African Leadership University

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FAQs

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Asked
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About ALU

The African Leadership College (ALC) located in Pamplemousses, Mauritius and the African Leadership University (ALU) located in Kigali, Rwanda are sister institutions that offer blended learning programmes for undergraduate students. Students enrolled at ALU Rwanda spend their first trimester at the campus in Kigali. From there, students are encouraged to study at one of our hubs, which are dedicated or shared coworking and networking spaces located in 5 cities across the African continent and the world. Students enrolled at ALC Mauritius spend all of their trimesters at the campus in Pamplemousses (besides those pursuing the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Leadership), with equal opportunity and access to the hubs whenever they are in one of the hub cities.

All degrees at ALU Rwanda are accredited through Higher Education Council (HEC) Rwanda

The African Leadership College (ALC) Mauritius and the African Leadership University (ALU) Rwanda have different programme offerings (excluding the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Leadership which will soon be available in both campuses) and must meet the separate accreditation requirements required by each country. Learn more about ALC degree programmes and ALU degree programmes offerings.

African Leadership College, located in Mauritius, is open with continuing students pursuing their respective programs. Planning is underway to launch or relaunch the Master of Science in Electrical Power Systems Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computing,  Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership (BEL) and Bachelor of Science in Business Management programmes at ALC Mauritius. Confirmation of the schedule of these programmes is coming soon.

You will be required to select the campus you intend on attending during your application.

We comprise four different schools, each of which offer distinct undergraduate or graduate degree programs. However, as an ALU/ALC community member, all schools are a part of your network and can become a part of your educational journey through formal or informal collaborations with students and faculty from different schools.

The schools are:

  • African Leadership University (ALU) Rwanda
    Founded in 2017, ALU Rwanda is our central campus. It houses the undergraduate program in Rwanda, as well the graduate degree programs, continuing education, and professional development courses.  

  • African Leadership College (ALC) Mauritius
    ALC was launched in 2015 in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), a Scottish institution. As a result of this partnership, students have the opportunity to utilize both ALC and GCU learning resources. GCU serves as the degree-awarding body for academic programs at ALC.

  • ALU School of Business (ALUSB)
    ALUSB launched its first MBA class in 2016 and graduated its first class in July 2018. ALUSB is located in Kigali, Rwanda, and serves graduate students.

  • ALU School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC)
    Founded in 2016, the School of Wildlife Conservation is a centre of excellence focused on the “Business of Conservation.” ALU SOWC offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in wildlife conservation.

No, ALU does not offer exclusively online degrees. 

Students enrolled in ALU are required to spend their first term on campus. After that, all academic requirements for these courses can be completed online from our campus, ALU hubs across 5 African cities,  or anywhere in the world. Both programs do require internships, which may require locating to the workplace.

No, ALU is a non-residential campus – this means that students are responsible for finding their own housing. However, the Student Life team will assist students with off-campus residence options they can consider.

To ease the transition, particularly for international students and Rwandans who are not from Kigali, the Student Life team assists with housing options for our students to consider. Once admitted, these housing options are available on our Admissions Portal. They include shared hostels with other ALU students, as well as introductions to local housing agents.

The housing fees are communicated to students once they are admitted to ALU. Student life will assist in finding suitable options for you.

Our hubs are learning and community spaces designed to give students the opportunity to study outside of our college campuses. Unlike campuses, the hubs are smaller, multipurpose venues that afford our students a maximum degree of flexibility in how and where they would most like to learn, while providing space to build your community and meet new people beyond the ALU ecosystem. 

ALU currently has five hubs, located in:

  • Kigali, Rwanda 
  • Nairobi, Kenya 
  • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 
  • Lagos, Nigeria  
  • Kampala, Uganda


At a hub, you can find:

  • A safe and shared space for enrolled ALU students to complete coursework, pursue their interests and build relationships and networks 
  • A variety of spaces to meet learning needs: Classrooms, conference rooms, individual study rooms, and commons areas 
  • Reliable facilities, including high-speed internet, restrooms, printers and social areas
  • Each hub has the following staff members: Community Engagement Coordinator, HUB ambassadors (student interns) and Visiting Faculty/Experts who drop in throughout the year
  • We are committed to the safety and security of all students. Each hub has a sign in/sign out process to restrict access to ALU community and official visitors, as well as security personnel provided by the building’s management. 


