Study in Kenya

We encourage you to consider studying in Kenya, one of Africa’s most prized countries. This is an opportunity for students to discover the best of both worlds that Kenya offers in its rich African yet a metropolitan way of life.

Kenya stands out as an ideal African country that expats and diplomats covet to be deployed to. With a fast-growing literacy rate of 61.5% (which is high comparing it to other sub-Saharan countries), Kenyan people value the concept of Education. There is little doubt that students considering to study in Kenya will value the experience that they get there.

The country has polytechnic, technical colleges and universities that international can consider applying to for specialised qualifications recognised anywhere in the world. Degrees and diplomas attained from these internationally recognised institutions are guaranteed to be accepted by any employer from across the corporate board.

Consisting of both public and private institutions the country has 62 universities and other institutions of higher learning at its disposal. There are 22 public universities, 14 chartered private universities, and 13 universities with a Letter of Interim Authority (LIA) amongst other learning institutions in Kenya.

Kenyan public institutions of higher learning are the most sought-after establishments and there is a rigorous process of student selection into these schools. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is the body responsible for selecting students being placed in public universities.

A small fraction of qualified high school graduates are admitted on limited government-sponsorship into programs of their choice, otherwise, most students have to seek scholarships or finance their education. Other students that do not match the public university selection criteria for one reason or the other are free to apply to any private institute of their choice. Several international schools cater to various overseas educational systems as well; therefore international students can also apply to these.

As a tourist destination as well as a migrant choice the institutions boast of a thriving international community enrolled in different programs of study. The universities combine the local people and its international students to bring out a diverse cultural melting-pot that guarantees there is a cross-pollination of ethnicities to bring out a globalised citizen that can fit in anywhere in the world. The locals are very friendly making it easy to integrate and interact with the citizens and in turn learn their way of life and culture as you also share yours.

Not only are the universities internationally recognised and affiliated with top-notch institutions from around the world, but the academic staff is also qualified and received their education from the top universities in the world. The learning experience is a guaranteed win for students that want to learn at any institution in Kenya.

With a wide option of programs to choose from, students are fail-safe of following their career paths without limited options to choose from. A good proportion of students in Kenya are enrolled in social science programs as they offer more employment opportunities in Non-Government Organisations.

The continent itself beams with students from Kenya sitting in top positions of the corporate world further showing that investing in your education at a Kenyan institution is an investment into a brighter future. English and Kiswahili are the languages of instruction at Kenyan institutions of learning ensuring that students fully comprehend what is being communicated during their lectures and beyond the classroom.

Study in Kenya with Rocapply and apply for a Bachelor’s, Masters, and Doctorate program taught at very high-quality educational facilities in the nation by highly qualified professionals from across the world. Considering this option will ensure the student of a successful post-graduation experience.

Many international students have set their eyes on Kenya as the place to study at. The continent is fast catching up with the international world, making it a conducive environment for students not only to discover themselves academically but also socially. There are many reasons why we think you would love to study in Kenya.

Students in North Cyprus

About Kenya

Whenever the international world thinks of Africa, one of the first countries to come to mind is Kenya. To some Kenya is synonymous with Africa. Metaphorically speaking, the Republic of Kenya is Africa because East African country embodies everything there is to embrace about the continent; the wild animals, the safaris and the Masai warriors.

The country is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. Holding a population of 47.6 million people; Kenya ranks 29th on the world’s most populous list, making it one of the most populated countries in Africa. The country covers an area of 580,367 km2 the country is the world’s 48th largest country in the world.

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya and the largest, while its first capital city was Mombasa, which also is the oldest city in the country. Be careful when doing your research, some old literature might still refer to Mombasa as the capital of the republic.

Nairobi is a fast urbanising city and like many African metropolises is a mix of modern and African influences. The city is home to Kibera, one of the world's largest slums. The country itself is comprised of 47 semiautonomous counties that are governed by elected governors.

Formerly named the East African Protectorate until 1920, the name Kenya was derived from Mount Kenya, the second tallest mountain in the continent (5,199m) after Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m).

