Degree Programmes

Subject to Faculty Special Regulations, the normal basic requirement for entrance to undergraduate degree programmes shall be a Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC), provided that the candidate has passed five subjects normally in not more than three examination sittings with a minimum of 25 points on the UNAM Evaluation Scale, or passed the UNAM Foundation programme with at least a C-average. The following will be taken into consideration when computing the point scores:

1. The score will be calculated by adding together the points of the best five subjects only
2. One of the five subjects must be English; English is a compulsory subject and should normally be obtained at NSSC (English as a Second Language) grade C or better, or at NSSC (English as a First Language) grade D or better.
3. Should a specific subject be a prerequisite for entry to a faculty, that subject must also be one of the five subjects counted.

Candidates with a 2 year diploma (equivalent to 240 NQA credits) from a recognized institution may be granted admission to an undergraduate degree programme, provided that the minimum entry requirement to the diploma was at least 22 points in five subjects on the UNAM Evaluation Scale with English as a Second Language grade D or better.

Diploma Programmes

Subject to Faculty Special Regulations, the normal basic requirement for entrance to undergraduate diploma programmes shall be a Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC), provided that the candidate has passed five subjects normally in not more than three examination sittings with a minimum of 22 points on the UNAM Evaluation Scale. The following will be taken into consideration when computing the point scores:

1. The score will be calculated by adding together the points of the best five subjects only
2. One of the five subjects must be English; English is a compulsory subject and should normally be obtained at NSSC (English as a Second Language) grade D or better
3. Should a specific subject be a prerequisite for entry to a faculty, that subject must also be one of the five subjects counted.

Certificate Programmes

Subject to Faculty Special Regulations, the normal basic requirement for entrance to undergraduate certificate programmes shall be a Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC), provided that the candidate has passed five subjects normally in not more than three examination sittings with a minimum of 17 points on the UNAM Evaluation Scale. The following will be taken into consideration when computing the point scores:

1. The score will be calculated by adding together the points of the best five subjects only
2. One of the five subjects must be English; English is a compulsory subject and should normally be obtained at NSSC (English as a Second Language) grade E or better.
3. Should a specific subject be a prerequisite for entry to a faculty, that subject must also be one of the five subjects counted.

General Information

Other school-leaving qualifications may be accepted on their own merit as alternatives, and will be evaluated according to Regulation 7.3.1 (1)/(2) [GENERAL REGULATIONS PROSPECTUS 2014].

Places will be awarded on the basis of merit. Therefore the possession of a Certificate with the minimum score does not necessarily guarantee admission. Entrance is based upon places available within the faculties.

Faculty admission requirements are prescribed by each faculty. Prospective students must acquaint themselves with the faculty admission requirements as stipulated by the respective Faculty Special Regulations. Such requirements may include an admission test.

The University of Namibia reserves the right to interview candidates before admission.

Master’s Degrees

1. Prospective candidates must be in possession of a good Level 8 Bachelor’s degree with at least a C-grade average (i.e., 60-69% average), or a good Postgraduate Diploma from a recognized Institution
2. Candidates without a Bachelor’s degree or a Postgraduate Diploma from UNAM, but who hold qualifications from an approved institution of higher learning, deemed to be equivalent to a good Level 8 Bachelor’s degree or a good Level 8 Postgraduate Diploma from UNAM may also be considered for admission
3. Prospective candidates must also satisfy specific requirements of the Faculties where they intend to enroll (e.g. teaching experience for M.Ed. admission.)

Postgraduate Diplomas

1. Prospective candidates must be in possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2. Candidates who do not comply with (1) above, but whose field experience and work accomplishments have been certified by the relevant Faculty/Department/Institute to be equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree, may, under special circumstances, also be considered for admission

Doctor of Philosophy Degrees and other Doctoral Programmes

1. Candidates for admission to doctoral programmes of UNAM must be in possession of a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning in the chosen field of study
2. Candidates with only the Bachelor’s degree may initially be enrolled for a Master’s degree by research only. If, during the first year of research they demonstrate exceptional abilities, they may be considered for upgrading into the Doctoral Programme

Higher Doctorates

1. To qualify for a Higher Doctorate candidacy of UNAM, the scholars should be:
   1. graduates from the University of Namibia with the following minimum qualifications:
      • Bachelor’s degree of at least 15 years standing; or
      • Master’s degree of at least 10 years standing; or
      • Doctoral degree of at least 8 years standing; or
   2. graduates from any other recognized institution of higher learning, who have served at UNAM for at least five years in teaching, research or other approved academic roles, and who satisfy the criteria equivalent to those set under (1) (a) above
2. Only outstanding scholars whose contributions have attained national and international recognition will be considered for Higher Doctorate awards.