The University of Sierra Leone has revised its English Language admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year. Fourah Bay College (FBC) and the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) will now accept a D7 pass in English Language for diploma and certificate programmes. This change was made in response to the poor performance in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Only 9.77 per cent of candidates obtained grades between A1 and C6 in English Language in the 2026 WASSCE. In contrast, 63.33 per cent of candidates failed the subject. The University of Sierra Leone's Executive Committee of the Senate made the decision on November 2, 2026. The changes aim to provide additional admission opportunities for candidates affected by the poor English Language results.
The revised requirements will not affect the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) and the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme at FBC. These programmes will maintain their existing admission requirements. Candidates applying for degree programmes at FBC and IPAM will need a C6 credit in English Language. The University of Sierra Leone's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aiah Randolph Lebbie, emphasized the institution's commitment to maintaining academic standards.
The 2026 WASSCE recorded an 81.4 per cent paper pass rate, with 64.3 per cent of candidates obtaining at least five credits in one sitting. However, results for 47,454 candidates remain withheld pending investigations into suspected examination malpractice. The University of Sierra Leone has advised prospective applicants to consult the official admissions portal for programme-specific requirements and application information.
The application portal for the 2026/2027 academic year remains open, with November 30, 2026, listed as the final submission deadline. Other tertiary institutions, including the University of Makeni, have also introduced temporary admission arrangements in response to the poor English Language performance. The University of Sierra Leone's decision aims to balance academic standards with the challenges created by the examination results.
The changes apply specifically to the 2026 WASSCE results. The University of Sierra Leone's move is intended to provide additional admission opportunities for candidates while retaining existing standards for medical and law programmes. The institution has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the challenges created by the examination results while maintaining academic standards.
The University of Sierra Leone's decision comes as other tertiary institutions introduce temporary admission arrangements. The institution's admissions portal provides programme-specific requirements and application information for prospective applicants. The final submission deadline for the 2026/2027 academic year is November 30, 2026.
Key points
- FBC and IPAM will accept a D7 pass in English Language for diploma and certificate programmes.
- The 2026 WASSCE recorded an 81.4 per cent paper pass rate, with 64.3 per cent of candidates obtaining at least five credits in one sitting.
- The University of Sierra Leone's decision aims to balance academic standards with the challenges created by the examination results.
