Kampala International University: Courses, Fees, and Admission Details

Nov 15, 2025 0

Kampala International University (KIU), a private non-profit university, is dedicated to providing the best education and learning environment that prepares learners to meet the needs and challenges of the modern world. At KIU, the programs are highly competitive and market-driven, responding to the needs of society, the economy, and the environment, and preparing students for an inclusive society.

Kampala International University Campus

About KIU

Kampala International University (KIU) was established in 2001, making it one of the youngest universities in Uganda. KIU is an active member of the Association of African Universities (AAU) and conducts scientific activities in several areas.

Kampala University (KU) was established in February 1998 by corporate professionals and opened its gates to pioneer students in October 1999. In 2018, Kampala University was gazetted, making its operations, curriculum, and credentials fully recognised nationally, regionally, and internationally.

KU was founded in 1999 by Badru Kateregga, the founding vice chancellor, together with other academics and entrepreneurs who pooled resources to establish the university.

The university was first licensed by the Ministry of Education and Sports on November 23, 2000, to operate as an institution of higher learning. The institution is fully recognised and accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). In 2014, the university applied for and was granted a charter on March 23, 2016, by the government of Uganda, duly signed by His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda.

KIU Library Facilities

KIU boasts Uganda's largest university library with a wide selection of books, journals, free internet access, and spacious seating.

Admissions and Intakes

KIU offers intakes in January, April, and August throughout the year. The Directorate of Admissions provides the admission criteria. A student chooses a course of preference if he/she qualifies for it. An academic programme that does not appear on the list of courses is not offered at the University at the moment.

The following are the minimum entry qualifications for admission at KIU approved and followed by University’s Admissions Committee:

Minimum Entry Qualifications

Here are the minimum entry qualifications for various colleges and schools within KIU:

Read also: International travel to Uganda

COLLEGE OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT

Bachelor of Business Administration: Two A Level Principal Passes, one in Economics, and one subsidiary pass plus five O level passes.
Bachelor of International Business Administration: Two A Level Principal passes and one subsidiary pass plus five O ‘level passes.
Bachelor of Human Resource Management: Two A Level Principal passes and one subsidiary pass plus five O Level passes.
Bachelor of Supplies and Procurement Management: Two A Level principal passes and one subsidiary pass plus five O Level passes.
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small business Management: Two A Level principal passes, and one should be in Entrepreneurship plus five O Level passes.
Bachelor of Tourism and Hotel Management: Two A Level Principal passes, one in Geography, plus five O ‘level passes.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics: Two A Level principal passes, one in Economics, and five O level passes with a credit in Mathematics.
Bachelor of Science in Statistics: Two A Level principal passes in Mathematics and Economics plus five O Level passes.
Bachelor of Economics and Applied Statistics: Two A Level principal passes in Mathematics and Economics plus five O level passes.
Diploma in Business Administration: One principal pass in Economics and two subsidiary passes plus at least five passed subjects at O Level.
Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Management: One principal pass in Geography and two subsidiary passes plus at least five passed Subjects at O Level.
Diploma in Secretarial and Office Management: One principal pass and two subsidiary passes plus five passed subjects at O Level.
National Certificate in Business Administration: At least three passes at Ordinary Level.
National Certificate in Procurement and Logistics Management: At least three passes at Ordinary Level
National Certificate in Secretarial and Office Management: At least three passes at Ordinary Level

SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING

Bachelor of Business Computing: Two A Level principal passes in Mathematics, Economics, Physics or Geography and five O level passes.
Bachelor of Computer Science: Two A Level principal passes, one in Mathematics or Physics and any other one subsidiary pass plus five passed subjects at O level.
Bachelor of Computer Engineering: Two A Level principal passes in Mathematics and Physics and any other principal pass or subsidiary pass plus five O level passes.
Bachelor of Information Technology: Two A Level principal passes in either Arts or Science subjects and one subsidiary pass plus five O Level passes.
Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences: Two A Level principal passes in either Arts or Science subjects and one subsidiary pass plus five O level passes.
Diploma in Library and Information Sciences: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes.
Diploma in Computer Science: One A level principal pass in either Physic or Mathematics and two subsidiary passes plus five O Level passes.
Diploma in Information Technology: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes.
National Certificate in Information and Communications Technology: At least three passes at Ordinary Level.
National Certificate in Library and Information Science: At least three passes at Ordinary Level.

