St. Paul's University
Limuru, Kenya • Founded 1903
Overview
Established in 1989, the St.
Paul's University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Limuru (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Kiambu. This institution also has branch campuses in Nairobi, Kapsabet and Maseno.
Officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya, St. Paul's University (SPU) is a small-sized coeducational Kenyan higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Protestant religion.
St.
Paul's University (SPU) 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 and master's degrees in several areas of study. This 35-year-old Kenyan higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. SPU 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
Where to find St. Paul's University, plus its phone, email, website, and social media links. Confirm the published channels here are current before sending application materials.
Academic Details
Enrolment scale, staff balance, and accreditation context for St. Paul's University are below. Female student percentage signals admissions reach and shapes the student-life environment.
Degrees
Explore the degree tracks available at St. Paul's University — from foundation routes through to doctoral programmes. Each level prepares graduates for distinct career or research trajectories.
Bachelor's 23 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business and Commerce
- Child Care and Development
- Communication Studies
- Community Development
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Development Studies
- Education
- Health Administration
- Information Technology
- Leadership
- Management
- Nursing
- Peace and Disarmament
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Religion
- Social Work
- Special Education
- Translation and Interpretation
Master's 17 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Business Administration
- Christian Religious Studies
- Communication Studies
- Development Studies
- Higher Education Teacher Training
- Islamic Theology
- Leadership
- Logistics Management
- Pastoral Studies
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Sustainable Development
- Theology
- Translation and Interpretation
Doctoral 3 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Business Administration
- Development Studies
- Theology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Commission for University Education of Kenya.
Business and Leadership Studies (School) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Leadership
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Public Administration
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Communication and Computer Studies (School) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Film
- Information Technology
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Software Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and Social Sciences (School) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Child Care and Development
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Leadership
- Management
- Peace and Disarmament
- Preschool Education
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Social and Community Services
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Special Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (School) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Christian Religious Studies
- Islamic Theology
- Religion
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Search and filter St. Paul's 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.
Bachelor's Degree
23 programmes
St. Paul's University delivers 23 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Upgrading) Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Public Health Public Health
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Regular) Nursing
Bachelor of Commerce Business & Management
Bachelor of Arts in Community Development Development Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Counselling Psychology Counselling & Psychotherapy
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Studies Law
Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Liberal Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies Peace and Development Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Social Work
Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies Translation & Interpreting
Bachelor of Business Administration Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Information Technology Information Systems & Technology
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Communication Studies
Bachelor of Divinity Religious Studies
Bachelor of Education (Arts) Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education (Specialization in Emotional and Behavioural 2014 Disorders) Education & Teaching
Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development and Education Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Computer Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems Information Systems & Technology
Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition & Dietetics
Bachelor of Science in Health Records Management & Informatics IT Management
Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management & Economics Economics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
13 programmes
There are 13 programmes to choose from at St. Paul's University for graduates, aimed at advanced expertise, a career change, or a stepping stone toward doctoral research.
Master of Education Early Childhood Studies Early Childhood Education
Master of Arts in Communication Studies Communication Studies
Master of Arts in Community Care (HIV & AIDS) Liberal Arts
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology Counselling & Psychotherapy
Master of Arts in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations Liberal Arts
Master of Arts in Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Master of Arts in Transformation Leadership Liberal Arts
Master of Business Administration Business Administration
Master of Development Studies Politics & International Relations
Master of Procurement and Logistics Management Supply Chain & Logistics
Master of Public Administration and Policy Public Administration
Master of Theology Islamic & Quranic Studies
Master of Science in Informatics Information Systems & Technology
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
3 programmes
At the highest level, St. Paul's University runs 3 programmes. These doctoral programmes are built around a sustained research project rather than taught coursework.
Doctor of Philosophy in Business Studies Business & Management
Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies Politics & International Relations
Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Philosophy & Ethics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
2 programmes
Alongside its degrees, St. Paul's University provides 2 programmes at associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation level, typically shorter and more applied in focus.
Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Pedagogy Education & Teaching
Postgraduate Diploma in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to St. Paul's University
Practical steps to apply to St. Paul's University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
- 1 Identify the right programme
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. St. Paul's University offers 41 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Check entry requirements
Each programme at St. Paul's 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.
- 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.
- 4 Submit via the institution
Apply directly via St. Paul's University's online portal at www.spu.ac.ke. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Get in touch with admissions
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +254 (20) 202 0505. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about St. Paul's University
Common questions about St. Paul's University answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
When was St. Paul's University founded?
St. Paul's University was established in 1903 (approximately 123 years ago).
Where can I find St. Paul's University?
The institution is located in Limuru, Kenya.
Is St. Paul's University public or private?
It is a private higher-education institution.
How many students does St. Paul's University have?
The institution has a student body of 3,000-3,999.
What programmes are available at St. Paul's University?
St. Paul's University delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
What is St. Paul's University's religious tradition?
Yes, St. Paul's University is affiliated with Christian-Protestant.
Is St. Paul's University officially recognised?
St. Paul's University is accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where can I learn more about St. Paul's University?
You can find St. Paul's University online at www.spu.ac.ke.
Top-Ranked Universities in Kenya
Kenya's most prominent universities are listed below — relevant for assessing St. Paul's University's national positioning. National prominence signals not just academic strength but also employer recognition.
Other Kenyan Universities Affiliated with Christian-Protestant
Religious leadership opportunities (chaplaincy student programmes, community-led initiatives) are commonly available at Christian-Protestant universities. Worth investigating at the peers below if leadership development matters.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
If you're weighing St. Paul's University against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.
Where Else to Study Liberal Arts
Beyond St. Paul's University, several other universities in Kenya deliver focused Liberal Arts programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.
Universities Often Compared with St. Paul's University
The institutions below sit at a comparable academic standing to St. Paul's University, often shortlisted together. Same-tier comparison helps when you have a target level but want to weigh non-ranking factors like culture or specialism.
