This Page is informing the current Zanzibar University (ZU) Admission Entry requirements 2021/2022 academic session. See the ZU Entry requirements – sifa za kujiunga na ZU for all Courses and Programmes
What are ZU entry requirements?
ZU Entry requirements are formal criteria you ZU meet in order to be considered for a degree course you’re applying to at the Zanzibar University (ZU).
These criteria are set by the Zanzibar University, 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 Zanzibar University (ZU).
The following is the Zanzibar University Entry requirements, every prospective student at the Zanzibar University is recommended to read the Entry requirements before applying for Admission to any academic programme available at ZU for the 2021/2022 Academic Year.
Non-Degree Entry Requiremnent
Zanzibar University admits students based on TCU and NACTE guidelines and, therefore, all applicants are advised to abide with the updated criteria provided as follows:-
Minimum Admission Requirements for Certificate Programmes (NTA LEVEL 4)
From NACTE guidelines, students shall be admitted into the various programmes basing on the following admission and/or registration requirements:-
- Possession of at least four passes of relevant Form IV (O-Level) subjects or its equivalent established by National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA); OR
- Possession of at least two passes (Engineering Sciences) at Form IV level or its equivalent established by NECTA or NVA level 3 or its equivalent established by VETA.
- A mean Grade D, or its equivalent from countries that have 8 – 4 – 4 educational system.
Minimum Admission Requirements for Ordinary Diploma (UQF LEVEL 5 & 6)
From TCU guidelines, students shall be admitted into the various programmes basing on the following admission and/or registration requirements: –
- Possession of at least four passes of relevant Form Four subjects or its equivalent established by NECTA based on Tanzania education system AND NTA Level 4 Certificate. OR
- Possession of Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (A-Level) with one principal pass or its equivalent (at least two subsidiaries) established by NECTA based on Tanzania education system, OR
- Possession of NABE AND NTA Level 4 Certificate, OR
- Possession of any Bachelor Degree from a recognised institution.
Minimum Admission Requirements for UQF LEVEL 6 Certificates (Pre-University Programme (P.U.P))
- Possession of NTA Level 5 Certificate, OR
- Possession of Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A-Level) or its equivalent with at least one (1) principal pass or two or more subsidiaries; OR
- At least a pass in Diploma from recognized Universities or Institutions; OR
- Any first degree from a recognized University; OR
- A mean Grade C or above, or its equivalent from countries that have 8 – 4 – 4 educational system.
Bachelor Degree Entry Requiremnent
The minimum entry requirements as set by TCU and NACTE to join degree programmes are as follows:-
- For A-Level applicants, the minimum entry qualification is two principal passes with a total of 4.0 points and three credits at O’ Level.
- For the applicants with RPL qualification, the minimum qualification is ‘B’ grade.
- At least Four O’ Level passes (D’s and above) or NVA level III with less than four O’ Level passes or equivalent foreign qualifications as established by either NECTA or VETA; AND
- Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6) with at least GPA of 3.0 or
- Full Technician Certificate (FTC) with at least points average of 2.7 (where A=5, B=4, C=3 and D=2 points); or
- Diploma in Teacher Education with an average of ‘C’ grade; or
- Health related awards such as Clinical Medicine with average of ‘B’ grade; or
- Credit class diploma for classified diplomas and certificates in terms of ‘distinctions, ‘credit’ or pass’ or
- Lower Second Class diploma for classified non-NTA diplomas; or
- Average of ‘B’ grade or Lower Second Class in recognized pre-entry programme offered by technical institutions accredited by NACTE for both A level and Diploma holders with lower than minimum entry requirements.
Additional Requirements for Different Degree Programmes
- Candidate applies for Bachelor Degrees in Business Administration; Islamic Banking and Finance; Procurement and Logistic Management; Information Technology; Economics; Nursing; Computer Engineering & Information Technology; and Telecommunications Engineering must: –
- Possess a Principal or Subsidiary Level pass in Mathematics at “A” level; OR
- Have passed Mathematics subject with at least D grade at “O” level; OR
- Have a pass in Statistics or Mathematics or Quantitative Methods at Ordinary Diploma level.
- For engineering programmes, applicants must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at A-level and at least passed in Physics and Mathematics.
- For Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a candidate must have principal passes in Biology and Chemistry at A-level.
- Candidate applying for Bachelor of Law and Shariah must have “O” Level Credit pass in English.
Note:
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- The programme requirements use the Old Grading System to applicants who completed Form Four and Form Six in 1988-2013. For Form Six applicants who completed their studies from 2014, their grades will be translated into Old Grading System.
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The translation is illustrated in table below and will be used for admission purposes only. For the new grading system principal pass is between ‘A’ and ‘D’.
PhD Programmes
To be admitted into a doctorate degree at Zanzibar University:-
- A candidate must have obtained at least a good relevant Master degree from a recognized institution of higher learning.
- Candidates from institutions where the Master degrees are classified, a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 in 5.0 grade system is required.
- An applicant would be required to submit a synopsis of proposed study of 3-5 pages clearly indicating the title of the study, research problem and the objectives.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
To be admitted to this programme, the applicant must fulfil any of the following conditions:-
- Hold a good undergraduate degree of the Zanzibar University in any discipline, or its equivalent from any approved institution or accredited institution of higher learning. Zanzibar University shall usually require a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in 5.0 grade system.
- Possess a postgraduate diploma in business studies or related fields from recognised institution.
- Hold an advanced diploma from an accredited institution of higher learning, with a minimum of a second class, upper division and at least two years of working experience.
- Hold an internationally recognized professional qualification, such as CPA, ACCA, CA, and CSP plus two years or more of working experience.
Master of Law (LL.M) in Comparative Laws
The general minimum entry requirements for the admission into the programme of Master of Laws (LLM) in Comparative Laws are as follows:-
- A candidate must be a holder of the LL.B degree of not less than the second class awarded by the Zanzibar University; OR
- A candidate must be a holder of the LL.B degree of equivalent merit from any other approved institution; OR
- A candidate must satisfy the requirements for the award of the LLB degree, provided that the said LL.B degree shall be of CGPA 2.7 or above in 5.0 grade system; OR
- A candidate must be a holder of a Bachelor Degree in Islamic Law of not less than second class awarded by any other approved institution; OR
- A candidate must be a holder of Postgraduate Diploma in Law from any approved institution, and who is also a holder of a First Degree or Advanced Diploma in Law;
- A who has not taken, in his/her first degree, some core courses of either Common Law or Islamic law shall be required to take respective pre-requisite courses and pass their examinations so as to meet the minimum requirements.
Master of Sciences in Economics and Finance (MSc Econ. & Fin.)
To be admitted to the programme, the applicant must fulfil any of the following conditions:-
- Hold a good undergraduate degree of the Zanzibar University in Economics (BA in Economics); OR
- Hold a good undergraduate degree of the Zanzibar University in Business Administration (BBA) or its equivalent; OR
- Relevant bachelor degree from any approved institution of higher learning.
- The Zanzibar University requires a bachelor degree cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 in 5.0 grade system.
Master of Public Administration Programme (MPA)
The general minimum entry requirements for the admission into the program of MPA are as follows:
- A candidate must be a holder of Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration of not less than the second class awarded by the Zanzibar University; OR
- A candidate must be a holder of any other Bachelor Degree of equivalent merit from any other approved University; OR
- A candidate must satisfy the requirements for the award of the Bachelor Degree, provided the degree shall be of GPA 2.7 or above in 5.0 grade system; OR
- A candidate must be a holder of any Postgraduate Diploma from any approved University, and who is also a holder of a Bachelor Degree of any discipline (pass classification).
- Proof of English Language Proficiency is required for an applicant whose medium of instruction at university was not English.
- Possession of a minimum working experience of two years in the field of Public Administration will be considered as an added advantage.
Zanzibar University (ZU) 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. |
Zanzibar University (ZU) 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. |
Zanzibar University (ZU) 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. |
Zanzibar University (ZU) general Entry Requirements for certificate and diploma Programmes
For an applicant to be eligible for admission into certificate and diploma Programmes, he/she ZU 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 Zanzibar University (ZU) Prospectus 2021/2022
For more details about ZU Undergraduate entry requirements Download the TCU admission guidebook 2021/2022 here
For more details about ZU Diploma and certificate entry requirements Download the NACTE NTA Admission Guidebook 2021/2022 here
