Any institution seeking to operate as a university in Kenya must obtain either a Letter of Interim Authority (LIA) or a full Charter from the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body established under the Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012. Operating a university without a Charter or LIA is a criminal offence. No institution may use the word “university” in its name without valid authorisation from CUE.
A Letter of Interim Authority is granted for an initial period and allows a new institution to begin operating while working toward full accreditation. A Charter is the permanent instrument of authority and is granted after the institution meets all accreditation standards.
University Charter / Accreditation Fee Summary Table
| Fee Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application for LIA or Charter | Prescribed in CUE application forms; confirm current fees with CUE |
| Annual programme accreditation fees | Set by CUE per programme |
| Ongoing regulatory compliance fees | Vary by institution type and size |
The Universities Act, 2012 empowers the Cabinet Secretary to prescribe fees by regulation. Specific fee schedules are communicated directly by CUE to applicants. Confirm current fees at cue.or.ke before applying.
Key Requirements
An application to CUE for a university charter must be accompanied by a draft of the proposed charter; documentation of proposed infrastructure (land, buildings, laboratories, library); academic staffing plans; financial projections and sustainability plans; a description of proposed programmes; governance structures including a proposed university council; and evidence of minimum student admission standards. CUE conducts site inspections before granting any instrument of authority.
Contact
Commission for University Education
Red Hill Road, off Limuru Road, Gigiri, Nairobi
P.O. Box 54999-00200, Nairobi
Website: cue.or.ke
