Overview
Founded in 2008, the Mount Kenya University is a private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Thika (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Kiambu.
This institution also has branch campuses in Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Kigali, Lodwar, Kakamega and Nkubu Meru. Officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya, Mount Kenya University (MKU) is a very large-sized coeducational Kenyan higher education institution.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 16-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. MKU 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
Address, contact details, and online presence for Mount Kenya University are summarised below.
Academic Details
A snapshot of Mount Kenya University's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and recognition.
Academic Structures
Mount Kenya University's faculties, schools, and constituent units are listed below.
Unit 19 items
- Centre for Professional Development
- College of graduate studies and research
- College of health sciences
- Equip Africa Institute
- Graduate Enterprise Academy
- Institute of Security studies, Justice and Ethics
- Medical School
- School of Business and Economics
- School of Clinical Medicine
- School of Computing and Informatics
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management
- School of Law
- School of Nursing
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Public Health
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences
- School of Social Sciences
Degrees
Also Executive MBA and International Executive MBA.
Bachelor's 67 programs
- Actuarial Science
- Administration
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry
- Arabic
- Art Education
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business and Commerce
- Communication Studies
- Community Development
- Community Health
- Computer Science
- Criminology
- Dental Technology
- Development Studies
- Dietetics
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Film
- Finance
- Food Science
- Government
- Health Administration
- Health Education
- Health Sciences
- Hotel Management
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Industrial Chemistry
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Laboratory Techniques
- Law
- Management
- Mass Communication
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Oral Pathology
- Peace and Disarmament
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Pharmacy
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Real Estate
- Science Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Tourism
Master's 64 programs
- Accountancy
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Civil Security
- Community Development
- Community Health
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Dietetics
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- English
- Entomology
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Ethics
- Film
- Finance
- Food Science
- Geography
- Government
- Health Administration
- Health Education
- History
- Hotel Management
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Human Resources
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Journalism
- Justice Administration
- Laboratory Techniques
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Media Studies
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Police Studies
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Religious Studies
- Sales Techniques
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Statistics
- Sustainable Development
- Swahili
Doctoral 30 programs
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Development Studies
- Ecology
- Education
- English
- Entomology
- Immunology
- Information Technology
- Justice Administration
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Medical Technology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Nursing
- Organic Chemistry
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Swahili
- Zoology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Commission for University Education of Kenya.
Health Sciences (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Community Health
- Dietetics
- Health Sciences
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
Film, Creative and Performing Arts (Institute) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dance
- Film
- Music
- Theatre
Security Studies Justice and Ethics (Institute) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ethics
- Government
- Law
- Peace and Disarmament
Business and Economics (School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Economics
- Finance
- Hotel Management
- Management
- Tourism
Computing and Informatics (SCI) (School) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Computing
- Computer Science
- Information Management
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
Education (School) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Curriculum
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
- Educational Technology
- Preschool Education
- Special Education
Engineering, Energy and the Built Environment (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Tourism
Law (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Postgraduate Studies (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Social Sciences
Pure and Applied Sciences (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Actuarial Science
- Animal Husbandry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
Social Sciences (School) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Languages
- Arts and Humanities
- Civil Security
- Development Studies
- English
- Ethics
- Government
- Journalism
- Mass Communication
- Modern Languages
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Swahili
Programs Offered
Browse Mount Kenya University's programmes by level, or filter by name.
187 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Kenya
Bachelor's Degree 89 programmes
Showing 10 of 89.
Master's Degree 58 programmes
Showing 10 of 58.
Doctorate 33 programmes
Showing 10 of 33.
Postgraduate Diploma 7 programmes
How to apply to Mount Kenya University
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Mount Kenya University, in five steps.
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1
Identify the right programme
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Mount Kenya University offers 187 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 entry requirements
Each programme at Mount Kenya 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
Prepare your application documents
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
Submit via the institution
Apply directly via Mount Kenya University's online portal at www.mku.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
Get in touch with admissions
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +254 709 153 000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mount Kenya University
Quick reference for Mount Kenya University: founding, control type, and recognition status.
When did Mount Kenya University open?
Mount Kenya University traces its founding to 1996 (approximately 30 years ago).
What city is Mount Kenya University in?
Mount Kenya University operates from Thika, Kenya.
Is Mount Kenya University a public or private institution?
Mount Kenya University is a private institution.
How big is Mount Kenya University's student body?
Mount Kenya University serves approximately over-50,000 students.
What degrees does Mount Kenya University offer?
Mount Kenya University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How is Mount Kenya University organised academically?
Mount Kenya University is organised into 19 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Mount Kenya University accredited?
Mount Kenya University is accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where can I learn more about Mount Kenya University?
Mount Kenya University's official website is www.mku.ac.ke.
Top-Ranked Universities in Kenya
Below: Kenya's top-ranked universities, providing benchmarks for Mount Kenya University's academic standing. National rankings reflect a mix of research output, teaching quality, and graduate outcomes.
Members of Association of African Business Schools (AABS)
Mount Kenya University and the universities below are both members of Association of African Business Schools (AABS).
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities located near Mount Kenya University are listed below.
Where Else to Study Business & Management
These universities in Kenya also offer Business & Management programmes, alongside Mount Kenya University.
Universities Compared with Mount Kenya University
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