician Level II Certificate. |
Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST) Minimum Entry Requirements for all post graduate programmes
| Admission into | Minimum Admission Entry Qualifications |
| Postgraduate Certificate programme | At least a Bachelor Degree (UQF level 8). |
| Postgraduate Diploma programme | A Postgraduate Certificate OR Bachelor Degree (UQF level 8) with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or C grade. |
| Master Degree
programme (all types) |
a) A relevant academic Bachelor Degree (UQF level 8) or equivalent with GPA of 2.7 or B grade;
b) A Postgraduate Diploma in relevant discipline/area or equivalent with minimum GPA of 3.0 or B grade; and c) A Professional training qualification with additional relevant training, evidence of research capability and relevant working experience. |
| Phd programme (all
types) |
A Master Degree (UQF level 9) in relevant discipline/area or equivalent with a minimum of GPA of 3.0 or B grade. |
Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST) general Entry Requirements for certificate and diploma Programmes
For an applicant to be eligible for admission into certificate and diploma Programmes, he/she NMAIST satisfy the minimum entry requirements of four passes in non-religious subjects in Certificate of secondary education examination (CSEE). However, there are some programme requirements that are specific to certain programmes.
Further specific admission requirements are detailed in the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NMAIST) Prospectus 2021/2022
For more details about NMAIST Undergraduate entry requirements Download the TCU admission guidebook 2021/2022 here
For more details about NMAIST Diploma and certificate entry requirements Download the NACTE NTA Admission Guidebook 2021/2022 here
