MBARARA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FEES POLICY
(TO BE EFFECTED ON FIRST YEAR STUDENTS OF THE 2023/2024 ACADEMIC YEAR)

Approved By Date
University Council December 16, 2022
Legal, Rules and Privileges Committee December 8, 2022
Finance Committee of Council November 11, 2022
Students’ Disciplinary and Welfare Committee October 28, 2022
Senate September 30, 2022

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Citation and Application

1. Citation
This policy shall be referred to as the “Mbarara University of Science and Technology Fees
Policy”

Application
This policy shall;

i. apply to all students and staff all stakeholders of MUST.

ii. not exclude the application and enforcement of the laws of Uganda in relation to any
matter concerning a student or group of students.
iii. not exclude the application of any rules and regulations as may be established from
time to time.
iv. be available to all stakeholders through the University website and such other
platforms.
v. apply to every student admitted to the University at all times whether within or outside
the university premises.
vi. apply to staff of the University at all times whether within or outside the university
premises.

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Table of Contents
Citation and Application ............................................................................................................. 2
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ 3
List of Abbriviations ................................................................................................................... 3
Approval ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Definition of Terms .................................................................................................................... 5
1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 7
2.0 Fees Payable ....................................................................................................................... 7
3.0 Management of Fees ........................................................................................................... 8
4.0 Fees Regulations ................................................................................................................. 8
5.0 Defaulting Students .......................................................................................................... 10
6.0 Refund of Fees .................................................................................................................. 11
7.0 Transfer of Fees ................................................................................................................ 12
8.0 Fees Exemption Schemes for Staff ................................................................................... 12
9.0 Staff Development Students ............................................................................................. 12
10.0 Inauthentic Documents ..................................................................................................... 12
11.0 Implementation Framework ............................................................................................. 13
12.0 Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................................................................... 13
13.0 Communication of the policy ........................................................................................... 13
14.0 Funding of the policy ........................................................................................................ 13
APPENDIX .............................................................................................................................. 14

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List of Abbreviations
MUST: Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
UOTIA: Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions’ Act (2001)
MOU: Memorandum of Understanding.
MRRH: Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

4
Definition of Terms
 University: Refers to Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
 Student: Refers to a person duly admitted and enrolled to pursue a course of study leading
to an award of a degree of Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
 Duration of a Programme: Refers to the minimum number of academic years for a
programme.
 Fees: Refers to any levy charged by the University to students for services offered.
 Dead Year: Refers to a period during which a registered student, with permission,
withdraws their studies for a specified period of time.
 Repeating: Refers to where a student re-registers for a second attempt at courses in an
academic year or semester.
 Defaulting Student: Refers to a student does not pay University fees when they are due.
 Partner Institution: Refers to an institution jointly participating in training of student(s)
of the University.
 Withdraw from a Programme: Refers to termination of study.
 Biological Child: Refers to a child born to a staff member of the University.
 Adopted Child: Refers to a child who has been legally adopted though the Courts of Law
by a staff member of the University.

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 1.0 Introduction
1.1 MUST is mandated under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA),
(2001) to charge University fees as another source of funding for it to discharge its functions.
The UOTIA further empowers the University Council to make statutes for better conduct of
its functions. The MUST Fees Policy is therefore to provide for clear, consistent and structured
guidelines for the management of University fees.

1.2 Fees are an essential element of University funding.

1.3 The level of fees paid by students is approved by the University Council and is subject to
review from time to time
1.4 The University is committed to ensuring information on fees is readily available and publishes
fees information in advertisements calling for applications as well as on MUST website,
www.must.ac.ug
1.5 For those admitted to University programmes, detailed information about the fees, along with
arrangements for payment are provided in the letters of offer
1.6 An account for each student shall be opened in the students’ management information system.

2.0 Fees Payable

2.1 Fees payable by all students are set by the University Council and may be subject to review
as appropriate from time to time
2.2 In addition to tuition, the University charges other fees which include but are not limited to
the following;
2.2.1 Functional fees with regard to;
a). Registration
b). Examination
c). Book Bank
d). Library
e). Information and Communication Technology
f). Students’ Guild
g). Sports
h). Identity Card
i). Medical Capitation

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 j). Field attachment for supervision
k). Development
l). Caution
2.2.2 Fees upon completion of studies by the student
a). Graduation
b). Transcript
c). Certificate
d). Convocation
2.2.3 Other Fees
d). Application
b). Replacement of admission letter
c). Remarking of an answer script
d). Certification of academic documents (e.g. certificate, transcript)
e). Residence

3.0 Management of Fees

3.1 Students’ fees form part of the University budget.
3.2 Students shall be invoiced by Finance Department for fees upon enrollment.
3.3 Payments shall be made by student or their sponsor to Uganda Revenue Authority or approved
collection accounts.
3.4 Upon payment, receipts shall be issued by the Finance Department to students.
3.5 Upon registration, a student account shall be maintained in the students’ Information
Management System by Finance Department.
3.6 Reconciliations between the Information Management System and Uganda Revenue
Authority shall be made by the Finance Department at the end of every semester.
3.7 Reports in respect of fees shall be submitted to stakeholders for appropriate action by the
University’s Finance Department at the end of every semester.