Learn more about the hubs from our students experiences

Admissions

Applying to ALU

ALU welcomes all driven and passionate learners committed to shaping Africa’s future, from anywhere in the world, to apply to our programmes. We embrace applicants with nontraditional interests and backgrounds. To that end, we have an intentionally simple admissions process. We trust our applicants to know if they will be a good fit at ALU.

To ensure students have adequate academic preparation for ALU’s rigorous course of study, all applicants must submit proof of completion of secondary education and select proficiency exams (in some instances).

Applications to ALU are open year-round. There are three application deadlines per year, and applications close two months before the start of each term.

The application journey is divided into two stages. The ALU Application Guide gives full guidance of the entire application process and documents required. 

To begin your application, register yourself as an applicant to ALU through this link: https://start.alueducation.com/https://www.alueducation.com/apply-now/. Registration involves providing ALU with basic personal information. 

  • Stage 1 – More About You: After registering, you will receive an email inviting you to provide additional information to support your ALU application. In this stage, you will mostly be providing academic and identification documentation as well as more information about your academic history. You will be required to upload the required documents, such as national exam transcripts or A-level equivalent, secondary school transcripts (grades 10, 11, 12), and an identification document.

  • Stage 2 – Finances: This final stage will help you to understand the financial contribution you will need to make in order to support your ALU studies. If you need financial aid to afford the full cost to study at ALU, you can indicate this here, and if you are found eligible, you will be invited to apply for financial aid.  


Once these stages are successfully completed and submitted, the admissions team will review your application and reach out with the final admission decision after the review is complete.

Yes, our application process is available only online. If you have any difficulty in filling out your application, please submit a request here.

All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of their age. However, all applicants below 18 years of age will need to formally demonstrate parental or legal guardian consent.

All individuals intending to transfer to ALU from other universities will be required to go through the ALU admission process.

If admitted, ALU will consider requests for credit transfer and review them on a case-by-case basis. Incoming ALU students should expect to complete our full degree programmes as we cannot guarantee you will receive transfer credits.

Our admissions team reviews applications on a rolling basis and sends out admissions decisions in batches. Please allow for at least 2 weeks from when your application is submitted to expect a decision.

If you have any questions on the application process, you can find more information on the Help Center, or submit a support request directly to the Admissions team.

The following documents are required to submit your application for review by the Admissions team:

 

  1. National exam transcripts or A-level equivalent

     

  2. Secondary School Transcripts (Grades 10, 11, 12)

     

  3. Identification Document (e.g. national ID, passport, refugee ID)


Upon submitting the necessary documentation, your application will be reviewed and the Admissions department will determine your eligibility to enroll into the undergraduate degree programs.

BSc (Hons) Entrepreneurial Leadership

  1. Completing  a final national secondary school exam and graduated from secondary school with a certificate of secondary education on an A Level or equivalent.

     

    • Prospects that did not complete an examination offered by the Rwandan National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA)/REB/WDA should apply for an equivalency review through the Irembo.gov.rw site.

       

  2. CEFR B2-level (or equivalent) English proficiency. Refer to this explanation of English proficiency levels.

     

    • Students accepted at a B1 level will be required to complete an English-proficiency development program at ALU, which will need to be completed prior to starting the degree programme modules.

       

  3. Passing  3 or more A-level subjects or equivalent, in which one or more of the considered subjects is from this list of core subjects, or combinations that include these subjects.:
    • English  or Literature in English 
    • Maths (Any A-level Maths)
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Sociology, Economics, or Geography. 
    • An applicant who provides results from subjects closely related to the ‘core’ subjects above will have their admission reviewed by an Admissions Committee before acceptance.

       

  4. Attaining a C average or better on the 3 subjects selected.
    • The average must be derived from at least one ‘core’ course and the best two other grades from A-level (Principal) subjects.
    • A C average shall mean a point value of 12 or better. An average of C- shall not be considered to meet the minimum criteria.
      • For example: a student transcript could show: B – English, D – Media Studies, C – Spanish and be considered.. 
      • However a transcript with C – English, C-Media Studies, and D Spanish would not be considered.


BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

  1. Completion of a final national secondary school exam and graduated from secondary school with a certificate of secondary education on an A Level or equivalent.

     

  2. CEFR B2-level (or equivalent) English proficiency. Refer to this explanation of English proficiency levels.

     

    • Students accepted at a B1 level will be required to complete an English-proficiency development program at ALU, which will need to be completed prior to starting the degree programme modules.

       

  3. Passing  3 or more A-level subjects or equivalent, in which one or more of the considered subjects is from this list of core subjects, or combinations that include these subjects.:
    • Math (Any A-level Math) or related subjects
    • Computer Science subjects, such as Computer Engineering, Computer Forensics, Computer Networking, Computer Programming, Cyber Security, Database Administration, Information Security, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Web Development, Algorithms, and Data Structures
    • Physical Science subjects, such as Integrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
    • An applicant who provides results from subjects closely related to the ‘core’ subjects above will have their admission reviewed by an Admissions Committee before acceptance.

       

  4. Attaining a C average or better on the 3 subjects selected.
    • The average must be derived from at least one ‘core’ subject and the best two other grades from A-level (Principal) subjects.
      • If the core course is a Math or Computer Science subject, they must have a minimum C grade and will be directly eligible for BSE and can optionally complete a Self Assessment Process.
      • If Math or Computer Science subjects are not present, or if the student fails to meet the minimum grade in Math or Computer Science subjects, the Physical Science subject must have a minimum B grade or the applicant should submit any evidence for Recognition of Prior Learning.  In both cases an internal test will be administered to prove the Maths Eligibility in the first trimester and the final decision shall be made by the Admissions Committee during the first trimester.
    • A C average shall mean a point value of 12 or better. An average of C- shall not be considered to meet the minimum criteria.

The Higher Education Council (HEC) of Rwanda requires anyone, intending to pursue tertiary education in Rwanda, to obtain the equivalence certificate if they hold an Advanced Level secondary school certificate not issued by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) of Rwanda – previously known as the  Rwanda Education Board (REB) or the Workforce Development Authority (WDA).

Thus, prospective ALU students with such secondary school certificates must apply, obtain and upload their equivalence certificate in their Admissions Portal to receive an unconditional admission offer and be eligible to enrol, provided that they have met other requirements for unconditional admission.

It should take NESA about 7 to 10 working days to approve your equivalence certificate.

Please upload these documents, corresponding to your country/region of study, in the upload section of your equivalence application on Irembo website and not on the ALU application portal. All the documents, except the passport/national ID card, must be notarised. 


To notarize a document means to obtain an official confirmation that the presented copy of the original document is valid. You need to notarize all your equivalence application documents except your passport/identity document. The National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) of Rwanda does not require your original documents; thus, the need to have notarized copies of your originals.

Country/ Education System

Required Documents 

(Note: All documents, except passport or identity card, must be soft copies & notarized)

Burundi

  1. Diplôme d’Etat (non le diplôme d’humanités générales
  2. Relevé des résultats (Exétat)
  3. Attestation de participation au test de fin de college
  4. Certificat d’homologation (pour ceux qui détiennent les diplômes d’avant 1999)
  5. Bulletins scolaires (Niveau Avancé/ Advanced Level)
  6. Paiement de 1000 Frw (environ 1 US Dollar)
  7. Passport

Kenya

  1. Official Advanced Level certificate
  2. Academic transcripts (Form I, II, III and IV)
  3. Payment of 1000 Frw (about 1 US Dollar)
  4. Verification letter (issued by KNEC)
  5. Passport

DRC

  1. Diplome d’Etat
  2. Journal Officiel (pour ceux qui détiennent les diplômes d’avant 2009)
  3. Confirmation de réussite delivrée par I’Inspecteur Regional (DRC)
  4. Bulletin scolaires (Niveau Avancé/ Advanced Level)
  5. Paiement de 1000 Frw (environ 1 US Dollar)
  6. Passport

