Kenyatta University offers over 110 approved masters programmes across education, science, business, economics, and the arts. The September 2026 intake is open. Applicants need at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) bachelor's degree. Tuition starts at KES 120,000 per year for East African students.
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Key takeaways
- KU has 110+ approved masters programmes spanning sciences, humanities, business, and health.
- Admission requires a Second Class Upper bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
- East African tuition: KES 120,000–130,000 per year, depending on the subject area.
- Application fee: KES 3,000 for East African applicants; USD 50 for international applicants.
- September 2026 intake is currently advertised on the KU admissions portal.
Kenyatta University (KU) is one of Kenya's largest public universities. Its main campus is in Kahawa, Nairobi. It also operates campuses in Ruiru, Parklands, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kitui, Kericho, Embu, Dadaab, and internationally in Arusha (Tanzania) and Kigali (Rwanda).
KU's Graduate School administers all postgraduate programmes. According to Commission for University Education data cited by Kenya Times, KU had 110 approved masters programmes and 17 PhD programmes as of 2025.
Category | Programmes Available |
Master of Education (M.Ed.) | Administration, Curriculum Development, Early Childhood Studies, Educational Research & Evaluation, Educational Planning & Economics, Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, Library Science, Special Education |
Master of Science (M.Sc.) | Animal Ecology, Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Education, Finance, Foods & Nutrition, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Mathematics, Medical Microbiology, Parasitology, Plant Pathology, Public Health |
Master of Economics | Agriculture, Development Economics, Econometrics, Environmental Economics, Health Economics, International Trade and Finance, Policy and Management |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Executive MBA and regular MBA tracks |
Master of Environmental Studies | Agroforestry and Rural Development, Community Development, Planning and Management |
Master of Music / Master of Arts (Music) | African Music, Composition, Musicology, Performance |
For the September 2026 intake, the KU admissions portal publishes separate lists for Regular programmes, Continuing Education (CEP), and Virtual/Open Learning (DSVOL) modes. Blended delivery is available for most programmes except those regulated by professional or statutory bodies.
Health sciences (main campus) - September 2026: Clinical Immunology, Medical Microbiology, and Medical Parasitology are offered full-time in blended mode at the main Kahawa campus.
Check the KU admissions portal for the full and current programme list, as availability can change between intakes.
What are the most marketable masters courses in Kenya?
Kenya's fastest-growing sectors in 2026 are technology, healthcare, finance, engineering, and agribusiness, according to career guides published this year. The masters degrees that align most closely with these sectors include:
- MBA — widely valued by employers across all industries.
- M.Sc. Public Health — high demand in government, NGOs, and health organisations.
- M.Sc. Information Technology / Computer Science — ICT is one of Kenya's most active hiring sectors.
- M.Sc. Finance / M.Sc. Human Resource Management — needed in banking, insurance, and corporate services.
- Master of Economics (Health or Development track) — sought by research institutions and development organisations.
- M.Ed. Educational Psychology / Guidance and Counselling — growing demand in schools and social services.
- M.Sc. Environmental Studies — relevant to climate-related projects and county governments.
- M.Sc. Biotechnology — emerging demand in agribusiness and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Master of Engineering (via affiliated programmes) — civil, electrical, and software engineering remain in strong demand.
- M.Sc. Entrepreneurship Development — relevant to Kenya's growing startup and SME ecosystem.
KU offers several programmes in this list directly. For others, check universities such as the University of Nairobi, JKUAT, or Strathmore University.
Admission requirements for KU masters programmes
The Graduate School sets the general requirements. Individual schools may add specific conditions.
General requirements:
- A bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from Kenyatta University or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
- Some M.Ed. programmes (such as Educational Psychology) accept Second Class Lower holders if they also hold a grade C+ or above in a relevant subject.
- In exceptional cases, the Senate may admit applicants without a first degree who demonstrate readiness through published research, creative work, or by passing qualifying examinations.
- Candidates may be interviewed by the department or school to confirm suitability.
- The department must confirm that supervision is available, research materials are accessible, and fieldwork facilities are adequate where required.
Note on provisional admission: Applicants who do not yet meet all requirements may be granted provisional admission. They have 12 months to prepare and defend their research proposals.
Kenyatta University masters programmes fee structure 2026
Fees below are per academic year unless stated otherwise. Figures are sourced from third-party sites as of 2024–2026; confirm current KU fees with the university before paying.