4.0 Fees Regulations

These regulations shall apply to undergraduates and postgraduate students;
4.1 All students enrolled for programmes at the University shall be personally responsible for
the payment of fees.

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4.2 The fees structure shall be published on the University’s website. The specific fees
applicable shall be confirmed at the point of admission. Where there is a review between
admission and registration, the applicable fee shall be that given to the student at the time of
registration.
4.3 International students shall be charged fees at rate twice that paid by East African
Community students.
4.4 Students repeating course(s) or programme of study shall be charged functional fees plus the
unit cost for course(s) being retaken.
4.5 Student(s) repeating programmes where the fees structure has been revised upwards shall be
charged at the revised rates as in Section 4.2.
4.6 Fees for students studying at partner institutions;
a) Fees for students studying for University awards at partner institutions shall be agreed upon
through an MOU, indicating which portion of fees is payable to the University and what
portion the Institution retains.
b) For avoidance of doubt, functional fees will be paid to the University.
4.7 Students of other institutions who enroll at MUST to study specific courses shall pay
functional fees and the unit cost for the courses they are taking at the University.
4.8 Occasional students who enroll at the University shall pay fees as stipulated in the
Occasional Students’ Policy.
4.9 Resident students shall pay all the residence fees before being allocated a room.
4.10 Students must pay all fees at the third week of the academic year.
4.11 Where a student is unable to pay all fees by the third week of the academic year, the fees
shall be paid as per the schedule below;

Table 1: Showing Payment Schedule for Fees Payment

Semester I
Within the First 3 By the 7th Week of 14th Week of the
Weeks of the the Semester Semester

Semester
Functional Fees 100% NIL NIL
Tuition NIL At least 50% Balance
Semester II

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 Tuition At least 50% NIL Balance

4.12 Admitted students shall confirm acceptance of their admissions by paying a non-refundable
tuition fee deposit of Shs. 50,000= for undergraduate students and Shs. 100,000= for
postgraduate by the third week of the academic year.
4.13 Students are responsible for the prompt payment of fees. A student who defaults on payment
of fees shall be subjected to appropriate sanctions as stipulated in Section 5.
4.14 A student who exceeds the duration of their programme shall pay the usual fees charged for
the programme until completion.
4.15 On successful completion of their respective programmes, students will be required to pay
such fees as stipulated viz: certificate, convocation, graduation and academic transcript fees.
4.16 A student who withdraws from a programme of study is liable to payment of fees owed to
the University.
4.17 A student who is dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons, prior to the end of semester,
shall forfeit all tuition and other fees paid for that semester.
4.18 Students shall be required to pay for certification and verification of their documents at rates
specified in Appendix 5.0.

5.0 Defaulting Students

5.1 Students who default on payment of fees or who are in debt to the University for any reason,
shall not be allowed to;
a) sit for their examinations;
b) proceed further with their studies;
c) submit their research proposal for approval;
d) submit their thesis for examination;
e) defend their thesis or hold viva voce;
f) be presented for graduation; or
g) receive a University Transcript, degree Certificate or any award.
5.2 Such a student in 5.2 above will be required to;
a) apply for a dead year;
b) pay outstanding fees due before resuming studies after a dead year;

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 c) where the student successfully applied for a dead year, fees paid for the time when the
student is on a dead year shall be carried forward to the proceeding academic year
5.3 A student who defaults on their fees payment when it’s due shall be required to pay a surcharge
at a rate stipulated in the Appendix. The surcharge shall be levied as follows;
a) if a student doesn’t pay functional fees within the first three weeks of the first semester,
he/she shall be charged a late registration surcharge
b) if a student doesn’t pay 50% tuition after the 7th week of a semester, a surcharge shall
be charged
c) if a student doesn’t pay the remaining 50% of tuition one week before the end of
semester exams, a surcharge shall be charged
5.4 A student who defaults on their fees by the end of an academic year without applying for and
being granted a dead year shall be considered for discontinuation of studies.
5.5 The University reserves the right to take legal action, where appropriate, to effect recovery of
the debt from a student who leaves the University with outstanding fees.

