Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

ADMISSION INFORMATION

September 2024

AKU-IED, EA Admission information

Master of Education Page 1 of 9 Entry September 2024
 INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EAST AFRICA
AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY

MASTER OF EDUCATION PROGRAMME 2024

ADMISSION INFORMATION

INDEX
Part 1: Information for applicants 2

Introduction 2
Admission Policy 3
Admission Requirements 3
Personal and Specialization Statement 3
Location 3
Course Content 4
Course Timings 4
Application fees 5
Tuition fee and costs 6
Funding 6
Accommodation 6
Professional Development Tutors 6
Medical information 7
How to apply 7
Specification for uploading documents 8

Information for Applicants: Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the Master of Education programme. Details about the programme,
admissions criteria and contact information are provided on pages 2-6. All applicants are expected to
apply online. Please read the admission information carefully before filling out the online
application.

The 18-month full-time Master of Education is an intensive graduate programme for experienced
teachers, teacher trainers, principals, and other professionals related to the field of education. The
programme provides a clear theoretical framework and principles that support quality professional
practice, equipping programme participants to become exemplary teachers and educational leaders in a
variety of contexts. Applications are welcome from candidates across East Africa and beyond; women are
strongly encouraged to apply.

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Admission Policy
Admission is based on merit, assessed through several criteria including scholastic achievements, work
experience, English language proficiency, critical thinking and the candidate’s results in the admission
test and interview. Fulfillment of basic eligibility requirements or a high score in any single aspect of the
admissions process is not sufficient for selection.

Admission Requirements
- An undergraduate degree, with at least lower second-class (or equivalent) from a recognized
University
- Minimum five years of working experience if from the Kenyan public sector
- English skills sufficient to access a graduate-level course
- Ability to demonstrate strong reasoning and reflective skills
- Submit a Personal statement (Requirements provided below)

Personal and Specialization Statement

Applicants must submit a ‘Personal Statement’ to support their application. This should not exceed 1000
words.
- This statement provides the candidate an opportunity to explain why this programme is
important to them. Candidates should explain how their professional experience relates to their
chosen specialization. It will be important for candidates to clearly state how the master’s level
study and the qualification will support their future careers.

The following instructions should be followed when writing the personal statement:

- Ensure that it is typed and well presented.

- It should be written in good English.
- Ensure that this is your own original work. Do not copy your statement, in whole or in part, from
anybody else’s nor from any other source, including the Internet. If detected this may lead to your
application being invalidated or, if detected at a later stage, dismissal from the programme. The
University may pass the personal statement through anti-plagiarism software.

Please provide reasons for the specialization (Explain your justification of the specialization you have
chosen for the MEd programme in about 500 words)

Please Note:
Degrees awarded by Universities not operating in East Africa without East African charters will be
assessed to confirm comparability standards.

Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will be required to write the English Test administered by
the University. Successful applicants will be invited to a face-to-face interview. Candidates will be
required to present their original degrees and certificates at the time of the interview.

Location
The Aga Khan University, Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (IED-EA) is based in Upanga,
Ilala District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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Course Content
Core courses:
- Educational leadership and management Research methods
- Science of Teaching and Learning
- Inquiry 1
- Inquiry 2
Areas of specialization:
- Early Childhood Development
- Primary Education
- Secondary Education
- Tertiary Education

Note: Students from the Kenyan public sector will require approval from their Kenyan County office to take
the ‘Early Childhood Care and Education’ specialization.

Elective course (Students will be informed about the electives to be offered in a particular year)
- Policy Studies in Education
- Citizenship Education: Principles and Practice
- Early Childhood Literacies
- Education for Sustainable Development
- Educational Assessment Measurement and Evaluation
- Organization Development
- Special Needs and Inclusive Education
- Fundamentals of Logical Reasoning and Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Sensitive Issues in Education
- Programme Evaluation and Management
- Pluralism and Education in East Africa and the Globalizing World
- Gender in Education
- Organization Theory

Note: Students are not allowed to take ‘Early Childhood Literacies’ as an elective if they have taken ‘Early
Childhood Development’ as a specialization.

Students will be required to undertake a four-week Practicum period in an educational setting to provide
them with the opportunity to try out ideas in practice. They will also conduct a sustained in-depth
research project to develop research skills in an area of interest. Students will also be expected to attend
courses and tutorials.

