The University of Nairobi, September 2026 Intake Application is already out. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to understand and know about the University of Nairobi Online Application Portal. We will walk you through the admission process to ensure you secure a place at the University of Nairobi.
The University of Nairobi (UON) is Kenya’s oldest and first university, established in 1956 and fully accredited in 1970. The university has its Main campus in Nairobi CBD with other schools in the Chiromo Campus, Lower Kabete Campus, Kikuyu Campus, Kenyatta National Hospital Campus, Parklands Campus, and the Kenya Science Campus. UON is a public university that also admits self-sponsored students.
If you aspire to join the University of Nairobi in 2026, understanding the processes involved is essential to securing a place. The university serves both government-sponsored students through KUCCPS and self-sponsored students who apply directly through their online portal. Below, we have covered all that you need to know for the 2026/2027 UON academic Calendar.
University of Nairobi Entry Requirements
While joining UON is easy, it is even easier if you meet the eligibility criteria. The requirements vary from one course to another, and it’s up to you to go through UON course offerings and understand what they need from you.
Below, however, we have just detailed some of the general requirements that apply to all applicants:
For Undergraduate Students:
- A KCSE with a minimum mean grade of C+ or equivalent is required for direct entry to most undergraduate programmes, with specific subject clusters depending on the course.
- C- for those who also hold a relevant Certificate and Diploma from recognised institutions.
- For those upgrading a certificate or diploma from a university or any accredited institution in Kenya, higher qualifications such as a Diploma, Higher National Diploma, or degree from a recognised university may also be considered.
For Certificate Programs:
- Admission to Certificate Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications: KCSE mean grade of C- or equivalent, or an O-level equivalent.
For Postgraduate Students:
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Official transcripts from previous institutions.
- Additional documents such as:
- Degree certificates certified by the issuing institutions.
- Translations of certificates not in English.
- Any necessary documents for international students, including proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) if applicable.
Note
NOTE: What we have listed above are the general criteria expected from every student. For course-specific requirements, visit the official admission portal at https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/. Here, you can search for your course name in the table, then, under the program requirements column, click it to view the complete requirements for that program.
So long as you have met the requirements, you can then apply for that particular program. However, various course applications from UON are available during different intake periods. The University of Nairobi typically admits students in several intakes during the year, with prominent intakes in January, May and September, depending on the programme.
As for 2026, intakes to the UoN application Portal have already been advertised for September, with 17th to 20th September set as the application deadline, and the return date is 17th August 2026.
Process Involved
Joining the University of Nairobi is easy as long as you meet the requirements. In its various academic calendars, the university admits students from the Government side (KUCCPS Students) or those who pay their fees in full without any government subsidy (self-sponsored).
UoN admission is straightforward, especially for KUCCPS Students, since the government, through the KUCCPS portals, coordinates student placement to various Government-Sponsored Students to Kenyan universities and colleges. The placement follows a specific timeline. Once the results are out, you can log in to the portal to check whether you have been placed at the University of Nairobi, and go to the UON KUCCPS portal to get your admission letter/letter of offer.
If you are joining the Nairobi University as a self-sponsored student, admission to the university is also a direct process as long as you meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Here is how you can go about it:
- Visit the official University of Nairobi Admissions portal using the link https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/uonbi
- When the page loads, you will see a table with various courses; go through it to see if your course is available. Also, make sure that you understand the admission requirements before applying.
- Now, to get started with the admission process, you will have to register on the portal. Click the “Register” button and provide all required details accurately. Prospective students must complete their application. The University of Nairobi does not use representatives, agents, or agencies during the application process.
- Check the email you provided during the registration process, activate your account, and log in.
- Once you are logged in, update your profile under Profile management so you can start the course application. The needed details are your Personal details, Contact information, educational background, Work experience, academic certificates, and so on.
- On your user Dashboard, click on the “Click here to apply” menu option to see the number of programs. When you are satisfied with everything, click on the Apply intake button to start the program application process.
- Next, to submit that particular program for consideration, you will need to pay the application fees using the portal’s provided channel.
Read the Online Student Application Manual
How much is the application fee for the University of Nairobi?
The Application fee for joining the University of Nairobi varies depending on the program level and admission type/. For government-sponsored students, most of the application is done through the KUCCPS portal, which costs KSh1,500. On the other hand, for self-sponsored students, the fee is paid directly to the university’s Payment channels, i.e., banks, M-Pesa, etc., and it is non-refundable.
The Self-sponsored students’ fee for undergraduate and master’s levels costs KShs. 3,000 for PhD levels, and international students looking to join the university will have to pay a fee of USD 50. Upon payment, you will receive a payment confirmation via email and on your phone.
How to pay
There are many ways to pay; for local applicants, using the M-Pesa option is a quick solution, while for international applicants, using the Bank option is also an option to consider. The system supports online payments via Master and Visa cards, M-Pesa, and bank transfers. Below, we have gone deeper into these methods:
M-Pesa
- Go to M-PESA on your phone
- Select the Lipa na M-PESA option and choose Paybill
- Enter the Business no provided and the account number using your M-Pesa number
- Enter the amount you intend to pay
- Finally, input your M-Pesa PIN and Press Ok to send
- You will then receive an M-Pesa confirmation of the Transaction
- In each case the system will issue an applicant reference number which should be used as the account no when making the payment.
Bank Payment Options
Electronic transfer/direct cash deposit at any ABSA bank branch countrywide is also available. Here’s a table summarising the provided bank details:
| Bank | Branch | Account Name | Account Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABSA Bank | ABSA Plaza | UON Application Account | 2032771362 |
| Kenya Commercial Bank | KCB Branch | University of Nairobi | 11774757075 |
(Always confirm the latest bank account details on your admission letter or the official UON website before making any payment.)
Tracking Your Application Status
After submitting your online application, you can track its progress through the same admission portal and see its status. Applicants can track the status of the application online through the system. Alerts will be sent via email and phone. If your application is approved, you can get the admission letter plus the joining instructions through the same portal.
Also, in the event that you are not shortlisted for the course that you have selected, you can just request a course change by writing a letter to the Academic Registrar, emailed to reg-academic@uonbi.ac.ke or to admissions@uonbi.ac.ke. In the letter, make sure to indicate your Application Reference Number and the new course you wish to change to.
For immediate assistance, you can reach out to the university using the following details:
| Category | Contact Numbers | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 020-4910000, 020-4913027, 020-4913199 | admissions@uonbi.ac.ke |
| Postgraduate | +254 20-4913129, +254 20-4913131, +254 20-4918028 | gs-admissions@uonbi.ac.ke |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UoN admission letters out in 2025 and 2026?
For the 2025/2026 academic year, admission letters have been processed and uploaded, and students have been notified via SMS on how to access them. Admission letters for subsequent 2026 intakes typically follow the same pattern and are released once placement and admission processing is complete.
Does UoN have May intake?
No, UoN mainly advertises intakes around February, September and sometimes December.
How much is the application fee for University of Nairobi?
The non-refundable application fee is Kshs 3,000 for undergraduate and master’s programmes and Kshs 4,000 for PhD applicants. International applicants typically pay USD 50
How to get a UoN admission letter?
Once admitted, log in to the SMIS portal at smis.uonbi.ac.ke using your registration number as username and your KCSE index number as the password to download your admission letter and joining instructions.
