Admissions

Preparing a Strong Application

Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827 and today a constituent college of the University of Sierra Leone, has a long history of drawing students from across Sierra Leone and West Africa. Because admissions rules, entry grades and timelines can change from one academic year to the next, the most reliable approach is to confirm every detail directly with the college's admissions office before you submit anything. The notes below are general guidance to help you get organised early.

Check your qualifications against your chosen programme

Most undergraduate applicants in Sierra Leone apply on the strength of their WASSCE results, and individual faculties usually set their own subject requirements. A science or engineering course, for example, will typically expect credits in mathematics and relevant science subjects, while arts and social science programmes may weigh English and humanities subjects more heavily. Browse the programmes overview to see which areas of study interest you, then ask the relevant department which subjects and grades it expects.

Gather documents in good time

• Certified results: request official copies of your examination results or transcripts well ahead of any deadline, as these can take weeks to obtain.
• Identification: keep a valid ID or passport and passport-sized photographs ready.
• Referees: approach teachers or employers who know your work, and give them enough time to write a considered letter.
• Copies: keep photocopies and scans of everything you submit.

Write a personal statement that sounds like you

A good statement explains why you want to study a particular subject, what you have already done to explore it, and what you hope to achieve. Specific examples, such as a school project, community work or independent reading, are more convincing than general claims. Ask someone you trust to read it for clarity and spelling.

Think beyond the application

Once you are admitted, you will need to plan for fees, accommodation and travel to the campus on Mount Aureol, which overlooks Freetown. Reading about campus life can help you prepare, and if anything is unclear, the contact page lists ways to get in touch with questions.