Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is a four-year programme offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Maseno University, and Mount Kenya University. It trains professionals in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and dietetics practice to address malnutrition and diet-related diseases.
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. Up to Ksh 163,500 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 2 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 13 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students study human nutrition, clinical dietetics, food science, nutritional biochemistry, meal planning, nutrition assessment, community nutrition, and food service management. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with laboratory practicals, clinical attachments, community fieldwork, and research projects, ensuring graduates can deliver evidence-based nutrition interventions.
Entry requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least C+ in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Physics. The programme is regulated by the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) and offered full-time over four academic years.
Graduates work as nutritionists, dieticians, public health nutrition officers, and food service managers in hospitals, government ministries, NGOs, food industries, and research institutions. They manage nutrition care for patients with communicable and non-communicable diseases and lead community nutrition programmes.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and KNDI, ensuring training meets national professional standards. Graduates must register with KNDI to practise as licensed nutritionists and dieticians in Kenya.
Career opportunities include roles in clinical dietetics, public health nutrition, food industry quality assurance, nutrition policy development, and academic research. The demand for nutrition professionals continues to grow with rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases and malnutrition in Kenya.
What you study
6 subjects- Nutrition
- Dietetics
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Community Health
- Medical Ethics
Modules
8 in the programmeFoundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Foundations of Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of Science: Core scientific principles, methodology, and laboratory techniques. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research methods for scientific inquiry. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Statistics and Data Analysis: Statistical methods and data analysis techniques for scientific research. Includes probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and data interpretation.
Advanced Topics I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced Topics I: Advanced theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Advanced Topics II
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Further advanced topics with contemporary applications. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Laboratory Practicals
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Laboratory Practicals: Hands-on laboratory sessions developing practical scientific skills. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Research Project
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Research Project: Independent research project culminating in a defended report. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Specialisations
Nutrition and Dietetics
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. 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.
Clinical Practice
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. 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
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. 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.
Health Administration
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. 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.
Laboratory Science
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. 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
Lectures, practicals, group discussions, and independent study form the core of the student experience. Industrial attachment and research projects provide real-world exposure.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Solid foundation for diverse career paths across multiple sectors | Competitive job market requiring additional skills or experience |
| Recognised qualification accredited by CUE | May require further specialisation for advanced roles |
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 coursesAnnual 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
Egerton 307,340; UoN 324,000 official page. GLUK 123,000; KEMU 163,500 KUCCPS.
HELB loans available for eligible students. University and external scholarships may be available.
Funding options
HELB Loan
KUCCPS Placement
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
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
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders may upgrade through bridging programmes.
When it next starts
Taught at 13 institutionsIncluding South Eastern Kenya University, Pwani University, Tom Mboya University.
Including South Eastern Kenya University, Pwani University, Tom Mboya University.
Including South Eastern Kenya University, Pwani University, Tom Mboya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsWritten Examinations
Exam50% of the mark
End-of-semester examinations.
Research Project
Research15% of the mark
Final-year research project.
Continuous Assessment
Cat25% of the mark
Assignments, tests, and presentations.
Industrial Attachment
Clinical10% of the mark
Supervised attachment report.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesClinical Trial Scientist (Junior)
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 110,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Program Coordinator
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Program Coordinators work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Scientist
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Scientists work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Data Analyst (Junior)
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Data Analyst (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Stable.
Marine Research Assistant (Junior)
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Marine Research Assistant (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers in sciences or proceed to further studies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Agricultural EntomologistScience17Low exposure
- Neurotechnology Research EngineerScience17Low exposure
- Phage Therapy ResearcherScience17Low exposure
- Applied GeochemistScience18Low exposure
- Computational ToxicologistScience18Low exposure
- Computational Toxicology SpecialistScience18Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Python
ProgrammingPrimary
Data analysis and machine learning for risk modelling.
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This programme has limited career options.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors including government, private sector, NGOs, and entrepreneurship.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
The programme is only for top-performing students.
While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.
Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.