University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya • Founded 1956 • World Rank #2144
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1970, the University of Nairobi is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Nairobi (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
This institution also has branch campuses in Kikuyu, Parklands, Lower Kabete, Upper Kabete, Chiromo and Kisumu. Officially recognized by the Commission for University Education of Kenya, University of Nairobi (UoN) is a very large-sized coeducational Kenyan higher education institution.
University of Nairobi (UoN) 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 54-year-old Kenyan higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 40-49% making this Kenyan higher education organization an averagely selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UoN 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 University of Nairobi is located and how to contact its offices. Disability and accessibility information is usually held by a separate student services office worth contacting directly.
Academic Details
The numbers behind University of Nairobi: student body, academic staff, and the recognising bodies validating its work. A baseline read for assessing institutional capacity and rigour.
Academic Structures
University of Nairobi's constituent schools and faculties. Continuing education or professional development units are typically separate from full-time degree-granting units.
Unit 30 items
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
- Centre for HIV Prevention and Research
- Centre for Open and Distance Learning
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Institute for Development Studies
- Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies
- Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies
- Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases
- Population Studies and Research Institute
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Business
- School of Computing and Informatics
- School of Continuing and Distance Education
- School of Dental Sciences
- School of Economics
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Journalism
- School of Law
- School of Mathematics
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing Sciences
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Physical Sciences
- School of The Arts and Design
- School of The Built Environment
- The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies
Degrees
University of Nairobi's qualifications are listed below by level, so you can quickly find the route that matches your study stage. Some levels feed naturally into the next, while others stand alone.
Bachelor's 98 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Architecture and Planning
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Astrophysics
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biotechnology
- Business and Commerce
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Crop Production
- Curriculum
- Design
- Development Studies
- Dietetics
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Horticulture
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- Industrial Chemistry
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- International Studies
- Journalism
- Law
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Technology
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Natural Resources
- Nuclear Physics
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics
- Parasitology
- Pathology
- Peace and Disarmament
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Pathology
- Political Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Real Estate
- Regional Planning
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Surveying and Mapping
- Technology
- Tourism
- Toxicology
- Veterinary Science
- Wildlife
Master's 171 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Actuarial Science
- Adult Education
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Management
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Anaesthesiology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Anatomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Architecture
- Architecture and Planning
- Arts and Humanities
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Business Education
- Cardiology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Christian Religious Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Continuing Education
- Criminology
- Crop Production
- Curriculum
- Demography and Population
- Dental Technology
- Dentistry
- Design
- Development Studies
- Distance Education
- Ecology
- Economic and Finance Policy
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Sciences
- Educational Technology
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- Electrical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Embryology and Reproduction Biology
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Entomology
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Epidemiology
- Film
- Finance
- Fishery
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Foreign Languages Education
- Forestry
- Gender Studies
- Genetics
- Geological Engineering
- Geology
- Germanic Studies
- Government
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Heritage Preservation
- Higher Education
- History
- Horticulture
- Human Resources
- Human Rights
- Industrial Chemistry
- Information Management
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Inorganic Chemistry
- International Economics
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- International Studies
- International and Comparative Education
- Laboratory Techniques
- Labour and Industrial Relations
- Law
- Leadership
- Leather Techniques
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Meat and Poultry
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Natural Resources
- Neurology
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Surgery
- Organic Chemistry
- Orthopaedics
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatrics
- Parasitology
- Pathology
- Peace and Disarmament
- Pedagogy
- Periodontics
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Philosophy of Education
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Pathology
- Plant and Crop Protection
- Plastic Surgery
- Political Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Protective Services
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Real Estate
- Religious Studies
- Rural Studies
- Social Work
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Soil Management
- Soil Science
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Sports
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Surveying and Mapping
- Swahili
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Theatre
- Town Planning
- Toxicology
- Traditional and Complementary Medicine and Therapy
- Translation and Interpretation
- Tropical Medicine
- Veterinary Science
- Water Management
- Water Science
- Wildlife
- Women's Studies
- Zoology
Doctoral 103 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Accountancy
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Management
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Anatomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Arid Land Studies
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Clinical Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Crop Production
- Cultural Studies
- Curriculum
- Demography and Population
- Dental Surgery
- Design
- Development Studies
- Distance Education
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Sciences
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Entomology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Epidemiology
- Finance
- Fishery
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Forestry
- Gender Studies
- Genetics
- Geology
- History
- Horticulture
- Information Management
- Information Sciences
- International Studies
- Law
- Leather Techniques
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Natural Resources
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Oral Surgery
- Parasitology
- Pathology
- Peace and Disarmament
- Periodontics
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Political Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health
- Real Estate
- Regional Planning
- Sociology
- Soil Management
- Soil Science
- Statistics
- Surgery
- Surveying and Mapping
- Swahili
- Town Planning
- Toxicology
- Traditional and Complementary Medicine and Therapy
- Veterinary Science
- Water Management
- Wildlife
- Women's Studies
Diploma & Certificate 6 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Business and Commerce
- Human Resources
- International Studies
- Nursing
- Public Relations
- Social Work
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Commission for University Education of Kenya.
