Page content
Introduction
Embark on a life-changing 4-week adventure in Uganda where you’ll help design, build, and decorate a vibrant playground for a local primary school alongside Play Action International .
By day, you’ll be hands-on, working in the school grounds and sleeping on-site to fully immerse yourself in community life. Your weekends will be unforgettable - go on safari, tackle Nile rapids, ride horses across rolling hills, or cruise the sunset at the Nile’s source.
The capstone of your journey will be the playground's open day - a joyous celebration of speeches, songs, and laughter as children rush in to play in their brand-new playground.
Project Play: Uganda
Programme Description
You’ll spend up to four weeks in the Pearl of Africa, partnering with a local Ugandan build team to design, construct, and decorate a vibrant, fun, and safe playground for a community primary school.
During the weekdays, you’ll work hands-on in building and painting playground equipment, transforming an empty field into a colourful space that fosters physical, social, and creative development.
You’ll live on-site in the school, sleeping on mattresses with mosquito nets in converted classrooms, fully integrating into school and community life.
On weekends, you'll have the opportunity to relax and explore the beauty of Uganda—options include safari adventures, white-water rafting on the Nile, quad biking, horse riding across rolling hills, or cruising at the source of the River Nile.
A highlight is the playground’s open day: children, teachers, and staff gather for speeches, performances, and the unforgettable “3 - 2 - 1!” countdown as the playground is officially opened and filled with joyful children. You’ll witness smiling faces, laughter, and the deep sense of community impact your efforts have made, not just today but for future generations.
The programme is built on ethical, community-led values, ensuring that your contribution is sustainable and truly valuable to local people. Blending purposeful work, cultural immersion, personal growth, and unforgettable adventure, this journey offers an impactful and transformative experience.
Key Information
Programme Provider
Dates
Dates to be confirmed for Summer 2026 (allow for a day or two either side for travel).
Eligibility
Open to Registered Undergraduate or Postgraduate students (part-time or full-time). Not suitable for final year students.
Programme Cost
Funding is available for eligible students to assist with the total project cost.
Your contribution will be:
£1040 for most students
or
£575 if your household income is less than £25,000* (receipted expenditure will be required to cover travel costs up to a max. £745)
*you can check the full criteria for this higher funding rate in the 'Widening Access and Participation' section below.
The total cost of the project is £2095 (this includes the £245 registration fee),but you will receive funding from the University to reduce this to the amounts above.
Flights
An additional scholarship of up to £1000 is available towards return flights.
This will be paid once flights are confirmed and evidence (receipts) are provided.
Programme Cost Includes
- Accommodation
- Most meals
- In-country travel
- 24/7 in-country support.
Additional Costs
Visa, vaccinations (Approx. £35 - 155) and optional weekend activities
Application Information
| Application | Submit your application |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 12 December 2025 |
| Interview | You will be invited to an online group interview if you are shortlisted at application stage. Interview Dates: to be updated soon. |
| Interview Guidance | If you require support and guidance to help you prepare for interview reach out to your Employability & Graduate Futures Team. You can request a 1:1 appointment via Handshake or contact the team via e-mail: graduatefutures@ulster.ac.uk |
Global Stories
Volunteer in Uganda - Kaitlin Gilliand
Follow Kaitlin to discover her 2024 Play Action Uganda experience!
Widening Access and Participation
You will be eligible for a higher rate of funding if you meet one of the criteria below:
- You are in receipt of an Ulster University Access Bursary
- You are from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status (including those with an annual household income of £25,000 or less)
- You receive Income Support or Universal Credit and are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on you and living with them, such as a child or partner
- You are from a background of care
- You have caring responsibilities
- You have no living parents
- Your parents cannot be found or it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them (estranged students)
- You are a refugee or asylum seeker
Proof of the above criteria will be required as part of your application.
Pre-departure
If you are selected for this opportunity following successful application and interview, the following details will help you prepare for pre-departure:
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet the host country's immigration requirements. This will vary depending on the type of passport you hold. Further advice on the visa application will be provided as part of the pre-departure process, but it is your responsibility to ensure your familiarity with this.
Please note, if travelling out of Dublin airport, students without a British or Irish passport may also need an additional Irish visa.
Ensure you read through the Government Travel Guidance Advice for Uganda.
You will automatically be covered for emergency travel insurance and medical emergency cover through Ulster University’s Group Personal Accident and Travel insurance policy for the duration of this programme.
Review the cover thoroughly to check it's sufficient for your needs; if it does not cover everything, you will need to take out additional cover.
Ensure you read through the recommended vaccine requirements for the country you are travelling to.
There’s lots to think about before, during and after your programme. Read the Pre-departure Guide thoroughly for advice on to how to prepare and what to expect from your experience abroad
Once final candidates have been selected you will be invited to a number of mandatory pre-departure sessions to help you prepare for your programme. This will be an opportunity for you to meet other students who will be joining you and it is a requirement of the programme that you attend.
