British School of Kampala vs International School of Uganda

	B British School of Kampala Kampala, Uganda	I International School of Uganda Kampala, Uganda
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year UGX 8,242,706 - 52,983,294	Fees / year UGX 29,963,427 - 126,473,535
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification, IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 530	Pupils 615
Typical class size	Typical class size 24	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 1967
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Lubbobbo Close, Muyenga, Kampala, Uganda (P. O. Box 9378, Kampala).	Location ISU is located in Lubowa, a Kampala suburb about 10 kilometres south of central Kampala, Uganda. The campus sits on a 33-acre green site that houses Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on a single campus. The address is 272 Entebbe Road, Kampala. The campus is described as a green space with indigenous plants and bird-life, and facilities include a Science Centre opened in 2015 and an Arts Centre opened in 2022.
Stages	Stages Primary (ages 5-11) and Secondary.	Stages Early Childhood, Junior School and Senior School on one Lubowa campus.
School type	School type Primary and Secondary school with English National Curriculum in Primary and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the senior years.	School type Independent, non-profit, day school offering the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 554 students (Whole School) across 56 nationalities; 25% of students are non-native English speakers.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Pastoral care includes a full-time school psychologist and counsellor; personalised learning; Special Educational Needs support; Gifted and Talented programs.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England (UK)	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Primary day runs 07:30–16:00; Secondary day starts 07:45 with five 1‑hour lessons from 08:00, with a 10:05–10:25 snack break and a 12:30–13:30 lunch break; last lesson ends at 14:30.	School day structure ISU arrivals occur around 7:40–7:45 am; the regular school day ends at 3:10 pm (2:20 pm on some Wednesdays). After-school activities extend to 4:10 pm, with a limited 5:00 pm bus service for extended activities or sports.
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus service is available (bus charges published).	Bus service details ISU operates a fleet of 17 buses serving Kampala, Entebbe and Lubowa. Bus arrivals at school are around 7:40–7:45 am; end-of-day bus services depart at 3:10 pm, 4:10 pm, or 5:00 pm. Buses feature seat belts, a DriveCam, three-point seat belts on all seats, walkie-talkies linked to the US Embassy, and a driver with an adult bus monitor for student welfare.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Assessment / Registration Fees - Assessment fee (non-refundable): UGX 50,000 for general admissions; UGX 70,000 for candidates to the Optimum Learning Centre (OLC). - Registration fee (one‑time, non-refundable): USD 200 per child, payable on admission. - Caution (security) deposit (refundable, subject to exit clearance and deductions): USD 100 for Years 1–6; USD 200 for Years 7–11; USD 300 for Years 12–13. Refund is returned after full settlement of dues, return of school property, and payment for any damage. Tuition fees by year group (term and annual guidance) - Tuition is charged in a mix of Ugandan shillings and US dollars; exam fees for senior years are included in the dollar component where applicable. The school's published guidance places annual tuition approximately in the following USD ranges: Year 1–4 around USD 2,200 and up to under USD 4,000 for Years 12–13. Tuition is largely billed in UGX with a component payable in USD for some grades. - Where a detailed per-grade schedule has been publicly recorded (academic year 2022/2023), the year‑by‑year annual totals (UGX) were reported as follows (these figures were published as the last available detailed schedule): - Kindergarten 3 / Grade 1–3: UGX 8,242,706 per year. - Grade 4: UGX 40,112,471 per year. - Grade 5–8: UGX 52,983,294 per year. - Grade 9: UGX 16,028,118 per year. - Grade 10: UGX 11,790,275 per year. - Grade 11: UGX 20,370,824 per year. - Grade 12: UGX 14,306,384 per year. - (Note: the school states tuition amounts differ by year group and that some fees are payable in USD; refer to the school for the current per‑grade published fee schedule.) - Payment frequency for tuition: tuition is normally billed and payable across the academic year in termly instalments. Standard term billing is September, January and April; Year 11 and Year 13 fees are billed per semester (September and January). Specific due dates and split-payment rules are in the billing schedule below. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are issued in early November, March and June for the upcoming academic term. The school implements a split payment schedule per term: - Term 1: 50% due by 10 August, balance due by 10 September. - Term 2: 50% due by 10 December, balance due by 10 January. - Term 3: 50% due by 10 April, balance due by 10 May. - Students admitted before half term must pay the full term's fees; those admitted after half term are charged 50% of that term. Parents may request a payment plan before the published cut‑off dates for each term. Late or unpaid fees can lead to exclusion from lessons and, in some cases, loss of place. Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed and the school's materials and admissions information describe primary and secondary day provision only. Boarding is not indicated as an offered option. Transport (school bus) charges and related costs - Transport is optional and charged separately; routing is zone‑based with one‑way and two‑way rates. Published route charges (example schedule) list amounts in UGX such as UGX 400,000–900,000 depending on route and one‑way/two‑way selection. Transport charges are non‑refundable. Specific route prices were published in the school's transport charge schedule. Other costs and typical additional fees - Uniforms: a uniform fee is charged separately; the school has a uniform policy and a separate charge for uniform items. Participation in after‑school clubs incurs separate fees. Lunch fees are optional and non‑refundable; the school issues an annual lunch cost schedule. - Assessment, registration and caution fees are itemised above and are additional to tuition. Exam charges for senior students are included in the USD fee component where applicable. Refund information - The caution (security) deposit is refundable after a student's permanent exit clearance and subject to deductions for outstanding fees, unreturned school property, or damage. Apart from the caution deposit, most enrolment and tuition‑related charges are non‑refundable; assessment and specified term/transport/lunch sums are non‑refundable per the school's published policy. Fee payment options - The school recommends bank deposit or direct bank transfer into the school's accounts at DTB (Dollar and UGX accounts are provided). Parents must provide the deposit slip or electronic proof of transfer to the school; the school does not accept cash payments. Account details (account names and UGX/USD account numbers) are supplied in the school handbook and billing communications. Notes on availability of up‑to‑date per‑grade figures - The school publishes a detailed downloadable fee schedule for each academic year; the most recent publicly‑accessible, itemised per‑grade numbers located in open sources were published for academic year 2022/2023 and are listed above. The school's student & parents policy handbook and transport charge schedule include the formal billing schedule, mandatory charges (assessment, registration, caution) and the bank payment instructions that apply across years. For the current academic year (2025/26 or 2026/27) parents should rely on the school's official published fee schedule and invoice for exact per‑grade term and annual amounts and any currency split between UGX and USD.	Fee details Application / Registration fee - A non-refundable registration fee of USD 500 is payable by all students at the time of application. Tuition fees (2026–2027) — amounts by entry year group and payment plan Payment plans available: - Plan A — one instalment (single annual payment). - Plan B — two instalments (each instalment shown; totals include finance charges). - Plan C — three instalments (each instalment shown; totals include finance charges). Tuition by year group (figures shown as: Plan A — annual; Plan B — each of 2 instalments (annual total in parentheses); Plan C — each of 3 instalments (annual total in parentheses)): - Playgroup — Plan A: USD 7,500; Plan B: USD 3,830 (annual total USD 7,660); Plan C: USD 2,560 (annual total USD 7,680). - EC1–EC2 — Plan A: USD 9,200; Plan B: USD 4,690 (annual total USD 9,380); Plan C: USD 3,140 (annual total USD 9,420). - Afternoon Supervision — Plan A: USD 1,700; Plan B: USD 870 (annual total USD 1,740); Plan C: USD 590 (annual total USD 1,770). - Kinder — Plan A: USD 25,700; Plan B: USD 13,110 (annual total USD 26,220); Plan C: USD 8,780 (annual total USD 26,340). - Grade 1–5 — Plan A: USD 27,600; Plan B: USD 14,080 (annual total USD 28,160); Plan C: USD 9,430 (annual total USD 28,290). - Grade 6–8 — Plan A: USD 32,000; Plan B: USD 16,320 (annual total USD 32,640); Plan C: USD 10,930 (annual total USD 32,790). - Grade 9–10 — Plan A: USD 33,200; Plan B: USD 16,930 (annual total USD 33,860); Plan C: USD 11,340 (annual total USD 34,020). - Grade 11–12 — Plan A: USD 38,700; Plan B: USD 19,740 (annual total USD 39,480); Plan C: USD 13,220 (annual total USD 39,660). - All Plan B and Plan C instalment amounts shown are inclusive of finance charges. Optional bus (transport) fees Optional bus service (figures shown as: Plan A — annual; Plan B — each instalment (annual total in parentheses); Plan C — each instalment (annual total in parentheses)): - One child — Plan A: USD 2,320; Plan B: USD 1,175 (annual total USD 2,350); Plan C: USD 790 (annual total USD 2,370). - Two children — Plan A: USD 2,270; Plan B: USD 1,160 (annual total USD 2,320); Plan C: USD 780 (annual total USD 2,340). - Three children — Plan A: USD 2,220; Plan B: USD 1,130 (annual total USD 2,260); Plan C: USD 760 (annual total USD 2,280). - Four children — Plan A: USD 2,170; Plan B: USD 1,110 (annual total USD 2,220); Plan C: USD 745 (annual total USD 2,235). - Bus fee instalments for Plan B and Plan C are inclusive of finance charges. Capital levy, deposits and continuing-enrolment charges - Capital levy (one-time, non‑refundable) charged for students entering Grade 1 or higher: USD 10,000. An ISU Alumni rate of USD 2,000 applies for eligible alumni families. Families may apply to pay the capital levy in two instalments: first on entry and second at the start of the next school year. - Annual capital levy: USD 1,000 for all students in Grade 1 and above. This annual capital levy is reduced pro rata by the same percentage as any financial assistance awarded. - Re-enrolment deposit: USD 500 per student payable in May each year; this deposit guarantees a place for the following year and is deducted from the next year's tuition. Families who notify in writing by 30 June