The University of Nairobi is regarded as the best university in Kenya,it has more than 200,000 students. Admission is done annually for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
If you want to join the university, here are the admission requirements for each level:
Certificate Courses
Admission to Certificate Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications:
- KCSE mean grade of C- or equivalent.
- An O’ level mean grade of Division III or equivalent.
- An A’ Level qualification with a minimum of two subsidiary passes or equivalent.
Diploma Courses
Admission to Diploma Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications:
- KCSE mean grade C.
- KCSE mean grade C- or equivalent plus a Certificate
- An O’ level qualification with a minimum division III or equivalent
- An A’ level qualification with a minimum of two subsidiary passes or equivalent
Please Note
Certificates must be from an Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
The certificates should have been undertaken for a period of at least one Semester.
Degree Courses
Admission to Bachelor’s Degree Programmes will be based on any one of the following minimum qualifications:
- KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent
- KCSE mean grade C- or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma
- Level Division II or equivalent plus a Diploma
- Level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma
- Level Division III or equivalent plus a three-year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary Institution for admissions to Bachelor of Education
- Diploma from University of Nairobi or other recognized institutions and an aggregate of C in KCSE or equivalent
- A Level with two principal passes or equivalent in relevant subjects Only Applicants whose results are available at the time of application will be considered
- CPAII/CPSII/CIPS or equivalent for Commerce and Arts and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE or O level Division III
- P1 from a two-year post-secondary training institution for entry into Bachelor of Education with Minimum KCSE Mean Grade C or O Level Division III
- Higher National Diploma in relevant fields and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE
- Degree from a recognized University
- Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by Senate
- Level Division III or equivalent plus a three-year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary Institution for admissions to Bachelor of Education
- Diploma from University of Nairobi or other recognized institutions and an aggregate of C in KCSE or equivalent
- A Level with two principal passes or equivalent in relevant subjects Only Applicants whose results are available at the time of application will be considered
- CPAII/CPSII/CIPS or equivalent for Commerce and Arts and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE or O level Division III
- P1 from a two-year post-secondary training institution for entry into Bachelor of Education with Minimum KCSE Mean Grade C or O Level Division III
- Higher National Diploma in relevant fields and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE
- Degree from a recognized University
- Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by Senate
Foundation Courses
The university offers foundation courses in Sciences and Arts.
Applicants who have C- would be admitted to the Foundation Course as a prerequisite for university admission.
Module II & III, Self Sponsored Programmes and Distance Education
pplication Dates
University of Nairobi has three intakes in an Academic year.
Main intake being in September/October for all the courses and December/January for Bachelor of Education(Arts), Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Travel and Tourism
April/May for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education(Arts),Bachelor of Education Early Childhood, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Economics ,Bachelor of Economics and Statistics ,Bachelor of Journalism and media Studies, Bachelor of Art Broadcast Production, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Travel and Tourism, Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Production and all Diploma and Certificate courses
Proficiency in English
Applicants from non-English speaking countries will be required to produce a certificate of proficiency in English such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Distance Education
The University of Nairobi has embarked on ‘Distance Learning’ mode of delivery intended to favour those students who may not be available to take courses either on full time or part time (evenings and weekends) basis. Currently, the following courses are being offered by distance learning mode:-Bachelor of Education (Arts), Bachelor of Education (Science), Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Other programmes are due to follow soon.
Nairobi University admits the best students in KCSE.Unless you want to join parallel program, getting admission to the university with a C+ is hard. Courses like Medicine,Engineering,Actuarial Science, Architecture and Law admit students with B+ and above.
- Masters Degree: Applicants for masters degree programmes should have a minimum of Upper Second Class Honours Degree in the relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or Equivalent qualification from Institutions recognized by Senate. Persons with lower qualifications but with publications and postgraduate diplomas after Bachelors’ degrees are also considered for admission.
- Postgraduate Diploma & Certficates: Applicants for Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates should have a minimum of a pass degree.
- Doctor of Philosphy Degree: The applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree should have a masters degree from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from institutions recognized by Senate. In addition, the applicants should submit a research proposal showing that they are capable of carrying out original research.
Duration of Courses
| Programme | Minimum Duration |
| Doctor of Philosophy | 36 months |
| Doctor of Medicine | _ |
| Masters Degree Programmes | 18 months |
| Postgraduate Diplomas | 9 months |
| Postgraduate Certificates | 6 months |
Mode of Study
The mode of study is flexible and a student can study on full-time or part-time basis or even by distance learning.
Fees
The fees vary from one programme to another and also by the mode of study.
The current fees for Local and International students is available from the Director, Graduate School or from the Deans, Directors of respective Faculties, Institutes and Schools.
Commencement Dates
Most courses commence in September but a few postgraduate part-time courses start in January and May of each year.