SCHOOL OF LAW

Diploma in Law: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes
Bachelor of Laws: Two A Level principal passes and one subsidiary pass plus five O level passes including a credit in English. Holders of a Diploma in Law with a minimum of CREDIT from a recognized Institution of Higher Learning are eligible to apply.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

Bachelor of Computer Science with Education: Two A Level Principal passes in either arts or science subjects plus one subsidiary pass in ICT and five O Level passes.
Bachelor of Arts with Education: Two A Level Principal passes in arts subjects and one subsidiary pass, should have two teaching subjects plus 5 passes at O Level.
Bachelor of Science with Education: Two A Level principal passes in science subjects and five O Level passes, should have two teaching subjects in science subjects.
Bachelor of Education - In-service Arts/science Primary Option: Should have a Grade III Teachers Certificate and a Diploma in Primary Education from a recognized Institution of Higher Learning with two teaching subjects in either arts or science subjects.
Bachelor of Education - In-service Science/Arts Secondary Option: Should have a Diploma in Secondary Education from a recognized Institution of higher learning with two teaching subjects plus two A level principal passes.
Bachelor of Education with Special Needs Education In-service: Applicants should have a Diploma in Special Needs Education from a recognized Institution of Higher learning
Bachelor of Education with Guidance and Counseling In-service: Applicants should have a diploma in Education with Guidance and Counseling from a recognized Institution of higher learning, must have two teaching subjects.

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

National Certificate in Journalism and Media Studies: At least three passes at Ordinary Level.
National Certificate in Public Administration: At least three passes at Ordinary Level.
National Certificate in Guidance and Counseling: At least three passes at Ordinary Level
Diploma in Mass Communication: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes or its Equivalent.
Bachelor of Mass Communication: Two principal passes at A Level plus one subsidiary pass should have five passes at O Level or its equivalent.
Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes or its equivalent.
Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration: Two principal passes at A Level and one subsidiary pass or its equivalent plus five passes at O Level.
Diploma in Development Studies: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes or its equivalent.
Bachelor of Development Studies: Two principal passes at A Level and one subsidiary pass or the equivalent plus five passes at O Level.
Diploma in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes or its equivalent.
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies: Two principal passes at A Level and one subsidiary pass or the equivalent plus five passes at O Level.
Diploma in Conflict Resolution and Peace Building: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes or its equivalent.
Diploma in Social and Community Development: One A level principal pass, and two subsidiary passes in either Arts or Science subjects plus five O Level passes
Bachelor of Social and Community Development: Two principal passes at A Level or the equivalent plus five passes at O Level.
Diploma in Development Studies: One A Level principal pass and two subsidiary passes, plus five passes at O Level

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery: Two A Level Principal passes at Advanced level in Biology and Chemistry plus one subsidiary pass in science subjects and at least passes in relevant subjects at Ordinary level including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
Bachelor of Pharmacy: Two A Level Principal passes at Advanced level in Biology and Chemistry plus one subsidiary pass in science subjects and at least passes in relevant subjects at Ordinary level including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
Bachelor of Nursing Sciences: Two A Level Principal passes at Advanced level in Biology and Chemistry plus one subsidiary pass in science subjects and at least passes in relevant subjects at Ordinary level including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
Bachelor of Clinical Medicine and Community Health: Two A Level Principal passes at Advanced level in Biology and Chemistry and one subsidiary pass in science subjects plus five passes at Ordinary level including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology: Two Principal passes at Advanced level in Biology and Chemistry/physics/Mathematics and five passes at Ordinary Level including English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health: One principal pass in Biology at Advanced Level plus two subsidiaries passes in science subjects plus five passes at Ordinary level including Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Diploma in Nursing Sciences: One principal pass in Biology at Advanced level plus two subsidiary passes in science subjects plus five passes at Ordinary level including Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, and physics.
Diploma in Pharmacy: One principal pass in Chemistry at advanced level and two subsidiary passes in science subjects plus five passes at ordinary level including Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology: One principal pass in Biology and a subsidiary pass in Chemistry and one subsidiary pass in science subjects plus five passes at ordinary level in Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

DEGREE AND DIPLOMAS BY EXTENSION UNDER SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Bachelor of Nursing Sciences: For holders of Diploma in Nursing Sciences, Diploma in Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing, Diploma in Midwifery, should be registered with relevant bodies or Professional Councils of home country where applicable.
Diploma in Nursing Sciences: Certificate in Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing/Enrolled General Nursing should be registered with relevant professional councils of the home country where applicable and with the experience of two working years.

