Higher Education Certificate in Business Studies

1.1 Introduction

The current admission requirements to any higher education programme require at least two principal passes for degree programmes and one principal pass and two subsidiaries for a diploma programme. Unfortunately, there is no remedial programme for candidates who qualify for UACE but have not scored sufficiently good grades to enroll for degree or diploma programmes. The only available option is for them to repeat Senior Six or enroll for Certificate programmes using the Uganda Certificate of Education. This programme is therefore intended to provide an alternative route for students to join higher education.

The Higher Education Certificate is intended for the following categories:

1. UACE Holders: The HEC is intended for holders of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education or equivalent qualifications but who may not have attained sufficient grades to enroll for Diplomas or Degree programmes in Uganda.
2. Foreign Qualification: This HEC also serves as a foundation programme for students whose foreign secondary school qualifications are not considered equivalent to UACE but permit admission into Higher Education in the foreign country.
3. Linkage between the Vocational Qualifications and the Higher Education Qualifications. One of the challenges facing holders of vocational qualifications is the inability to cross to Higher Education at the same levels as those with school qualifications. There is a general belief that holders of vocational qualifications may be highly skilled but lack adequate theoretical foundations to join knowledge-based higher education programmes. This HEC programme is designed to enroll holders of vocational qualifications and expose them to rigorous theoretical foundations that will enable them pursue desired higher education programmes.

1.2 Programme Rationale

The programme is intended to enable students;

1. Acquire basic knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with business management.
2. Present and understand qualitative and quantitative data as used in many fields of education especially in finance and management.
3. Know the appropriateness of basic information technology approaches to solving problems related to business organizations.
4. Gain a foundation for upgrading to various degree level programmes such as Bachelor of Business computing (BBC), Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Bsc. CS), Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) etc

1.2 Course Objectives

The programme is intended to enable students;

1. Acquire basic knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with business management.
2. Present and understand qualitative and quantitative data as used in many fields of education especially in finance and management.
3. Know the appropriateness of basic information technology approaches to solving problems related to business organizations.
4. Gain a foundation for upgrading to various degree level programmes such as Bachelor of Business computing (BBC), Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Bsc. CS), Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) etc.

1.4 Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme, students should be able to;

1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with business management.
2. Demonstrate an ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, in order to develop lines of arguments and make sound judgments in accordance with basic theories and concepts in finance and management.
3. Evaluate the appropriateness of basic information technology approaches to solving problems related to business organizations.
4. Upgrade to various degree level programmes such as Bachelor of Business computing (BBC), Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Bsc. CS), Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) etc.

1.5 Career Prospects

Upon completion of the course, the Higher Education Certificate holders can apply for any business related degree.

2.0 Entry requirements.

Admissions will be through any of the following avenues:

1. Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with at least two subsidiary passes or its equivalent. At least one of the subsidiary pass shall be from a principal subject.
2. A holder of Vocational Qualification at level 2 or level 3 of the Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework.
3. Qualifications equivalent to Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) as shall be determined by the NCHE in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board.
4. An ordinary certificate from an institution recognized by NCHE
5. Students whose foreign secondary school qualifications are not considered equivalent to UACE but permit admission into Higher Education in the foreign country. Such students shall have passed at least five subjects with a minimum overall grade of C (equivalently a Ugandan grade 5).

NB. Foreign students whose studies were not conducted in English shall show proof of proficiency in the English Language.

2.1 Programme duration.

The Programme shall cover a period of One year of two (2) semesters and a recess term.

3.0 Programme Structure.

Year One    Semester One      

Year One    Semester Two

Practical Recess term

Total Graduation Load                                                                  45 CU