Which are the main courses offered at African Rural University in Uganda?
ARU is one of the few universities in Uganda that focuses on providing quality education to Ugandan women. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses as follows:
Degree Course:
So far the degree that is being offered is a Bachelor of Rural Development (BRD). This degree was accredited by Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). The BRD is a four year course i.e. three years of classroom study and one year field practice. Each year of classroom study is divided into two semesters of 17 weeks each. The Curriculum is designed in such a way that 60% of the Course content is covered under lectures while the 40% is covered under field practice. There are three entry schemes for this degree:
- Holders of Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with a minimum of two Principle Passes [either in Arts or Science Subjects] obtained at the same sitting.
- Holders of Diplomas [in either Science, humanities or Arts disciplines] from a recognized institution.
- Holders of Certificates of Mature Age Examinations by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Credit Certificate Course:
So far the Certificate Course being offered is a Certificate in Rural Entrepreneurship and Business Management (CREB); plans are under way to introduce other Certificate Courses. Credit Certificate means that on successful completion of such a course, one is legible for admission to any One Year ARU Diploma in Rural Development and eventually to the BRD. Plans are under way to introduce Diploma Courses after their accreditation by NCHE. The CREB lasts for One Year divided into two Semesters of Seventeen Weeks each. Admission Criteria: a minimum of three passes at Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE).
Future programmes
ARU will accept 30 women students every year into each programme. The small class size is designed to accommodate supporting a mix of theory and practice throughout the curriculum. The intent is to graduate specialists who can begin work immediately, have real impact, document the work, and thus expand the scope of that impact.
Other programme specialty areas will be rolled out in a staggered fashion, to allow for development and approval of the curriculum by the NCHE. Specialties will be offered in:
- Rural Development – (this is the specialty currently being offered
- Agribusiness
- Rural Finance
