The management of the University of Nairobi (UoN) has released the Application Criteria/Requirement for the Student of the institution.
The University of Nairobi, UoN Students applying to Undergraduates, Postgraduate, Diploma, Masters programs, etc must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for admission.
Table of Contents
UoN General Admissions Requirement / Fee Structure
Undergraduate Admission Criteria
Bridging Courses
The minimum admission criteria to Bridging Courses shall be:
- KCSE mean grade of C+ or equivalent and at least a C- in the subject to be bridged or equivalent
Certificate Courses
Admission to Certificate Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications:
- KCSE mean grade of C- or equivalent.
- An O’ level means a 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 a period of 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
- O Level Division II or equivalent plus a Diploma
- O Level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma
- O Level Division III or equivalent plus a three-year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary Institution for admissions to Bachelor of Education
- Diploma from 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 recognised by Senate
- O Level Division III or equivalent plus a three-year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary Institution for admissions to Bachelor of Education
- Diploma from 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 recognised by Senate
Module II & III, Self Sponsored Programmes and Distance Education
Application Dates
The University of Nairobi has three intakes in an Academic year
- Main intake being 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.
The advertisements for the intakes are usually carried in the local press two months before the intake and March/April for the September/October main intake.
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 Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Distance Education
The University of Nairobi has embarked on a ‘Distance Learning’ mode of delivery intended to favor those students who may not be available to take courses either on a 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.
Deferment
An applicant who for any reason is unable to take up the offer of admission will be required to inform the Academic Registrar by either filling in Form J1/1B of the joining instructions or writing directly to the Academic Registrar. This information should reach the Academic Registrar at least one week prior to the date of registration. An applicant will be required to apply to defer admission on an annual basis but after the second year the offer of admission will lapse and the applicant will be required to re-apply afresh for admission.
It is important that an applicant who defers admission ensures that he or she receives an official letter of deferment of admission from the Academic Registrar. An applicant who fails to inform the Academic Registrar of his/her deferment of admission will be deemed to have forfeited his/her position and will be deregistered from the course admitted to.
Undergraduate Admission Enquiry
For any queries about undergraduate admissions please contact:
The Academic Registrar, Admissions Office Reception,
University of Nairobi, Main Campus
Administration Block, 1st Floor
Tel: +254-20-318262 Ext. 28285 or 28213,
Fax: +254-20-245566 or
via E-mail at admission@uonbi.ac.ke
Graduate Admission Criteria
Masters Degree:
Applicants for masters degree programmes should have a minimum of Upper Second Class Honours Degree in the relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or Equivalent qualification from Institutions recognized by the Senate.
Persons with lower qualifications but with publications and postgraduate diplomas after Bachelors’ degrees are also considered for admission.
Postgraduate Diploma & Certificates:
Applicants for Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates should have a minimum of a pass degree.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree:
The applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree should have a masters degree from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from institutions recognized by the Senate.
In addition, the applicants should submit a research proposal showing that they are capable of carrying out original research.
Duration of Courses
| Programme | Minimum Duration |
| Doctor of Philosophy | 36 months |
| Doctor of Medicine | _ |
| Masters Degree Programmes | 18 months |
| Postgraduate Diplomas | 9 months |
| Postgraduate Certificates | 6 months |
Mode of Study
The mode of study is flexible and a student can study on a full-time or part-time basis or even by distance learning.
Fees
The fees vary from one programme to another and also by the mode of study.
The current fees for Local and International students are available from the Director, Graduate School or from the Deans, Directors of respective Faculties, Institutes and Schools.
Commencement Dates
Most courses commence in September but a few postgraduate part-time courses start in January and May of each year.
Application Procedure
Application is done at Online Self Sponsored Students Application System
Download the Application procedure here for guidance.
Graduate Admission Enquiry
For further information on Postgraduate Studies and admissions, please contact the following:
Director, Graduate School,
P.O. Box 30197 00100 GPO, NAIROBI
Telephone Number: 020 491 0000
E-mail: gs@uonbi.ac.ke
Website: http://graduateschool.uonbi.ac.ke
Financial Information
Application Fees
- The requirement to apply through Online Application System
Undergraduate Programmes Application Fees (Non-Refundable)
- The online application system (https://application.uonbi.ac.ke) has a provision for payment.
Select and apply for the course you are interested in studying. You will be issued with a REFERENCE NUMBER and directed to pay the prescribed application fee. You can pay the application fees using:
i. Credit / Debit Card
ii. Mpesa Pay Bill
iii. Direct Cash deposit at any KCB branch
Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation of the payment on the email address and phone registered in the Application System.
Graduate Programmes Application Fees (Non-Refundable)
- The online application system (https://application.uonbi.ac.ke) has a provision for payment.
Select and apply for the course you are interested in studying. You will be issued with a REFERENCE NUMBER and directed to pay the prescribed application fee. You can pay the application fees using:
i. Credit / Debit Card
ii. Mpesa Pay Bill
iii. Direct Cash deposit at any KCB branch
Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation of the payment on the email address and phone registered in the Application System.
Fee Structure for Undergraduate Programmes
Obtain fees structure for various courses in the various college websites by following the links below
- College of Architecture and Engineering
- College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences
- College of Biological & Physical Sciences
- College of Education and External Studies
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Fee Structure for Postgraduate Programmes
Obtain fees structure for various courses in the various college websites by following the links below
