UDSM Direct Applicants Selection Criteria

The selection process is automatically done by the system for all applicants who have met the minimum requirements of their respective programs.

The following is a list of 9 criteria used to rank and process applicants on various programs: Program Points, A-level Points, Choice Number, A-level Division Rank, A-level Sittings, Gender, O-level Calculated Points, O-level Division Rank, and O-level Sittings.

These criteria are grouped into two groups : Primary criteria and Secondary criteria. 

A. Primary Criteria

The criteria in this group are the fundamental criteria for selecting applicants to various programs. When applicants match in the primary criteria, the system uses secondary criteria to select best students. There are two primary criteria based on A-level subjects points calculated using the following grade/points relationship.

      - Completed A-level studies before 2014 : [A = 5; B = 4; C = 3; D = 2; E = 1; S = 0.5]
      - Completed A-level studies in 2014 and 2015 : [ A = 5; B+ = 4; B = 3; C = 2; D = 1; E =0.5]
      - Completed A-level studies from 2016 onwards : [A = 5; B = 4; C = 3; D = 2; E = 1; S = 0.5]

Below is a description of the two primary criteria:

1. Program Points
The first criterion used for selection of applicants is the calculated program points based on subjects required for the respective program and any extra subject needed to meet the maximum number of subjects required (which is 3 subjects).

For example, if a program requires an applicant to have two principle passes, in which one of them should be Subject A, program points must then first include Subject A and two other extra subjects best performed by the applicant.

In our example, if an applicant has more than three subjects, including Subject A, done in one or more sittings and has 3 other better performed subjects when compared to Subject A, the system will first include the required subject and then the two other best performed subjects to fulfill the required number for calculations.

2. A-level Points
The second criterion used in case applicants match in the first criterion is the A-level Points. Like the first criterion, this criterion is based on points calculated with a maximum of three subjects. However this criterion considers three best performed subjects incase the applicant has more than 3 subjects, without considering the respective program requirements. In most cases, the first and second criterion points match since most applicants have done a maximum of three subjects and have also applied to the programs in which they fulfilled the minimum requirements.

For both first and second criterion, the applicant with more points is considered a more eligible applicant.

B. Secondary Criteria

If applicants match based on primary criteria, then the following secondary criteria are used.

3. Choice Number
The first secondary criterion and the third overall criterion is the interest the applicant has to the respective program. This is based on the choice number of the program.

As an example, let's say applicants A and B are considered for a place in a certain program C and both of them have 10 program choices but applicant A has the aforementioned program as his/her 2nd choice while applicant B has that same program as his/her 10th choice.

In such a situation, if applicant A and B have not been chosen in their initial programs of choice, and also match in their primary criteria, the system (when comparing the two applicants for a place in program C) would consider applicant A, a more eligible applicant because of the interest indicated on that particular program based on his/her choice number.

4. A-level Division Rank
The fourth criterion is the A-level Division Rank (which is between 1 and 4) that is based on the division or class determined by the respective examination body. An applicant with a lower A-level Division Rank is considered to be more eligible.

5. A-level Sittings
The fifth criterion is the A-level number of sittings the applicant has done. An applicant with a lower number of sittings is considered to be more eligible.

6.Gender
The sixth criterion is Gender. If applicants still match in criteria up to this point then a female applicant will be considered over a male applicant.

7. O-level Calculated Points
O-level points is the seventh criterion used. The calculated points are based on 5 best performed subjects by the applicant, using the following grades/points relationship; [A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, and F = 0]. An applicant with more points is considered to be more eligible.

8. O-level Division Rank
This is the eighth criterion which contains the values between 1 and 4 based on the division or class determined by the respective examination body. An applicant with a lower O-level Division Rank is considered to be more eligible.

9. O-level Sittings
The ninth criterion is the O-level number of sittings the applicant has done. An applicant with a lower number of sittings is considered to be more eligible.

In the unlikely event of applicants matching in all 9 criteria, the system will pick the applicant who applied for the program the earliest.