How to Study in Kenya for International Students

One of the countries in East Africa, Kenya is well-respected for the great value it puts into its educational sector. Its principle of placing education at the center of the country's development strategies is evidenced by its constant reforms to implement a curriculum that can provide quality, holistic, and inclusive training to its learners, leading to a more informed and cohesive community. Through these efforts, Kenya continuously progresses each day and is able to address its long-standing socioeconomic challenges.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Kenya currently has 63 universities, from which 32 universities are a part of the public sector and 31 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Kenya you should definitely check out are University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Strathmore University.

Being able to study in Kenya as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Kenya, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Kenya

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Kenya, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 15,000 KES to 535,500 KES, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 21,000 KES and 435,600 KES.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Kenya

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Kenya, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Kenya

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Kenya, check out the Cheap Universities in Kenya!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Kenya for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Kenya, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Kenya, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Kenya may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Kenya are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Kenya and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Egerton University

Bachelor’s degree

• TOEFL: No minimum score
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• TOEFL: No minimum score
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

United States International University Africa

Bachelor’s degree

• TOEFL: 79
• IELTS: 7.0
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• TOEFL: 90
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

University of Nairobi

Bachelor’s degree

• IELTS: No minimum scores
• TOEFL: No minimum scores
• Duolingo: No minimum scores
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• IELTS: No minimum scores
• TOEFL: No minimum scores
• Duolingo: No minimum scores
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Kenya

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Kenya have online applications available on their websites, like University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Kenya.

University of Nairobi

• Official Website
• Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page

Kenyatta University

• Official Website
• Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page

Strathmore University

• Official Website
• Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Kenya differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Kenya.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Kenya

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Kenya. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Kenya as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Kenya. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Study Visa.

To start your student visa application in Kenya, you will need to present the following:

1. Valid passport
2. Recent passport-size photos
3. Flight ticket
4. Proof of accommodation
5. Bank statement

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Kenya is 4800 KES.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

1. Prepare a duly filled, signed, and stamped application form.
2. Pay the visa fee.
3. Wait for a notification every time your application progresses.
4. After getting your visa approved, print it out or download it in PDF.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Kenya. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!