Who is ALCHE?
The African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE) located in Pamplemousses, Mauritius is the sister institution to the African Leadership University (ALU) in Kigali, Rwanda. ALCHE opened in 2015 and offers blended learning programmes for undergraduate and engineering graduate students. Students enrolled at ALCHE Mauritius spend all of their terms at the campus in Pamplemousses, with equal opportunity and access to global learning experiences in Silicon Valley, Lucerne - Switzerland, Lagos - Nigeria, Kilifi - Kenya, Shangani - ZImbabwe and Kigali - Rwanda.
Is the ALC Mauritius campus currently open for admissions?
African Leadership College is open with continuing students pursuing their respective programs. ALC is currently in the final stages of acquiring degree awarding status and accreditation of its programmes. Soon, new cohorts of students will be welcomed onto our 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.
Two intakes: One in February and the other in October
What is the difference between African Leadership College of Higher Education, African Leadership University, the ALU School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC), and the ALU Business School (ALUSB)?
We comprise four different schools, each of which offer distinct undergraduate or graduate degree programs. However, as an ALU/ALCHE 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.
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.
Can I earn my degree entirely online?
No, ALCHE does not offer exclusively online degrees.
Students studying at ALCHE spend all of their terms in-person, on our Pamplemousses campus (besides the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership students who are only required to spend two terms on campus. Afterwards, academic requirements for BEL can be completed online from anywhere).
Can I live at ALCHE while I study?
The ALCHE campus in Mauritius offers residential programmes (though living on campus is not required).
How do I find a place to live? What do students most commonly do for accommodations?
ALCHE Mauritius is a residential campus. ALCHE provides residential facilities on our campus located in Pamplemousses. There are four residence buildings named after ancient African Kingdoms: Aksum, Kongo, Mapungubwe and Songhai. All residences have shared bathrooms, common areas, and laundry facilities. Each residence is also equipped with an accessible suite located on the ground floor. A group of trained, empowered student leaders called Residential Advisors (RAs) are there to foment a holistic, safe and fulfilling residential environment for all residents. Visit the Student Life department for more information.
DEGREES
What are the programmes offered by African Leadership College?
ALC offers the following accredited bachelor and master degrees:
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Entrepreneurial Leadership (BEL)
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Computer Science
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in International Business and Trade
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Software Engineering
Does African Leadership College offer any courses for professional development or continued education or special education courses?
ALCHE offers the following continuing education offerings in addition to the degree offerings:
How long does it take to complete a degree at ALC?
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Entrepreneurial Leadership (BEL) - 4 years
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Computer Science - 4 years
Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Software Engineering - 4 years
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in International Business and Trade - 4 years
How many hours per week does one commit to classes?
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.
Can I take a gap year while studying at ALCHE?
Yes, with the approval of the Registrar. Find more information here.
Can I take on an ALC degree part-time?
No, the degrees are designed for full-time study and some classes require in-person attendance.
Can I complete the ALC degree in fewer than three years?
No. Each degree program requires a minimum of 480 credits to complete which translates to a full-time load with 3 terms per year.
Could it take longer than the designated years to complete an ALC degree?
All ALCHE degrees are designed with a general timeline and course schedule to completion. However, we appreciate that events may arise that require students to pause or extend their educational journey. See more information about leaves of absence or academic performance.
ACADEMICS
Missions:
What is a mission?
Your mission will guide 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 ALCHE’s 14 Grand Challenges and Great Opportunities. Through the development and pursuit of your mission during your ALC journey, you will gain direct experience in ethical, entrepreneurial leadership.]
Do I have to know what my mission is before I apply?
No, it is not required. In fact, an integral part of the ALC 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 ALC journey. Missions are declared in the second term of your first year.
Can I change my mission after I’ve declared it?
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.
How do I know if I’m making enough progress on my mission to graduate?
As you progress through your academic career, a dedicated faculty member 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 whom is it submitted, and is it a requirement to receive your degree
Am I expected to continue pursuing my mission after graduation?
We wholeheartedly encourage all ALC 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.
If I want to continue my mission after graduation, does ALC offer any ongoing support?
Yes. ALC 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 ALC student and ultimately a member of the alumni community, you have continuous access to ALG’s extensive network, events and resources.
Classes:
How are classes taught at ALC?
ALC offers blended learning, which means that students will have the opportunity for both in-person and online instruction.
Who teaches ALC classes?
ALC currently has 60 faculty members between its campus and the sister institution in Kigali - Rwanda. 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.
ALC 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.
ALC faculty are guides, coaches, and mentors on the intellectual journey students undertake, and play a key role in the development of the ALC curriculum.
What are the class sizes?
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.
What happens if I fail a course? Can I retake it?
Students who fail a course will have the opportunity to retake it, with the support of a faculty advisor and oversight from the registrar
How do I find an internship?
There are two main ways to find an internship at ALC. These resources will assist you in finding qualified internships to complete your Skills Immersion Module (1 & 2). They can also be used if you’re seeking part-time employment or enrichment outside your curricular requirements.
ALC Student Professional Development (SPD) Opportunity Board
All students of all degree programs and year groups have access to the online ALC 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.
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.
TUITION AND COSTS
What is tuition?
Annual tuition for ALC depends on the program one is undertaking. Please see the applicable rate below:
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Management (4 years duration) - US$7000/ year
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing (4 years duration) - US$7000/ year
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Entrepreneurial Leadership (3.5 years duration) - US$3500/year (this is due to the two trimesters in person and the rest online)
Masters of Science (Hons) in Electrical Power Systems Engineering (5 years duration) - US$7000/year
What are the additional expenses required to study at ALC?
Additional optional costs include accommodation, food, living expenses and flights/visa costs where applicable. Please note that this is an estimate, and expenses can vary depending on the student’s individual circumstances.
Does ALC offer financial assistance or scholarships?
We offer a need-based financial aid program for eligible applicants, which is determined during the application process. See more resources about financing your college journey here.
STUDENT LIFE
What does ALC offer in terms of student life?
Community is a core value at ALC, 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 counselors who are committed to ensuring that our students are healthy, physically and mentally.
Student Professional Development works with all students to develop a career path, hone interview and networking skills, and to help students connect their mission to their career.