Uganda

  1. Official Advanced Level certificate
  2. Ordinary Level certificate
  3. Academic transcripts (Advanced Level)
  4. Payment of 1000 Frw (about 1 US Dollar)
  5. Verification letter (issued by UNEB)
  6. Passport

West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)

  1. Official Advanced Level certificate
  2. Statement of Results
  3. Academic transcripts (Advanced Level)
  4. PIN code/number (bought in West African countries)
  5. Payment of 1000 Frw (about 1 US Dollar)
  6. Passport

Cambridge International Examinations

  1. The General Certificate of Education (GCE)/ International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma/ any other international certificate (Advanced Level equivalent)
  2. Statement of Results
  3. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) or any other Ordinary Level certificates obtained
  4. Academic transcripts (Grade 10, 11, and 12)
  5. Passport for international applicants/ Passport or Identity Card for Rwandan nationals
  6. Payment of 1000 Frw (about 1 US Dollar)

Other Countries

  1. Official Advanced Level certificate
  2. Academic transcripts (Advanced Level)
  3. Official ordinary Level certificate (where applicable)
  4. Payment of 1000 Frw (about 1 US Dollar)
  5. Passport for international applicants/ Passport or Identity Card for Rwandan nationals



These documents are required for admission to verify your identity and to ensure you will have the adequate academic preparation needed to succeed in our degree programs. For identification, if you have not yet received your national ID or passport, you may submit your birth certificate, refugee identification or any official documentation that clearly shows your name and date of birth as part of your application instead.

We however remain committed to making college accessible for all and as inclusive as possible, and can work with you if extenuating circumstances apply.

First visit the ALU Help Desk to check if the issue is not a common problem that has already been addressed in our Frequently Asked Queries. Use keywords to search for your specific query in the search bar at the top of the Help Desk. Should you not find the information you are looking for, please submit Help Desk Request. The help desk is closely monitored and you can expect a response from us within 24 hours of your request during our office hours. Our office hours are from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (GMT+4) on weekdays only.

English Proficiency

The language of instruction at the African Leadership University is English. Applicants must supply evidence of English proficiency appropriate for University study (currently B2).

Below is an overview of accepted tests and minimum scores required for English Proficiency proof. 

Test or Standardised CurriculumMinimum for Admission
Duolingo English Test (paid version)100
IELTS6
TOEFL IBT72
Pearson PTE54
Pearson International Certificate Level 3Pass
ALU English Proficiency Test*60
Tracktest English Core Test with Exam Verification (paid version)B2
TOEFL Essentials8
SAT Reading/Writing Section560
ACT Reading and English Section22
Cambridge English FCE, CAE, and CPE (Using the Cambridge English Scale)160
Cambridge Examinations GCE O-Level, A-Level, and AS-Level English LanguageC
Trinity College London ISEPass ISE II (B2)
Michigan ECCE650
Michigan ECPE600
Michigan English Test (MET) and CaMLA53
WAEC/WASSCE English Language section (West African anglophone countries)C-6
NECO English Language section (Nigeria)C-6
KCSE English Language section (Kenya)C
Oxford Test of English (B2)120
PSI Skills for English SELT (B2)Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL – B2Pass all 4 sections
IB English A and B (any)5
IB English Literature and PerformanceS
South Africa National Senior Certificate Home Language/First Additional Language50%/60%
ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe) General Certificate of Education A-level English Language on examC or higher

 

*All submitted exam results must be no older than two years. 

Those who cannot provide proof of English proficiency or sit for an exam before applying to ALU will be tested for proficiency in English at a period to be determined by ALU before the commencement of their degree studies. Those not meeting the B2 threshold will need to complete English proficiency bridging programme(s) offered by ALU or other 3rd-party providers.

Post admissions

Should you receive an offer of admission to ALU, we sincerely hope you will accept. Upon acceptance, you will receive invitations for webinars, campus visits or networking opportunities to any questions you may have about the ALU experience.

If you decide to accept your offer, you will need to remit first tuition installment to hold your seat for that particular intake date. This information can be found on your Admissions Portal.

