In Kenya, the University of Nairobi (UoN) is the number one university of choice for all Kenyan students who have just completed their Secondary education. The university offers several courses at all levels, including the Bachelor’s, Master`s, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Post Graduate Diploma, Diploma Certificate, and Fellowship Programs. In 2024, the University of Nairobi was ranked Number 2 in Kenya by the Times Higher Education. So, if you want to join the University of Nairobi, you have come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about UON, from courses to the admission Process.
The University of Nairobi (UoN) is one of the oldest, with a rich history dating back to 1956 when it was established as the Royal Technical College. Later, in 1970, it was transformed into the University of Nairobi. The University operates and was established by an Act of Parliament, Cap 210 of the Laws of Kenya.
Schools at the University Of Nairobi
As of the writing, the University offers a handful of courses, approximately over 400 at all higher study levels. The courses at the university are spread across various schools (faculties). There are about a total of 11 Schools which include:
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of The Built Environment And Design
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science and Technology
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Business and Management Sciences
UoN Courses Offered in 2025/26
What makes the University of Nairobi stand out is the diverse number of courses that it offers. Whether you want to be a Trained Teacher, doctor, Lawyer, or even engineer, the university has something that will interest you across all levels.
The academic year for 2025 spans 2026, with intakes and application deadlines varying depending on the program level. As per the latest data on the official website, Bachelor’s and Diploma programs typically have intakes in February and September, with application deadlines in early March (e.g., March 2nd, 2025) and late September (e.g., September 26th, 2025), respectively.
Master’s programs also have intakes in February and September, with similar application deadlines. PhD and Fellowship programs primarily have September intakes, with application deadlines in late September (e.g., September 26th, 2025).
Below is the complete List of all the Programs offered at the University of Nairobi:
Bachelor Programmes
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Education and Extension
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics
- Bachelor of Science in Dryland Economics and Agro-Ecosystem Management
- Bachelor of Science in Dryland Sustainability Science and Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Planning
- Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Bachelor of Arts in Design
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Physiology
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
- Bachelor of Economics & Statistics
- Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Science in Meteorology
- Bachelor of Interior Design
- Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- Bachelor of Real Estate
- Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Bachelor of Science in Anatomy
- Bachelor of Science in Microprocessor Technology & Instrumentation
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Education in Physical Education & Sport
- Bachelor of Science in Geology
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Analytical Chemistry
- Bachelor of Quantity Surveying
- Bachelor of Project Planning and Management
- Bachelor of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Production
- Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
- Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Construction Management
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Information Science
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management and Conservation
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
- Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development Studies
- Bachelor of Education (Arts)
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Architecture
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources Management
- Bachelor of Political Science and Public Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Statistics
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Education (Science)
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Masters Programmes
- Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
- Master of Science in Food Science and Technology
- MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics
- Master of Science in Horticulture
- Master of Science in Land and Water Management
- MSc in Agricultural Information and Communication Management
- Master of Science in Dryland Resource Management
- Master of Science in Sustainable Management and Operations
- Master of Science in Crop Protection
- Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition
- Master of Science in Agronomy
- Master of Science in Food Safety and Quality
- Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Courses
- Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture Resource Management
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Soil Science
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Plant Pathology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Applied Human Nutrition
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Crop Protection
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Food Science and Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Agronomy
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Management of Agroecosystems and Environment
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding
- Doctor of Philosophy in Range Management
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Financial Mathematics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Religious Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Policy
- Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmacognosy and Complementary Medicine
- Ph.D. in Climate Change and Adaptation
- Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Geographical Information System
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Veterinary Public Health
- Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Research – KAVI
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Bioinformatics
- Doctor of Philosophy in History
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Business Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Nutrition and Feed Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical & Infectious Diseases
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Mathematical Statistics
- PhD in Gender and Development Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Philosophy
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Law
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmaceutics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Geology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Planning
- Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics and Languages
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Implementation Science – KAVI
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biotechnology
- PhD in Communication and Information Studies
- Ph.D in Project Planning and Management
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Animal Genetics and Breeding
- Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Statistics
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Applied Mathematics
- Ph.D. (Anthropology)
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science and Public Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education
- Ph.D. (Dental Surgery)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health
- Doctor of Philosophy in Meteorology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Management
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Interpretation
- Ph.D. Nuclear Science
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Comparative Animal Physiology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Nursing Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
- Doctor of Philosophy in Kiswahili Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Civil Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Veterinary Clinical Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy in Virology – KAVI
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Actuarial Science
- Doctor of Philosophy International Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public Policy
- Doctor of Philosophy in Distance Education
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Anatomy
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Environmental Governance and Management
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Design
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Translation
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geospatial Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Veterinary Medicine Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Pharmacology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Information Systems
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geography and Environmental Studies
- PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Immunology-KAVI
- Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
- Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology)
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Medical Physiology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Pure Mathematics
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Construction Management
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Literature
- Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Law
- Doctor of Philosophy Pathobiology
- PhD in Drug Discovery and Development
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Computer Science
Post Graduate Diploma Courses
- Postgraduate diploma in gender-based violence in emergencies
- Postgraduate diploma in migration studies
- Pgd in education
- Postgraduate diploma in one health and emergency research ethics
Diploma Courses
- Diploma in renal nursing
- Diploma in human resource management
- Diploma in International Studies
- Diploma in public relations
- Diploma in Psychology
- Diploma in purchasing and supplies management
- Diploma in Social Work and social development
- Diploma in project planning and management
- Diploma in criminology and social order
- Diploma in education in emergencies
- Diploma in business management
Fellowships Courses
- Fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine
- Fellowship in paediatric anaesthesia
- Fellowship in paediatric and adolescent endocrinology
- Fellowship in the medical oncology training programme
- Fellowship in epidemiology
- Fellowship in interventional radiology
- Fellowship in clinical nephrology
- Fellowship in gynaecological oncology
- Fellowship in paediatric nephrology
- Fellowship in paediatric emergency and critical care
NOTE: The University of Nairobi does not offer the September 2025 Intake certificate courses.
