Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics is a programme that provides comprehensive training in nutritional science, diet therapy and community nutrition. Offered at Kenyatta University, Egerton University, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University, JKUAT and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in nutrition, dietetics and public health nutrition.

The curriculum covers human nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, food science, diet therapy, clinical nutrition, community nutrition, public health nutrition, maternal and child nutrition, sports nutrition, nutrition assessment, food service management, nutrition counselling, nutritional epidemiology, research methods, biostatistics and a research project. Students develop scientific and practical skills for nutrition practice.

Kenya's malnutrition challenges, the rise of non-communicable diseases and the growing awareness of nutrition create demand for nutrition and dietetics graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical rotations, community outreach, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as nutritionists, dietitians, clinical nutritionists, public health nutritionists, nutrition educators, food service managers, nutrition consultants, sports nutritionists, research nutritionists and community nutrition officers. They work in hospitals, county governments, Ministry of Health, NGOs, schools, food companies, sports organisations, research institutions and as consultants.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Human Nutrition
Nutritional Biochemistry
Diet Therapy
Clinical Nutrition
Community Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
Maternal and Child Nutrition
Nutrition Assessment
Food Service Management
Nutritional Epidemiology

Modules

10 in the programme

Human Nutrition
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Nutrition fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Nutritional Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Biochemistry of nutrients. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Diet Therapy
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Therapeutic diets. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Clinical Nutrition
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Nutrition in disease management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...
Community Nutrition
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Community nutrition interventions. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Public Health Nutrition
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Public health nutrition. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Maternal and Child Nutrition
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
MCH nutrition. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...
Nutrition Assessment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Nutritional status assessment. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Food Service Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Food service operations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Clinical Dietetics
Diet therapy. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Sports Nutrition
Athletic nutrition. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Maternal and Child Nutrition
MCH nutrition. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Public Health Nutrition
Community nutrition. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending nutrition lectures, working in food science laboratories, studying nutritional biochemistry, conducting nutrition assessments, learning diet therapy for various conditions, participating in community nutrition outreach, researching nutritional epidemiology, and working on nutrition research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand due to malnutrition and NCDs
KNDI registration enables professional practice
Socially impactful profession improving health

Against it

Requires strong science foundation
Some roles involve working in underserved communities
Public sector salaries may be modest

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public307k to 324k

307k at Egerton University324k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 324K, Egerton 307,340/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). Private unverified.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Health NGOs may offer fieldwork support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
AMREF International University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Health sciences students demonstrating financial need
Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in health sciences

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in nutrition, food science, nursing or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Clinical and Community Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Clinical rotations and community outreach
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI). Offered at KU, Egerton, Maseno, MKU, JKUAT and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4. KNDI registration required for professional practice.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for regulation of nutrition and dietetics professionals in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Nutritionist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Nutrition practice
Public Health Nutritionist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Public health nutrition
Dietitian
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Clinical dietetics
Nutrition Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Nutrition consulting
Food Service Manager
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Food service management

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as nutritionists, dietitians and public health nutritionists in hospitals, county governments, NGOs and food companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SafetyCulture (iAuditor)
Analytics
Google Workspace
Cloud
SPSS
Analytics
ODK (Open Data Kit)
Database
Anthropometric Tools (e.g., WHO Anthro)
Analytics
STATA
Analytics
DHIS2
DatabasePrimary
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Nutrition is just about eating balanced meals.
The programme covers biochemistry, diet therapy, clinical nutrition, epidemiology and public health nutrition.
Nutritionists are the same as dietitians.
Dietitians focus on clinical diet therapy, while nutritionists cover broader nutrition science and public health.
There are no nutrition jobs in Kenya.
Malnutrition and non-communicable diseases create strong demand for nutrition professionals.
Nutrition is an easy course.
The programme requires strong science foundation in biochemistry, physiology and statistics.