Undergraduate Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Ahfad University for Women a candidate is required to be a holder of Sudan School Certificate, or its equivalent:

1.1. With pass in at least seven (7) subjects that must include Arabic Language, English language, Religious studies and Mathematics.

1.2. In addition to the four subjects specified in (1) above a candidate is expected to meet specific school requirements and these are:

• School of Psychology and Pre-School Education: Pass in any three of the following subjects:: History, Geography, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Art, Environmental Studies, Special Arabic, Additional Mathematics.
• School of Family Sciences: Pass in any three of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Studies.
• School of Management Studies: Pass in any three of the following subjects:: History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Costing and Taxation, Environmental Studies, Additional Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, Commerce & Economics
• School of Rural Extension Education & Development: Pass in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Additional Mathematics and History
• School of Health Sciences: Pass in Physics, Chemistry and Biology
• School of Pharmacy: Pass in Physics, Chemistry and Biology

1.3. It is the policy of AUW for an Admission Committee to interview and evaluate all applicants and grant admission based on the number of places available and the academic credentials of the prospective students.

Admission of Mature Students

As Governed by current regulation of Admissions Board, Ministry of Higher Education. Small numbers of students who are about thirty years may be admitted without necessarily having a secondary school leaving examination.

University Required Courses

The following courses are required to be taken by all students registered for Bachelor's Degree of AUW.

URAR 101: Arabic and Religion Studies (3 credit hours)
The course seeks to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills while paying special attention to Arabic grammar and syntax. The course concentrates on a variety of literary conventions such as poetry and creative writing in order to improve the overall ability of the student.

URAR 111: Arabic and Religion Studies (3 credit hours)
The course aims to make students more aware of the basic tenets of the Islamic faith. Islamic studies look at the origins of Islam, Women in Islam and the Islamic view of different subjects related to the student’s specialization. Rich varieties of sources such as Koranic texts are used in teaching.

UREL101: English Language I (3 credit hours)
This course aims at helping students acquire reading skills such as skimming, scanning and inference in order to encourage intensive and efficient reading. It helps them discuss critically what they read and express their own opinions. The course helps students to improve their writing skills and practice speaking and writing.

UREL111: English Language II (3 credit hours)
This is a proficiency course that is designed to improve the oral and listening skills of students so that they may be able to communicate properly .This is achieved through reading and writing dialogues ,poems and jokes, extracting information, making presentations and conducting interviews.

URBM101: Basic Mathematics (3 credit hours)
This is an introductory course to mathematics and the appreciation of mathematics and mathematical methods and their applications in the respective fields of study of the students. Some basic concepts of mathematics are treated e.g. sets, relations, functions, matrices, permutations, combinations, limits, continuity, differentiation and integration.

URBS 101: Basic Statistics (3 credit hours)
This course aims at introducing the basic concepts and principles of statistics and applications of statistics to problems relevant to the student’s field of study. Topics include selection of appropriate statistical techniques, data collection and organization, graphical presentation, analysis of data and computation of relevant parameters and interpretation of results

URSS 101: Study Skills (3 credit hours)
The student is introduced to university education, AUW and its system, staff and facilities so that she may make the best use out of these resource and facilities and spend a university life as smooth as possible. She is given lessons and activities that will improve her study e.g. library, reading, note taking, computer and time management skills.

URTD 101: Talents Development (3 credit hours)
Objectives: To give students the opportunity to develop their talents and enhance their skills in Music, Drama, Journalism and Physical Education. Content: The content of the course depends on course chosen.

URES111: Environmental Studies (3 credit hours, Not for Medicine)
The course deals with the overview of the earth environment, and explains the fundamental concepts of environmental science and the way the planet Earth functions. It also provides the basis for continued study in environmental sciences. The course intends to develop in the students positive attitudes towards the environment and the use of natural resources.

URBV111: Behavioural Sciences (2 credit hours)
The course introduces the sciences of psychology and sociology to students in a way that helps them understand the basic concepts of these sciences and their impact on their fields of study.

UREL201: English Language III (3 credit hours)
The course offers further practice in different techniques of reading It helps students guess the meaning of new words and be familiar with word formation, write short paragraphs and develop them into essays .It comprises short and long reading passages ,exercises in comprehension and other language activities.

