USIU Courses, Fee Structures, And Admission Process in 2025

Kenya is home to many Universities, both Public and Private institutions. If you are looking for the best private universities in Kenya, the United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa) is one of the best places of higher learning on your bucket list. According to edurank.org World university ranking for 2024, the USIU-Africa ranks number 30 in Kenya out of the 63 universities, 372 out of 1,104 in Africa, and 7850 out of the 14,131 Universities in the world. Therefore, this has placed USIU a good place for many students who are looking to have a sustainable future and make an impact in the communities around them

If you want to join the United States International University – Africa, understanding the Courses on Offer is essential. Additionally, it is not just about knowing the courses but also meeting the admission requirements. In this article, we will walk you through all that you need to know about the USIU-Africa

USIU-Africa History

The USIU-Africa has been operational in Kenya for more than a decade. Its long history can be traced back to 1969 when it was established as the Nairobi Campus of the United States International University, headquartered in San Diego.

The founder of the United States International University – Africa is Dr. William C. Rust

However, in 1969, it was not until 1979 that the first cohort of students graduated from the University in Kenya.

Some of the Major achievements of the United States International University—Africa include establishing the Chandaria School of Business in 2004, constructing an ultra-modern library, and opening the Science Center in 2007 and 2015, respectively.

The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States and the Commission for University Education (CUE) in Kenya.

Schools at the USIU-Africa

The University has 7 schools as follows:

• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Chandaria School of Business
• School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts
• School of Science and Technology
• School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• School of Graduate Studies
• Center for Executive Education

Which courses are offered at USIU?

If the United States International University—Africa is your top choice university in Kenya, then understanding the courses offered is important. The university offers quite a number of courses for all aspiring applicants in undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate programs.

These programs are offered through various schools and departments as listed down below:

Chandaria School of Business Programs

1. Bachelor of Global Leadership and Governance
2. Bachelor of Science in Accounting
3. Bachelor of Science in Finance
4. Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
5. Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration
6. Master of Science in Global Banking and Finance
7. Online Master of Business Administration
8. Master of Business Administration
9. MBA – Global Business Management
10. MBA – Health Leadership and Management
11. Master of Science in Management and Organizational Development
12. Doctor of Business Administration

School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts Programs

1. Bachelor of Arts in Animation
2. Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing
3. Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
4. Master of Arts in Communication Studies

School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension Programs

1. Data Analytics using Power BI
2. Data Management and Analytics using SPSS
3. Qualitative Data Analysis using NVIVO
4. STATA for Beginners
5. STATA for Advanced Level
6. R for Beginners
7. R for Advanced Level

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

1. Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
2. Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies
3. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
4. Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
5. Master of Arts in Criminal and Transitional Justice
6. Master of Arts in International Relations
7. Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
8. Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
9. Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
10. Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D), Clinical Psychology
11. Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations

School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

1. Bachelor of Pharmacy
2. Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry
3. Bachelor of Technology in Analytical Chemistry
4. Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

School of Science and Technology

1. Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Technology
2. Bachelor of Science in Information Systems & Technology
3. Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics
4. Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
5. Master of Science in Information Security
6. Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology
7. Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems and Technology

What are the requirements for USIU-Africa?

For each course that you will select for admission at USIU- Africa, you must meet its requirements so that you can get admitted. Failure to meet the specific eligibility criteria for your course of choice will lead to automatic disQualificafication

To elevate your application experience, below we have listed the general admissions requirements for various levels of courses offered at the University:

Undergraduate Admissions

• Applicants Must have a Grade C+ or higher in KCSE
• Five credits in 5 subjects at ‘O’ Level, with three principal passes at ‘A’ Level.
• Five upper-level passes at the ‘O’ Level and three principal passes at the ‘A’ Level.
• 5 passes of grade 4 or above.
• 12th Grade with a GPA of 2.50 or higher in US High School Diploma

Masters Admissions

• Official undergraduate/bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
• Proof of high school graduation with dates
• Detailed personal narrative plus Two letters of recommendation
• Completed USIU-Africa application form
• (For non-native English speakers)
  • TOEFL Scores:
    • Paper-based: 550 or higher
    • Computer-based: 213 or higher
    • Internet-based (IBT): 90 or higher
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grade C or better)