Agriculture (Faculty) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Economics
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Arid Land Studies
- Biotechnology
- Crop Production
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Horticulture
- Nutrition
- Plant and Crop Protection
- Plant Pathology
- Soil Science
- Technology
Common Career Paths
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Art and Social Sciences (Faculty) 23 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Communication Studies
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- History
- Information Sciences
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Journalism
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Swahili
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Built Environnement and Design (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Construction Engineering
- Design
- Real Estate
- Regional Planning
- Surveying and Mapping
- Urban Studies
Common Career Paths
- Designer
- Creative Director
- UX Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business and Management Sciences (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business and Commerce
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Curriculum
- Distance Education
- Education
- Physical Education
- Special Education
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (Faculty) 19 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anaesthesiology
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Dental Science
- Dental Technology
- Dentistry
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Pharmacy
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Surgery
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Technology (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Mathematics
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Veterinary Medecine (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anatomy
- Animal Husbandry
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Public Health
- Toxicology
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Veterinarian
- Animal Health Specialist
- Wildlife Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Search and filter University of Nairobi'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.
372 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Kenya
Bachelor's Degree 79 programmes
Showing 10 of 79.
Master's Degree 161 programmes
Showing 10 of 161.
Doctorate 106 programmes
Showing 10 of 106.
Postgraduate Certificate 1 programme
Postgraduate Diploma 25 programmes
Showing 10 of 25.
How to apply to University of Nairobi
Step-by-step guidance for applying to University of Nairobi, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
-
1
Identify the right programme
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of Nairobi runs 372 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
-
2
Check entry requirements
Before applying to University of Nairobi, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Kenya.
-
3
Prepare your application documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of Nairobi's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
-
4
Submit via the institution
Lodge your application through the official website (www.uonbi.ac.ke). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
-
5
Get in touch with admissions
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +254 (20) 318 262. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Nairobi
Common questions students ask about University of Nairobi — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
When was University of Nairobi founded?
University of Nairobi was established in 1956 (approximately 70 years ago).
In which city is University of Nairobi?
University of Nairobi is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Is University of Nairobi a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How many students study at University of Nairobi?
University of Nairobi has approximately over-50,000 students.
How is University of Nairobi ranked?
University of Nairobi holds rank #2144 globally and #1 in Kenya.
What degrees does University of Nairobi offer?
University of Nairobi offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How is University of Nairobi organised academically?
University of Nairobi has 30 academic units.
Is University of Nairobi officially recognised?
Yes, University of Nairobi is recognised by Commission for University Education (CUE).
What is University of Nairobi's official website?
You can find University of Nairobi online at www.uonbi.ac.ke.
Members of Association of African Universities (AAU)
Member institutions of Association of African Universities (AAU) often have reciprocity arrangements on accreditation — degrees from one member institution typically face fewer credential-recognition issues at others.
Faculties at nearby universities
Within easy reach of University of Nairobi, these institutions host comparable faculties and admissions structures — useful for regional shortlisting. Regional universities often coordinate on credit transfer and joint programme delivery.
Where Else to Study Business & Management
Looking for Business & Management programmes beyond University of Nairobi? Other universities in Kenya cover the same discipline. Cross-comparing modules, assessment styles, and faculty profiles is the fastest way to find the right fit.
Universities Compared with University of Nairobi
Universities at a similar tier to University of Nairobi appear below, useful for cross-comparison on academic credentials. Comparable institutions often share faculty mobility patterns and external recognition signals.
Studying in Kenya: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