UREL211: English Language IV (3 credit hours)
This a comprehensive language course that intends to guide the student to the analysis of the system of language in use and read interesting text types in listening and reading activities. It covers grammatical and lexical systems of English and practices the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) in an integrative way. It consists of reading passages related to different fields at different schools, class activities to develop listening writing and speaking abilities.

URPE 201: Population Studies (3 credit hours)
Objectives: To equip students with the knowledge and to develop their awareness on population concepts, characteristics, and policies; and to motivate them to change their attitudes and behaviour towards certain population issues to become effective change agents.

URRM 401: Research Methods (3 credit hours)
An introductory theoretical survey of research and research methods to help students acquire the scientific approach to the tackling of problems; covers various aspects of research methods- qualitative and quantitative research and relevant methods, including research design, data collection and analysis writing up and presentation of research.

URWS 401: Women's Studies (3 credit hours)
The course introduces Women‘s and Gender Studies and the concepts and debates within these studies. It also tackles the assessment of the Sudanese women’s profile, in particular, and feminism and women’s movement, in general, as tools for promotion of women’s condition and positions to achieve empowerment and solidarity for action.

URGS 411: Gender Studies (3 credit hours, Not for Medicine)
The course is divided into four main topics: The gender dimension in development, the gender analytical frameworks and approaches, feminization of poverty and impact of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) on women and finally, Case studies of integrating women in development/gender mainstreaming

URRE 401: Rural Extension I (2 credit hours)
Objective: To orient students on the mission of Ahfad University and to familiarize them with challenges facing rural people; to orient students to the challenges of development in rural areas around the world and in Sudan in particular; and to familiarize students with the challenges and brief them on School of Rural Extension Education & Development (REED).

URRE 411: Rural Extension II — Field Trips (4 credit hours)
This is the practical aspect of Rural Extension I. All fourth year students of the University spend one week of residence in different rural areas of the Sudan where they live , interact with and study the rural community and train as future change agents. In the School of Medicine, the rural extension programme is taken in first year. (For more details, see Rural Extension Programme under The School of REED.)

URRM 501: Research Project (6 credit hours)
Every student is assigned a research problem in her field of specialization that she will tackle for about one semester under the supervision of a member of staff and will present a dissertation at the end of the semester. The dissertation will be evaluated by an internal (supervisor) and/or an external examiner.

UREL301: English Language V (3 credit hours)
This course aims at improving the students writing and reading skills and equips them wit the necessary language skills for their future professional life. By the end of this course, students are expected to master the techniques of proper correct writing in English. Writing exercises shall be accompanied with extensive selected readings that harmonize with the content subject taught in every school. They are also expected to master some language skills like writing letters, reports, advertisements, filling forms, telephoning, presiding at a meeting, taking minutes, taking part in workshops, and discussing issues in a professional context.

UREL301: English Language VI (3 credit hours)
This is continuation of course UREL301: English Language V

URCD501: Career Development

Evaluation System and Examination Regulations (Undergraduate)

The reader is referred to the booklet, “Ahfad University, Evaluation of Academic Performance,” for the full details of the evaluation system and examination regulations.

1.1. - 1.3. Preliminary statements and definitions

1.4. Students who successfully complete all courses and requirements as prescribed by the University and schools are awarded the Bachelor (Honours) Degree of the university. The Bachelor (Honours) Degree is classified according to the accumulative average as follows:

80 – 100% Distinction
75 – 79% Very good
65 – 74% Good
50 – 64% Pass

1.5. Final accumulative average is calculated as follows:

(a) All schools except Medicine

5% of first year final result
5% of second year final result
20% of third year final result
30% of fourth year final result
40% of fifth year final result

(b) For the School of Health Sciences

40% from results of fourth and fifth years
60% from Sixth year final examination

1.6 Grades for individual courses are assigned according to the following criteria:

80–100 % — A Distinction
70 – 79 % — B Very good
60 – 69% — C Good
50 – 59% — D Pass
Below 50%— F Fail

In each course a minimum of 40% and a maximum of 60% are allotted to the semester work. The final examination constitutes a maximum of 60% and a minimum of 40% of the final evaluation for the course.

