University of Nairobi Entry Requirements

The University of Nairobi welcomes applications from qualified students across the world.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The application process has several aspects to it, including qualifications, experience and your reference

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

The University of Nairobi recognizes the London GCE, ‘A’ level qualifications or their equivalents; International Baccalaureate, any final secondary/high school examination deemed equivalent to the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education as recognized by the Kenya National Examinations Council or any internationally recognized examination body.

KENYA ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

To check the equivalence of your qualification to Kenya entrance requirements, please visit the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) http://rev.knqa.go.ke, you will be required to create a profile before applying for recognition, equation and verification of your national and foreign qualifications. For more information visit http://www.knqa.go.ke/. The KNQA charges a nominal fee for this service.

POST GRADUATE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

  • Degree certificates and transcripts presented for consideration should be certified by the issuing institutions.
  • Translation of certificates not in English is mandatory for ease of processing.
  • ·Degree certificates and transcripts of institutions not accredited should be subjected to a verification process by the Commission for University Education (CUE)
  • ·Documents such as Kenya pupil’s pass, commitment letters, valid passports etc should be available. 

General Admissions Criteria

Resources

Online Application for self sponsored applicants

Undergraduate self sponsored student application

Admission Information Boooklet for Undergraduates

Name Amendment Form

Certificate Courses

Admission to Certificate Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications:

  • KCSE means a 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 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the Senate

Foundation Courses

The university offers foundation courses in Sciences and Arts.

Applicants who have a C- would be admitted to the Foundation Course as a prerequisite for university admission.

Module II & III, Self-Sponsored Programmes and Distance Education

Application Dates

The University of Nairobi has three intakes in an Academic year.

The main intake is 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

Application Procedure

Access the online application system to make your application.

Proficiency in English

Applicants from non-English speaking countries will be required to produce a certificate of proficiency in English such as the 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.

STUDENT PASS ( VISA)

All international students are required to obtain a student pass (Visa). This is a document issued to applicants (foreign students) (section 30(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations 2012, who wish to pursue their education in Kenya’s Education or Training Institutions where they have been accepted or admitted. The applicant (foreign student) must be accepted as a student by an approved Educational or Training Establishment. The International Office which is currently domiciled at the Directorate of Corporate Affairs facilitates the process of student pass (Visa).

NEW APPLICANTS

  • A duly filled, signed and stamped application Form 30, by the institution’s authorized personnel. You will print out the form at the end of the application for a Student Visa.
  • Detailed and Signed Cover letter addressed to the Director of Immigration Services from the institution indicating the course to be pursued and the duration
  • Signed commitment letter from the sponsor or sponsoring institution or proof of funds for self-sponsored students
  • National passport copy of the sponsor/parent or guardian.
  • Copy of a valid national passport (the bio-data page)
  • Current immigration status for the pupil/student(If in the country)
  • Two (2) recent passport-size color photos.
  • Duly certified Copies of basic academic certificates.
  • Documents in foreign languages should be translated into English by either the Embassy, Public Notary, or authorized /recognized institution
  • Clearance letter from Department of Refugee Affairs for refugees.
  • Police Clearance Certificate from the country of origin, or if a resident, from the Kenya Police Service​

You can access  Form 30 through this link https://fns.immigration.go.ke/ .  If you have have challenges in creating an account, please send your  documents to pr@uonbi.ac.ke or  echesoni@uonbi.ac.ke

For more information about international students please click here

To apply for a course click here

To see courses offered please click here