Programs at Fourah Bay College

Choosing a Programme: Faculties, Structure and Practical Advice

Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827 and now a constituent college of the University of Sierra Leone, has long organised its teaching through faculties rather than as a single catalogue of courses. Understanding that structure makes it much easier to compare options. Broadly, study at the college has been grouped around the arts and humanities, the pure and applied sciences, engineering, the social sciences and law. Each faculty is made up of departments, and it is the department that usually sets entry expectations, designs the course sequence and supervises final-year projects.

How a degree is typically built

An undergraduate degree generally runs over several academic years, starting with foundation modules that introduce core methods and concepts before moving into specialised and elective courses. Many programmes finish with a dissertation, design project or extended piece of independent work. Science and engineering students should expect regular laboratory or workshop sessions, while humanities and social science courses lean more on seminars, essays and fieldwork. Asking a department how assessment is weighted between coursework and examinations is a useful way to judge whether a programme suits your study style.

Matching a programme to your goals

• Check subject requirements early. Departments often expect particular WASSCE passes, especially in English, mathematics and relevant sciences.
• Think about progression. A diploma can be a practical route into work or, in some cases, a stepping stone towards degree study, so ask how credits or qualifications are recognised.
• Consider professional pathways. Fields such as engineering, accounting and law may lead to further professional training or registration after graduation.
• Talk to current students. They can give an honest picture of workload, facilities and timetables.

Course offerings, requirements and fees change from year to year, so always confirm the current details with the university's official channels before applying. For guidance on the application process itself, see our admissions overview, and to learn more about the academics who teach these courses, visit the faculty page.