Makerere University Best Programs & Majors 2026

Makerere University Best Programs & Majors for International Students 2026

Makerere University's strongest programs and what each is genuinely known for — beyond marketing copy. With BrightKey's view on which serves international students best.

The best and most popular majors at Makerere University include Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), Master of Public Health (School of Public Health), Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) research & training — below, what each is genuinely known for, its career outcomes, and which international students it suits best.

Best & most popular majors

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)

Flagship programme of the College of Health Sciences and one of East Africa's most respected medical degrees, tied to Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Master of Public Health (School of Public Health)

Regionally leading MPH at a school globally recognised for HIV/AIDS, TB and epidemiological research and for training health leaders across Africa.

Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) research & training

Affiliated centre of excellence (est. 2002) supporting a large share of Uganda's HIV treatment effort and training ~1,500 African health workers annually.

Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

Long-standing strength serving Uganda's agrarian economy — crop and animal science, agribusiness and food security research with strong regional relevance.

Social Sciences & Humanities

Historic core that produced many of Makerere's most famous writers, political scientists and pan-African intellectuals.

Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR)

Renowned interdisciplinary research institute with a doctoral programme advancing African social and political thought.

Compare in the same discipline

Medicine & Health Sciences in Uganda →Humanities & Liberal Arts in Uganda →

Common questions

What are the best and most popular majors at Makerere University?

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB): Flagship programme of the College of Health Sciences and one of East Africa's most respected medical degrees, tied to Mulago National Referral Hospital. Master of Public Health (School of Public Health): Regionally leading MPH at a school globally recognised for HIV/AIDS, TB and epidemiological research and for training health leaders across Africa. Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) research & training: Affiliated centre of excellence (est. 2002) supporting a large share of Uganda's HIV treatment effort and training ~1,500 African health workers annually. Agriculture & Environmental Sciences: Long-standing strength serving Uganda's agrarian economy — crop and animal science, agribusiness and food security research with strong regional relevance. Social Sciences & Humanities: Historic core that produced many of Makerere's most famous writers, political scientists and pan-African intellectuals.

What kind of student fits Makerere University?

Students of public health, medicine, epidemiology or infectious disease wanting to learn at a genuine African hub of HIV/AIDS and global-health research East African and pan-African students seeking the region's most prestigious and historically influential university at low cost Aspiring leaders, policymakers and writers drawn to Makerere's extraordinary alumni legacy across African public life