Study and find schools in Kenya

Studying in Kenya

Kenya is an English-speaking study destination in East Africa, with Nairobi as its main student city. The 2019 census by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics counted 47,564,296 people, up from 37.7 million in 2009. For international students the country offers degree programmes taught in English, a growing private university sector and easy travel within the East African Community.

English is the working language of Kenyan universities and of the immigration system: documents in other languages must be translated into English for a student's pass. Kiswahili is also widely used and is taught as a subject at universities such as the University of Nairobi, which has a Kiswahili department.

The education system in Kenya

University education is regulated by the Commission for University Education (CUE), a body established by the Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012. CUE accredits universities and their academic programmes and publishes the list of institutions allowed to teach at university level. It states that it will close down institutions that offer university education without its authority, so checking an institution's status with CUE is the first step for any applicant.

The main levels relevant to international students are:

• Public and private universities offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees
• University diplomas and certificates
• Technical and vocational education and training (TVET): national polytechnics and technical training institutes
• Professional qualifications taught at universities and colleges, such as accounting certifications

Technical and vocational training is regulated by a separate body, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), which licenses, registers and accredits programmes, institutions and trainers. Foreign universities can also teach in Kenya, but only through an arrangement with a Kenyan institution approved by CUE; the commission publishes the list of approved collaborations.

Each university publishes its own academic calendar and intake dates, so check them before applying.

Admission and recognition

Kenyan students finish secondary school with the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). The state placement agency KUCCPS selects students for government-sponsored places at universities, national polytechnics and technical training institutes. The University of Nairobi distinguishes between government-sponsored and self-sponsored students; international applicants normally apply directly to the university as self-sponsored students through its online system. The University of Nairobi charges international applicants an application fee of USD 50.

For foreign school-leaving certificates, the benchmark used by CUE when it recognises bachelor's degrees is the KCSE with a mean grade of C+ or an accredited and recognised equivalent. Private universities may add their own steps: Strathmore University's admission process includes an interview and an entrance exam before fee payment.

CUE also handles the recognition and equation of foreign diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications. Students who plan to work in Kenya after graduating abroad, or who enter a Kenyan master's programme with a foreign bachelor's degree, may need this recognition.

Student visa and residence

Foreign students need a Student's Pass, which the Directorate of Immigration Services describes as an authorisation for a foreigner to study at an academic or training institution that has accepted or admitted them. The application is supported by the institution, which signs and stamps the form and writes a cover letter stating the course and its duration. Among other documents, the immigration page lists:

• A copy of the passport and recent passport-size photos
• Certified copies of academic certificates for students joining tertiary institutions
• A commitment letter from the sponsor and proof of funds for self-sponsored students
• A police clearance certificate for adults and a CV
• Parental consent and birth certificate for minors

The fee listed in October 2026 is 100 US dollars per year for students from outside the East African Community, while citizens of EAC member states pay nothing. To travel to Kenya, most visitors also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA); the government recommends applying at least two weeks before travel, and some nationalities are exempt. Always check the current rules on the official immigration and eTA sites before you book.

Costs

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 aimed at Kenyan students. Budget for the annual Student's Pass fee and the university application fee as well as tuition and living costs.

Where to study

All schools in our directory for Kenya are in Nairobi, the capital. 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 and lists 332 academic programmes and about 38,000 students, with additional campuses in Mombasa on the coast and Kisumu on Lake Victoria. It runs an international students office at its main campus.

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 offers bachelor's and master's degrees in fields such as business, law, computing, tourism and hospitality, alongside professional courses.

The subjects most often offered by the Kenyan schools in our directory include management, business administration, information technology and education.

Practical life

Nairobi is the capital and the seat of the national bodies a student deals with, from the Commission for University Education to the Directorate of Immigration Services at Nyayo House. Ask your university about student accommodation, health cover and campus services before arrival; the University of Nairobi, for example, provides information for international students on accommodation, health services and travel requirements.

Frequently asked questions

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 English is the language of the immigration and admission paperwork.

How can I check that a Kenyan university is accredited?

The Commission for University Education (CUE) regulates universities and publishes the list of accredited institutions and approved programmes on its website.

Do I need a visa to study in Kenya?

Yes, foreign students need a Student's Pass, applied for with the support of the admitting institution. The fee is 100 US dollars per year for non-East Africans and free for citizens of East African Community states.

What grades 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 qualification. Each university sets its own programme requirements on top of that.

Can I get a government-sponsored place as an international student?

Government-sponsored places are allocated by KUCCPS on the basis of the KCSE. International students normally apply directly to a university as self-sponsored students.