Course Timings
Taught sessions are typically held from Monday to Thursday between 8.30 am - 12.30 pm, allowing time
in the afternoons and on Fridays for self-study. The year of study is scheduled as follows:

September 9, 2024 Induction week (1 week)

September 16, 2024 Semester 1 (16 weeks)
January 27, 2025 break (2 weeks)
February 3, 2025 Semester 2 (16 weeks)
June 9, 2025 Annual Break (12 weeks)
September 8, 2025 Semester 3 (16 weeks)
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January 23, 2026 Break (2 weeks)
February 16, 2026 Semester 4 (16 weeks)
June 8, 2026, Annual Break (12 weeks)

Application Fee
An application Fee of Tshs 50,000 for Tanzania local applicants, Kshs 2,521 for Kenyan applicants, Ugshs
92,650 for Ugandan applicants, US$ 25 for foreign currency payment within SADC and US$50 for foreign
applicants outside East Africa and SADC will be charged. Application fee can be paid through direct bank
deposit using below bank details or online using:
https://shop.directpay.online/paymybills/AgaKhanUniversityTanzania
M-PESA (Can Only be done by M-PESA registered users in Tanzania)
Step1: *150*00#
Step2: Select 4 Payment by M-PESA
Step3: Select 4 Enter business number
Step4: Enter 899961
Syep5: Enter reference number it can be invoice number, candidate name, you dictate what
they need to enter.
Step6: Enter Amount
Step7: Confirm 1 payment to AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY

BANKING INFORMATION
For Tanzanians and others
Account Name Aga Khan University
Bank Name Diamond Trust Bank Tanzania Limited
Branch Name Mosque Street Branch
Bank Address P.O. Box 115, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
US Dollar Account Number 0092897002 (For foreign currency payment)
TSh Account Number 0092897001(For Tanzania only)
SWIFT CODE DTKETZTZ

For Kenyans
Bank Name Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
P.O. Box 39694 - 00623, Nairobi, Kenya
Branch Name Parklands Branch
Beneficiary Name Aga Khan University
Account Number 0500444002
Account Currency Kenya Shilling
SWIFT CODE DTKEKENA

For Ugandans
Bank Name Diamond Trust Bank Uganda Limited
Branch Name Main Branch, Kampala
Account Title The Aga Khan University, Uganda
Account Number 0101839028
Account Currency Uganda Shilling
SWIFT CODE DTKEUGKA (BIC: DTKEUGKAXXX)

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Tuition Fee and Costs
Tuition fees, accommodation fees, and other costs are subject to change and are determined each year.
Students within the East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC)
will pay a tuition fee of US $4,635 per program and $550 for accommodation. Those outside EAC and
SADC will be charged US$7,450 in tuition fees and accommodation.

Funding
AKU Scholarships
The University will offer a limited number of fully funded scholarships on merit to students selected for
the programme. These scholarships will cover full tuition fees and rent for hostel accommodation.
Please note that all students will be responsible for their own living expenses. No stipends will be
paid.

AKU Financial Assistance Programme

The University will be operating a needs-sensitive financial assistance programme. Through this
programme, students may apply for financial assistance from the University to pay for their
educational and accommodation expenses.

The registered students may apply for financial support through the financial assistance program.
Candidates who need financial assistance will be required to complete a form explaining their financial
circumstances and submit supporting documentation including bank statements and pay slips.

Financial assistance is offered on the basis of demonstrated need as evaluated by the University from data
provided by the student, his/her family and other avenues that the University may deem appropriate. It is
strongly recommended that every student desirous of receiving financial assistance from the University
should thoroughly explore all other possible sources of assistance. Financial assistance decisions are
finalized and communicated to the students after the commencement of the academic session.

Financial assistance is extended as a loan that is interest-free, with an administrative charge of 5%. The
loan amount is repayable within the time specified by the Finance Department. Please note that, in
accordance with University policy, degree parchment and transcripts are only released when the
loan and any other debts with the University are repaid in full.

Accommodation
The University has limited hostel accommodation for students. Depending on availability and need, the
University will give priority to foreigners (Non-Tanzanian) on a first-pay first served basis.

