The IB is a Geneva-based international curriculum with four programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP, ages 3–12), the Middle Years Programme (MYP, ages 11–16), the Diploma Programme (DP, ages 16–19) and the Career-related Programme (CP). The Diploma Programme is the flagship, students take six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS), and earn up to 45 points.

IB students take six subjects across all disciplines (languages, sciences, humanities, maths, arts) plus the DP core (TOK essay, EE research, CAS hours), producing a broad-shouldered profile. Cambridge A-Level students typically take three to four specialised subjects in depth, producing a deeper but narrower profile. Top universities accept both; IB is sometimes preferred for its breadth, Cambridge for its specialisation.

Yes. NCHE recognises IB Diplomas for entry to Ugandan universities under a published UACE-equivalence framework. Most IB graduates from Ugandan schools, however, target universities in the UK, US, Canada or continental Europe, where the IB is especially well-regarded.

IB schools sit at the very top of the Ugandan fee bracket. Full Primary Years through Diploma Programme typically runs USD 4,000–12,000 per term at the leading Kampala-based IB World Schools, with the Diploma Programme commanding the higher end once exam entries are added.