Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
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.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 324,000
Ksh 1,296,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 324,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 12 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
High demand due to malnutrition and NCDsRequires strong science foundation
KNDI registration enables professional practiceSome roles involve working in underserved communities
Socially impactful profession improving healthPublic 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

Scholarships you could apply for

13 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
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.

Subject requirements
BiologyC+
ChemistryC+
MathematicsC+
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 12 institutions
January 202712 institutions

Including Kabarak University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University.

May 202712 institutions

Including Kabarak University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University.

September 202712 institutions

Including Kabarak University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University.

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

  • 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

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.

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

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.

Further reading

Read next