The United States International University (USIU) was founded in 1969 as the first private secular university in Kenya. Today, USIU is considered one of the top universities in East Africa. USIU is accredited in the USA by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and in Kenya by the Commission for Higher Education.

USIU consists of five schools – Chandaria School of Business;  School of Communication, Creative & Cinematic Arts; School of Humanities & Social Sciences; School of Science & Technology; and School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. USIU’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, hospitality, IS, international relations, psychology, and journalism are internationally recognized.

The University prides itself on being a multinational institution of higher learning. The academic community consists of more than $6,500 students and 540 professors. 85% of students and faculty are from Kenya; 15% come from 73 different countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 65% of the student body is female; 35% is male.

USIU has the highest percentage of faculty in Kenya with doctoral degrees. Faculty continue to refine their teaching skills and scholarship through workshops, research, scholarly conferences, and publications. Many have presented papers at conferences all over the globe; including the UK, USA, Australia, Tanzania, South Africa, India, and France. Many are sought out by the media and government as experts in their specialty areas.

USIU is located on a beautiful 20-acre campus on the outskirts of Nairobi, the commercial, intellectual, cultural and recreational hub of East Africa. The campus consists of academic, administrative and residential buildings; recreation areas and athletic facilities. The sporting complex includes outdoor fields for rugby, basketball, field hockey, and soccer as well as indoor facilities for table tennis, aerobics, dance, martial arts, and weightlifting.  WiFi is available throughout the campus.

Teaching & grading

USIU’s curriculum is based on the American liberal arts education system. Most classes will have a syllabus. Professors utilize lecture, discussion, and/or hands-on teaching styles, depending on the subject. The language of instruction is English.

While there are many similarities to the USA, there are some differences. Most USIU professors were educated in the British educational system and will bring their experiences and expectations to their own classes. Students are expected to work more independently, courses may have fewer examinations and professors are less likely to provide study sheets for exams.

Many Kenyan students at USIU come from small townships. Their experiences are very different than students who grew up in Nairobi and the USA. Professors may have to spend additional time on basic concepts that often seem redundant to students from the USA. Please have an open mind and realize that you are in a different country with different needs. Help your peers. Most will appreciate your input and world views.

Students are graded based on their performance in class and their ability to complete all the required coursework on time. Regular attendance of classes is expected of every student, and students are responsible for all work missed during an absence.

USIU uses the letter grading system based on the 4.0 GPA scale. Some professors use continuous assessment (typical of the USA system) throughout the semester, while other professors rely on just one or two exams/papers (typical of the British system) for the final grade. Students should expect that the exam will cover all topics listed on the syllabus, even if the professor did not specifically cover them in lecture. This is typical of the British system.