Kenyatta University
Nairobi, Kenya • Founded 1965 • QS 2025 #1201-1400
Updated May 2026 · Source: ku.ac.ke
Overview
Founded in 1985, the Kenyatta University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the metropolis of Nairobi (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
This institution also has branch campuses in Mombasa, Kitui, Nakuru, Embu, Ruiru, Nyeri, Kiambu, Kericho and Dadaab. Officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya, Kenyatta University (KU) is a very large-sized coeducational Kenyan higher education institution.
Kenyatta University (KU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 39-year-old Kenyan higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 90-99% making this Kenyan higher education organization a least selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. KU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Geographic and contact information for Kenyatta University is listed below.
Academic Details
Below are the institutional metrics for Kenyatta University: scale, staffing, and accreditation.
Academic Structures
Kenyatta University's academic units are listed below, by type.
Unit 19 items
- Digital School of Virtual and Open Learning
- Graduate School
- School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development
- School of Applied Human Sciences
- School of Architecture and the Built Environment
- School of Business
- School of Creative Arts, Film and Media Studies
- School of Economics
- School of Education
- School of Engineering and Technology
- School of Environmental Studies
- School of Hospitality and Tourism
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- School of Public Health
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences
- School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies
- School of Visual and Performing Arts
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Commission for University Education of Kenya.
Agriculture and Environmental Studies (School) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Economics
- Agriculture
- Development Studies
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Social and Community Services
Business, Economics and Tourism (School) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Econometrics
- Economics
- Finance
- Hotel Management
- Management
- Parks and Recreation
- Sports Management
- Statistics
- Tourism
Digital School of Virtual and Open Learning (School) 21 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Computer Engineering
- Educational Sciences
- Food Science
- Health Education
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Nutrition
- Parks and Recreation
- Physical Education
- Social and Community Services
- Social Sciences
- Special Education
- Sports
- Teacher Training
- Tourism
Education (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Curriculum
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
- Educational Technology
- Library Science
- Preschool Education
- Special Education
Engineering and Architecture (School) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering
- Architecture
- Architecture and Planning
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Information Technology
- Interior Design
- Mechanical Engineering
- Production Engineering
- Real Estate
Graduate (School) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Health Sciences
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
Health Sciences (School) 26 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anatomy
- Clinical Psychology
- Community Health
- Dermatology
- Dietetics
- Epidemiology
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Laboratory Techniques
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Occupational Health
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Parasitology
- Pathology
- Pharmacy
- Physical Education
- Physiology
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Public Health
- Sports
- Surgery
Law, Arts and Social Sciences (School) 37 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- Archaeology
- Civil Security
- Communication Studies
- Dance
- Design
- Development Studies
- English
- Film
- Fine Arts
- Foreign Languages Education
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- German
- History
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Japanese
- Korean
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Media Studies
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Peace and Disarmament
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Private Law
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Law
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Swahili
- Theatre
Pure and Applied Sciences (School) 16 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Actuarial Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Forensic Medicine and Dentistry
- Forensic Pathology
- Information Sciences
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Zoology
Programs Offered
All active programmes at Kenyatta University are listed by degree level.
269 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Kenya
Bachelor's Degree 129 programmes
Showing 10 of 129.
Master's Degree 108 programmes
Showing 10 of 108.
Doctorate 17 programmes
Showing 10 of 17.
Postgraduate Diploma 14 programmes
Showing 10 of 14.
How to apply to Kenyatta University
The application path for Kenyatta University, in five steps.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Kenyatta University offers 269 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at Kenyatta University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via Kenyatta University's online portal at www.ku.ac.ke. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at legaloffice@ku.ac.ke or by phone at +254 (20) 870 3000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kenyatta University
Concise answers to common questions about Kenyatta University.
When did Kenyatta University open?
Kenyatta University traces its founding to 1965 (approximately 61 years ago).
What city is Kenyatta University in?
Kenyatta University operates from Nairobi, Kenya.
What is Kenyatta University's control type?
Kenyatta University is a public institution.
How big is Kenyatta University's student body?
Kenyatta University serves approximately over-50,000 students.
How is Kenyatta University ranked?
Kenyatta University holds rank QS 2025 #1201-1400.
What programmes are available at Kenyatta University?
Kenyatta University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How is Kenyatta University organised academically?
Kenyatta University has 19 academic units.
Is Kenyatta University accredited?
Kenyatta University is accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE); Inter-university Council for East Africa.
What is Kenyatta University's official website?
You can find Kenyatta University online at www.ku.ac.ke.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Other members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) are listed below.
Faculties at nearby universities
These universities are located near Kenyatta University, listed below for students comparing options by location.
Where Else to Study Business & Management
Other institutions in Kenya teaching Business & Management are listed below for comparison with Kenyatta University.
Universities Compared with Kenyatta University
The institutions below are of a similar academic scale to Kenyatta University.
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