If your offer is “conditional,” it means you must fulfill a particular requirement or submit certain documentation, and upon doing so, will be offered a full offer of admission. The Admissions team will communicate your next steps in detail, and they can always be found on your Admissions Portal.

Yes, in fact, we hope you do. You may need to take on further academic preparation to qualify for admission, but if you feel ALU is the best place to continue your educational journey, this preparation will be well worth the effort.

No, applicants who have been admitted but choose not to attend for the intake they had initially indicated can defer to a later term from the Admissions Portal. You are allowed to defer up to two intakes. After then, you will be asked to re-apply.

Tuition and Costs

Annual tuition for ALU Rwanda’s undergraduate programs is $3,000 USD.

See our approximate cost breakdown here. Please note that this is an estimate, and expenses can vary depending on the student’s individual circumstances.

We offer a need-based financial aid program for eligible applicants, which is determined during the application process. Find out more information about financial aid at ALU.

It is important to note that not every applicant will be eligible to apply for our grants and scholarships, and likewise, not every applicant who applies for financial aid will receive it as we have limited slots. However, we encourage you to explore external funding, scholarships, and sponsorship opportunities if your application is unsuccessful.

ALU has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program since 2020. This program has allowed 768 students who otherwise may not have been able to access college education to achieve their degree.

We strive to make the ALU experience as affordable as possible, with a strong commitment to preparing students to take on fulfilling careers the moment they graduate. Visit the ALU MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to learn more.

Please fill out the ALU Finance Customer Support form for assistance on payment and billing issues you encounter as a parent, student, guardian or concerned party. The more information you provide, the better we can serve you.

Academics

Missions

Your mission guides your educational journey. Missions are a bold intention to address a real-world, complex challenge on the African continent. You will design your mission around one or more of ALU’s 14 Grand Challenges and Great Opportunities. Through the development and pursuit of your mission during your three-year ALU journey, you will gain direct experience in ethical, entrepreneurial leadership.]

No, it is not required. In fact, an integral part of the ALU experience is discovering your mission through your self-directed study, collaboration with your peers, and close work with a dedicated instructor and disciplinary expert, called a “mission curator,” who provides individualized coaching and feedback throughout your ALU journey. Missions are declared in the second term of your first year.

Not only can you change your mission, we expect it to evolve and be further refined as you move through your academic career. Missions are expected to be introspective and interdisciplinary in nature, and direct practice in connecting your personal story to causes greater than yourself.

As you progress through your academic career, a dedicated faculty member known as a mission coach, will guide you through the process of drafting and then iterating your mission. In your final term, you will complete a Mission Capstone Project, [which is a culmination of your work, resulting in a presentation/essay/performance to a panel, and is a requirement to receive your degree].

We wholeheartedly encourage all ALU students to continue their missions after graduation. However, we also understand that students may identify new opportunities to pursue after graduation; the pursuit of a mission during your college education will provide you valuable skills for many different professional and personal endeavors.

Yes. ALU is part of a consortium of ventures, collectively known as the African Leadership Group (ALG), that all aim to connect and support African leaders. By virtue of being an ALU student and ultimately a member of the alumni community, you have continuous access to ALG’s extensive network, events and resources.

Classes

ALU offers blended learning, which means that students will have the opportunity for both in-person and online instruction.

Yes. For both the Bachelor of Software Engineering and the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Leadership, there are required modules but also some elective modules which students can choose from based on individual interest and your academic path.

ALU has teaching faculty members between its two campuses in Rwanda and Mauritius. Faculty are based in one campus or the other, but due to the nature of blended learning, they are resources to students at any campus, or may teach online modules with students from both campuses and several hubs in attendance.

ALU faculty comprise a vast array of backgrounds, passions and approaches to teaching. Our faculty come from over 25 countries. The majority of our faculty have advanced degrees in their field of instruction. Our faculty also are rich in real-world experience, and therefore our faculty’s qualifications are not limited exclusively to academic qualifications. 

ALU faculty are guides, coaches, and mentors on the intellectual journey students undertake, and play a key role in the development of the ALU curriculum.

Most modules will have a maximum of 40 students. However, some of the modules you will take will have more students than that, particularly if the module involves a lot of self-directed work.

