History
The University of Nairobi owes its origin to several developments in higher education within the country and the region. The idea of an institution for higher learning in Kenya goes back to 1947 when the Kenya Government drew up a plan for the establishment of a technical and commercial institute in Nairobi.
Education
The only institution of higher learning in Kenya for a long time, the University of Nairobi responded to the national, regional and Africa's high level manpower training needs by developing and evolving strong, diversified academic programmes and specializations in basic sciences, applied sciences, technology, humanities, social sciences and the arts.
Research
The university is proud of its distinguished record of achievements in teaching, research, development and consultancy while strategizing for a greater future as the centre of academic, research and professional excellence
Library services
The Mission of the University of Nairobi Library is to provide quality information services that will empower the University in carrying out its core activities of teaching, learning, research, community services and consultancy to the highest international standard. The University of Nairobi Library System is composed of twelve libraries grouped into six college libraries plus a central library
ICT services
The University has several well-stocked computer labs established on all campuses, which are specifically tailored to address computing needs for students. An extensive intercampus WAN and Campus Wide backbone network enables the labs to tap to several network based services, including 24x7 Web access, E-mail facilities, file-sharing services, library services among other shared server services
Medical services
University Health Services was established with the following clear mandates:
- To provide health care services: curative, preventive as well as rehabilitative services.
- To advise on health matters generally to the university community.
Campus life
- The Main Campus which is at the heart of Nairobi City hosts the Colleges of Architecture and Engineering and that of Humanities and Social Sciences.
- The College of Biological and Physical Sciences is located in the serene Chiromo Campus.
- The College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences is situated at the Upper Kabete Campus.
- This Campus hosts the University of Nairobi’s School of Business.
- The Kenyatta National Hospital hosts College of Health Sciences. This is a strategic and well-serviced location within the city of Nairobi as the clinical departments are located at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the teaching hospital of the University.
Sports facilities
Several sports and games are offered at the University of Nairobi. These sports and games are categorized as indoors and outdoors. Available indoor activities include table tennis, scrabble, chess, darts, just to mention a few. Outdoors sports include track or field athletics, football, rugby, basketball, hockey, handball, volleyball, netball and others.
The University has an excellent team responsible for coaching, managing and supervising and administering sport activities in various colleges and the University at large.
Student clubs
The University has various students' bodies, which represent students’ interests. Through the various representatives, students access all decision-making levels from the halls to the Senate, all the way to the Council. SWA recognizes organized student governments and encourages students’ participation in decision-making, planning and implementation of the plans
Accreditation
The Campus is accredited by the Commission for University Education and the School of Law is accredited by the Council of Legal Education.
University of Nairobi Overview
University of Nairobi Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 12.4% Kenya
Top 14.3% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
933
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 124 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 794 | 809 | 933 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
1001
By TopUniversities
Dropped 100 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1001 | 901 | 1001 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
1501
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1201 | - | 1501 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
University of Nairobi Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Kenya Country
Nairobi City
University of Nairobi Student Reviews & Awards
4.2
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 53 Reviews
- 4 Star 34 Reviews
- 3 Star 10 Reviews
- 2 Star 2 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.4
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.1
- Admission Process 4.0
- Quality of Student Life 4.1
- Career Development 4.2
I feel happy to be here and comfortable
Life is good with my studies here i feel catered for everything
Exposure
exposure and specialization seems limited also curriculum update to the changing world of tech
2/5
Downgrading
The university campus is located in the heart of Nairobi, and the city offers student residences throughout, which is a very positive aspect. However, since the university is public, students experience professor or student strikes every year which lasts for months, and therefore impacts their studies. The university loses its prestige year after year because of things like this. A rating of 5.5/10
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?