1.7. First year regulations: every student in the first year will have to study all the prescribed courses during the two semesters as set out by the Academic Council (see details in the special booklet).

1.7.a. A student who passes all first year courses is promoted to second year.

1.7.b. A student who fails in four subjects during the two semesters will sit for a supplementary examination.

1.7.c. A student who fails in more than four subjects during the two semesters will be asked to withdraw from the University.

1.7.d. A student who passes her supplementary examination(s) will be promoted to second year.

17.e. A student who fails her supplementary examination in any course will repeat that course.

1.7.f. In the School of Health Sciences, any student who fails in any subject will be advised to leave the school.

1.8. Change of school at the end of first year: It may be possible and within limits set by the University to apply for change of school at the end of first year. The application should be addressed to the Vice President, Admission and Student Affairs:

a. The student must satisfy the conditions set by the school applied for
b. Acceptance is dependent on number of vacancies available and relative academic standing of applicant.

1.9. Freezing of study is NOT ALLOWED in the first year.

1.10. Regulation for SECOND, THIRD and FOURTH Years: Every student registered in second, third or fourth year must study all the courses and fulfil all the requirements during the two semesters of each year as approved by the Academic Council (see special booklet).

1.10.a. A student who passes all the courses prescribed for the particular year will be promoted to the higher year.

1.10.b. A student who fails in four courses or less (during the two semesters) may sit for supplementary examination(s).

(i) A student who passes the supplementary examination(s) will be promoted to the higher year
(ii) A student who fails any supplementary examination will have to repeat the course(s) failed and she may be allowed to take some course(s) from the higher year as may be seen appropriate by the school concerned.

1.10.c. A student who fails five or more courses will have to repeat those courses and she may be allowed to take some course(s) from a higher level as may be seen suitable by the school concerned.

1.10.d. A student who is repeating an academic year must pass all the courses repeated during the two semesters and the supplementary examination. Failure in any course results in withdrawal from the University.

1.10.e. A student will be accepted into a specialization or option only when she:

(i) passes all courses prescribed prior to specialization
(ii) meets all requirements set by the school and passed by the Academic Council

1.10.f. Regulations for Second and Third Years in The School of Health Sciences.

PHASE II

1. A student who passes all modules of second or third year is promoted to the higher year.
2. A student who fails in one or two modules will have to sit for supplementary examination(s) at the end of the year. If she passes, she is promoted.
3. A student who fails any supplementary examination will have to repeat the year.
4. A student who fails three or more modules will have to repeat the year.

1.11. Regulation for Fifth Year: A student will have to study all courses prescribed in her specialization during the two semesters as set by the school and approved by the Academic Council (see special booklet).

1.11.a. A student who fails in any course in the fifth year will have to sit for a supplementary examination. She will not graduate unless she passes all courses within two consecutive years starting from the date of the original examination.

1.11.b. Regulation for Fourth and Fifth Years, The School of Health Sciences:

PHASE III-A

1. A student who passes all modules of a particular year is promoted to the higher year.
2. Results of Phase III constitute 40% of the final graduation grade.

1.11. c. Regulation for Sixth Year, The School of Medicine

PHASE III-B

1.A student in the sixth and final year must pass all subjects i.e. Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Community Medicine.
2. A student who fails one subject may sit for a supplementary examination in that subject after the elapse of three months from the date of the final examination.
3. A student who fails in two subjects will be allowed to sit for supplementary examination after the elapse of six months from the date of the final examination. If she fails in one or two subjects in the supplementary, she will have to repeat the year in that subject or those two subjects.
4. A student who fails in three or more subjects will have to repeat the academic year.
5. A repeating student will have to pass all repeated subjects in order to graduate. She will have to pass within a maximum of two consecutive years starting the date of the first examination.

 

2.12. Registration: A student is considered registered in the University and allowed into classes or to sit for examination ONLY when she satisfies all the academic and administrative requirements and pays all the due fees.