that they will not be returning will receive a full refund of the re-enrolment deposit. Other costs and optional charges - Co-Curricular Activities (CCA): optional seasonal activities may require additional payment for external coaches, equipment or materials. - ISSEA/MUN and other out-of-country trips: partially subsidised; estimated additional cost per participating student ranges from USD 800 to USD 1,500 depending on group size and destination. - Uniforms: there is no school uniform; students are required to adhere to the school dress code. Any sports kit or items sold through the school shop may incur separate charges. Billing schedule and payment terms (dates for the 2026–2027 academic year) - Plan A (single payment): full payment due by 1 August 2026. - Plan B (two instalments): instalments due 1 August 2026 and 4 January 2027. Each instalment amount shown under Plan B is payable on those dates; totals include finance charges. - Plan C (three instalments): instalments due 1 August 2026, 1 November 2026 and 1 February 2027. Each instalment amount shown under Plan C is payable on those dates; totals include finance charges. Refunds and late-payment consequences - Refunds: Fees paid in advance are refundable only where at least four weeks' advance written notice of withdrawal is given. Refunds are calculated on a quarterly basis; no refund is given where a student has attended any part of a quarter. The re-enrolment deposit is refundable if written notice of non-return is given by 30 June. - Late payment: If any part of fees remains unpaid 30 days after the due date, the student may be excluded from classes. A late payment fee of 1% may be applied to overdue amounts. Students with outstanding fees may be excluded from school-sponsored trips, and school reports or transcripts will not be released until fees are up to date. Payment methods and administrative details - Currency: all tuition and fees are charged in United States dollars (USD). - Accepted payment methods: bank transfer or direct deposit to the school's bank accounts, or payment through the school business office by US dollar cheque drawn on Stanbic Bank or ABSA Bank. School banking details are provided for electronic payments. Boarding - Boarding is not available; the school operates as a co‑educational day school. Summary notes on variability - Some optional items (transport, CCAs, trips, sports kit) involve additional charges beyond tuition and levies. Instalment totals for Plan B and Plan C include finance charges and will be slightly higher than the single-payment amount shown under Plan A.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details British School of Kampala follows the British National Curriculum (Pearson-Edexcel IGCSE, GCE-A Level, and BTEC Levels 1–3) with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for younger learners. For senior students, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is offered.	Curriculum details ISU offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-11, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16, and Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16-18. ISU implements three IB programmes and provides four graduation pathways: the IB Diploma, the IB-Enriched ISU High School Diploma, the ISU High School Diploma, and the ISU Individualised Diploma. All ISU Diploma Requirements lead to an ISU High School Diploma, equivalent to a US High School Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subject groups and three core elements: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service. ISU is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. All instruction is in English.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio The Senior School has 212 students and 44 teaching professionals, yielding a student–teacher ratio of about 4.8:1. This ratio reflects the Senior School cohort within ISU's IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) as reported in the school's recent Senior School Profile.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IB Diploma (DP) outcomes show yearly variations: 2019 had 19 graduates with an 82% pass rate, 2020 had 34 graduates with 97%, 2021 had 28 graduates with 100%, 2022 had 25 graduates with 89%, 2023 had 24 graduates with 92%, and 2024 had 17 graduates with 89%. Average DP scores for ISU graduates hover around the low 30s, with highest DP scores reaching the low-to-mid 40s in certain years. The school's DP pass-rate data and score distributions are listed in the Senior School Profiles. The school presents DP course offerings and pass statistics to illustrate performance relative to global averages.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The curriculum provides qualifications for higher education and professional pathways; Pearson-Edexcel IGCSE, GCE-A Level, BTEC Levels 1–3, and the IB Diploma Program enable progression to higher education globally.	Higher education progression From Grade 11 onward, ISU provides a College Counseling Team to support university placement planning. University placements 2018-2024 show destinations including the United States (about 46%), Canada (about 20%), Europe (about 14-15%), the United Kingdom (about 12%), with smaller shares to Asia, Australia and Africa/Middle East; Makerere University in Uganda is also among reported destinations. ISU describes university destinations by region and lists individual university examples from various countries. The counseling team guides students toward post-secondary options across global universities.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Gifted and Talented Programs provide advanced opportunities for students who excel in specific areas.	