Admission Requirements
Join the USIU-Africa family.
Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for their level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate). International applicants must also fulfill the international student requirements. Some postgraduate programs have additional requirements—please check the specific course page or brochure. Applications may be submitted online using the application form or by downloading, completing, and dropping the form at the Admissions Office.
Admission Requirements
1. Undergraduate Applicants
Admission to undergraduate degree programs is based on academic achievement at the secondary level. All applicants are expected to satisfy procedures and criteria for admission to USIU-Africa, and to submit acceptable original documents which verify that they have satisfactorily completed and met all admission requirements. Applicants are subject to selective screening based on academic achievement at the secondary level.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent aggregate of C+ (Plus).
Special Requirements:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy: Minimum aggregate grade of KCSE ‘B-’ and minimum of a C+ in Math/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Minimum aggregate of KCSE ‘C+’ and attained the following grades: Biology C+, Mathematics B-, and English B.
- International Credentials: Evaluated according to the International Academic Credentials Handbook, the Commission for Universities Education (CUE) Standards, and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) Equation.
Note: Meeting the minimum entrance requirement for any of the programs does not guarantee admission.
Application Checklist
- Non-refundable application fee (KES. 3,500) – No cash payment.
- Complete and signed application form. (please observe deadlines below)
- Originals and a copy of all transcripts, diplomas, & certificates. (N.B. originals will be returned)
- One (1) recent passport size photograph. (write your name on reverse side)
- Copy of National Identity Card or Birth Certificate.
- School Leaving Certificate.
- Commission for University Education (CUE) Equation Certificate. (for all Foreign Qualifications)
2. Masters Applicants
Graduate admission requirements vary depending on the Master’s degree sought. Please confirm in the specific program page or brochure. In addition to the degree requirements for admission, the following are University-wide graduate admission requirements:
- Non-refundable Application fee (KES. 4,000) – No cash payment
- Complete and signed application form (please observe deadlines below)
- Original and copy of the degree certificate and transcripts for each college or professional school previously attended. (Transcripts should indicate when the degree was awarded alongside syllabi of any college work taken to date)
- Originals and a copy of all supportive documents
- Two page essay addressing these topics:
(1) What experiences led you to select your professional objectives
(2) What other two factors would you like to be considered in evaluating your application - Two letters of recommendation (forms enclosed)
- One (1) recent passport size photograph (write your name on reverse side)
- Copy of National Identity Card or Birth Certificate
- Commission for University Education (CUE) Equation Certificate (for all Foreign Qualifications)
3. Doctoral Applicants
Doctoral admission requirements vary depending on the doctoral program sought. Please confirm in the specific program page or brochure.. In addition to the degree requirements for admission, the following are University-wide doctoral admission requirements:
- Official graduate/master’s degree certificate and transcripts of all college work undertaken (degrees and dates awarded must be posted);
- Official undergraduate/bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts of all college work undertaken (degrees and dates awarded must be posted);
- Submission of a personal narrative;
- Letters of recommendation; and,
- Any other requirements as detailed on the application form, or as may be requested by the University.
International Applicants
International applicants are considered for admission on the same basis as local applicants and evaluated in accordance with the International Academic Credentials Handbook, but must also demonstrate English proficiency.
All students for whom English is not a first language are required to show English proficiency before beginning an academic program.
It should be noted that:
- A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 for Paper-based, 213 for Computer-based, 90 for Internet-based Test (IBT) and above, or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English of grade C or better is required for those applicants whose language of instruction is not English.
- Where applicable, an official translation of all academic records will be required.
- Meeting the minimum entrance requirement for any of the programs does not guarantee admissions into the University program.
International Applicants' Checklist
Have you provided the following additional items?
An official translation of academic records (where applicable)
An official test of English (TOEFL) or equivalent
A current financial guarantee letter
Completed Pupil’s Pass form
Two (2) recent passport size photographs (write your names on reverse side)
Pupil Pass processing fee USD 100 – No cash payment (applicable to Non-East Africans)
Applicant’s copy of National passport
Sponsor’s copy of National passport
Certificate of Good Conduct
For more information about international students application, please click on the link below.
Transfer Students
Transfer Admissions
Official evaluation of undergraduate transfer credit is under the authority of the dean or designee of a school in consultation with the Admissions Office. All degree-seeking undergraduate applicants must submit official high school records (showing date of graduation) and college records.
The Admissions Office evaluates transfer students’ previous academic work completed at the undergraduate level for possible credits to be applied to their degree programs at USIU-Africa. Allowable transfer credits are formally identified and documented by the Admissions Office. An official transcript must be received before final transfer work can be accepted. Course descriptions may also need to be provided if requested.
