List of programmes offered by the Department
The Department has grown to greater heights in that it now offers five courses: Higher Education Access Certificate Programme, Bachelor of Arts with Education (with English, Literature and Kiswahili as the teaching subjects), Bachelor of Education Primary, Master of Arts in Literature and English Linguistics, Doctor of Philosophy (English and Linguistics).
Description of Programmes
The programmes are generally designed to equip students with skills, knowledge and insights in literary and language studies. The programmes will thus hone the students’ critical thinking and broaden their awareness in the areas of English Language and Literature in English. Ultimately, the programmes will enable the students to develop a humanistic outlook of life as well as providing opportunities for intellectual growth and
aesthetic pleasure.
Objectives of Programmes
The study programmes are designed to:
(i) Enable students to develop their creativity and enhance their critical and analytical
skills as well as language proficiency;
(ii) Create an awareness of how English language works by examining its patterns, structure and lexicon;
(iii) Develop a greater sensitivity to and control over the nuances of the English language;
(iv) Be adequately prepared for areas of further study where creativity, critical thinking and intercultural understanding are highly needed. Learning outcomes of programmes
By the end of the study of each programme, students should be able to:
(i) Apply critical and analytical as well as creative thinking skills to a wide range of situations;
(ii) Analyse the English language both in an applied and metalinguistic manner;
(iii) Express themselves creatively and imaginatively as well as communicating with others effectively;
(iv) Appreciate a wide range of literary and non-literary texts.
Entry requirements and fees
a. Higher Education Access Certificate Program
Entry criteria requirements for the programme are as follows:
(i) Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with at least two subsidiary passes or its equivalent. At least one of the subsidiary pass shall be in Literature in English. For avoidance of doubt, a holder of UACE with only one principal pass shall be deemed to meet the admission requirements.
(ii) Vocational qualifications at level 2 or level 3 of the Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework.
(iii) Qualifications equivalent to the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) as shall be determined by the National Council in consultation with the Uganda National Examinations Board.
(iv) An ordinary certificate from an institution recognized by NCHE.
(v) 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). In addition, foreign students whose studies were not conducted in English shall show proof of proficiency in the English language. The English proficiency centers shall be accredited by NCHE.
(vi) In addition to the above criteria the applicant’s or candidate’s competence may be tested through offering selection aptitude tests. The tuition fees for this course is currently Ugandan shillings 700,000/= for students within East Africa and 1,400,000/= for international students.
b. Bachelor of Arts with Education (with English, Literature and Kiswahili as the teaching subjects)
Gulu University has provided three principal avenues for entry into the Department:
a. Direct “A” Level Entry
1. Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE); and
2. At least 2 principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting or its equivalent.
b. Mature Age Entry Scheme
1. 25 years of age and above; and
2. Must have passed mature age entry examinations with 50% mark and above.
c. Higher Education Access Certificate
1. At least a Class II certificate
The tuition fees for this course is currently Ugandan shillings 630,000/= for students within East Africa and 1,260,000/= for international students.
c. Bachelor of Education Primary
The Bachelor of Education Primary Degree Programme is meant for teachers with (Primary Education background) who hold 2nd Class Diploma in Primary Education or its equivalent with English Language as a teaching subject.
The tuition fees for this course is currently Ugandan shillings 630,000/= for students within East Africa and 1,260,000/= for international students.
d. Master of Arts in Literature and English Linguistics
The general admission requirements set by Gulu University and the Faculty of Education and Humanities shall apply. Specifically, an applicant should have at least a second lower Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with any of the following specifications:
(i) BA (English Language Studies and Literature)
(ii) BA (Linguistics and Literature)
(iii) BAE (English and Literature)
(iv) BA (Ed) (English and Literature)
(v) BEd (English and Literature)
In exceptional cases, students with Bachelor’s qualifications in one of the above disciplines, combined with a cognate discipline in the areas of linguistic or literary studies, can be considered for admission. But such students should have at least a second upper Bachelor’s degree.
The tuition fees for this course is currently Ugandan shillings 1,500,000/= for students within East Africa and 3,000,000/= for international students.
e. Doctor of Philosophy (English and Linguistics)
The entry requirements for this course are either a Master of Arts in English Linguistics or Applied Linguistics or General Linguistics from a recognized University.
The tuition fees for this course is currently Ugandan shillings 3,000,000/= for students within East Africa and 6,000,000/= for international students.
Staff details
The Department is currently run by five enthusiastic full-time members of staff
supported by a team of diligent part-time and visiting lecturers.
