Mount Kenya University
Thika, Kenya • Founded 1996
Updated May 2026
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
Geographic and contact information for Mount Kenya University — useful before scheduling visits or sending enquiries. Each channel below routes to a different team, so pick the one matching your question.
Academic Details
Mount Kenya University's academic structure, enrolment numbers, and accreditation context are gathered below. Together they describe how the institution operates beyond the surface-level overview.
Academic Structures
Mount Kenya University's academic backbone. Endowed schools (named after donors) may differ from general units in funding levels, scholarships available, and curriculum focus.
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
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- 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
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- 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
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- 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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering, Energy and the Built Environment (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
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
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Search and filter Mount Kenya University's available programmes by degree level. The list reflects the institution's current catalogue and may not include programmes that are paused or pending approval.
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, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
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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 answers to the most common questions about Mount Kenya University — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.
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)
The universities below share Mount Kenya University's Association of African Business Schools (AABS) membership, often coordinating on academic standards. Coordination simplifies credit transfer and joint-programme delivery between member institutions.
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities close to Mount Kenya University typically fall within the same regional student-transit zones, where transit discounts and shared passes reduce living costs across the cluster.
Where Else to Study Business & Management
Interested in Business & Management but want alternatives to Mount Kenya University? These institutions in Kenya also offer programmes in this field, each with their own specialisations and admissions paths. Comparing the curriculum across schools often surfaces differences worth weighing.
Universities Compared with Mount Kenya University
Looking at Mount Kenya University through a comparison lens? These universities share similar academic positioning and are commonly considered against Mount Kenya University during the application process. Cross-comparison helps clarify the institutional fit beyond ranking signals.
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