2.13. Attendance: Full attendance of classes and other activities of the University is always required .However,

1. A student who absents herself from 20% of the time allotted for a course (or evaluated activity) will receive a written warning.
2.In case the absence exceeds 30% of the time allotted for any course the student will be barred from the examination and will be deemed to have failed the course and will not be allowed to sit for supplementary examination. She will have to repeat the course (if other conditions are met)
3. A student is not allowed to register after the elapse of three weeks from the beginning of any semester.

2.14. Examination Times: Final examinations are held THREE times during any academic year in October (end of first semester), March (end of second semester), and June (supplementary; and substitutes). Supplementary examinations for sixth year in the School of Medicine are held as described in 1.11.c. 1 and 2, above.

2.15. Preparation of Results:

1. Every staff member will hand in her/his results and scripts to the Dean.
2. School board will hold a meeting to discuss the results and make recommendations
3. The Dean will raise the recommendation to the Academic Council.

2.16. Procedures in Examination Venue:

1. Students are not allowed into examination venue after 30 minutes from the start of the examination.
2. No student is allowed out of the examination venue before the elapse of half the time allotted for the examination in progress.
3. No student is allowed to leave her place in the last ten minutes of any examination.

2.17. Remarking:

1. A student may apply to her Dean for the remarking of her script(s) after paying the prescribed fees and within SEVEN days from publication of results.
2. The application is made to the Vice President (Academic Affairs) who will in consultation with the Dean concerned appoint an external examiner.
3. Result of remarking by the external examiner will be FINAL.
4. The student bears the full responsibility of the outcome of remarking whether positive or negative.

2.18. Excused Absence:

(a) Sick Reports:

1.. A student who falls sick before the date of examination must make sure that her report reaches the Dean with a copy to Vice President, Student Affairs, within 48 hours of the end of the examination concerned.
2. A student who falls sick during the examination must submit the medical report to the Dean with a copy to Vice President, Student Affairs.

In both cases the report has to be countersigned by the University Clinic doctor (if issued from elsewhere). However, the report can be brought by a relative or friend

(b) Other Reasons: like social, etc will have to be documented from parent or guardian and relevant authorities and all documents are subject to scrutiny by the University Administration.
(c) All points in (a) and (b) above apply to tests and other evaluated activities.

2.19. Cheating Cases:

(a) Cheating in an examination includes all sorts of communication or bringing into the examination venue any materials not allowed by the examining body or examiners. In case of any act of cheating, the invigilator(s) will:

1. Allow the student to continue working after removing the articles concerned.
2. Write a report of the case
3. The examiner (subject teacher) will be notified and she/he will write a report about the case showing the relevancy of the object(s) caught or cheating noticed to the subject of the examination and her/his assessment of the student.
4. The Dean will form an investigation committee comprising two senior academic staff members, the representative of Student Affairs in the school and headed by the Dean. The invigilator(s) and subject teacher will attend as witnesses.
5. The student is notified to appear before the committee at the time and place specified. She will bear the full consequences of not showing up.
6. The investigation is to be completed within seven days from date of examination.
7. The Dean will raise the results of the investigation and the recommendations of the committee (and school) to Deputy President, Student Affairs, who will submit it to the Academic Council.

(b) In the case of conviction one of the following punishment will be administered:

1. She will be deemed to have failed the subject and will be given a final warning of dismissal.
2. Suspension for one or two years depending on the case and final warning of dismissal
3. Final dismissal from the University.

2.20. False Identify for:

(a) Examination purposes; or
(b) Other purposes.

If such an offence takes places, the Deputy President, Student Affairs, will form an investigation committee and in case the offence is proved, the offender or offenders will be dismissed from the University and if one of them is from outside the University, she will be handed over to the police as a criminal case.

2.21. Freezing of studies is allowed in all classes except the First Year.

(a) A student asking to freeze her studies will have to fill the appropriate form (available from Student Affairs).
(b) Reasons for application must be specified and documented.
(c) The filled form is handed over to the Dean of the School who will comment on the application and pass it to the Deputy President for Student Affairs.
(d) Application may be for one semester or more and up to a maximum of four semesters during the student’s stay at the University. In case of medical students, the freezing can be for the duration of one module up to a maximum of 72 weeks during the whole period of study.
(e) The Deputy President for Student Affairs will make necessary recommendation and send the application to Deputy President for Academic Affairs, who will take the action and report it to the first meeting of the Academic Council.