Degree requirements are determined by combining the transfer credits allowed and the required academic work to be successfully completed at USIU-Africa. Students can request a copy of the transfer evaluation from the Registrar’s Office.
Transfer evaluation will be based on higher education work completed where grades of C or better were earned. Applicants with less than 12 semester units completed will have their secondary school record also evaluated. Students who have completed 18 semester units or 27 semester units will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer Credit in General Education
Undergraduate students transferring to USIU-Africa from approved institutions may meet some or all of the General Education requirements by presenting credits earned in baccalaureate transferable courses from such institutions with grades of C or better.
Grades Required for Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is accepted from accredited institutions only if the grade received is C or better. Credit may be accepted where a D grade was received under one of two conditions:
a next higher course in a sequence has been completed at another institution with a C grade or better (e.g., courses in mathematics, language); or
a higher course in a sequence is completed at USIU-Africa with a C grade or better.
Applicants to USIU-Africa must submit official transcripts of credit from all previously attended institutions. All grades earned at other accredited institutions will be used to compute the grade point average for admission purposes. The computed transfer credit grade point average from the other institution does not appear on the USIU-Africa permanent record.
Correspondence and Extension Courses
USIU-Africa does not offer correspondence courses and does not accept credit for such courses. Undergraduate university-level extension courses completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education can be accepted as transfer credits at USIU-Africa. The extension course must be similar in content to a regular course offered at the transferring institution and at USIU-Africa. The student must have received a grade of C or better in the course. No more than 23 trimester units of extension credits may be applied toward the undergraduate degree requirements at USIU-Africa.
Military Course Credit
The University is guided by the recommendations of The ACE (American Council on Education) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services regarding credit for Military Service toward the bachelor’s degree. Transfer credit will be assessed on a course by course basis.
To obtain credit for military service, the student must have matriculated, be enrolled at the University, and submit Form DD-214 or DD-295.
Credit by Examination
A maximum of 30 units of examination credit from all sources will be accepted by the University. The last 36 units of course requirements may not be fulfilled by examination.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
USIU-Africa recognizes the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate Program. Such a program, satisfactorily completed, will virtually guarantee an applicant admission to USIU-Africa. In addition, the University will grant advanced placement of six trimester units for each higher level result of four, five, six, or seven up to a maximum of 30 units. Three trimester units will be granted for each subsidiary level passes. Where applicable, these units will be applied to the lower division academic requirements.
Variant Courses
Vocational or technical courses, remedial high school courses, and other courses below collegiate level are not accepted at USIU-Africa as transfer credits even if the courses were completed at an accredited institution of higher education.
Transfer Credit Limits
A maximum of 90 trimester units of credit earned may be accepted for transfer from accredited undergraduate institutions. The final 30 semester units toward a degree must be completed at USIU-Africa to comply with residency requirements. USIU-Africa reserves the right to waiver this requirement for USIU-Africa students participating in Student Exchange programs. Once a student has matriculated at USIU-Africa, all further transfer credits must have prior approval of the dean or designee.
Basis for Institutional Transfer Credit
Transfer credits may be accepted from institutions of higher education that are accredited by one or more of the following agencies.
- Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
- North Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Southern Association of Schools and Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
International students from government-recognized institutions must submit original or certified transcripts, translated into English, showing courses completed, grades obtained, and length of program. A syllabus or course description in English covering each course being considered for transfer credit should be submitted with the transcript to the Admissions Office. Transcripts and syllabi documentation are evaluated for the minimum C grade equivalency requirement and subject matter content to determine the number of transfer credits allowable.
During the transfer credit evaluation process, academic work from other colleges and universities is compared to USIU-Africa courses within the appropriate degree program, and transfer credits are awarded on the basis of similar syllabi. College and university courses completed elsewhere may be considered for transfer credits as electives even though the courses are not offered at USIU-Africa.
Application Deadlines
| Semester | Deadline | Housing Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September) | June 30 | July 31 |
| Spring (January) | September 30 | October 30 |
| Summer (May) | March 15 | April 1 |
- Only Complete applications will be accepted.
- Application deadlines must be observed.
- Complete applications received after the deadline will be processed for the following semester.
- USIU-Africa reserves the right of admission.
Application Documents
Masters Application Forms
Doctoral Application Forms
Contact Admissions
Incase of any issues regarding admission, please reach out to us via phone call, Whats App or email. Our admissions officer typically responds in a timely manner
- +254 730 116 290 / 291 / 247 / 300 / 397 / 503 / 522
- admit@usiu.ac.ke
- +254 755 844 849
United States International University – Africa
USIU Road, Off Thika Road (Exit 7),
P. O. Box 14634 – 00800,
Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa.