Whether you are looking to enroll in an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate program, a diploma, or a certificate course, understanding the official entry requirements is your very first step. As a premier institution with competitive entry quotas, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) tightly regulates its admissions in partnership with national regulatory bodies.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the UDSM Admission Criteria 2026/2027.
About the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)
Established on 25th October 1961, the University of Dar es Salaam is the oldest and largest public university in Tanzania. It is located on the western side of the city of Dar es Salaam, occupying 1,625 acres on the observation hill, just 13 kilometers from the city centre.
UDSM is globally renowned for its academic excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, offering hundreds of programs across various colleges and schools.
Why Students Choose UDSM:
- High Academic Standards: Rigorous training that prepares competitive global graduates.
- Experienced Lecturers: Access to top-tier professors and researchers.
- Modern Research Facilities: State-of-the-art libraries and laboratories.
- International Partnerships: Strong global institutional networks.
- Diverse Academic Spectrum: Wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate options.
1. General Minimum Undergraduate Entry Requirements
To be deemed eligible for consideration for admission into any first-degree program at UDSM, a candidate must fulfill general minimum entry qualifications alongside specific faculty requirements:
- Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (C.S.E.E.): A candidate must possess a C.S.E.E. (Form IV) or its equivalent, with passes in five approved subjects, three of which must be at Credit level obtained prior to sitting for the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A.C.S.E.E.) or its equivalent.
- Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A.C.S.E.E.): A candidate must obtain two principal level passes in appropriate subjects in the A.C.S.E.E. or its equivalent.
Important Note: Meeting these minimum qualifications does not automatically guarantee admission, as entry remains highly competitive depending on individual program capacities.
2. Undergraduate Entry Schemes
UDSM processes undergraduate applications through three main pathways:
A) Direct Entry Scheme (Form VI Graduates)
This scheme applies to students entering straight from advanced secondary education.
- Central Admission System (CAS): Admissions are closely coordinated through the Central Admission System managed by the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) and NACTE.
- Required Combinations: Candidates must have taken relevant subject combinations specified by their program of choice.
- Grade-to-Point Scale: Points are calculated based on the official TCU scale:
- A = 5 | B = 4 | C = 3 | D = 2 | E = 1 | S = 0.5 | F = 0
- Cut-off Points: Total points must not fall below 5 points for Arts programmes and 2 points for Science programmes. Principal passes in Divinity or Islamic Knowledge are excluded from point calculations.
B) Equivalent Qualifications Scheme (Diploma Holders)
Designed for applicants holding alternative higher education credentials.
- Diploma Standards: Must hold an appropriate Diploma of not less than Second Class / Credit level or a B grade from an approved NACTE institution.
- Grade Averages: For classified diplomas, an Upper Second Class or B+ average is required.
- 8-4-4 Curricula: Applicants from international 8-4-4 education systems must complete at least one year of university studies or hold equivalent credentials.
- Application Path: Diploma in Education, NTA Level 6, and non-NTA Level 6 applicants apply through CAS.
C) Mature Age Entry Scheme
An alternative entry window for exceptional Tanzanian candidates who lack conventional direct or equivalent qualifications:
- Age: Must be 25 years or older by August 1st of the application year.
- Schooling Gap: Must have attempted Form IV or Form VI at least five years prior to September 1st of the application year.
- Examination (MAEE): Achieve a minimum score of 100 total on the Mature Age Entry Examination (at least 50 in Paper I and 50 in Paper II).
- Track Record: Candidates must provide proof of structured self-improvement through extra-mural or residential adult education courses with institutional recommendations.
3. Postgraduate Admission Requirements
For advanced career tracks, UDSM operates rigorous entry screening for postgraduate qualifications:
Master’s Degree Programmes
- A valid Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum GPA thresholds as required by specific hosting colleges or institutes.
- Academic transcripts and a matching professional background.
PhD Programmes
- A master’s degree from a recognized higher learning institution.
- A high-quality preliminary Research Proposal.
- Comprehensive Academic Transcripts and academic letters of recommendation.
- Note: Individual departments may request panel interviews or additional written entry examinations.
4. Required Documents and Fees
Mandatory Application Checklists:
- National ID / Passport
- Official Academic Certificates
- Detailed Academic Transcripts
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Valid Email Address & Phone Number
- Official Non-refundable Fee Payment Receipt
Non-Refundable Application Fees:
- Tanzanian Applicants: T.Shs. 20,000/=
- International Applicants: USD 45
Warning: Applications submitted without verified payments will not be processed under any circumstances. International certificates must feature official equations and translations from TCU or NACTE before submission.
How to Apply
All prospective students must review the specific “Instructions to Applicants” document on the school site and submit their details via the official online portal:
👉 Official UDSM Application Portal: https://admission.udsm.ac.tz/
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