Universities in Kenya

Universities in Kenya are institutions authorised by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the regulator established by the Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012. CUE accredits universities and their academic programmes, publishes the list of accredited universities and states that it will close down any institution offering university education without its authority. For an international student, that list is the first check before applying anywhere in the country.

Kenyan universities teach in English, which makes them accessible to students from other English-speaking countries and to those who want an English-taught degree in Africa. English is also the language of the immigration paperwork: documents in other languages must be translated into English for a student's pass.

How Kenyan universities work

There are public and private universities. Both award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and many also teach diplomas, certificates and professional qualifications such as accounting certifications. A foreign university can only teach in Kenya through an arrangement with a Kenyan institution approved by CUE, and the commission publishes the list of approved collaborations.

Places at public universities are divided between government-sponsored and self-sponsored students. The state placement agency KUCCPS allocates government-sponsored places at public universities, their constituent colleges and technical and vocational (TVET) institutions on the basis of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Each university publishes its own academic calendar and intake dates.

Admission for international students

International applicants normally apply directly to the university as self-sponsored students. At the University of Nairobi, for example, self-sponsored applications are made online, and international applicants pay an application fee of USD 50. Some universities add their own steps: Strathmore University's admission process includes an interview and an entrance exam before fee payment.

For bachelor's degrees, the benchmark used by CUE is the KCSE with a mean grade of C+ or above, or an accredited and recognised equivalent, so a foreign secondary school certificate has to be accepted as equivalent. CUE also recognises and equates foreign diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications, which matters for students entering a Kenyan master's programme with a degree from abroad.

Foreign students need a Student's Pass, which the Directorate of Immigration Services defines as an authorisation for a foreigner to study at an institution that has accepted or admitted them. The application is supported by the institution and includes, among other documents, proof of funds for self-sponsored students and a police clearance certificate for adults. In October 2026 the fee is 100 US dollars per year for students from outside the East African Community, and free for citizens of its member states.

Costs and funding

Tuition fees are set by each university and differ between government-sponsored and self-sponsored places, so there is no single national fee table for international students; check the fee schedule of the programme you choose. Government loans and bursaries from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) are intended for Kenyan students. Budget for the application fee and the annual Student's Pass fee in addition to tuition and living costs.

How to choose a university

• Accreditation: check the university and the specific programme on the CUE lists
• Type of place: international students are usually self-sponsored, with fees set by the university
• Programme and level: compare bachelor's, master's, diploma and professional options
• Campus and housing: ask about accommodation and student services before you arrive
• Recognition at home: find out whether your home country recognises the Kenyan degree

Both universities in our directory for Kenya are in Nairobi. The University of Nairobi describes itself as the pioneer institution of university education in Kenya and the region; it started as a university in 1970, lists 332 academic programmes and about 38,000 students, and has seven campuses in and around the capital. Its faculties range from agriculture and engineering to health sciences, law and a Kiswahili department, and it publishes information for international students on accommodation and residential facilities.

Strathmore University began in 1961 as Strathmore College and received its university charter in 2007. It has 8,189 students, 11% of them international according to the university, and its programmes include bachelor's degrees in actuarial science, law and hospitality management, several master's degrees and doctorates such as a PhD in Computer Science.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check that a Kenyan university is accredited?

The Commission for University Education (CUE) publishes the list of universities accredited to offer university education in Kenya, as well as the foreign universities approved to teach there in collaboration with Kenyan institutions.

Do Kenyan universities teach in English?

Yes. Degree programmes at universities such as the University of Nairobi and Strathmore University are taught in English, and the immigration paperwork is in English too.

What do I need for a bachelor's degree in Kenya?

CUE's benchmark is the KCSE with a mean grade of C+ or a recognised equivalent, and each university adds its own requirements, such as Strathmore's interview and entrance exam.

How much does a student's pass cost?

According to the Directorate of Immigration Services, the Student's Pass costs 100 US dollars per year for non-East Africans and is free for citizens of East African Community states (checked October 2026).