VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY UGANDA.

VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY UGANDA

BACKGROUND

The Virtual University of Uganda is a Private-Not-For-Profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees.

The Virtual University of Uganda is fully licenced by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education. As the first online university in the region, we are proud to be part of the technological revolution in tertiary education.

We aim to bring premier learning resources to professionals in the fields of public health and international development who wish to obtain a postgraduate qualification without having to take time off work or travel to an outside country. Our staff are experienced academics who are recruited locally, regionally, and internationally. VUU programmes are accessed through our dedicated learning platform (Moodle) hosted by Stoas Learning in The Netherlands. Our vast Open Access Digital Library is available to staff, students, and the general public 24/7.

As a private-not-for-profit institution, the mission of the Virtual University of Uganda is to achieve excellence in tertiary education provision through providing quality programmes of the highest standards to students who will contribute to positive development in society.

The major objective of the university is to train professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the positive development of their country in the sectors that are, and will be, vital not only to Uganda but also to the region, in the coming decades. Thus, the Virtual University of Uganda will bring tertiary education of the highest international standards to Uganda in order to prepare the coming generation, who are tomorrow’s leaders, to participate fully and meaningfully in the country’s development.

ACADEMICS

PROGRAMMES OVERVIEW

• PG Diploma / Master Public Health
• PG Diploma / Master International Development
• PG Diploma / Master ICTs for Development
• PG Diploma / Business Administration / Executive MBA

Additional information

The PG Diplomas take two calendar years to complete. The Master’s programmes are thirty (30) month programmes: two calendar years for courses and a further six months to submit a dissertation. In order to qualify for admission to the Master’s dissertation, applicants need to have completed ten courses leading to a postgraduate diploma with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Following an interview, qualified candidates may proceed to the Master’s dissertation which will be supervised by a recognised regional or international expert in the field of study chosen.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Given the urgent need for training public health specialists, VUU offers this postgraduate degree programme for those already working in the health sector who wish to specialize in public health, those from a relevant discipline who wish to add public health skills to their list of core competencies, or employees of NGOs, embassies, and/or health organizations who wish to gain a qualification in public health.

The broad aim of the programme is to provide professionals with a thorough knowledge of the theories and methods of public health as well as practical skills in working with the public health problems of the communities in which they work.

Programme courses

• PGDPH 101 Key Issues in Public Health (3 CU)
• PGDPH 102 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3 CU)
• PGDPH 103 Population Studies and Reproductive Health (3 CU)
• PGDPH 104 Primary Health Care and Community Health (3 CU)
• PGDPH 105 Health Communication and Promotion (3 CU)
• PGDPH 106 Health Economics (3 CU)
• PGDPH 107 Environment, Health, and Development (3 CU)
• PGDPH 108 Health Policy, Planning, and Management (3 CU)
• PGDID 108 Integrity, Management, and Leadership (3 CU)
• PGDPH 109 Research Methodology (3 CU)
• Dissertation (MSc)

All these courses may also be taken as stand-alone courses as part of our Continuous Professional Development programme.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The university offers this postgraduate diploma/degree programme in International Development for those already working in the development sector, those who wish to specialize in development studies coming from a different undergraduate specialization, or those national or expatriate employees of NGOs, embassies, and/or development organizations who wish to gain a qualification in International Development.

The broad aim of the programme is to provide professionals with a thorough knowledge of the theories and methods of development, as well as skills in managing development in a sustainable fashion, so as to make a lasting and tangible contribution to the global standards set by the Millennium Goals Initiative.

Programme courses

• PGDID 101 World Development Today (3 CU)
• PGDICT 101 Introduction to ICT4D (3 CU)
• PGDID 102 Development Discourse: Theories and Practices (3 CU)
• PGDID 103 Development Projects: Planning and Management (3 CU)
• PGDID 104 International Human Rights (3 CU)
• PGDID 105 International Relations, Intervention, and Aid (3 CU)
• PGDID 106 Gender, Women, and Development (3CU)
• PGDID 107 Environment and Sustainable Development (3 CU)
• PGDID 108 Integrity, Management, and Leadership (3 CU)
• PGDID 109 Research Methodology (3 CU)
• Dissertation (MA)

All these courses may also be taken as stand-alone courses as part of our Continuous Professional Development programme. 

ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT
The university offers this postgraduate diploma/ degree programme (subject to accreditation by the NCHE) in ICTs for Development for those already working in the development sector who wish to upgrade their ICT skills and ICT managers who wish to update their skills and knowledge in development.

