Nursing is one of Kenya’s most competitive and reliable career paths, offered at certificate, diploma and degree levels.
All programmes must be accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), and admission requirements are nationally regulated. Below is a breakdown of where to study nursing, what you need to qualify, how much it costs, and how to apply, presented in easy-to-read tables.
1. Certificate & Diploma Nursing Colleges (KMTC)
The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is the largest public trainer of nurses in Kenya, with campuses across all counties. Admission is mainly through KUCCPS.
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
| Programme | Entry Requirements (KCSE) | Duration | Approx. Fees | How to Apply | Intakes |
| Certificate in Community Health Nursing | Mean grade C-; C- in Biology & Eng/Kisw; D+ in Maths/Chem/Phys | 2–2.5 yrs | KSh 83,000–95,000 per year | KUCCPS Portal | Sept (main), Jan |
| Diploma in Community Health Nursing | Mean grade C; C in Biology & Eng/Kisw; C- in Maths/Chem/Phys | 3–3.5 yrs | KSh 83,000–95,000 per year | KUCCPS Portal | Sept (main), Jan |
Popular KMTC campuses: Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Machakos, Mombasa, Eldoret, Kitui, Garissa, Lodwar, Bomet, Kakamega.
2. Mission & Faith-Based Nursing Colleges
Mission hospitals offer strong clinical exposure and smaller class sizes. Most admit students directly.
Selected Mission Nursing Colleges
| Institution | Programme Offered | Entry Requirements | Approx. Fees | Application Mode | Intakes |
| Tenwek Hospital School of Nursing | Diploma | KCSE C; Biology C; Eng/Kisw C | KSh 50,000–70,000 per term | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| AIC Kijabe College of Nursing | Diploma | KCSE C; Biology C; Eng C | KSh 60,000–80,000 per term | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| Nazareth Medical College (Limuru) | Diploma | KCSE C (NCK standards) | KSh 45,000–65,000 per term | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| St. Elizabeth Mukumu Nursing College | Diploma | KCSE C | KSh 50,000–70,000 per term | Direct | Jan, Sept |
3. Private Nursing Colleges (Diploma)
Private colleges are flexible on intakes and often admit students faster than public institutions.
Selected Private Nursing Colleges
| Institution | Programme | Entry Requirements | Fees | Application | Intakes |
| Nairobi Women’s Hospital College | Diploma | KCSE C; Bio C; Eng/Kisw C | ~KSh 45,000 per trimester | Direct | Jan, May, Sept |
| Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health | Diploma | KCSE C | ~KSh 60,000 per trimester | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| Outspan Medical College (Nyeri) | Diploma | KCSE C | ~KSh 40,000–55,000 per trimester | Direct | Jan, May, Sept |
4. Public Universities Offering Degree in Nursing (BScN)
Public universities admit students mainly through KUCCPS and have competitive cut-off points.
Public Universities (BSc Nursing)
| University | Entry Requirements | Cut-Off Points (Est.) | Fees (Self-sponsored) | Application | Intakes |
| University of Nairobi | C+; C+ in Bio, Chem, Maths/Phys, Eng | 40–44 | KSh 250k–350k/yr | KUCCPS / Direct | Sept |
| Kenyatta University | C+ cluster subjects | 39–43 | KSh 200k–300k/yr | KUCCPS / Direct | Sept |
| Egerton University | C+ cluster | ~41 | KSh 200k+/yr | KUCCPS | Sept |
| Masinde Muliro University | C+ | ~41 | KSh 200k+/yr | KUCCPS | Sept |
| Karatina University | C+ | 38–40 | KSh 180k–250k/yr | KUCCPS | Sept |
5. Private Universities Offering Degree in Nursing
Private universities admit students directly and often have lower cut-off points.
Private Universities (BSc Nursing)
| University | Entry Requirements | Fees | Application Mode | Intakes |
| Mount Kenya University | C+ | ~KSh 75,000 per semester | Direct | Jan, May, Sept |
| Daystar University | C+ | ~KSh 90,000 per semester | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| Kabarak University | C+ | ~KSh 85,000 per semester | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| Amref International University | C+ | ~KSh 100,000 per semester | Direct | Jan, Sept |
| Zetech University | C+ | ~KSh 70,000–90,000 per semester | Direct | Jan, May, Sept |
Key Notes for Students
- Always confirm NCK accreditation before applying
- KUCCPS applies mainly to KMTC and public universities
- Private colleges and universities admit directly
- Budget for extra costs such as NCK indexing, uniforms and clinical fees