Regulations Governing Graduate Studies — Master’s Degree

Admission Regulations

Article 1: Applicants for the Master’s degree should hold an honour’s degree with at least a “B” (level) from Ahfad University for Women or an equivalent degree from a recognized university.

Article 2: Applicants, who hold a general degree, may be admitted after passing a qualifying examination.

Article 3: A School or Unit Board may, with the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), set any additional admission requirements it deems necessary, e.g., written or oral examination or successful completion of any designated preparatory courses subject to the following conditions:

1. The applicant should pass such examinations or preparatory courses on the first attempt.
2. The applicant cannot enroll in graduate studies prior to satisfying (a) above.
3. The period spent in fulfilling the pre-requisites above does not count towards the maximum period allowed to obtain the degree (see Article 11).

Article 4: A student may be admitted to a Master’s degree programme in a field other than, but related to, her major field of study for the bachelor’s degree. Such admission requires the recommendations of the school council or unit concerned, the GSC and the approval of the Academic Council.

Article 5: Students are required to enroll on full-time basis. Part-time students may be accepted in graduate studies on the written consent of the employer, the recommendation of the school council or unit concerned and approval of the GSC.

Admission and Registration Procedures

Article 6: The Academic Council, on the recommendation of the GSC, shall, according to the proposal by the school or unit concerned, determine the number of students to be accepted in any degree programme.

Article 7: Students are admitted on annual basis in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Applications on the prescribed forms together with any relevant documents that may be required are submitted to the relevant school or unit during the period 1 January - 30th April of each year.
2. The recommendations of the school or unit board are submitted to the GSC for approval before the end of May of the same year.
3. Names of students accepted in each programme are published, and the students concerned are informed, one month before the start of the semester.
4. Places that fall vacant after two weeks of the start of the programme are filled by candidates on the reserve list.
5. An academic advisor is appointed by the school council or unit for each student accepted in any of the programmes offered by the university.
6. No student is allowed to register unless she has paid the prescribed fees.
7. No student is allowed to enroll in more than one programme of study at the same time .

Article 8: Every student is required to register for each academic semester.

Leave of Absence and Withdrawals

Article 9:

1. A student may be allowed to take leave of absence for TWO semesters (successively or separately) on the written application of the student, the recommendation of the school council or unit concerned and approval of the GSC The period for which leave of absence has been granted shall not count towards the maximum period allowed for completion of the degree. (See Article 11).
2. Withdrawal from graduate studies is subject to the following procedures:

• That a written request for withdrawal be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
• A student who withdraws within two weeks of the commencement of the programme will be eligible for refund of tuition fees paid before registration
• A student will be considered as having failed the courses she registered for if she withdraws within Two Weeks from the start of the final examination, and will be debarred from readmission to the same graduate programme of a study at any future date

 

Degree Requirements

Article 10: Study for the Master's Degree may be pursued in one of two ways:

1. Through taught courses in addition to submission of a research thesis. Students will be required to complete successfully 20 credit hours of course work in addition to a thesis.
2. Through taught courses. Students will be required to complete 40 credit hours of course work, three hours of which shall be devoted to submission of a report on a research project.

Article 11: The period allowed for completion of the degree requirements shall not exceed four semesters (five semesters for part timers). In special circumstances, this period may be extended by only one semester. Such extension is subject to submission of a request by the supervisor or academic advisor and requires the recommendations of the school council or unit concerned the GSC and approval of the Academic Council.

Cancellation of Enrollment

Article 12: A student’s enrolment will be cancelled in one of the following circumstances:

• Failure to register as a graduate student within two weeks after the programme commences.
• Failure in more than two taught courses.
• Failure in any supplementary course.
• Lack of serious pursuit of prescribed studies.
• Failure to complete all degree requirements within the period specified in Article 11.
• Absence, without eligible excuse, for a period of one semester.

Examinations and Theses

Article 13: Examinations for taught courses are conducted in conformity with the general examination regulations of the university.

Article 14: The overall average grade for passing course work requirement shall be no less than grade “B”.

