St. Paul’s University (SPU) is a private institution in Kenya whose roots trace back to the early years of missionary activity in East Africa.
Learning began in 1888 at Frere Town, near Mombasa, making the university one of the oldest institutions of theological and higher education in the region.
From its humble beginnings as a missionary settlement for freed slaves, SPU has grown into one of Kenya’s most respected universities, shaping theological and academic leadership for nearly 150 years.
The story began in 1875, when the Church Missionary Society (CMS) established a settlement for freed slaves at Frere Town.
In 1888, Reverend E.A. Fitch introduced a Divinity class to equip the former slaves with practical skills and Christian leadership training. The class produced six teacher-evangelists, who were later ordained as deacons—marking the beginning of structured theological education in the region.
In 1903, Rev. H.K. Binns laid the foundation stone of St. Paul’s Divinity School at Frere Town. This milestone was followed in 1930 by the relocation of the foundation stone to Limuru, where the institution began to firmly establish its presence.
A significant turning point came in 1949, when the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and the Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK) joined the Anglican Church to bring in their ministerial candidates for training.
This ecumenical collaboration led to the formation of a College Council in 1954, and in 1955, the institution was renamed St. Paul’s United Theological College.
St. Paul’s University Courses Offered, Fees, and Location
The college’s academic profile continued to grow. In 1963, it launched an external Bachelor of Divinity degree in affiliation with the University of London.
A decade later, in 1973, the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) joined as the fourth participating partner. The AITEA Bachelor of Divinity program was introduced in 1978, and by 1989, the college was registered as a private university by the Commission for Higher Education.
Governance expanded in 1993 with the inclusion of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) as a corporate partner. Ownership was structured as follows: the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) 50%, PCEA 20%, MCK 10%, RCEA 10%, and NCCK 10%.
After commemorating 100 years of existence in 2003, the institution was granted a Charter by President Mwai Kibaki in 2007, officially becoming St. Paul’s University. That same year saw the appointment of the university’s first Chancellor, who was installed in 2008.
St. Paul’s continued to expand its reach, establishing campuses in Nairobi (2010), Nakuru, and Machakos (both in 2011). In 2018, the second Chancellor was installed.
In 2020, the university laid the foundation stone for the Joshua and Timothy School of Theology and celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of PhD students.
Most recently, in 2023, St. Paul’s University was awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Certification, reaffirming its commitment to quality education and institutional excellence.
SPU Campuses
The Nairobi Campus is strategically located at the Central Business District at the Church House Building. It was established in January 2010 and serves the educational needs of over 3000 students.
The Nakuru Campus is strategically located in the Nakuru CBD, just next to the ACK Cathedral Church. It was established in May 2011, and all programs, including Diplomas, Undergraduate, and postgraduate, are offered here.
The university comprises five schools offering certificates, diplomas, undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programmes.
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School of Education and Social Sciences
Incepted in 2012, the School of Education and Social Sciences seeks to offer quality programmes that not only equip students with knowledge in the social sciences but also empower them to be innovative and adaptable to the dynamics of a global community.
- Undergraduate Programmes
Bachelor of Arts in Community Development
Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Bachelor of Education (Arts)
Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education)
Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) - Diploma Programmes
Diploma in Community Development
Diploma in Community Health Development
Diploma in Counseling Psychology
Diploma in Criminology and Security Management
Diploma in Education (Arts)
Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education)
Diploma in Social Work
School of Theology
Graduates from programmes in Theology proceed to have careers in community development, chaplaincy, lay ministry, teaching, human services, and more.
- Undergraduate Programmes
Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies - Diploma Programmes
Diploma in Kenya Sign Language Interpretation
Diploma in Theology
School of Business and Leadership Management
The School of Business and Leadership Studies aims to develop exemplary servant leaders and entrepreneurs who will, in turn, go out to develop Africa and the world.
It offers PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Diploma programmes in a wide range of disciplines related to business and leadership, including banking, strategic leadership and management, marketing, human resources, and finance.
- Undergraduate Programmes
Bachelor of Business Administration & Management
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management - Diploma Programmes
Diploma in Business Management
Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management
Diploma in Leadership and Management - Certificate Programmes
Certificate in Business Management
School of Health Sciences
The School of Health Sciences comprises the Departments of Nursing and Health Sciences.
It has embraced innovative educational technologies such as blended learning and simulation to enhance students’ learning experiences.
- Undergraduate Programmes
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Regular)
Bachelor of Health Records Management and Informatics
Bachelor of Health Systems Management and Economics - Diploma Programmes
Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery
Diploma in Community Health Development
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School of Communication and Computer Studies
The School of Communication and Computer Studies aims to develop exemplary communication and technology practitioners who will, in turn, go out to develop Africa and the world.
It offers graduate and undergraduate programmes in a wide range of disciplines related to communication and information technology.
- Undergraduate Programmes
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Bachelor of Business and Information Technology
Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems - Diploma Programmes
Diploma in Business Information Technology (DBIT)
Diploma in Communication
Diploma in Computer Science
Diploma in Film Production
Diploma in Information Technology and Cyber Security
Diploma in Journalism - Certificate Programmes
Certificate in Business Information Technology
Certificate in Communication
Certificate in Information Technology
Undergraduate Programs Fees
| ITEM | AMOUNT (KSH) | FREQUENCY |
| Tuition (6 units @ Ksh 11,500 per unit) | 69,000 | Per Semester |
| Examination (Ksh 650 per unit) | 3,900 | “ |
| Library Fee | 3,000 | “ |
| Activity Fee | 1,000 | “ |
| Computer & Technology Fee | 4,000 | “ |
| Administration Fee | 2,000 | “ |
| Medical Fee (Limuru Campus only) | 2,500 | “ |
| Student Association Fee (SPUSA) | 300 | “ |
| Subtotal (without optional fees) | 85,700 | Per Semester |
| Boarding Fee (Optional) | 45,900 | Per Semester |
| Bed Only – Sharing (Optional) | 16,000 | Per Semester |
| Application Fee | 1,500 | Once on Admission |
| Registration | 500 | “ |
| Student I.D | 2,500 | “ |
| CUE (Commission for University Education) | 1,000 | “ |
| Graduation Fee | 8,500 | Once in the Final Semester |
Students taking programs in Communication, computer science, and Counseling. Theology and Nursing will pay fees equipment fee of Ksh 2,000 once upon joining the program.
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