Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda • Founded 1922 • World Rank #1442
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1922, the Makerere University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Kampala (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Central Region.
Officially recognized by the The National Council for Higher Education of Uganda, Makerere University is a very large-sized coeducational Ugandan higher education institution. Makerere University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. Makerere University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Address, contact details, and online presence for Makerere University are summarised below. Cross-check with the official website if you intend to send documents or financial information.
Academic Details
These figures give a quick read on Makerere University's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing. Use them to ground decisions about programme fit and institutional capacity.
Degrees
Also Undergraduate Diplomas; MBA
Bachelor's 66 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
- Adult Education
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedicine
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business and Commerce
- Cell Biology
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Arts
- Computer Science
- Demography and Population
- Dental Surgery
- Design
- Dietetics
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Forestry
- Geography
- Government
- Health Sciences
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- Industrial Arts Education
- Industrial Design
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Management
- Information Sciences
- International Business
- Journalism
- Leadership
- Leisure Studies
- Library Science
- Logistics Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Medicine
- Multimedia
- Nutrition
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Real Estate
- Regional Planning
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Software Engineering
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Sports
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Tourism
- Town Planning
- Transport Management
- Veterinary Science
Master's 118 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Adult Education
- African Languages
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Management
- Agriculture
- Anaesthesiology
- Anatomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Architecture
- Art Education
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedicine
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Psychology
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Continuing Education
- Crop Production
- Curriculum
- Data Processing
- Demography and Population
- Dentistry
- Development Studies
- Economic and Finance Policy
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
- Electrical Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Epidemiology
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Foreign Languages Education
- Forestry
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- Health Sciences
- History
- Hotel Management
- Human Rights
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial Management
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Internal Medicine
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Journalism
- Laboratory Techniques
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Modern Languages
- Molecular Biology
- Multimedia
- Music
- Natural Resources
- Neurology
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Occupational Health
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics
- Parks and Recreation
- Pathology
- Peace and Disarmament
- Pharmacology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant and Crop Protection
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Religious Studies
- Rural Planning
- Science Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Soil Science
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Technology
- Theology
- Tourism
- Veterinary Science
- Welfare and Protective Services
- Wildlife
- Zoology
Doctoral 11 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Agricultural Economics
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Computer Science
- Government
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Plant and Crop Protection
- Public Health
- Software Engineering
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under The National Council for Higher Education of Uganda.
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (College) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry
- Crop Production
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Forestry
- Geography
- Horticulture
- Meteorology
- Nutrition
- Soil Science
- Technology
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Officer
- Climate Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business and Management Sciences (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Actuarial Science
- Business and Commerce
- Demography and Population
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Computing and Information Sciences (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archiving
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Library Science
- Software Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and External Studies (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Curriculum
- Education
- Social Sciences
- Technology Education
- Vocational Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (College) 19 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Art History
- Ceramic Art
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Graphics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Fashion Design
- Fine Arts
- Furniture Design
- Industrial Design
- Jewellery Art
- Landscape Architecture
- Mechanical Engineering
- Painting and Drawing
- Printing and Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Textile Design
- Weaving
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (College) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biomedicine
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Public Health
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities and Social Sciences (College) 32 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Dance
- English
- Ethics
- Film
- Fine Arts
- French
- Gender Studies
- German
- History
- Human Rights
- Information Sciences
- Journalism
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Religious Studies
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Theatre
- Women's Studies
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Natural Sciences (College) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Bio-security (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Embryology and Reproduction Biology
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Technology (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Surveying and Mapping
- Technology
Adult and Continuing Education (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Environment and Natural Resources (Institute) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
- Natural Resources
- Surveying and Mapping
- Town Planning
Higher Education Studies and Development (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- East African
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Psychology (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Clinical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Public Health (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Public Health
Common Career Paths
- Public Health Officer
- Epidemiologist
- Health Policy Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Research (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social Studies
Statistics and Applied Economics (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Demography and Population
- Economics
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Commercial Law
- Comparative Law
- Human Rights
- Law
- Peace and Disarmament
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
The programme finder below covers every degree Makerere University currently offers. Programme codes here often map to international classification systems used for credential recognition abroad.
117 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Uganda
Bachelor's Degree 68 programmes
Showing 10 of 68.
Master's Degree 46 programmes
Showing 10 of 46.
Doctorate 3 programmes
How to apply to Makerere University
How to apply to Makerere University — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Makerere University's catalogue includes 117 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Makerere University's admissions process.
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3
Assemble your application package
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
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4
Submit your application
Submit your completed application through Makerere University's official website at www.mak.ac.ug. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +256 (41) 531 202. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Makerere University
Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Makerere University as a study destination.
When was Makerere University founded?
Makerere University was established in 1922 (approximately 104 years ago).
Where can I find Makerere University?
The institution is located in Kampala, Uganda.
What is Makerere University's control type?
Makerere University operates as a public institution.
How many students does Makerere University have?
The institution has a student body of 30,000-34,999.
Where does Makerere University stand in university rankings?
Makerere University is ranked #1442 globally and #1 in Uganda.
What qualification levels does Makerere University offer?
Programmes at Makerere University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Is Makerere University accredited?
Yes, Makerere University is recognised by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
What is Makerere University's official website?
Makerere University's official website is www.mak.ac.ug.
Faculties at nearby universities
Industry placements and co-op programmes around Makerere University draw on the same regional employer base. The nearby universities listed below often compete for similar internship slots.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Industry partnership exclusives on Education & Teaching programmes vary — some Uganda institutions hold sponsored chairs, others run rotating industry guest-teaching arrangements.
Universities Compared with Makerere University
Below: institutions that students typically weigh against Makerere University when finalising their shortlist. The comparison set reflects scale and prestige; specific programme fit still needs separate verification.
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