The government has unveiled a reduction in tuition fees for public universities, set to take effect from September 1, 2025.

This change, the result of extensive consultations with students, parents, and education stakeholders, aims to make university education more affordable and accessible through the new Student-Centred Funding Model.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Education, Principal Secretary Beatrice Muganda Inyangala explained that the revised fee structure will apply to both new and returning students.

Universities have been directed to update their admission and finance systems to reflect the new fees ahead of the upcoming academic year.

“This bold step reaffirms our commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality university education, while maintaining the financial sustainability of our institutions,” said Inyangala.

The funding model will continue to cover the full cost of university programmes by combining tuition fees, government scholarships, and student loans.

The support each student receives will depend on their financial situation, ensuring that help is targeted where it is needed most.

The government designed this rationalisation directly in response to complaints from students and parents about the rising cost of university fees under the previous system.

By lowering fees, the government hopes to remove obstacles that have stopped many qualified students from accessing higher education.

“This is a landmark rationalisation of public university fees based on the Student-Centred Funding Model,” Inyangala said. She emphasized that the changes highlight the government’s focus on reforms that promote fairness and effectiveness in higher education.

She also called on all public universities to fully support the implementation of the new framework. “We count on your full cooperation to implement these financing reforms efficiently, equitably, and in the best interest of Kenyan students and families,” Inyangala added.

This revision is part of a wider transformation plan within the education sector, with the government reinforcing its goal of making higher education a key driver of national growth.

Under the revised structure, programmes such as Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy will cost between Sh12,343 and Sh75,000 per semester.

Architecture courses will range from Sh12,960 to Sh57,888.

Engineering and Surveying will cost between Sh14,256 and Sh57,024 per semester.

Other courses, including Built Environment and Design—Construction, Real Estate, Urban and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Design, and Computing—will range from Sh12,960 to Sh51,840.

Programmes under Health Sciences, including Nursing, Clinical Medicine (BSc), Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, will cost between Sh14,400 and Sh57,600.

Courses such as Animal Science, Radiography, Sport Science, Medical Psychology, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Community Health and Development will range from Sh13,082 to Sh52,326.

Food-related programmes like Food Science, Food Science and Technology, and Food and Nutrition will cost between Sh11,401 and Sh45,603.

Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Natural Environment, and Wildlife Science and Management will cost between Sh9,729 and Sh38,880.

Applied Sciences and Education (Science and Technology), including Education (Science, Technology, and Special Needs), Exercise and Sport Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Applied and Technical Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Financial Engineering, and Environmental Science, will cost between Sh11,628 and Sh46,512.

Basic Sciences—Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geography (BSc)—will range from Sh10,659 to Sh42,636.

Applied Social Sciences and the Arts (Professional), including Hospitality, Media and Communication Studies, Library and Information Studies, Business Information Technology, Sport Science and Management, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Music (BMus), Civil Aviation Management, Maritime Management, Agribusiness Management, Theatre and Film Studies, Fine Art, Food Service and Management, and Law will cost between Sh9,690 and Sh38,760.

Business, Education (Arts), and Economics will cost between Sh7,525 and Sh30,101.

Applied Humanities and Social Sciences—Geography (BA), Public Administration, Psychology, Music (BA), Peace and Security Studies, Disaster Management, Anthropology, Languages, BA with Education, Language and Communication, International Relations and Diplomacy, Social Work, and Development Studies—will range from Sh6,982 to Sh27,927.

Basic Humanities and Social Sciences, including Economics, Geography (BA), History, Philosophy, Religion, Sociology, Literature, Political Science, and Linguistics, will cost between Sh5,814 and Sh23,256.