6.0 Refund of Fees

6.1 Refund to students who withdraw from the University
Privately sponsored students who choose to withdraw from the University may be refunded
tuition fees as follows:
Table 2: Refund of Fees
Fees item By the 7th week of the semester Subsequently
Tuition fees 50% NIL
Functional fees NIL NIL
Residence fees NIL NIL

6.2 Application for Refund

In every case a refund will be made on production of proof of payment. A student’s written
application seeking a refund, shall be verified by the Academic Registrar and Bursar before it
is forwarded to the University Secretary for payment.
6.3 Payment in excess of statutory fees
Students, who pay more than the University’s tuition and other fees requirement, shall be
refunded the sum paid beyond the University statutory fee requirements to;

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 a) the student;
b) the sponsor; or
c) rolled forward depending on the circumstances.

7.0 Transfer of Fees

7.1 Where a student has paid fees in excess of the fees payable for a semester, such a student may
request to transfer the excess fees paid to another student. The transfer shall be effected upon
verification by Academic Registrar and University Bursar.

8.0 Fees Exemption Schemes for Staff

8.1 Staff members with biological children who are less than 21 years on entry into the University
shall be permitted, on request, to pay half tuition fees and all other functional fees. This
scheme also includes full-time employees of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).
8.2 The scheme shall be granted for the duration of the programme, beyond which the staff shall
be required to pay full tuition and all functional fees.
8.3 Where an employee of the University or MRRH retires from service or passes on while still
in service, he/she shall continue to benefit from the scheme in line with section 8.2.
8.4 Employee(s) who resign or are terminated from the University or MRRH service shall cease
to benefit from the Scheme.
8.5 Only two biological children of a member of staff shall benefit from the scheme at any given
time.
8.6 The tax component due to this benefit shall be paid by the beneficiary.

9.0 Staff Development Students

9.1 Members of staff who are on Staff Development programme may receive, upon request, a
tuition fee waiver but must pay functional fees.
9.2 The tuition fee waiver shall be for the duration of the programme, beyond which the staff shall
be required to pay full tuition and all functional fees.
9.3 The tax component due to this benefit shall be paid by the beneficiary.

10.0 Inauthentic Documents

10.1 Students who present inauthentic academic papers shall not be refunded their fees and may
be subjected to legal proceedings.

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10.2 Students who present inauthentic payment receipts, bank slips or any other financial
document shall be subjected to disciplinary proceedings in line with the University
Disciplinary procedures and/or legal proceedings.
11.0 Implementation Framework
11.1 Interpretation
a) The University Council shall be the final authority in definition, interpretation na d
application of the policy.
11.2 Administration
a) The Vice Chancellor shall oversee the implementation of the policy
b) The University Bursar shall be responsible for the administration of the policy in line
with Section 36 (2) of UOTIA.
c) The Academic Registrar shall implement the policy provision
d) Staff and students shall comply with the policy

12.0 Monitoring and Evaluation

12.1 The MUST Top Management Committee shall monitor the implementation of the policy.
12.2 The policy shall be subject to period review or as and when the need arises.

13.0 Communication of the policy

13.1 The policy shall be published on the website and all communication avenues used by the
University.
13.2 The policy shall be brought to the attention of applicants and students of the University.

14.0 Funding of the policy

The policy has no financial implication in its implementation
-END-

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 APPENDIX
1.0 Surcharge
Semester I Defaults on Functional fees by Defaults on 50% of Tuition by Defaults on 50% of Tuition by
the 3rd week of the Semester the 7th Week of the Semester the 14th Week of the Semester

Surcharge Ugandan International Ugandan International Ugandan International

Shs. 30,000= Shs. 60,000= Shs. 50,000= Shs. 100,000= Shs. 100,000= Shs. 200,000=

Semester Defaults on 50% of Tuition by Defaults on 50% of Tuition by

II the 3rd Week of the Semester the 14th Week of the Semester
Surcharge Ugandan International Ugandan International
Shs. 50,000= Shs. 100,000= Shs. 100,000= Shs. 200,000=

2.0 Cost of Remarking

Ugandan International

Remarking a script Shs. 70,000= Shs. 140,000=

3.0 Cost of Retaking

Ugandan International

Cost of retaking a course Shs. 30,000= Shs. 60,000=

4.0 Fees for Extra Years Beyond the Programme Duration

Ugandan International

Semester I Full semester fees Full semester fees

Semester II Full semester fees Full semester fees

5.0 Other Fees

Item Ugandan
Certification of each document Shs. 3,000=
Replacement of admission letter Shs. 10,000=
Convocation Shs. 10,000=

