The secondary education cycle in Uganda lasts for six years and consists of the eighth to the 13th years or grades. These are also known as Senior 1 (S1) to Senior 6 (S6). The secondary education cycle is split into two levels, namely, lower secondary which lasts for four years, and upper secondary, which lasts for two years (ordinary level and advanced level respectively).
- Grades: 8-13
- Duration: 6 years
- Primary Languages: English
- Terms : 3 terms
- Admission Term: throughout the year
Ordinary Level
The ordinary Level in Uganda lasts for four years from S1to S4. The curriculum for ordinary level encompasses four areas, namely, science and mathematics, languages, social sciences, and vocational subjects. Subjects that may be taken here include science, mathematic, biology, chemistry, physics, physical education, languages (English, Kiswahili, and other local and foreign languages), geography, and history. Optional vocational subjects include commerce, fine art, home economics, wood, and metalwork. Upon successful completion of Ordinary Level classes, students will sit for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination. Successful candidates will progress to an advanced level.
Advanced Level
The final two years of the secondary education cycle or S5 and S6, are also commonly known as Advanced Level, which culminates in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations. Successful students will move on to university or tertiary education. Candidates here must sit for five subjects, two at the subsidiary level and three at the principal level. At the subsidiary level, students will sit for the general paper, and either subsidiary mathematics or subsidiary information and communications technology. At the principal level, students can choose from subjects including history, economics, physics, and foreign and local languages and literature, to mention but a few.
Let’s take a brief look at some international schools considered by ex-pats to be offering some of the best education in Uganda.
The Aga Khan High School, Kampala
This is an international coeducational school located in Kampala. the Aga Khan High School, Kampala was the first multicultural school in Uganda. It is a top school that aims to create a balance between academics, sporting, and cultural activities, and community life and challenges students to be intellectually inquisitive and socially conscious. The school offers the best international and contemporary teaching and learning which produces top students both nationally and internationally.
- Established: 1959
- Address: Muammar Gaddafi Road (Formerly Makerere Road), Old Kampala, Uganda
- Language of instruction: English
- Student population: 550
- International representation: 32+
- Type: co-educational, non-profit.
- Terms: 3 terms.
Curriculum- the school offers both a local and international curriculum. Students can take the Ugandan Ordinary Level (O-level) as part of the General Certificate of Education (UCE) for S1 to S4 for students 13 to 16 years olds or the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) for years 7 to 11 for 11 to 16-year-olds, followed by the Ugandan Advanced Level for S5 to S6 for 17 to 18-year-olds or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for 17 to 18-year-olds students. The curriculum for these various stages is as follows:
- 1. NATIONAL CURRICULUM
Uganda Certificate of Secondary Education (UCE)- students will sit for this exam at an ordinary level after 4 years of study. Subject areas include:
English Language- English Language
Humanities- Literature in English, History, and Geography
Languages- French, Lugha ya Kiswahili
Mathematics- Mathematics, Additional Mathematics
Science – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Cultural Subjects- Art, and Music
Business Studies- Computer Studies, and Entrepreneurship
Students are expected to take a minimum of 8 subjects and a maximum of 10 subjects.
The Uganda Advanced Certificate in Secondary Education (UACE)
students at the advanced level select a combination of three Principal subjects from subjects that include History, Economics, Geography, Literature, Art, Entrepreneurship, and Divinity. Science Combinations include a selection from subjects such as Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Geography, Entrepreneurship, Art, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, and Geography.
- 2. INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
This is a world-recognized qualification. It ideally prepares students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program. Students start high school in Year 7, where they follow the Key Stage 3 British Curriculum up to Year 9, then they start the IGCSE course in Year 10. IGCSE subjects are grouped as follows:
Languages: Group 1- English Language (first language), French (Foreign language), and Kiswahili (Foreign language).
Humanities: Group 2- Literature in English, History, Geography, and Environmental Management
Sciences: Group 3- Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Mathematics: Group 4- Mathematics, Additional Mathematics
Creative, Vocational, and Technical: Group 5- Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Business Studies.
Students have to take a minimum of 8 subjects and a maximum of 10 subjects.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma- is a program is designed for students aged 16 to 19. The curriculum encompasses six subject groups namely:
Group 1- English A Literature
Group 2- French B, French AB
Group 3 (Humanities)- Business and Management, Economics, Geography, History, information technology in a global society, and Environmental systems and societies.
Group 4- Biology, Chemistry, Environmental systems and societies Physics
Group 5- Mathematics, Mathematics studies
Group 6- Visual Arts
Students in the IB program will also do the extended essay where they investigate a topic of interest, The interdisciplinary Theory Of Knowledge course, and participate in the CAS program.
Facilities- the school offers a wide range of facilities including a School Library, Computer Laboratory, Medical Services, Health and Safety, Science Laboratories, Art Rooms, Swimming pool, a large full-sized pitch for soccer, cricket, hockey, rugby, athletics, and other sports, a tarmacked basketball court, Canteen, and an Auditorium.
extra-curricular activities- The School recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education and encourages students to participate in at least one activity. These include but are not limited to East African Model United Nations Debates, Overnight trips, Student Council, School events including an annual play or musical, Cultural Day, Careers Day, termly Guidance and Counseling afternoons, Work Placement, Leavers’ Dance and graduation ceremony, Sports Activities including Soccer, Basketball, Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton, Athletics, Swimming and Table Tennis, and Clubs and Societies including Music, Dance, and Drama; Art, Aerobics, Chess and Scrabble, Table Tennis, Hockey, Swimming, Scouting, First Aid, French, Environment, Computing, Library, Badminton, and Lawn Tennis.