Doctoral Admissions

• Official master’s degree certificate and transcripts
• Official undergraduate/bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
• Personal narrative and two or more Letters of recommendation
• English proficiency proof is the same as listed in the master’s section below

United States International University application-Africa process

The process of applying to join USIU-Africa is easy as long as you meet the requirements. However, be aware meeting the Course requirements does not guarantee you direct entry, as the university considers many factors to assess your eligibility:

To Apply to join USIU, follow the process below:

• On your Browser, Visit the Official USIU website at https://www.usiu.ac.ke/home/
• Locate the “Appl Now Button” in the top navigation bar marked in Blue
• On the presented Online application form, Choose your level of study and Fill out the application form with all the relevant details.
• Pay the required application fee, which varies depending on the level of study. Once you have done this, submit your application and await a response.

The Application fee is as follows.

USIU fee structure

All students must have cleared their outstanding fee balance to attend any semester and sit for the end-of-year examinations. This also applies to students who are applying for various courses at the institution; one should clear the fee for that course before being admitted.

The fee structure for courses at USIU-Africa varies based on the courses one is studying for. Below, we have highlighted the fee structures for all courses:

Undergraduate/Bachelors Costs

Graduate/Masters Costs

Post-Graduate/Doctoral Costs

How To Pay USIU Fees

The university offers many methods for paying for your university fees. Below, we have reviewed every single option:

M-Pesa

To pay on M-PESA, please follow the prompts below:

• On your phone, Go to the ‘M-PESA’ Menu
• Select ‘Lipa na M-PESA’ and choose ‘Pay bill’
• Enter a Business number: 516900
• Enter the Account number: Student ID – (hyphen), then the purpose code. (FOR EXAMPLE 66XXXX-TUIT, or 66XXXX-ADM, or 66XXXX-PPP)
• Enter the amount you wish to pay
• Enter your PIN and click send.

To see codes to use in the account section, consider checking this article

Bank Accounts

For those who prefer using the Banking option, the following accounts are applicable:

Online Payment

It also has a special online portal that you can use to pay your fees and other charges. Here is how:

• Visit the CX Student Portal https://cx.usiu.ac.ke and login
• Navigate to the Studnet Tab>>My Account Info>>Balances>> Make Payment
• Here, enter the amount you’re paying for
• When done, click on Submit. A new Portal will open. You will be required to fill in your Visa or Mastercard details
• Follow the Rest Of the prompts to Make a Fee Payment

USIU mastercard scholarships

If you are looking to join the United States International University-Africa but are short of finances, you will be glad to hear that the university has partnered with Mastercard Foundation to offer free university scholarships to those who are less privileged in society

The Catch is that you have to meet the requirements, which basically include the following:

• You must be a Young Woman or Man up to 29 Years old. The age limit for Refugees and youth with disabilities is 32.
• Applicants must meet the university admission requirement
• Applicants should have a giving-back spirit and demonstrate leadership skills

How To Apply

The application for Mastercard Scholarships at USIU takes place in May and September. During this period, applicants can head over to the USIU website, Navigate to the Scholarship section, Download the application forms, and fill them out as required.

The application form should be submitted as scanned copies in PDF format to mcfsp-applications@usiu.ac.ke, with your name and nationality as the email’s subject.

USIU-Africa Contacts

For immediate assistance, reach the university at:

• Address: USIU Road, Off Thika Road (Exit 7),
• P. O. Box 14634 – 00800, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa.
• Main Lines: +254 730 116 000 /290 /291
• Admissions Office: +254 730 116 247 /300 /397 /503 /522
• Email: admit@usiu.ac.ke

FAQs

Conclusion

Whoops, that’s a lot, but ther you have it. We hope this article has given you a clear overview of the USIU- Africa. The university is a centre of excellence with a student population of more than 6,000 students from over 70 countries. If you are looking to join an esteemed University in Kenyan understanding the Programs on offer and the admissions process is a king to your approval

In this guide, we have explained everything you need to know. We wish you all the best in your academic journey ahead.