Academic support

Absolutely! Find below a non-exhaustive list of resources you will have access to while at ALU:

Learning Efficacy Advancement Programme (LEAP)

Learning Efficacy Advancement Programme is a student-led academic peer mentorship programme that is coordinated by the Learning Support Associate at the African Leadership University Campuses. 

LEAP is set up with the sole aim of providing academic advancement to all students irrespective of their academic progress. Student at ALU should not feel alone as they negotiate and develop pathways for their academic leadership journey, but should learn and share with each other as they embrace the myriad opportunities provided by student support systems such as LEAP, Language Support Programme (LSP), Student Life and Career Development. 

Besides academic discussions, peer mentors can also work with mentees in developing the following soft-skills: time management, decision Making, powerpoint design and presentation, problem solving, goal setting, planning and execution; and study habits and skills

Writing Center

The writing Center strives to enhance students’ writing skills by tapping into their needs and passion for writing by promoting a safe and learning space where students come together to encourage each other’s writing skills. The center helps student view writing as more than just a part of their academics to succeed but, more importantly, as a way to connect themselves with others and impact their environment, therefore, developing and maintaining ideal writing habits. 

The centre also has trained mentors who will engage you in refining your texts by supporting you to critique your written text based on the target objectives. 

Internships, jobs & experiential opportunities

We believe that students learn best by doing, through practical experience gained on the job in internships, research activities and many other hands-on experiences. Internships build upon character and skills that students have started nurturing within ALU offered courses, curriculum and co curriculum, but also offer an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in said skills outside the classroom. As such, all students attending ALU are required to intern, conduct research or work on a business project as part of the Skills Immersion component of ALU’s learning model.

General Internships: Students can seek roles with existing organizations or companies in public, private, or non-government organizations with the aim of gaining skills or experiences which position them to understand the job market, thus setting themselves up for success in their career journey and achieving their mission. 

Service Internships: These are non-corporate,   or customer-facing internship which includes numerous interactions with customers. E.g. Call Center Agent, Concierge, Front Desk operator, Waiter/Waitress, etc. With this internship, students provide service and support to people in order to build character and self-awareness.  

Corporate Sponsored Internships: Students receiving financial sponsorship from an ALU Corporate Partner may be required or wish to intern with the sponsoring company. 

Academic Research Internships: Academic internships are an opportunity for students seeking to pursue their careers in academia or the research to get a sense of what it takes. Students can take advantage of such internships to deepen their expertise in an area of interest in line with their ALU major. This may include one of the following: Research on a topic of interest in a chosen country or with  an institution; Field or primary research for a passion project; Work as a research assistant with ALU faculty member or faculty from a recognized institution

Entrepreneurial Internships: For students who seek to follow or explore an entrepreneurial path, entrepreneurial internships offer a framework for them to start or test out their ventures. Students looking to expand their ventures over the Internship period or to test out prototypes for a business idea can work on the said project during this period.

There are two main ways to find an internship at ALU. These resources will assist you in finding qualified internships to complete your Skills Immersion Module). They can also be used if you’re seeking part-time employment or enrichment outside your curricular requirements. 

  1. ALU Student Professional Development (SPD) Opportunity Board
    All students of all degree programs and year groups have access to the ALU SPD Opportunity Board. The SPD’s Employer Partnerships & Placements Team (EP&P) connects with organisations in the private, public and NGO sector to build partnerships that span across various industries, and includes Start-Ups, Small & Medium Enterprises and large corporations. The EP&P Team also accepts requests for interns from organisations around the continent and globally. These opportunities are then added to the opportunity board for current students and alumni to access.

  2. Self-Sourcing

In the spirit of self-directed learning, a Self-Sourced internship gives you the chance to find opportunities with a company of your choice. Self-sourcing your own internship allows you to:

  • Build a unique network: You will be able to access opportunities that few students will have access to
  • Focus on your mission: Be intentional about the opportunities that you source such that they align with your Mission.
  • Get a better feel for the organisation and the position: If you embark on a self-sourcing journey, it will allow you to deepen your research and understanding of the different organisations in the market as well as the people in those organisations. 