A former British Protectorate since 1895 (and a colony in 1920), the country attained its independence on the 12th of December 1963. It became a republic a year later on its first Independence Day celebration.

The country still maintains has good relations with the United Kingdom and to this day the country is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Kenya is also one of the most pro-American nations in Africa. It comes as no surprise that in July 2015, the then United States of America’s President Barack Obama visited Kenya. He became the first sitting American president to visit the country.

The country was first established by its first Bantu inhabitants as coastal trading stations with foreign countries for agriculture, fishing, and metal production. These trading communities formed the earliest system of cities that were collectively known as Azania. This was the birth of Swahili, a Bantu language with Arabic, Persian, and other Middle-Eastern and South Asian influences.

The language was used for trade between the multi-lingual people and from there on became an independent language. Modern-day Swahili now has English influence as well (code-switching), showing the evolution of this hybrid language that refuses to be curbed.

Kenyan people proudly embrace their diverse cultural and traditional identities in the fondest of ways. Kenya has varied inhabitants that include many of the major ethnic-racial and linguistic groups found in Africa. There are 47 different communities, with Bantus (60%) and Nilotes (30%) creating the majority of residents.

Cushitic, Arab, Indian, and European groups also form a small ethnic minority. The largest native ethnic groups in the correct order are the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, Kamba, Somalis, Kisii, Mijikenda, Meru, Maasai, and Turkana.

There are a total of 69 languages spoken throughout Kenya. The ethnic groups speak their various tongues within their communities and Swahili and English on a broader spectrum.

The two latter languages are the official languages, with English spoken in commerce, schooling, and government while Swahili is casually used for trade and communicating across ethnic groups.

The majority of Kenyan citizens are Christian. Interestingly, the country has the highest number of Quakers in the world, with around 146,300 members. Islam is the second-largest religion with most of the Kenyan Muslims living in the Coastal Region.

Ethnic beliefs are practiced also practiced, with many self-identifying Christians and Muslims maintaining some traditional beliefs and customs Traditional healers are a common feat and get consulted by both rural and urban dwellers. Nonreligious Kenyans and Hindus are also found in Kenya.

The most inexhaustible wildlife populations are found in the extensive grasslands of Kenya. The "Big Five" animals of Africa, that is the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephant, are found in the Kenyan national park and game reserves.

The most notable wildlife activity in the country is the annual animal migration which occurs between June and September between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya. With millions of animals taking part in the search for food and water, this event attracts valuable foreign tourism. The Serengeti Migration of the wildebeest is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

The country has a youthful population, with 73% of its citizens aged below 30 years due to Kenya’s rapid population growth in the 80s and 90s. This makes Kenya a very youthful country.

About Kenya Economy

Currently, Kenya is the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa. It is the largest economy in eastern and central Africa with Nairobi being the main commercial hub of the region.

The country has made significant political, social, and economic reforms that have guaranteed sustained economic growth over the past decade. There has seen a significant expansion of the economy witnessed through the strong performance in tourism, higher education, and telecommunications.

The country is still referred to as a frontier market or an emerging market, but in reality, it is not one of the least developed countries. Compared to its surrounding neighbors, Kenya has a well-developed social and physical infrastructure making it one of the regions’ developed countries. The country is a part of the East African Community trade agreements, therefore making other African countries its major export market, followed by Europe.

The Kenyan government has promoted the Africanization of the Kenyan economy since independence, realising rapid economic growth through public investment, incentives for foreign investment, and the promotion of smallholder agricultural production. The ideology of Harambee resonates in the building of Kenya’s continuously rising economy.

Kenya is a lower-middle-income economy, with agriculture being the major contributing sector to the employment of the people in the country. The Agricultural sector which employs 75% of the labour force contributes 22% of the country’s GDP.

The country is popular for its tea and coffee exports and has witnessed an increase in exports of fresh flowers. These 3 are the major key exports of the country. Tea plantations at Kericho and coffee plantations at Thika also serve as tourist attraction sites, while Nairobi airport has a terminal dedicated to the immediate transportation of flowers to foreign markets.