Prospective students- students who wish to enroll here should note the following documents that must be attached to the completed application forms
- Copy of birth certificate
- Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant
- A copy of the School Leaving Certificate from the previous school
- Copies of recent Progress Report cards from the previous class, issued by the last school attended
- A Copy of previous public exam results (UNEB, Cambridge, or equivalent)
Tuition and Fees
The following are the fees to be paid by secondary school students enrollled here. The Fees are indicated in ugandan shillings UGX
LEVEL FEES
Aga Khan High School – National curricullum students
UNEB S1-S4 Tuition Fees 1 039 000
UNEB Arts S5-S6 1 074 000
UNEB Sciences S5-S6 1 119 000
Aga Khan High School - International curricullum students
Key Stage 3 (Y7-Y9) Tuition Fees 6 136 200
IGCSE (Y10-Y11) Tuition Fees 6 616 050
IB-DIPLOMA IB1 and IB 28 652 000
Admission Fees: 1st child 300 000
2nd child 250 000
3rd child and over 200 000
Kampala International School Uganda
This is a private, state-of-the-art, co-educational international school in Uganda. The school offers an inspiring and well-rounded international education from the early year's program to the international baccalaureate diploma level. The school offers a supportive community that nurtures students in both intellectual, talent-oriented, and ethically built ways. It offers a friendly and imaginative environment where students can discover and develop individual talents, be it intellectual, creative, or sporting talents.
- Established: 1993
- Address: Plot No. 447, Block 213, Kyebando- Kisalosalo Road, Bukoto, Kampala, Uganda
- Language of instruction: English
- Student population: 400
- International student representation: 46 nationalities
- Academic Staff: 32
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate, and British national curriculum.
- Type: Co-educational
Curriculum- secondary education here is from Years 7 to13 from key stage 3 to the International Baccalaureate program. Key Stage 3 encompasses Years 7 to 9 and students take subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, French, Geography, History, Music, Drama, Art, Physical Education, Lego Robotics, Information, and communication technology, Learning to Learn, Food Technology, and Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education. In Years 10 and 11 students study key stage 4 or an IGCSE program. Subjects here include English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Geography, History, Business Studies, Global Perspectives, Information and communication technology, Food Technology, Art, Music, Drama, and Physical Education. In Years 12 and 13, students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a 2-year course undertaken through the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
Extracurricular activities- the school offers a wide variety of activities that students can take part in, ranging from karate, cricket, ballet, inline skating, gymnastics, table tennis, football, basketball and volleyball, Swimming, Athletics and Cross-country baking and Zumba to mention but a few.
Facilities- students have access to State-of-the-art facilities including classrooms, four science labs, three computer labs, three music rooms, three performance areas, an indoor sports hall, an outdoor basketball court, 25-meter eight-lane competition swimming pool, two libraries, smart boards, and a five-acre playing field.
Tuition and fees
enrolment fees (year 1 TO IB2) US$ 3 050
Termly fees
Classes Fees Lunch Total
year 7 to 9 $7 770 $550 $8,320
year 10 $7 770 $550(optional) $ 7 770 or $8 320
year 11(2 half yearly payments) $11 640 $550(optional) $11640 or $12 190
IB1 (2 half yearly payment) $12 880 $550(optional) $12,880 or $13 430
IB2 (2 half yearly payment) $12 880 $550(optional) $12 880 or $13 430
bus fee per term one way $450
two way $615
yearly fees
Classes Fees Lunch Total
Year 7 – 9 $23 280 $1 620 $24 900
Year 10 $23 280 1 620(optional) $23 280 or $24 900
Year 11(2 Half Yearly Payment) $23 280 1 620(optional) $23 280 or $24 900
IB1 (2 Half Yearly Payment) $25 750 1 620(optional) $25 750 or $27 370
IB2 (2 Half Yearly Payment) $25 750 1 620(optional) $25 750 or $27 370
The Bridge International School
This is an international school offering infant, junior and secondary education in the Kampala district of Uganda.
Secondary school section
- Address: Tyaba Zone, Nanganda-Lukuli, Makindye Division, Kampala, Uganda
- established: 1991
- Primary Languages: English
- Terms : 3 terms
- Admission Term: throughout the year
extracurricular activities- students are advised t take up an extracurricular activity or sport from a list of many offered here. Some include Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Rugby, Cricket, and Tennis.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees for the secondary section school are as follws:
2020–2021 Academic Year School Fees Structure
School Fees 2020–2021 Quoted Annually Amount
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) $ 10,480
IGCSE (Years 10 and 11) $12,245
A Level (Years 12 and 13) $14,555
Pearson BTEC $14,555
Additional Costs
Admission Fee (for new students only) $500 (once off)
Caution Fee – Secondary (refundable on leaving the school) $500 (once off)
Capital Levy (for new students only) $500 (once off)
Health package / medical insurance (for all students) $40 (paid annually)
Boarding House (Optional) $3300 (paid termly)
Curriculum- At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9), the core areas include English, Mathematics, and Science. Subjects offered include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, History, a Modern Foreign Language, either French or German, ICT, Geography and four practical subjects including Drama, Music, Art and Physical Education. In key stages 4 to 5, students will sit for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in Year 11 and the Advanced Level examinations in Years 12 and 13. Subjects offered here include English, Mathematics, ICT, Coordinated Science or three separate sciences, Accounts, Art and Design, Business Studies, Drama, Economics, French, Geography, German, History, Music, Physical Education (taken as an examination subject), and Sociology, to mention but a few. BTEC courses are also offered here in the sixth form as an alternative pathway to further education.
Admission requirements
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of passport (page with photo and personal details)
- A recent school report and/or a leaving certificate
- Where external exams have been taken, the results certificate