ALU’s mission is to train a generation of leaders who will not just be attractive in the job market but will have the skills to be job creators.

In your first year, our Leadership Core classes will give you real-world skills not typically taught in universities but in high demand from employers. In our Projects class, you will work with our employer partners on actual challenges they are facing. In the past, students have worked on projects from companies such as Nestle, Uber, and One Acre Fund.

Unlike most traditional universities, at ALU we require you to do an internship each year, meaning you’ll graduate with one year of work experience. ALU has a large network of employer partners and also assists students to apply for other internships that interest them.

Besides the skills you will gain in class, ALU has a Career Development team focused on providing you with the skills to excel in launching your career. This team begins working with you in your first year and has a detailed set of training on preparing for interviews, writing CVs/cover letters, and professional communication. They also support you while you are on your internship with any questions you may have about how to get the most out of your internship.

To accelerate students ability to solve Africa’s grand challenges and capture its greatest opportunities by gaining hands-on experience, ALU students have access to opportunities acors  the globe that help solidify their learning experience. Some of the experiential opportunities available to our students include:


  1. Silicon Valley Global Leadership Program
    ALU students spend one month is San Francisco, USA living on the campus of Stanford University and attending sessions at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Students participate in lectures, workshops, fireside chats, company visits, cultural events, an industry mentor program and Stanford buddy program. 
    Watch the Silicon Valley 2022 experience video

  2. Swiss-Africa Business Case Challenge
    The Lucerne Business School and the African Leadership University co-host this unique summer school, which brings together students from both institutions for an intensive week in Lucerne on the topic of sustainability, leadership, and communication. This program is preceded by 2 months of preparatory work which students undertake from their respective locations.
    Read more about the Swiss-Africa business case challenge

  3. Marine Conservation Hub
    The hub offers ALU students, interested in marine conservation and the blue economy, the opportunity to gain valuable insights into achieving sustainable management of coastal environments. Students spend up to two months learning about all aspects of the marine environment. They help local communities restore fisheries and coral gardens, while immersing themselves in the multi-faceted world of conservation. The program includes time spent onshore and in the water, learning about life in the coastal communities and the extraordinary world that exists beneath the waves.
    Read more about the Marine Conservation Hub

Degree Programmes

ALU offers the following accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees: 

  • BSc (Hons) Entrepreneurial Leadership (BEL)
  • BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering (BSE)


ALC will offer the following accredited bachelor degrees*:

  • BA (Hons) In Business Management
  • BSc. (Hons) In Computing
  • Masters Of Science In Electrical Power Systems Engineering
  • BSc. (Hons) In Entrepreneurial Leadership

     

*All launching January 2024, subject to confirmation soon.

ALU offers the following continuing education offerings:

ALU Rwanda has three terms or trimesters, in each academic year. New students are admitted at the beginning of every trimester. See here for the complete academic calendar.

The ALU undergraduate curriculum will require a minimum of three years to complete.

Full time students should expect to spend 35-45 hours a week on their learning, including self-study, attending live course sessions, and a variety of assignments and experiential learning. The curriculum is not only designed for intensive learning, but also is meant to open up space for exploration, fun and rest, essential elements to growth.

Yes, with the approval of the Registrar. More information on the process can be found in the Student Handbook you will receive upon matriculation at ALU.

Yes, however, the degrees are designed for full-time study. 

No. Each degree program requires 9 trimesters. To complete in 3 years will require a full-time load with 3 trimesters per year.

All ALU degrees are designed to be completed within three years. However, we appreciate that events may arise that require students to pause or extend their educational journey. More information about leaves of absence or academic performance can be found in the Student Handbook you will receive upon matriculation at ALU.

Student Life

Yes. When coming to Rwanda as a an international student, you will go through a three-step process as follows:

  1. Obtain required documents needed to apply for your U1 student permit. You will upload these on the Admissions Portal, and await confirmation that the documents uploaded meet the immigration requirements before you travel to Rwanda.
  2. Obtain an entry visa upon arrival in Rwanda.
  3. Apply for a student permit within the first 15 days of arrival in Rwanda.


