The University of Nairobi: Courses Offered, Fees, Location and Campuses

The University of Nairobi (UoN), is the largest and oldest university in Kenya, and one of the biggest universities in East and Central African region.

With a vibrant academic community of more than 84,000 students across ten campuses, the University of Nairobi is committed to nurturing top-tier professionals and driving cutting-edge research across various sectors of the economy.

One of the things that stands out about the University of Nairobi is its strong research culture. It’s a research-intensive university, and it leads the way in driving innovation, influencing policy, and tackling real-world problems.

Additionally, it is consistently ranked as the top university in the region for teaching, learning, research, and innovation.

The university offers a wide variety of courses, from medicine, engineering, and law to arts, business, education, architecture, journalism, and agriculture.

There are programs for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, plus short courses and professional development opportunities.

The teaching is rigorous, and students are encouraged to think critically and engage with current global and local issues.

Also Read: Comparison of Cluster Points for All Courses at UON, KU & JKUAT

The History of The University of Nairobi

UoN officially became a university in 1970, but its roots date back to 1956 when it was part of the University of East Africa. However, in 1956,  it was established as the Royal Technical College.

It has grown into a respected institution that plays a major role in shaping Kenya’s academic, professional, and leadership landscape.

The Royal Technical College of East Africa (RTCEA) welcomed its first cohort of students in October 1956. Among the 215 students enrolled, 105 were Africans, 100 Asians, and 10 Europeans.

The institution initially offered diploma-level programs across six departments: architecture, arts, commerce, domestic science, engineering, and science, all designed to prepare students for university admission elsewhere.

However,  in 1961, when the East Africa High Commission, acting on the recommendations of a working party that had reviewed the institution’s academic standards, elevated RTCEA to a university college. With this change came a new name, Royal College, Nairobi, making it the second university college in East Africa, following Makerere in Kampala, Uganda.

Following its upgrade, the Royal College entered into an agreement with the University of London to offer exams leading to bachelor’s degrees awarded by the British institution.

Since adopting the name the University of Nairobi, the institution has expanded. Its location in the city led to the renaming of King’s Way to University Way.

In 1970, a college was started at the former Templer Barracks, Kenyatta University College, which later became Kenyatta University and later gave rise to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 1988. Both institutions trace their roots back to the University of Nairobi.

As of 2025, the university has six colleges, over 84,000 students, more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s programs, and campuses in and outside Nairobi.

University of Nairobi Campuses

The University of Nairobi operates several campuses spread across different parts of Nairobi and beyond, each serving specific academic disciplines and colleges.

These campuses support the university’s commitment to providing accessible and specialized education in various fields.

The Main Campus, located in the heart of Nairobi, serves as the university’s central hub. It is home to the College of Architecture and Engineering and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Additionally, the campus is where many key administrative offices and university landmarks are found.

The Chiromo Campus, also situated in Nairobi, hosts the College of Biological and Physical Sciences. The campus provides a focused environment for students pursuing science-related courses, with access to labs and research facilities that support both learning and innovation.

The Upper Kabete Campus houses the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. This campus is known for its practical and field-oriented approach to teaching, ideal for students in agricultural and animal health studies.

The Lower Kabete Campus, hosts the School of Business. It is tailored for students pursuing business-related courses and offers a professional setting suited for future leaders and entrepreneurs.

The Kenyatta National Hospital Campus, located within the hospital grounds in Nairobi, is home to the College of Health Sciences. It gives medical students direct access to one of the country’s largest referral and teaching hospitals, supporting hands-on training and clinical experience.

The Kikuyu Campus is located in a quiet, green area outside the city center and is home to the College of Education and External Studies. 

Kenya Science Campus is located along Ngong Road in Nairobi. The university also has campuses in Mombasa and Kisumu.

Together, these campuses reflect the University of Nairobi’s broad academic reach and its commitment to training professionals in all key sectors.

Also Read: UoN Beats KU in Latest University Ranking in Kenya

University of Nairobi Bachelors Degree Courses and Their Fees for 2025/2026

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.