Hostel accommodation is for students only. Family members, including children of any age, are not
allowed to stay in hostels. In the event that one has to have children in the course of their studies, they
are advised to seek their own alternative arrangements for accommodation. More information on
availability and costs can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office: regoff.tz@aku.edu

Professional Development Tutors

Students offered scholarships and financial assistance will be expected to be available for at most six
months in the first three years after graduation to take on work on behalf of the University in the role of
Professional Development Tutors (PDTs). The availability of the students will be negotiated with their
respective institutions.
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This may involve conducting outreach courses for serving teachers, helping as research assistants,
supporting the recruitment of future master’s programme students and acting as liaison officers for
community projects being undertaken by the University. In matching PDTs with opportunities that arise,
efforts are made to minimize traveling and disruption to employment.

Note: Sponsors may have additional requirements as part of their terms, please read all information
carefully before you accept the formal offer from the University.

Medical Information
All students will be required to produce a doctor’s letter indicating fitness to undertake a rigorous
academic programme. More information will be sent about this to successful candidates.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to apply online. For assistance in completing the online application,
applicants are advised to go through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or Understand the Online
Process.

Only in situations where the online application is not accessible, candidates are advised to call, email, or visit
the campus (Fridays at 9:00 am to 4.30 pm) for any support that they need to complete the online
application. Physical, email and telephone contact information is provided at the end of this document.

A complete application must include the following:

(See specifications for uploading documents in the table below)

❖ Complete application form submitted online; Recent passport size colour photograph;
❖ Certified copies of degree/diploma certificates and transcripts, form IV and/or Form VI
certificates. DO NOT upload result slips;
❖ Foreign Verification certificate obtained from Tanzania Commission for Universities for degrees
obtained outside Tanzania.
❖ Two letters of reference from your referees; If any of your referees decide to send the reference
directly to us, please indicate this in a cover letter. Remember that your application will not be
processed until these are received (Please download the referee’s form from the website and send to
your referees to complete).
❖ A personal statement not exceeding 1000 words;
❖ Reasons for selected specialization not exceeding 500 words;
❖ Where applicable, applicants should request their Principal or respective supervisor to complete
the bonding agreement (please download the form from the website);
❖ Applicants from the Kenyan public sector should send copies of their application forms and
supporting documentation to the Teachers’ Services Commission, Kilimanjaro Road, Nairobi.

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SPECIFICATIONS FOR UPLOADING DOCUMENTS

Uploading Size Uploading

Document
(should not exceed) Format

Passport size color photograph showing full 2 MB JPEG

face (taken within last week to reflect current
appearance)

Attested copies of all the required 5 MB each PDF / JPEG

documents; official transcripts, certificates
etc.

Proof of application fee paid (see relevant 5 MB PDF / JPEG

sections for more details)

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

The deadline for submitting the application is February 29, 2024.

The online portal will cease to receive applications at 5:00 pm February 29, 2024.

Please ensure you have complied with the instructions in this information sheet. Candidates will be
informed of pending, incomplete documents on the online portal. It remains the responsibility of the
candidate to complete the application requirements according to the instructions and time schedule.

Aga Khan University reserves the right to admission; and to revoke admission and registration if an
application form is discovered to be inaccurate or incomplete or if supporting documents are discovered
to be fraudulent. Any candidate who presents a fraudulent document in support of an application for
admission may be identified to other universities and colleges.

REPEAT APPLICATIONS

A fresh application together with necessary documentation must be submitted for a particular admission
cycle. The University does not have a policy of automatically carrying forward applications from one cycle
to the next.

PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS
The Aga Khan University will accept provisional applications from candidates who may have documents
pending to be submitted including reference letters or transcripts. All such applications will be evaluated
for admission on a provisional basis. To process an application for final selection, applicants must submit
their (pending) documents per the minimum eligibility requirements by the date specified by the
University. In case pending documents are not submitted within the due date as communicated by the
Admissions Officer handling your application, the application will stand canceled.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that pending documents are uploaded online/ received in the
Admission Office according to the published schedule. Notifications are sent to candidates on the online
portal.

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DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024.

ADMISSION PROCESS SUMMARY

APPLICATION PROCESS
Submit the application in accordance with the eligibility requirements of the
Aga Khan University

AKU-ADMISSION TEST AND ORAL INTERVIEWS

SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEWS

Shortlisting is based on the specified admission criteria and
AKU Admission Test score

FINAL SELECTION
Merit list of successful applicants

For more information, please contact:

Ms Agatha Damas |Assistant Registrar | AKU-IED, East Africa
Email: regoff.tz@aku.edu
Tel: +255 (0) 784 79 76 01

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