The service industry, particularly tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture. The country’s diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape make the Kenyan economy thrive with tourists from across the world.

Tourism in Kenya is centred on the basic structure of national parks, game reserves, and game sanctuaries that offer tourists a wide variety of wildlife and cultural attractions to be enjoyed. This framework has witnessed the sector, together with manufacturing, contributing 75% of the country’s GDP.

Chinese investment in Kenya has also played a significant role in the country’s economy. The largest source of direct investment in Kenya comes from China. The Kenyan government is generally investment-friendly and has set up reforms that ensure ease for both local and foreign investment.

Kenya is ranked 56th in the World Bank's ease of doing the business rating, making the country fairly viable to invest in. The country’s foreign currency inflow is much reliant on remittances as well. Kenya has a significant number of its citizens working in foreign countries in the US, Europe Asia, and the Middle East.

In the past years, Kenya's labour force has been shifting from the rural areas to the cities, such as Nairobi and Mombasa, as Kenya becomes increasingly urbanised. This has created more economic opportunities for the locals as much of the business in the cities continues to expand.

Technically speaking, Kenya is the most industrially developed country in East Africa, even though it has not yet produced results to match its potential. However, looking at its youthful population, improved infrastructure, and a skilled workforce this country has the potential to be one of Africa’s success stories.

Local Currency: Kenyan shilling (KSH)

Why Study in Kenya

Affordable Tuition Fees in Kenya
Majestic Wildlife
Studying in Kenya allows you the opportunity to visit the country’s majestic wildlife whenever you feel like it. There is nothing more exciting than living in the background of the big five. The safaris are bound to entrap you and probably make you consider moving to Kenya permanently.
Affordable Accomodation in Kenya
Friendly & Welcoming
The Kenyan people are very friendly and welcoming. Foreign students are bound to feel at home whenever they are in Kenya. You are bound to have a unique cultural exchange with the locals.
International Environment in Kenya
Expat Community

Kenya boasts of an impressive expat community from across the world. It is recommended as one of the places to migrate to. The number of international students is also growing with each year.

Kenya is one of the countries on the continent that are open for business to foreigners. The investment policies put in place guarantee that foreign investment opportunities are availed to foreign nationals. Therefore as you study in the country you might consider opening a small business that will support you financially as you study

Great Weather in Kenya
Quality Education

Kenya has universities that offer global excellence in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship through providing accessible quality training, lecturing to produce world-class leaders.

Universities offer a wide variety of programs for international students to consider. This opens up more career opportunities ranging from medicine, fine art, law, and accounting, to mention a few.

Scholarships

Funding your education at the tertiary level can be challenging both to yourself and your family who are usually the sponsors. It is important that at this stage one seeks alternative methods of funding for their studies with little hassle on those that are close to you.

Part-time jobs most of the time might not be enough to carry you through your studies and lack the employment security needed for such an act as funding for studies. This is the reason we would encourage you to look for funding to cover you for your studies.

Getting a scholarship might be beneficial in that it will allow you to focus on the studies whilst the financial aspect of things is taken care of.

Using the RocApply platform, we can help you discover scholarship opportunities that are out there. We would advise you to do a bit of research on other opportunities that are abundant online.

Scholarship opportunities might vary according to the level of study, program or field of study and origin of the applicant.

Kenya Student Visa

To study in Kenya you need to have a visa. Students need to apply for a student permit once they are admitted into a university course. RocApply will help you go through the visa application process.

You are requested to apply for a visa before leaving your home country to avoid any complications. Study permit applications can happen at the Kenyan embassy in your respective country of residence or online and they are usually hassle-free considering that Kenya is a tourist destination.

Except for a few countries, Kenya grants a visa on arrival when you are visiting for less than 90 days. However, for anything more than those 90 days visitors are expected to apply for a resident visa. Enquire with the embassy on the best option to take.