University admission in Sierra Leone

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2024. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• Upper Secondary (Senior Secondary School - SSS)4 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Basic Education Certificate Examination (Five Credit including English and/or Mathematics)

  Awards: West African Senior School Examination Certificate (WASSCE)

• Short Cycle Education Programmes (Diplomas)1 years, from age 17

  Minimum entry: Certificate

  Awards: Diplomas

• Short Cycle Education Programmes (Licenses)1 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Diplomas

  Awards: Licenses

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• Bachelor's degree in Education3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Higher Teacher certificate secondary (HTC) / West African Senior School Examination Certificate

  Awards: Bachelor in Education

• Bachelor's degree4 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: West African Senior School Examination Certificate / National Vocational Certificate Qualification /Diplomas/Licenses

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• Technical / Vocational Institutes Diploma programmes1 years, from age 21

  Minimum entry: Ordinary National Diploma (OND)

  Awards: Higher National Diploma (HND)

• Higher Teachers' Certificate (primary)3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: West African Senior School Examination Certificate (with 4 subjects)

  Awards: Higher Teacher Certificate primary

• Higher Teachers' Certificate (secondary)3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: West African Senior School Examination Certificate (with 4 subjects)

  Awards: Higher Teacher Certificate secondary