A WASSCE result is not a universal university admission ticket. Most degree routes start with five credits, but the subjects, grade thresholds, sittings, professional qualifications and application windows differ by institution and programme. This guide compares what the universities currently publish—and clearly flags information that is contradictory or out of date.
Start with the programme, not just the university
Before comparing universities, decide which degree or diploma you want to pursue. A general five-credit threshold is only the starting point. Engineering, nursing, medicine, agriculture, computing and teacher education can require particular subjects or additional qualifications.
For example, the 2026/2027 EBKUST requirements list English Language, Mathematics, Agricultural Science and relevant science subjects for some agriculture programmes. Its chemistry and mathematics routes specify science combinations. Meeting a general credit count does not automatically qualify an applicant for every department.
- Check the exact programme title and award.
- Read the department’s subject requirements, not only the university-wide minimum.
- Confirm whether the university accepts one or two sittings for your chosen route.
- Ask whether HTC, HND, technician or access qualifications change the entry level.
Published 2026/2027 entry requirements at a glance
The table below summarises official pages and prospectuses retrieved on 9 November 2026. It is a research snapshot, not an admission decision. Where a university page is stale or conflicts with another official page, that is stated rather than guessed.
- University of Sierra Leone: five credits in up to two sittings, with at least C6 in English for degree programmes; faculty and departmental requirements apply. Diploma: four credits including English; certificate: three credits including English.
- COMAHS (a constituent college of USL): entry is programme-specific. Published pre-entry routes include MBBS with five C5+ credits in English, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics/Further Mathematics and Physics, and separate C5+ science combinations for Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences and Public Health. Aggregate thresholds and advanced-entry rules differ by programme; check the official course page.
- Njala University: five WASSCE credits including English for undergraduate degrees, in no more than two sittings; school and departmental rules apply. Diploma: three credits; certificate: two credits.
- Eastern Technical University: five WASSCE credits including English for degree programmes, in no more than two sittings; departmental subject rules apply. Higher Diploma generally requires four credits; Ordinary Diploma generally requires three.
- Milton Margai Technical University: requirements vary by award. B.Ed/BA routes list five credits including English; BSc/BSc Ed/BTech routes list five including Mathematics and English. HTC/HND and diploma routes have separate criteria.
- EBKUST: requirements are listed by faculty and programme. Agriculture and several science routes specify English, Mathematics and relevant subject credits; consult the exact programme page.
- University of Makeni: its public requirements page still contains 2017/2018 fee information and was last modified in 2021. The credit thresholds on that page are not confirmed for 2026/2027.
- Limkokwing Sierra Leone: the official international campus page describes some programmes but does not publish a current Sierra Leone WASSCE entry schedule. Request written requirements from the campus.
COMAHS: medicine and allied-health entry routes
COMAHS is a constituent college of the University of Sierra Leone, not a separate university. Its official programme directory lists undergraduate and postgraduate study across basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, public health, medical laboratory sciences, nursing and midwifery, and pharmaceutical sciences. The college landing page and individual programme records are not fully aligned, so applicants should confirm that their exact course is accepting applications before paying.
There is no single WASSCE threshold for every COMAHS programme. The current USL programme records publish distinct pre-entry, direct-entry and advanced-entry routes.
- MBBS premedical entry: five WASSCE credits at C5 or better in English, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics/Further Mathematics and Physics, in no more than two sittings. The official page assigns aggregate 10 or better to Premedical 2 and aggregate 15 or better to Premedical 1; final selection is subject to interview.
- Direct MBChB Year 1: three GCE A levels at grades A–C in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics, or a science bachelor’s degree at 2:2 or better plus five WASSCE credits.
- Pre-Pharmacy: five C5+ WASSCE credits in English, Mathematics/Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with aggregate 18 or better and a maximum of two sittings.
- BSc Nursing: direct Year 1 entry requires five C5+ credits in English, Mathematics/Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with aggregate 18 or better. The Year 2 route has additional registration and employment-related conditions.
- Pre-BSc Medical Laboratory Sciences: five C5+ credits in English, Mathematics/Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology/Health Science and one of Physics, Core Science or Social Sciences, with aggregate 21 or better. Direct Year 2 entry requires an approved diploma, logbook and two years of bench experience.
- Public Health foundation routes: five C5+ credits in English, Mathematics/Further Mathematics and Biology/Health Science, plus two of Chemistry, Physics, Economics or social sciences, with aggregate 18 or better.
Application dates and fees: check the live portal
Njala University’s official undergraduate admissions page gives 13 November 2026 as the 2026/2027 submission deadline and lists a NLe 500 undergraduate application-processing fee. Its separate programme PDF carries an earlier August deadline, so use the live admissions page and portal to confirm the active window.
The USL admission portal states 30 November 2026 for undergraduate submissions and says the portal shuts at noon on 10 December 2026. Another USL admissions page still displays earlier September dates. Because the official pages conflict, contact Central Admissions before making a payment.
ETU-SL’s website advertises 2026/2027 admissions as open, but its downloadable advertisement says the online application window ran from 3 August to 20 September 2026. Confirm whether late applications are being accepted. MMTU and EBKUST also advertise 2026/2027 admissions, but applicants should verify the current deadline and fee in their live portals.
What to prepare before opening an application
Njala’s published procedure asks applicants to prepare electronic copies of a birth certificate or sworn declaration, WASSCE/GCE certificate, school-leaving testimonial, passport photograph and payment evidence. Other universities may request different documents or additional references. Follow the institution’s own current checklist.
Create the admissions portal account before paying if the institution instructs you to do so. Keep the application number, receipts and copies of every uploaded document. Never pay into a personal account or use a payment channel that is not shown on the official university portal.
- WASSCE certificate or official result evidence requested by the institution.
- Birth certificate or sworn declaration, where required.
- School-leaving testimonial and valid identification.
- Passport-size photograph and any programme-specific supporting documents.
- Payment receipt only after confirming the official fee and payment channel.
How to use this guide safely
Admissions notices change. A university can update its deadline, application fee, programme availability or subject combination after a guide is published. The source links on each university profile take you to the institution’s own page or admissions portal.
If a source is contradictory, stale or incomplete, the profile says so. Contact the Registry or admissions office and request the current requirement in writing. Do not rely on social-media reposts when the official portal says something different.
Primary sources and further reading
This article is based on the official sources below. Admissions information was checked on 8 November 2026; confirm current details with the institution before applying.
- 01USL 2026/2027 entry requirements (PDF)
- 02USL Admission Portal
- 03COMAHS official college profile
- 04COMAHS MBBS programme and entry requirements
- 05COMAHS Pharmacy programme and entry requirements
- 06COMAHS BSc Nursing programme and entry requirements
- 07COMAHS Medical Laboratory Sciences programme and entry requirements
- 08COMAHS Public Health foundation programme and entry requirements
- 09Njala University undergraduate admissions
- 10ETU-SL 2026/2027 admission advertisement (PDF)
- 11MMTU admission requirements
- 12EBKUST undergraduate requirements
Editorial note: WASSCE Tutor is an independent education resource. It is not an admissions office and is not affiliated with WAEC or the universities listed.