ICTs have roles to play in many areas: democracy, banking, retailing, education, marketing, gender, business, public health, human rights, environment, governance, agriculture, the media, and health. Innovative solutions to some development problems are emerging at a very fast rate. The main purpose of this programme is to train innovative ICT leaders with a thorough knowledge of the theories and methods of ICTs for development who will think outside the box to maximize the use of ICTs in particular contexts.

Programme courses

• PGDID 101 Contemporary Perspectives on Development (3 CU)
• PGDICT 101 Introduction to ICT4D (3 CU)
• PGDICT 102 Hardware and Networking for Development (3 CU)
• PGDID 103 Development Projects: Planning and Management (3 CU)
• PGDICT 103 Software and Databases for Development (3 CU)
• PGDICT 104 New Internet-Based Paradigms: Moving to the Cloud (3 CU)
• PGDICT 105 Information Systems Design and Implementation (3 CU)
• PGDICT 106 ICT Policy and Regulation (3 CU)
• PGDID 108 Integrity, Management, and Leadership (3 CU)
• PGDID 109 Research Methodology (3 CU)
• Dissertation (MSc)

All these courses may also be taken as stand-alone courses as part of our Continuous Professional Development programme.

BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION
The demand for competent and creative business leaders and managers who will take business practice to the next level in the African context is undisputed today given the situation and realities on the ground. Transforming existing business practices will not happen overnight but will happen when sufficient numbers of business professionals adhere to best business practices. African business practices 3.0 will not only make business practices more efficient in terms of human and financial resources, but will also have a knock-on effect in terms of the region’s social and economic developme

The programme builds on existing skills to ensure that resulting practices are taken to the next level. All courses in the programme are built to ensure that local realities are taken into account while at the same time looking to international best practices to bring business realities and practices in the region into line with international standards and practices. The overall aim of the programme is to develop a cadre of dynamic, creative, and highly-trained business professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to bring about change in existing business practices in the East Africa region.

Programme courses

• PGDBA 101 Strategic Leadership and Management Skills (3 CU)
• PGDBA 102 Managing People in Organizations (3 CU)
• PGDBA 103 Corporate Governance and Integrity (3 CU)
• PGDBA 104 Financial Management (3 CU)
• PGDBA 105 Strategic Procurement Management (3 CU)
• PGDBA 106 Contemporary Marketing Strategies and Practices (3 CU)
• PGDBA 107 Putting the e into Business: Technology Management (3 CU)
• PGDBA 108 Accounting for Management (3 CU)
• PGDBA 109 Operations Management Skills (3 CU)
• PGDBA 110 Creative Corporate Entrepreneurship (3 CU)
• EMBA 201 Practicum (6 CU)

All these individual courses may also be taken as stand-alone courses as part of Continuous Professional Development.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Gather information

• Click here to browse our available programmes.
• If you have any questions, call one of our admissions advisors.
• Make note of all programme specific admission requirements and deadlines.

Step 2: Complete the online application form

• Complete the online application form and attach all relevant documents.
  • Make sure that you have soft (digital) copies of your transcripts and CV ready. You will also need your Personal Statement (why you wish to take the programme) and a Summary of Your Experience. You will be asked to upload/attach your transcripts on page 2 of our online application form. Important note: Scanned copies of your transcripts must be stamped by a recognised authority as ¨certified true copy¨ of the original.
  • You will be asked to upload/attach your CV on page 3 of the online application form.
  • If you wish to submit the online application at a later date, you may click the “Save as draft” button at any time. You can then return later and make corrections before submitting the application.
  • Please review your application carefully before clicking “Submit” as you can only submit the form once.
  • When you press “Submit,” your application form will be automatically sent to us.

Step 3: Submit payment

• Please remit the application fee to the university bank account and send details of payment (or a scanned receipt) to: registryvuu@virtualuni.ac.ug
• Ensure that your name and the correct fee type is indicated on the bank slip.
• The university will then process your application.

Step 4: What’s next?

• The university will acknowledge receipt of your application.
• If you qualify for admission, you will receive an invitation to take the university Graduate Admission Test (additional fees apply). You must pass this test to qualify for registration.

CONTACTS
The Virtual University of Uganda can be contacted in a variety of ways. Please select one of the following methods:

AMINISTRATIVE CONTACT
The Virtual University of Uganda
Plot 425 Zzimwe Road, Muyenga
Kampala, Uganda