
KAMPALA, Uganda — Makerere University has extended the deadline for applications to its postgraduate programs for the 2024/2025 academic year to Friday, May 30, 2025. The initial closing date was Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
The Academic Registrar announced the extension, inviting applications for Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters, and Doctoral degrees. To be eligible, applicants must possess at least a first or second-class degree (or its equivalent) from a chartered university obtained by the time of completion. They also need a Uganda Certificate of Education (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (or its equivalent).
All graduate programs at Makerere are privately sponsored, and applicants seeking sponsorship must have their applications endorsed by their sponsors. The university noted that the advertised fees exclude functional fees, accommodation, books, research, and other related expenses.
The university offers PhD degrees by research across all its colleges. Applicants for these programs must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field and have achieved at least a first or second-class undergraduate degree. PhD by research applicants are required to submit online applications and four hard copies of their concept notes to Office No. 410, Level 4, Senate Building.
The application process is conducted online through the university’s admissions portal at https://apply.mak.ac.ug. First-time users need to sign up with their full name, email address, and mobile number, ensuring the name matches their supporting academic documents. Applicants will receive a password to their email and phone, which they will be prompted to change.
The online form requires applicants to fill all sections and upload scanned copies of academic transcripts, certificates, and passport photos. Referee recommendation forms are available online and must be filled, scanned, and uploaded as well.
Applicants are required to obtain a payment reference number through the online system and make a non-refundable application fee payment at any bank used by the Uganda Revenue Authority. The fee is UGX 50,000 for East African applicants and UGX 151,500 for international applicants. International applicants can also make payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or other means in Ugandan Shillings to a designated URA collection account at the Bank of Uganda.
Applicants for the Master of Laws (LLM) program will be required to take a Graduate Admission Test (GAT), including an oral interview and a written test, with dates and requirements to be announced by the School of Law. Similarly, Master of Business Administration (MBA) applicants for both the College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School will undergo a GMAT test, with schedules to be communicated by the respective institutions.
Specific requirements also apply to the Master of Public Infrastructure Management (MPIM) program, including at least two years of proven professional experience at a managerial or policy-making level. MPIM applicants must also submit a two-page short curriculum vitae and referee recommendations.