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UN University of Nairobi logo

University of Nairobi

ยท Public University

Admissions open
Type
Public University
Founded
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Students
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International
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University of Nairobi: the applicant's brief

6 findings
  1. The short answer

    The University of Nairobi is a public research university in Nairobi, Kenya. It suits international students who want a large Kenyan university with a research focus and are comfortable checking programme details directly on the university website.

  2. What you can study

    The university is a collegiate research university. The programme areas and full catalogue are not published in the information available here, so the current list of subjects and degrees should be confirmed on the university website before applying.

  3. Getting in

    International applicants should check the universityโ€™s official admissions pages for entry requirements, document lists, deadlines, and any country-specific instructions. If a programme has its own selection rules or language requirements, those should be confirmed directly with the admissions office before submitting an application.

  4. What it costs

    The university does not publish a tuition fee range in the information available here; confirm the current cost with its admissions office. Living costs in Nairobi will depend on housing, transport, food, and personal spending, so you should budget separately for those items.

  5. Coming from abroad

    The language of instruction is not stated here, so confirm it before applying, especially if you need an English-taught programme. Also check visa steps, document authentication, health insurance, accommodation, and whether your chosen programme has any extra requirements for international students on the universityโ€™s official site.

  6. How it compares

    Kenya has 49 universities, so the University of Nairobi sits in a crowded national higher-education landscape. Its main distinguishing feature is size and research orientation, which makes it a strong option for students who want a major public university rather than a smaller specialist institution.

Written from this university's catalogue entry and its cited encyclopedia summary. Figures are only shown where the institution or a cited source publishes them โ€” always confirm fees and entry requirements with the university itself before applying.

Questions about University of Nairobi

What type of university is it?

It is a public university.

Where is it located?

It is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

What is its academic focus?

It is a collegiate research university.

Is it the largest university in Kenya?

Yes, it is described as the largest university in Kenya.

Overview

The University of Nairobi is a collegiate research university based in Nairobi and is the largest university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution dates back to 1956, it did not become an independent university until 1970. During that year, the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities: the Makerere University in Uganda, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and the University of Nairobi in Kenya.

Programs at University of Nairobi

6 programs across 2 study levels.

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tuition fees & costs

Indicative annual tuition

On request

Indicative living cost

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Fees vary by programme and are indicative. Confirm exact fees with the university before applying.

Admission requirements

How to apply

  1. 1Check the entry requirements and intake dates for your chosen programme on the official university website.
  2. 2Confirm you meet the academic requirements (high-school certificate, bachelorโ€™s degree or equivalent) for the programme.
  3. 3Apply directly through the university admission portal, or via its official application platform.
  4. 4Submit your transcripts and English-proficiency scores (IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo English Test) and pay the application fee.
  5. 5On receiving your offer letter, accept it and begin your student-visa process for Kenya.

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Last updated 29 Aug 2026. Information is provided for guidance โ€” verify with official sources before applying.

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