Article 15: Upon the recommendation of the school, council or unit concerned and approval of the GSC a student may be allowed to take a substitute examination if prevented from taking the prescribed regular examination by extenuating or unforeseen circumstances.

Article 16: No student shall be allowed to re-sit examinations in more than two taught courses.

Article 17: A student studying for the Master’s Degree in accordance with Article 10 (a) should submit, within ONE month of the completion of the prescribed course work the research dissertation proposal. The school council or unit concerned thereupon shall submit to the GSC:

1. Title of thesis.
2. Name of supervisor (and co-supervisors if any).
3 . Names of members of the examination committee. The examination committee shall be composed of the supervisor, an internal examiner and an external examiner. The committee shall include at least, one full or associate professor.
4. Proposed date of submission of the thesis.

The GSC after consideration of the submission of the school or unit council shall present the matter to the Academic Council for its approval.

Article 18: Research theses are supervised by internal professors and associate professors. An assistant professor who is actively engaged in research may supervise the research theses.

Article 19: Depending on the nature of the research undertaken by a graduate student, members of the staff of teaching or research institutions recognized by the university may, on the recommendations of the school council or unit concerned and the GSC and approval of the Academic Council, be appointed as supervisor or co-supervisors.

Article 20: The topic of a thesis approved in accordance with Article 17 cannot be changed after the lapse of one month from the date of registration of the thesis.

Article 21: The title of the thesis, may be changed on the suggestion of the supervisor, the recommendation of the school or unit board concerned and the approval of the GSC provided that such a change does not involve any alteration in the subject matter of the thesis and that it is made, at least, one month before the date of submission of the thesis.

Article 22: Master's Degree theses should be characterized by novelty, originality and the work submitted should have been carried out after the registration of the thesis, and that it has not been submitted to earn any degree from another university.

Article 23: The completed thesis together with the specified number of copies shall be submitted to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs in accordance with the requirement of Article 17-4. The thesis is then presented to the examiners in conformity with the requirement of the same Article 17-3.

Article 24: Each examiner shall submit a separate report on the thesis. The examiners shall also conduct, in committee, an oral examination of the candidate and then write a joint report on:

1. Acceptability of the thesis as a partial fulfillment for the award of the Master’s Degree as required by article (10-a) of these regulations.
2. Acceptability of the thesis after suggested modification and corrections have been made without further oral examination. In such cases, one of the examiners, usually the supervisor is entrusted to ascertain that such modifications and/or corrections have been made before it is recommended that the thesis be accepted for the award of the degree.
3. Need to resubmit the thesis, to the same committee after major modifications or changes have been made on the suggestion of the examiners, within a period of, at least, one semester after the date of first submission. The student in this case will be required to take an oral examination for the second time.
4. Rejection of the thesis.

Article 25: The examiners reports are presented to the GSC and the recommendations of the latter are submitted to the Academic Council for award of the degree or otherwise

Article 26: Students reading for the Masters degree by taught courses in accordance with Article 10-2 will be subject to continuous assessment on the basis of examinations held at the end of each semester. The student will be required to maintain an average grade “B” for the work of each semester (or by the time she completes her course work). The student may, however, be allowed to re-sit certain course examinations not exceeding two, designated by the school council or unit concerned in order to raise her average grade to the required standard.

Article 27: A student is required to attend at least 75% of the prescribed course work in the programme (e.g., lectures, practical, seminars, research, reports, etc). A student who fails to comply with this requirement will be debarred from taking the final examination for the course work in question. In such cases the student will be considered as having failed the examination and shall be asked to discontinue her studies in the University.

Article 28: Names of students who satisfy all requirements by taught courses as required by Article 10-2 are presented by the school council or unit concerned to the GSC for recommendation of the award of the degree by the Academic Council.

General Provisions

Article 29: The Master’s Degree programmes are established by decision of the Academic Council on the recommendation of GSC after consideration of the proposed programme by the council of the school or unit concerned.

Article 30: Changes in admission regulations, degree requirements, or course content require the approval of the GSC on the recommendation of the schools or unit concerned.

Article 31: The GSC shall issue rules and guidelines for writing, typing, preparation and presentation of the research theses.

Article 32: The Academic Council retains the right of interpretation of these rules.