Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA)
A Presbyterian Christian university in Kikuyu, Kenya, offering theology, education, and health sciences.
- County
- Kiambu
- Established
- 1969
- Students
- 3,500
- Employment rate
- 72%
The institution
Who they are, how big, and how they rank.
About
The idea of establishing a university was first proposed by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in the early 1990s, building on the church's deep educational heritage at Thogoto — where founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was trained in carpentry at the Thogoto Scotland Missionary School. Chartered in 2008, the Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA) is located in Thogoto, Kikuyu, Kiambu County.
The university operates five schools including Theology and Religious Studies, Business and Economics, Education, Science and Technology, and Health Sciences. Its PCEA foundation integrates Christian values with academic training.
Accredited by CUE and the PCEA Education Council, PUEA ranks 50th nationally. Its location at Thogoto — a historic site of Presbyterian missionary education in Kenya — connects it to over a century of Christian educational heritage in the East African region.
The numbers
- Annual fees
- Ksh 160,000 to Ksh 350,000
- Student to staff
- 1:20
- Mode of study
- Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning
- Charter status
- Chartered
- Chartered
- 2008
- Scholarships
- None recorded
Research
Puea focuses on research in theology, education, and community development, with an emphasis on practical applications of reformed christian scholarship to african contextual challenges. the school of theology and religious studies advances research on reformed theology, african christianity, and the role of the presbyterian church in east african society, building on pcea's long missionary and educational heritage. the school of business and economics investigates entrepreneurship, ethical business practices, and value chain development within a christian worldview. the school of education contributes pedagogical research on values based education and teaching quality in kenyan schools. partnership with the presbyterian church of east africa (pcea) ensures research relevance to church needs, while collaboration with the world communion of reformed churches connects puea to global reformed scholarship. the university of glasgow (uk) partnership supports faculty exchange and collaborative research. the school of science and technology conducts research on ict applications for development. research output increasingly informs church policy, educational practice, and community development across kenya and the east african region.
Accredited by
- Commission for University Education (CUE)
- Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Education Council
What they teach
Faculties, departments and the programmes on offer.
Admission requirements
A C+ mean grade is the minimum for a Bachelor's degree; competitive programmes (medicine, engineering, law, nursing, architecture) require higher grades and specific KCSE subject clusters. Master's programmes require a relevant Bachelor's degree; PhD programmes a relevant Master's degree.
Intakes
- January
- May
- September
Schools and faculties
5 in totalSchool of Theology and Religious Studies
Main Campus, Thogoto
School of Business and Economics
Main Campus, Thogoto
School of Education
Main Campus, Thogoto
School of Science and Technology
Main Campus, Thogoto
School of Health Sciences
Main Campus, Thogoto
Campus and beyond
Where you would be, and who they are connected to.
Campuses
- Main campus
- Main Campus, Kikuyu
Main Campus (Thogoto)
Kiambu
Thogoto, Kikuyu, Kiambu County
On campus
- Library
- Chapel
- Computer Labs
- Student Hostels
- Sports Ground
Notable alumni
- Church leaders and education professionals from PCEA
- Theology graduates and business leaders
International partnerships
3 institutions- Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA)
- World Communion of Reformed Churches
- University of Glasgow (UK)
Further reading
Entry marks, intakes and fees at Presbyterian University of East Africa are restated each year. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.