FOR STUDENTS FROM KENYA UNDER SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

Certificate in Nursing Sciences/ Comprehensive Nursing/ Midwifery: Five passes are required at ordinary level in the following subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, English and Physics/ Agriculture/Health Science/ Foods and Nutrition/ Geography for both Nationals and International students and a minimum mean grade of C- Secondary school results must be equated by Uganda National Examinations Board.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery/Bachelor of Pharmacy/Bachelor of Clinical Medicine and Community Health/Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Technology: For holders of KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education), applicants must have a minimum mean grade of B and a minimum of B in relevant subjects which include English/Kiswahili, Mathematics/Physics/Physical sciences, Biology and Chemistry to enroll for bachelor’s degree and a minimum mean grade of B. Secondary school results must be equated by Uganda National Examinations Board.
Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health/Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology/Diploma in Pharmacy: For Diploma holders, applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+, C+ in Biology/Biological Sciences, Chemistry, English/Kiswahili, and C+ in physics/physical sciences and Mathematics and a minimum mean grade of C+. Secondary school results must be equated by Uganda National Examinations Board.

Undergraduate Arts Degree and Diploma courses

Students who hold a Kenyan Certificate of Education (KCSE) i.e., 8:4:4 system, and wish to enroll for either degree or diploma courses must pass through the Higher Education Certificate (HEC). To qualify for HEC, applicants should have a minimum mean grade of C plain and minimum of C plain in the relevant subjects, depending on the course of their choice.

HIGHER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (HEC)

This is a pre-university programme designed for students who do not meet the minimum qualifications for direct entry into KIU degree or diploma Programmes. It is for both students whose educational system is different from Uganda’s but who qualify for university entry under their home countries’ educational systems and Advanced Level system but did not meet the minimum requirements for entry into university. Students who pass this programme (HEC) with at least a CGPA of 3.00 qualify to apply for KIU undergraduate courses.

Certificates graded in percentages and. average points e.g., Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, Somalia, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana etc. will be considered after Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has equated or translated the grades.

UNIVERSITY DIRECT ENTRANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

For applicants with both Ordinary Level Certificate and Advanced Level Certificate or Higher Secondary School Certificates /Higher Education Entrance Examinations such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Applicants should be admitted directly into their degree or diploma courses. They must also equate their secondary school results with Uganda National Examinations Board.

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics: Two A Level Principal passes, and one should be in Mathematics and five passes at Ordinary Level.
Bachelor of Applied Mathematics: Two A Level Principal passes, and one should be in Mathematics and five passes at Ordinary Level.
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry: Two A Level Principal passes, and one should be in Chemistry and five passes at Ordinary Level.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: Two A Level Principal passes, and one should be in Chemistry and five passes at Ordinary Level.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics: Two A Level Principal passes, and one should be in Physics and five passes at Ordinary Level.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering: Two A Level Principal passes in Physics and Mathematics plus five passes at Ordinary Level.
Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Engineering: Two A Level Principal passes in Physics and Mathematics plus five passes at Ordinary ...

Academic Programs

Browse the range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as active PhD programmes, that are offered at Kampala University (KU). The degree programming must cover university-wide courses, University Common Courses, the areas of specialization courses and electives. A candidate registering for a Bachelor of Education Degree takes all the courses offered in the faculty of Education and is required to combine a major and a minor in the service faculties. The combination of major & minor subjects are subject to the approval of the School of Education.

Read also: Car Rental Prices in Uganda

KIU conducts scientific activity in several areas. More information can be found on the official site.

KIU Tuition Fees

The academic calendar at KIU is divided into two semesters. Tuition fees are calculated per year and differ for locals and foreigners.

Uganda citizens pay 1 USD per year, while international students pay a minimum of 2,500 USD. When choosing an educational institution, it is necessary to take into account additional costs: accommodation, transportation, educational materials, meals and personal expenses.

Academic Calendar: Semesters

Program	Category	Tuition Fees (USD/year)
Bachelor	Local	1
Bachelor	Foreign	2,500
Master	Foreign	2,500

KIU Campus

The campus of KIU is urban, meaning students study closely to the sights and recreational infrastructure of the city. This type of campus gives students more options for internships and part-time jobs. The university has a library, in the collection of which you will find not only textbooks and scientific works, but also works of the classics, modern literature and much more.

KIU regularly invites foreign students to participate in exchange programs. For locals, this is a unique opportunity to get in touch with the cultures of other countries, meet representatives of different nationalities and make friends around the world.

Collaborations

KIU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Hayat Medical University, Somalia, focusing on health science programs.
KIU and Leiden University have a collaboration that includes health and Open FAIR Data Science. Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of the leading international research universities in Europe.
Kampala International University formalized a collaboration with Gaziosmanpasa University, Turkey, through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 22 September 2017. The Mevlana Exchange program between Kampala International University and the Gaziosmanpasa University, Turkey supports Staff and Students Exchange aimed at building capacities across the two universities.