Gifted and talented ISU offers Merit & Needs Based Scholarships for academically gifted Diploma candidates, covering up to 75% of tuition for Grades 11-12 and supporting academic, arts and sports excellence; selection considers academic achievement, specialized talents, English proficiency, and leadership potential, with CAS and enrichment expectations. Scholarships are awarded by a committee, with documented criteria and peer/teacher nominations, and include accompanying ISSEA participation and related requirements. ISU also outlines additional scholarship opportunities and financial assistance programmes, including criteria for eligibility and the application process.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Inquiry: The school has an Online Inquiry Form to receive information about programs, facilities, and admissions requirements. The Inquiry is the first step in the Admissions Process. The form invites prospective applicants to begin the admissions journey. The information gathered through the inquiry supports subsequent steps in the process. 2. Application: The Application Form is completed and submitted with the required documents. Required documents may include a copy of the birth certificate, recent school reports or transcripts, a passport-sized photograph, and any relevant medical records or special educational needs documentation. The Application is the second step in the Admissions Process. The documents accompany the application for consideration. 3. Assessment: Depending on the program and grade level, the child may be invited for an assessment or interview. The assessment or interview helps determine academic level and suitability for the programs. The assessment is part of the admissions process to gather information about the student. The results inform next steps in the admissions process. 4. Decision: After reviewing the application and assessment results, the admission decision is communicated. If accepted, a formal offer letter with details on the next steps is provided. The decision and offer letter outline conditions for enrollment. The admission decision determines eligibility to enroll. 5. Enrollment: To secure the place, follow the instructions provided in the offer letter. This includes completing the enrollment forms and paying any required fees. Enrollment formalities finalize the child's admission. The start date is arranged once enrollment is complete. 6. Orientation: Once enrolled, the child is invited to an orientation session to familiarize with the school environment, meet teachers, and start their journey at BSK. Orientation helps the student settle in and learn about routines. It provides opportunities to meet staff and peers. The onboarding process supports a smooth start to the school year.	Admissions 1. Enquire About Enrollment. The Admissions Director handles class availability by online enquiry form, and you may begin the process by making an online enquiry. The school may enrol at any time during the school year, but only after complete applications are received and reviewed. 2. Documentation & Registration Fees. After the admissions team contacts you, provide the required documentation and pay the USD 500 registration fee per child deposited to the school's account. 3. Acceptance. The application paperwork is reviewed by the admissions team, and parents are informed of the decision by the Admissions Director. The admission considerations include the applicant's potential to benefit from the academic programme, the school's capacity to meet the applicant's educational needs, and the family's ability to meet enrolment obligations. 4. Finalising The Enrolment. The business office will contact you to arrange fee payment; the Emergency Contact form and Bus Form (if required) must be submitted before the start date. 5. Grade Placement & Waitlist. Grades are generally placed based on age, with consideration given to previous transcripts, academic ability, social development, interviews and placement tests where necessary. As a grade reaches its optimal capacity, a waiting pool is established and the waitlist procedure comes into effect. Enrollment can occur at any time if a place is available, and withdrawal is possible at any time.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Christina McConnell Scholarship for Ugandan Citizens: full scholarship covering 100% of school fees for Ugandan nationals of secondary school age from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to study the IB Programmes. Applications for 2026-27 are now CLOSED. ISU Merit & Needs-Based Scholarship Programme (2026–2028): two Merit & Needs-Based Scholarships for students entering Grade 11 in August 2026; up to 75% tuition support for the two years of the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12); funding determined by demonstrated financial need; eligible applicants should be born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010. Applications opened for 2026–28; deadline 20 March 2026; materials and application form are available via scholarship@isumail.ac.ug. The Beacon Scholarship: leadership-focused programme offering access to top-tier secondary schools and undergraduate programmes; includes leadership training and mentoring; applicants must demonstrate they are Change-makers; more information is available on the Beacon Scholarship website.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Grade placement uses age as a general guide; when a grade reaches capacity, a waiting pool is established and the waitlist procedure comes into effect.
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