For all admitted students, this information in detail can be found on your Admissions Portal. Visit this website to see all the details and requirements to successfully apply for your student permit.

Community is a core value at ALU, which is reflected in our commitment to providing holistic resources for our students, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive during their educational journey and beyond.  

The Student Life Team offers programs, events and support services to create a culture of fun, open dialogue and safety.

The Wellness Center is composed of qualified counsellors who are committed to ensuring that our students are healthy, physically and mentally.

Wellness: Using campaigns, counselling, insurance and culture series as means for driving conversations that promote holistic wellness and allowing students to own their own wellness journey for themselves. ALU has a team of psychologists that specialise in multiple areas of the field to help drive holistic support.

Immigration: Facilitating the legal entry and transition of international students and ensuring  that all students can meet their immigration related responsibilities in a supportive, safe and effective environment

Community and Culture: Crafting a community and culture that empowers and builds the student body. Focusing on the African narrative and pride. 

Reslife: Creating a holistic community experience for students while allowing them to develop their soft skills through different activities organised throughout the year.

ALU is committed to providing equal opportunity to students and we do not discriminate on the basis of disability or illness. We endeavour to offer a supportive and welcoming environment to any student with a chronic illness or disability. We will work with each student individually to ensure that they are fully supported while at ALU. ALU will help facilitate reasonable health insurance covers for all students and some chronic illnesses and medications may require that students pay out of pocket. We facilitate reasonable medical insurance and support students with all administration and emotional needs they might have as they navigate ALU with their chronic illness. We are committed to an accessible design. ALU campus don’t yet have fully accessible spaces, but it is our priority for the next year.

In an institution where leadership is at its core, several programs are available to help students hone their leadership skills:

  1. The Student Representative Council (SRC)
    The SRC is made up of a group of students who want to help other students by voicing out their concerns or issues but also help them to feel integrated at ALU. The SRC is also responsible for clubs and societies creation, Leadership and Participation.

  2. Residential Advisors (RAs)
    RAs are primarily responsible for the student experience within the confinement of the residences. They organise events that are open to all members of the community but also assist residents with any campus related issues.

  3. Peer Counsellors (PCs)
    The peer Counselling Program is a subset under the ALU Student Life Team. It aims to support and empower students to help other students with their difficulties. The programme involves creating a safe space and comfortable environment for self-expression as well as providing moral, technical and psychological support to the students in need. It is designed not only for students to counsel other students, it intends to assist them in their own personal development plan.

Our vision is to enable our students to embark on a holistic journey through which they are able to own their development and growth towards becoming well-rounded leaders at ALU and beyond. Our student life programme has been built to empower our students to co-design robust and quality programs centred around student support and development, to maintain a safe and well-run campus, and to provide spaces for engagement and positive culture building. With over 20 different clubs across our campus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other students, perfect a skill or even learn a new talent! Some of the clubs on campus include:

  • Google Student Developer Club
  • Student Council Government
  • Consulting Club 
  • TEDxALU Rwanda
  • Arts at ALU
  • Music Society
  • Chess Club
  • FemmePWR
  • ALU Football Team 
  • ALU Basketball Team
  • Pride+ ALU
  • ALU Challengers Club
  • Debate Society
  • Design Club
  • Fellows of Conservation
  • ALU Speakers Cafe
  • Rotaract Club
  • Robotics Club
  • Pan-Africanists Society
  • U-love Club
  • Afrobeats & Rap Club
  • Life of the Party Club
  • Break into Tech Club
  • ALU Christian Fellowship

Yes, however, the degrees are designed for full-time study. 

No. Each degree program requires 9 trimesters. To complete in 3 years will require a full-time load with 3 trimesters per year.

All ALU degrees are designed to be completed within three years. However, we appreciate that events may arise that require students to pause or extend their educational journey. More information about leaves of absence or academic performance can be found in the Student Handbook you will receive upon matriculation at ALU.

African Leadership University
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About ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.

They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.

Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world. Join us

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Bumbogo, Kigali Innovation City, Next to Azam, Kigali, Rwanda
Phone: +250 784 650 219

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