University of Rwanda Admission Requirements 2026

Requirements

Bachelor

Admission into UR undergraduate academic programmes is based on the university's absorption capacity and the applicant's academic merit, assessed through performance in Advanced Level national examinations or, for international applicants and Rwandans educated abroad, an official Equivalence Certificate. Requirements are stated by the university to be the same for domestic and international applicants; each applicant may select up to three preferred programmes. Detailed, programme-specific minimum entry requirements (subject combinations, grades) are published by UR alongside each call for applications and vary by programme and College. After enrolment, all first-time entrants must sit a UR-administered English proficiency test (no minimum score is published), and a credit-bearing English language module runs through all three years of undergraduate study.

Master

Entry requirements are set per advertised programme and published alongside the University's postgraduate call for applications; there is no single university-wide minimum grade or test score published for all Master's programmes. Applicants apply to a specific programme through the online portal and must submit a cover letter to the Director of the UR Center of Postgraduate Studies (UR CPGS), an updated CV, notarized academic transcripts and degree certificates, and two reference letters from academic referees. Rwanda Higher Education Council (HEC) equivalence is required for degrees obtained outside Rwanda, and academic certificates in a language other than English or French must be submitted with certified translation. PhD by Research applicants must additionally submit a research concept note of up to 10 pages and, if their Master's studies were not conducted in English, proof of English proficiency from a relevant accredited body. UR states that it does not itself provide scholarships to admitted postgraduate candidates; candidates must be self-sponsored or secure funding elsewhere.

Documents

Undergraduate applicants (including international applicants): a valid personal email address, National ID or passport, and personal mobile number to begin the application; for international applicants and holders of foreign qualifications, an official Equivalence Certificate, Senior Six/secondary school certificate, and a copy of passport (or National ID for Rwandans) uploaded to the online system. Postgraduate applicants: a cover letter addressed to the Director of UR CPGS stating the programme and motivation; an updated CV; notarized Bachelor's and (for PhD) Master's degree certificates and transcripts; HEC equivalence certificate for foreign degrees; certified translation of academic certificates not in English or French; two academic reference letters; a support letter from an employer if applicable; a sponsorship letter or proof of funding if applicable; for PhD by Research applicants, a research concept note (maximum 10 pages) and, where the applicant's Master's studies were not in English, proof of English proficiency. At registration after admission, newly admitted postgraduate students must also present the admission letter, proof of fee payment, certified copies of academic documents, identification documents, HEC equivalence (or conditional registration pending it), a valid residence permit or student visa (for foreign students), two passport photos, and a medical certificate issued within the previous three months.

How to apply

1. Access the University of Rwanda Online Application Portal at applications.ur.ac.rw.
2. Complete the online biographical/application form to generate a UR Reference Number and a 5-digit PIN, sent to the applicant's personal email address.
3. For undergraduate applicants, select up to three preferred programmes from those for which the applicant is eligible; for postgraduate applicants, apply to a specific advertised programme.
4. Upload the required supporting documents (see Documents), including, for international applicants, an official Equivalence Certificate and passport copy.
5. Pay the non-refundable application fee (undergraduate: Frw 6,000 for international applicants, Frw 5,000 for Rwandan/EAC applicants) through the Urubuto payment system, using the UR Reference Number as the Payer Code, via Bank of Kigali counter, MTN Mobile Money (7755#), BK internet banking, or the Urubuto online payment link.
6. Submit the completed application before the advertised deadline; changes to selected undergraduate programmes are allowed only before the deadline.
7. Await selection: undergraduate admission is based on academic merit and available capacity; postgraduate admission is decided by the receiving School/Research Centre's selection committee based on submitted documents (and interview, where applicable), then approved through the College Academic Council.
8. Successful applicants receive an admission/confirmation letter by email; postgraduate and international undergraduate admits then complete registration, presenting a valid Rwandan student visa or residence permit (for foreign students) among other registration documents.

English test waiver

The University of Rwanda does not publish a numeric IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo cut-off for admission. Instead it applies two written rules found in its own academic regulations. For undergraduate studies, Article 188(a) of the Revised UR General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Studies (November 2018) states that all first entrants to a UR academic programme must undertake an English proficiency test administered by a designated UR unit after enrolment, and a credit-bearing English language module is offered in all three years of study. For postgraduate (PhD by Research) applications, the Revised General Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Studies (approved by the UR Board of Governors, August 9, 2024) requires applicants to submit 'a proof of English proficiency from a relevant and accredited body or institution if the applicant did his/her Master's studies in a language other than English.' No minimum test score is attached to either rule in the documents reviewed.