Makerere University and its constituent business affiliate, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), have released official cut-off points for private students, providing a key benchmark for applicants targeting the 2026-2027 intake.
The list, issued by the Academic Registrar’s Department, outlines minimum entry requirements across more than 100 academic programmes or courses, highlighting the most competitive and least competitive courses at Uganda’s premier institution.
Highly competitive programmes continue to dominate the top tier, particularly in the health and engineering fields. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) remains among the most demanding courses, requiring 49.7 points for males and 46.3 for females. Similarly, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering stands at 49.7 (M) and 45.9 (F), while Bachelor of Architecture is pegged at 49.5 (M) and 49.1 (F).
Other science-based programmes also maintain high entry thresholds. Software Engineering requires 44.7 (M) and 40.2 (F), while Computer Science (Day) stands at 43.1 (M) and 38.0 (F). Health-related programmes such as Dental Surgery and Biomedical Engineering also feature prominently among the most competitive courses.
At MUBS, business-related programmes show varied entry points depending on demand and study schedules. Bachelor of Business Administration (Day) is set at 39.8, while other programmes such as Business Computing and Commerce record lower cut-offs, with some evening options going below 10 points.
In contrast, arts and humanities programmes generally register lower cut-off points. Courses such as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Sciences range between 13.6 and 16.5, making them more accessible to a wider pool of applicants.
Fees Structure Across Programmes
Beyond entry requirements, tuition fees remain a key consideration for prospective students. The fees structure from Makerere University and MUBS shows how fees vary significantly depending on the programme and are typically charged per semester.
For arts and humanities courses, tuition averages around UGX 1.0 million to UGX 1.1 million per semester, translating to approximately UGX 2.0 million to UGX 2.2 million per year.
Business-related programmes at MUBS fall within a similar or slightly higher range depending on the course and study mode.
Science and technology programmes fall in a higher bracket, with students paying between UGX 1.5 million and UGX 2.1 million per semester, or roughly UGX 3.0 million to UGX 4.2 million annually.
Professional programmes in health sciences are among the most expensive. Courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing cost about UGX 2.0 million or more per semester, pushing total annual tuition to UGX 4.0 million and above.
In addition to tuition, students are required to pay functional fees, which include charges for registration, examinations, library services, ICT, and development.
These costs, though smaller, add several hundred thousand shillings to the total annual bill.
Other expenses such as accommodation, internship fees and graduation charges may also apply depending on the programme.
The release of both cut-off points and fee structures offers a comprehensive guide for students planning to join Makerere University and MUBS. While high-demand courses remain highly competitive, the wide range of programmes ensures opportunities for applicants across different academic performance levels and financial capacities.
Meanwhile, different public universities have released lists of students admitted on government sponsorship for the 2026-2027 academic year.
See government sponsorship admission lists for Makerere, Mubs, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Gulu University Here, There and Over There.
The list of Uganda’s best 65 universities and institutes in 2026 is Here.
