The University of Makeni (UNIMAK) in Sierra Leone has announced a provisional admission for candidates who obtained credit passes in four or more subjects in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) but did not secure a pass in English Language. This decision was made by the University's Senate during an emergency meeting on October 29, 2026. The Senate's resolution aims to widen access to higher education while maintaining the University's academic standards.
According to a communiqué issued by the Office of the Registrar on October 31, 2026, the provisional admission is exclusively for the 2026 WASSCE candidates and will not serve as a precedent for subsequent admission years. Candidates with credit passes in at least four subjects will be granted provisional admission into degree programmes across all departments, except Law and Nursing. The University will release a separate statement regarding admission into these two excluded programmes.
Students admitted under this arrangement will be required to obtain and submit a pass in English Language on or before October 31, 2028. Failure to meet this requirement within the stipulated period will affect the confirmation of their admission. Additionally, all provisionally admitted students must register for and attend the University's remedial English Language classes.
The University has appointed Mr. Andrew Sesay to head the remedial programme, with support from Sr. Emily Munasia and Sr. Beatrice Ortserga. Their team will be responsible for organising the programme and helping students attain the required standard to pass the examination. The remedial programme is designed to support students in improving their English Language skills.
The University also resolved to approach the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to reactivate the UNIMAK Examination Centre, if possible, to enable the affected students to resit their English Language examination on campus. This move aims to provide students with a convenient opportunity to improve their English Language skills.
In a related development, the Senate directed the Postgraduate School Board to review applications from candidates holding Division 3 results on a case-by-case basis during its meeting scheduled for November 3, 2026. The Board is expected to recommend suitable candidates for admission to the Registrar based on their competency.
The Senate reaffirmed the University's commitment to providing fair access to higher education while upholding academic excellence. It urged all provisionally admitted students to take full advantage of the remedial programme and meet the English Language requirement before the stipulated deadline. The University's decision reflects its dedication to supporting students in achieving their academic goals.
Key points
- The University of Makeni has granted provisional admission to 2026 WASSCE candidates who failed to secure a pass in English Language.
- Provisionally admitted students must obtain a pass in English Language by October 31, 2028, to confirm their admission.
- The University will provide remedial English Language classes to support students in improving their skills.