University of Nairobi Online Application Portal
Technology has changed how the world operates, and so far, the education sector has benefited the most. If you are planning to Join UON, you do not need to visit the institution physically; there is the online admission portal, which has made it easier for Self-Sponsered students and the KUCPPS students for stunts who are joining the institution via government scholarship.
Below is the Process of recession UON Application portal and even applying for a course:
- Visit the official application Portal homepage at https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/
- Click on the “Register” button marked on a green button
- Fill out the registration form by providing all the required details. This includes your official names. Country, email and Password
- Navigate to your email account and check for a verification link sent to your mail. If you do not see the email in your inbox, kindly check the SPAM folder.
- Once you log in, you will be redirected to your accounts. Here, you can Update your Profile, Upload additional documents, view application instructions, and Apply for admission.
- To Apply for any program, click on “Apply Now” and proceed with 6 Steps, Pay application fees, and finally submit your Application
On the other hand, if you are a government-sponsored student, you can submit your application through the KUCCPS Portal.
UoN Fee Structure
Selecting a course at the University of Nairobi is one thing, but there are still other key requirements. These include knowing how much the University of Nairobi charges per semester. The Fees structure at UoN varies depending on the course and the level of studies that you are currently enrolled in.
The University of Nairobi has a non-discriminatory fee policy, meaning international students are charged the same fees as Kenyan students. The fee structure consists of academic Charges ( Consult with the administration to get charges on this ) and administrative charges, which are as follows:
Undergraduate
| SN | ITEM | AMOUNT (KSH) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application (once) | 3,000.00 |
| 2 | Registration (per sem.) | 2,250.00 |
| 3 | ICT Services (p.a) | 7,000.00 |
| 4 | Library (p.a) | 4,000.00 |
| 5 | Medical (p.a) | 6,500.00 |
| 6 | ID Card (p.a) | 1,000.00 |
| 7 | Activity (p.a) | 2,000.00 |
| 8 | Students’ Organization (p.a) | 1,000.00 |
| 9 | Examination (per unit) | 1,000.00 |
| 10 | Caution (once) | 5,000.00 |
Postgraduate
| SN | ITEM | AMOUNT (KSH) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application (once) | Masters: 4,000 |
| Doctorate: 5,000 | ||
| 2 | Registration (per sem.) | 2,250 |
| 3 | Library (p.a) | 5,000 |
| 4 | ICT Services (p.a) | 7,000 |
| 5 | Medical (p.a) | 6,500 |
| 6 | ID Card (p.a) | 1,000 |
| 7 | Activity (p.a) | 2,000 |
| 8 | Student Organization (p.a) | 1,000 |
| 9 | Examination (per unit) | 1,000 |
| 10 | Thesis Examination | Masters: 30,000 |
| Doctorate: 50,000 | ||
| 11 | Caution (once) | 5,000 |
Higher Doctorate Degrees
| SN | ITEM | AMOUNT (KSH) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration | 5,000 |
| 2 | ICT Services | 15,000 |
| 3 | Identity Card | 1,000 |
| 4 | Library Resources | 10,000 |
| 5 | Examination Fees | 110,000 |
| 6 | Graduation Gown | 80,000 |
| 7 | Citation | 250,000 |
| 8 | Handling Charges | 25,000 |
| TOTAL | 496,000 |
Fee payments can be made via Bank or M-Pesa. See this article on how to pay UoN fees
FAQs
How much is the fee structure per semester at Nairobi University?
The cost of a course at the University of Nairobi varies depending on the assigned course and whether you are a government-sponsored or self-sponsored student. Generally, you can expect to pay between KES 20,000 and KES 496,000 per academic year.
How many intakes does UoN have?
The university has three intakes in an Academic year. One in September/October, another in December/January and finally, the last intake is in April/May
How much is the application fee for the University of Nairobi?
During course application at UoN, all applicants must pay an application fee. These fees are none refundable and are as follows:
| Program Level | Application Fee | International Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Kshs. 3,000 | USD 50 |
| Master’s | Kshs. 3,000 | USD 50 |
| PhD | Kshs. 4,000 | USD 50 |
How can I get an admission letter for the University of Nairobi?
To access your admission letter, follow the steps below:
- Visit the UON students portal at smis.uonbi.ac.ke
- Enter the Registration number, e.g. C3/3333/2023, as username and KCSE index number as password, e.g. 123456789112022
- Proceed with the rest of the Prompts to access your Admiisons letter.
Conclusion
For a good reason, the University of Nairobi is one of Kenya’s most rated and ranked positions. At UoN, you are guaranteed to study courses that attract immediate employment after your studies. So, understanding the courses on offer, their fee structure, and their admission process is essential for your success.
This guide covers everything you need to know. So there you have it. If you have any questions, comment below, and we will reply. All the best.