Programme | East African Students (KES) | Non-East African Students (KES) | Statutory Fees (KES) |
Arts-based masters | 120,000 | 150,000 | 23,500 |
Science-based masters | 130,000 | 175,000 | 22,000 |
Postgraduate diplomas | 130,000 | 175,000 | 23,500 |
Executive MBA (full programme) | 400,000 | 450,000 | 32,300 |
Extra costs to budget for:
- Application fee: KES 3,000 (East African); USD 50 (non-East African)
- Student union and other statutory levies (included in the statutory fees above)
- Research and fieldwork costs (vary by programme)
- Accommodation and living expenses (not included)
State fees in Kenyan Shillings (KES). For the most up-to-date figures, contact the Finance Office at the main campus or check the official KU website.
How to apply for a KU masters programme in 2026
- Check eligibility — confirm you meet the general and school-specific admission requirements for your chosen programme.
- Get the application form — use form KU/R/GS/1, available from the Admissions Office or on the KU website. A 2024 version is also available via the School of Medicine postgraduate page — confirm it is the current version before using it.
- Attach supporting documents: certified copies of your degree certificate and transcripts, a copy of your national ID or passport, two recent passport-sized photographs, and proof of payment of the application fee.
- Pay the application fee — KES 3,000 (East African) or USD 50 (international) via the bank account listed in the current intake advertisement.
- Submit to the Registrar (Academic) — deliver or post the completed form and documents to the Registrar's office, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844–00100, Nairobi.
- Departmental review — the departmental postgraduate committee reviews your application, then the school's postgraduate committee, which forwards it to the Graduate School for final decision.
- Await notification — successful applicants receive an admission letter from the Registrar (Academic).
For the September 2026 intake, application details and closing dates are published on the KU admissions portal.
Contact and location details
Main campus | Kahawa, Nairobi |
Postal address | P.O. Box 43844–00100, Nairobi, Kenya |
Telephone | +254 20 870 1901/2/3 |
Registrar (Academic) email | registrar-acad@ku.ac.ke |
Admissions Coordinator email | coordinator-admissions@ku.ac.ke |
Official website | |
Admissions portal |
Regional campuses are located in Ruiru, Parklands, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kitui, Kericho, and Embu. Contact the main campus to confirm which programmes are available at each regional site.
FAQ
What are the fees for masters programmes at Kenyatta University in 2026?
Tuition for East African students ranges from KES 120,000 (arts-based) to KES 130,000 (science-based) per year, plus statutory fees of KES 22,000–23,500. The Executive MBA costs KES 400,000 for the full programme. International students pay higher rates. Confirm current figures with KU's Finance Office before enrolling.
What courses are available for a masters degree at KU?
KU offers masters in education, science, business (MBA), economics, environmental studies, music, and library and information science, among others. The full list, over 110 programmes, is on the KU admissions portal. Availability depends on the intake period and delivery mode.
What are the top 10 most marketable masters courses in Kenya?
The most in-demand fields include the MBA, M.Sc. Public Health, M.Sc. IT or Computer Science, M.Sc. Finance, Master of Economics, M.Ed. Guidance and Counselling, M.Sc. Environmental Studies, M.Sc. Biotechnology, engineering-related masters, and M.Sc. Entrepreneurship. These align with Kenya's fastest-growing sectors: technology, health, finance, and agribusiness.
What are the admission requirements for a KU masters programme?
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from a recognised university. Some programmes accept Second Class Lower with additional conditions. Candidates may be interviewed, and specific schools may add their own academic requirements.
How do I apply for a masters programme at Kenyatta University?
Obtain application form KU/R/GS/1, attach certified degree certificates, transcripts, ID copy, passport photos, and proof of the KES 3,000 application fee payment (USD 50 for international students). Submit the completed package to the Registrar (Academic) before the intake closing date. Check the admissions portal for current deadlines.
If you want to further your studies, you should consider enrolling in any of the Kenyatta University masters programmes. Use the procedure covered in this write-up to apply for the next intake.
Tuko.co.ke published an article about D+ courses offered at Kenyatta University. Have you completed high school? Are you wondering what course you can do with a D+? Do you want to get a certificate from a certified institution of higher learning?
Worry no more! Kenyatta University is currently offering courses that you can apply for if you GOT a D+ in your K.C.S.E. Read this short article to find which course best suits you, and the requisites to join the institution.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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