Master of Arts in Kiswahili

Kiswahili is fast developing into a world language from its current status of lingua franca in East and Central Africa. Many countries like Libya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, USA and Rwanda are in need of Kiswahili experts with postgraduate qualification to teach Kiswahili in their universities. In this regard, holders of M.A. Kiswahili find themselves in a ready market both locally and internationally as far as employment is concerned. In addition, Kiswahili being a second national language as indicated in Article 6(2) of Uganda Constitution, Uganda needs experts in the language to train leaders in communication skills for administrative, business and social purposes.

The Master of Arts in Kiswahili aims at providing high proficiency in the study of current linguistic and literary theories. By operating solely in Kiswahili it seeks to provide the students with language skills that are useful in areas of linguistics and literature. The graduates are expected to achieve very high proficiency in the use of Kiswahili. They are also expected to be well grounded in theoretical know-how on various aspects of Kiswahili Language and literature which is deemed necessary for M.A students to enable them perform their respective duties and responsibilities upon graduation.

 

Overview

Code MAK
Duration 2 Years
Study time Weekend
Intake August

Entry requirements

The following are the minimum entry requirements to the MAK programme:

Ugandans

  1. A minimum of a second-class lower bachelor’s degree with Education.
  2. A minimum of a second-class lower Bachelor of Arts Degree
  3. A minimum of a second –class lower bachelors of Mass media (Kiswahili)
  4. A Postgraduate Diploma in Education –Kiswahili or equivalent.
  5. A Post Graduate Diploma in Teacher Education-Kiswahili or its equivalent
  6. In exceptional cases holders of pass degree may be admitted to the programme provided such applicants have studied Kiswahili and can demonstrate academic growth or show evidence of relevant work experience.

Internationals (Non-East Africans)

International applicants will be admitted to the program provided they can demonstrate proficiency in Kiswahili.

Fees structure

Tuition Fees per Semester (East African) UGX 1,325,000
Tuition Fees per Semester (Non East Africans) UGX 1,987,500

Functional Fees

Compulsory fees UGX
Application fee 50,000
Registration fees (per Academic Year) 60,000
Identity Card (Payable once in the 1st Semester) 20,000
Student Manual (Payable once in the 1st Semester) 20,000
Library fee (per Academic Year) 50,000
Medicare fee (per semester) 30,000
Computer Laboratory fee (per Academic Year) 100,000
Laboratory Fee for MSc in Chemistry (Per semester) 200,000
Examination fee (per semester) 100,000
Innovation fund (per year) 100,000
Research fee (per Academic Year) 200,000
Development Fund (per Academic Year) 100,000
Student Games Union fee (Academic Year) 20,000
Student Guild fee (per Academic Year) 20,000
Contribution to the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) (per Academic Year) 2,000
Certification (per copy) 5,000
Graduation fee (Payable on Completion of Studies)
a)    Ceremony 80,000
b)    Transcript 50,000
c)     Certificate 50,000
d)    Convocation 20,000
Total 200,000
Consequential fees 
Late Registration (per semester; after the deadline for official registration) 50,000
Replacement of Transcript (per issue) 50,000
Replacement of other University Credentials (Admission Letter, Identity Card, Library Card, etc…) 20,000
Retake/Supplementary/Missed/Special Exam fee (per course) 50,000
To be remitted to NCHE via www.ura.go.ug 
Contribution to National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Collections (per Academic Year) 20,000
  1. The University Council reserves the right to adjust the fees without prior notice.
  2. These Programmes are run over Weekends, during Fulltime, or in Recess/Holiday Sessions.

Contribution to NCHE should be deposited using a payment reference number generated via www.ura.go.ug

Fees Structure 2025-2026

Course details

  • LH Lecture Hours
  • CH Contact Hours
  • TH Tutorial Hours
  • CU Credit Units
MWAKA KWANZA (YEAR ONE) MUHULA WA KWANZA (SEMESTER ONE)
Course Code Course Name LH  PH CH CU
KOZI ZA MSINGI (CORE COURSES)
MAKL  7101 Fonetiki na fonolojia ya Kiswahili  kiwango cha juu 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7102 Nadharia za tafsiri na ukalimani  kiwango cha juu 60 – 60 4
MAKL 7103 Upataji na ujifunzajiwa Lugha ya pili 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7104 Isimujamii  kiwango cha  juu 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7105 Nadharia za Kiswahili na uana 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7106 Nadharia  na uhakiki wa  fasihi 45 30 60 4
KOZI ZA KUCHAGUA (ELECTIVE COURSES)  (Choose One)
MAKL 7107 Fasihi kongwe ya Kiswahili kiwango cha  juu 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7108 Fasihi ya sasa Kiwango cha juu 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7109 Historia na maendeleo ya Kiswahili 60 – 60 4
Sub-total  CU   28
MWAKA WA KWANZA (YEAR ONE) :  MUHULA WA PILI (SEMESTER TWO
Course Code Course Name LH  PH  CH CU
KOZI ZA MSINGI (CORE COURSES)
MAKL 7201 Mofolojia na SintakisIa pevu 60 – 60 4
MAKL 7202 Semantiki na pragmatiki ya Kiswahili kiwango cha juu 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7203 Mbinu za utafiti katika isimu na fasihi  kiwangocha juu 60 – 60 4
MAKL 7204  Nadharia za Isimu Linganishi 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7205 Nadharia Fasihi Linganishi 45 30 60 4
MAKL 7206 Nadharia za uhakiki wa fasihi simulizi 45 30 60 4
KOZI ZA KUCHAGUA  (ELECTIVE COURSES)  (Choose one)
MAKL 7207 Isimu tumikizi 60 – 60 4
MAKL 7208 Utendi neni katika Kiswahili 60 – 60 4
MAKL 7209 Fasihi ya watoto katika Kiswahili 60 – 60 4
Sub-total         28
YEAR TWO SEMESTER ONE
The students will be obliged to embark on proposal and research project. Research Seminars are Mandatory
Course Code Course Name LH  PH  CH CU
MAKL7219 Makongamao/Warsha – 60 – 4
  Total Credit Units       4
YEAR TWO SEMESTER TWO
Every Student should undertake a Research project after accomplishing coursework
MAKL 7210 Uandishi wa pendekezo na tasfnifu katika Kiswahili 60 90 120 5
Total Credit Units       5

Career opportunities

Graduates of M.A Kiswahili will find themselves in a ready market both locally and internationally as far as employment is concerned. In addition, Kiswahili being a second national language, Uganda needs experts in the language to train leaders in communication skills for administrative and social purposes.

Target Audience:

The Master of Arts in Kiswahili targets professional teachers, media personnel’s working in government, and civil society organisations, translators, policy, makers at the school, community, district, national and regional levels. This curriculum provides an opportunity for both full time and part-time Masters’ degree-level study tenable in the Department of Kiswahili.