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Certificate Shs. 25,000=
Transcript Shs. 25,000=
Graduation Shs. 20,000=

6.0 Fees Structure

Academic Programmes
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
Ugandan & EAC Non-EAC

PROGRAMME Tuition Functional Tuition Functional

(per Fees (per Fees
Duration semester) (per year) semester) (per year)
Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology
Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering
4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics
Engineering 4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering 4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and
Environmental Management 4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Faculty of Business and Management Sciences
Bachelor of Business Administration
3 980,000 520,000 1,960,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance
3 980,000 520,000 1,960,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Economics
3 980,000 520,000 1,960,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain
Management 3 980,000 520,000 1,960,000 1,040,000
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
Bachelor of Information Technology
3 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science Computer Science
3 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Livelihoods
4 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Gender and Applied Women Health
3 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Planning and Community
Development 3 1,000,000 520,000 2,000,000 1,040,000

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 Faculty of Medicine
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
4 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Completion)
[Fulltime & Weekend] 2.5 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
5 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Nursing Science
4 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Nursing Science (Completion) [Fulltime &
Weekend] 2.5 & 3 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Pharmacy
4 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
3 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
4 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (Completion)
2 1,344,000 520,000 2,688,000 1,040,000
Faculty of Science
Bachelor of Science with Education [Physics & Mathematics
or Biology & Chemistry or Chemistry & Mathematics] 3 700,000 520,000 1,400,000 1,040,000
Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology
2 567,000 540,000 1,134,000 1,080,000
Higher Education Access Certificate [Physics &
Mathematics or Biology & Chemistry or Chemistry &
Mathematics] 1 400,000 540,000 800,000 1,080,000
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (upcoming)
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
3 4,000,000 1,270,000 8,000,000 2,540,000
Faculty of Business and Management Sciences
Master of Business Administration
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
3 3,500,000 1,270,000 7,000,000 2,540,000
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
Masters in Business Informatics
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Health Information Technology
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Information Systems
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Informatics
1 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Information Technology
1 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000

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Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems
1 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Computing by Research
3 3,500,000 1,270,000 7,000,000 2,540,000
Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies
Master of Arts in Development Studies
2 1,400,000 970,000 2,800,000 1,940,000
Masters of Arts in Planning and Governance
2 1,400,000 970,000 2,800,000 1,940,000
Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies
2 1,400,000 970,000 2,800,000 1,940,000
Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology
1 750,000 970,000 1,500,000 1,940,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies
3 3,000,000 970,000 6,000,000 1,940,000
Faculty of Medicine
Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology and Critical Care
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Community Practice and Family
Medicine 3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Dermatology
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Ear, Nose and Throat
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in General Surgery
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Obstetrics/Gynaecology
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Paediatrics & Child Health
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Pathology
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Psychiatry
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medicine in Radiology
3 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Medical Laboratory Science
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Nursing Science in Community Midwifery and
Reproductive Health 2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Nursing Science in Critical Care Nursing
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Nursing Science in Mental Health Nursing
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000

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Master of Nursing Science in Paediatric Clinical Nursing
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Pharmacy in Clinical Pharmacy
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Masters of Science in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine
Science 2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Anatomy
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Biochemistry
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Medical Microbiology
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Pharmacology
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Physiology
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Masters of Public Health
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Masters of Public Health (Research Ethics)
2 1,750,000 1,270,000 3,500,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine
3 4,000,000 1,270,000 8,000,000 2,540,000
Faculty of Science
Master of Education in Educational Administration and
Planning 2 1,400,000 970,000 2,800,000 1,940,000
Master of Education in Educational Psychology
2 1,400,000 970,000 2,800,000 1,940,000
Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction and Media
Studies 2 1,400,000 970,000 2,800,000 1,940,000
Master of Science in Biology (Entomology, Pest and Vector
Biology) 2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Biology (Microbiology and
Parasitology) 2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Biology (Natural Resources, Ecology,
Conservation and Management) 2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Chemistry
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Mathematics
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Master of Science in Physics
2 1,400,000 1,270,000 2,800,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and
Planning 3 3,500,000 1,270,000 7,000,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
3 3,500,000 1,270,000 7,000,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Media Studies
3 3,500,000 1,270,000 7,000,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Biology
3 4,000,000 1,270,000 8,000,000 2,540,000

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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
3 4,000,000 1,270,000 8,000,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics
3 4,000,000 1,270,000 8,000,000 2,540,000
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
3 4,000,000 1,270,000 8,000,000 2,540,000

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