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NewNow placing students at UK universities.

HOMIDAZEDUCATION PLACEMENTS

GuideApplying from Uganda to the UK

How do I apply to a UK university?

Choose a course, apply through UCAS or directly, accept an offer to receive your CAS, then apply for your Student visa. Start about 12 months before your course. Pick your intake below to see your plan.

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Intake
Programme

Earliest realistic start

 

  1. 12 months before

    Step 1: Book your first appointment

    Talk through your goals, grades and budget, and leave with a shortlist of UK courses.

  2. 10 months before

    Step 2: Prepare for IELTS

    Book your test early. Degree courses need at least CEFR B2, and good scores widen your choices.

  3. 9 months before

    Step 3: Apply to your universities

    Postgraduate courses take applications directly. Popular courses fill up, so apply early.

  4. 6 months before

    Step 4: Receive offers and meet conditions

    Send final results or your IELTS score to turn a conditional offer into an unconditional one.

  5. 4 months before

    Step 5: Accept, pay your deposit and get your CAS

    Start the 28-day funds period and book your TB test in Kampala.

  6. 3 months before

    Step 6: Apply for your Student visa

    Pay £558 plus the health surcharge. Decisions usually take about 3 weeks.

  7. 1 month before

    Step 7: Book flights and accommodation

    Join our pre-departure briefing on what to pack, arrival and your first week.

  8. Start

    Your course starts in the UK

The seven steps, in order

Every UK application from Uganda follows the same path. Here is what happens at each step, and what we do for you.

  1. Book an appointment with a counsellor

    Visit our Kampala office or call us. We look at your grades, goals, budget and preferred start date, and tell you honestly which UK courses are within reach.

  2. Choose your course and universities

    We shortlist courses that match your results and career plans, and check entry requirements, fees, scholarships and the city you will live in.

  3. Prepare your documents and English test

    Gather transcripts, certificates and your passport, write your personal statement with our feedback, and prepare for IELTS with us.

  4. Submit your applications

    Undergraduate students apply through UCAS, with up to five choices. Postgraduate students apply to each university directly. We prepare, send and follow up every application.

  5. Accept an offer and get your CAS

    Meet any conditions, accept your firm choice and pay the deposit. Your university then issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you need for the visa.

  6. Apply for your UK Student visa

    Show your funds for 28 days, take a TB test, pay the visa fee and health surcharge, and attend your biometrics appointment. We check every document before you submit.

  7. Get ready to fly

    Book flights and student accommodation, and join our pre-departure briefing. Our UK team is a phone call away after you land.

Documents you will need

Start collecting these early. Bring what you already have to your first appointment and we will tell you what is missing.

For undergraduate applications

  • UACE and UCE certificates and results slips
  • Passport
  • Personal statement
  • One academic reference from a teacher
  • English test result, if your university asks for one

For postgraduate applications

  • Degree certificate and academic transcript
  • Passport
  • Personal statement
  • Two references, academic or professional
  • CV, and a research proposal for PhDs
  • English test result, usually IELTS

For the Student visa

  • Passport and your CAS reference number
  • Bank statements showing your funds for 28 days
  • TB test certificate from an approved clinic
  • Documents listed on your CAS, such as transcripts
  • Parental consent and birth certificate if using a parent's account

What the visa costs, and what to show

The visa fee and health surcharge are paid to the UK government when you apply. Living costs are not paid: you show them in a bank account for 28 days, on top of any course fees you still owe.

Living costs are £1,171 a month outside London and £1,529 a month in London, for up to 9 months. Read our proof of funds guide

Example: one-year master's outside London

You pay

Student visa fee
£558
Health surcharge, 1.5 years
£1,164
Total to pay
£1,722

You show

Living costs, 9 × £1,171
£10,539

Checked on GOV.UK in October 2026. Plus any unpaid course fees, and TB and English test fees.

Questions about applying

Still unsure about a step? Ask a counsellor.

Ask us on WhatsApp

Ideally 12 months before your course starts. Six months is possible for some postgraduate courses, but it leaves little room for your offer, CAS, funds and visa.