Overview
Philosophy, Rationale
The current four-year BSc. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics course wasreviewed in 2020as per University’s and Commission for University Education (CUE) timeframe. The food and nutrition sectorsare dynamic, with several changes taking place over the last 5 years, most notably the government’s attempt to harmonise and regulate the Food, Nutrition and Dietetics undergraduate courses being offered at university level in Kenya, through the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI). The units/courses offered take into account emerging trends in the food, nutrition and dietetics landscape, by addressing not only malnutrition but also the double and now triple burden of malnutrition. The increasing prevalence rates of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer alongside infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS have led to a higher demand for appropriately trained nutritionists and dieticians to lead in ensuring the implementation and success of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions. To expand the scope and respond to market demands in accordance with ISO and CUE Guidelines on Curriculum Review, key stakeholders are part and parcel of programme review process. The stakeholders included lecturers; current and former students; employers; relevant professional regulator(s) (such as KNDI); and other experts in the field.
The current curriculum lays emphasis on compulsory practicum/attachment at community, as well as in food and health-related institutions in the first, second, and third academic years to gain hands on competencies. The BSc Food Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum has been developed with various stakeholders in government and non-government institutions to cover all critical aspects using a fairly multidisciplinary approach. The degree programme prepares students with knowledge and skills to work as nutritionists in the relevant sectors such as health, community programmes,food service, food processing and agriculture among others
The Department of Food Technology and Nutrition in the Faculty of Agriculture proposes a BSc. programme in Foods Nutrition and Dietetics. Since nutrition problems are multicausal, the course incorporates various courses: biological, physical, medical and social sciences, to help the graduates of the programme address problems from a multidisciplinary point of view. Graduates from the programme might go on for postgraduate training in applied and basic nutrition, food science and technology, public health disciplines, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, demography, maternal and child health, etc., or alternatively, accept jobs with relevant ministries, non‑governmental organizations (NGOs), schools and colleges.
Application Information
There are two categories of students at the University of Nairobi:
- Government Sponsored Students
- Self Sponsored Students
Application process for Government Sponsored Students
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is the state corporation that coordinates the placement of Government-Sponsored Students to Kenyan universities and colleges. KUCCPS undertakes the selection of undergraduate students for admission to higher learning institutions for Government sponsorship.
KUCCPS placement criteria
a) Only candidates who apply for placement will be considered for placement in the respective programmes applied
b) Candidates must meet the minimum admission requirement approved by the respective regulating authority to be considered for placement
c) Placement shall be on merit
d) An affirmative action criteria approved by the Placement Service shall be applied for the marginalized and disadvantaged applicants.
e) Applicants who will not manage to be placed in the preferred programmes may be requested to re-apply for placement consideration into programmes which may not satisfied the number required.
Click here for the KUCCPS application procedure
Application process for Self Sponsored Students (undergraduate and postgraduate students)
Applications for admission to study at the University as self sponsored students are online.
The online application system has a list of all the courses on offer at the University, open Intakes, application deadlines, reporting dates and program requirements.
All first time applicants are encouraged to explore the list of available academic programmes and the set requirements to ensure that they qualify to apply for their programme of choice.
Application procedure (undergraduate and postgraduate)
Follow these step by step guidelines to apply for a course: Application Manual
General application information:
- Prospective students are required to complete their application. The University of Nairobi does not make use of representatives, agents or agencies during the application process.
- All applicants are required to provide all the required information: current email address, an active phone number and Postal Address and certified scanned copies of Certificates, transcripts and a current passport photo.
- The application deadlines are indicated on the online application system, the closing dates cannot be extended.
- Payment of application Fees: Applicants will pay a non-refundable application fee of Kshs.3,000 (undergradaute and masters level) and Kshs. 4,000 for PhD level. International pay USD 50. Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation of the payment on your email address and phone number.
- Applicants can track the status of the application online through the system. Alerts will be sent to via email address and phone number.
Modes of payment
- Electronic transfer/direct cash deposit at any ABSA bank branch countrywide
Bank: ABSA bank
Account name: UON Application Account
Account Number: 2032771362
Bank branch: ABSA PLAZA
Or
Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB)branch
Account Name: University of Nairobi
Account number: 11774757075
*Quote the application reference number as sent to your mobile phone
1. Application Fee Payment Via M-Pesa
Pay the required amount through your mobile phone by M-pesa following the instructions below:
1. Go to M-PESA on your phone.
2. Select Lipa na M-PESA option
3. Select Pay Bill option.
4. Enter Business no.
5. Enter your Reference number as sent to your mobilephone
6. Enter the Amount you intend to pay.
7. Enter your M-PESA PIN and Send
N/B. Only make the payment if you have been allocated an application reference number sent to your phone or email
Student loans
Kenyan students in higher education institutions are eligible for education loans by the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
HELB enhances equity in higher education by awarding loans and bursaries to needy Kenyan students. HELB awards loans to students in institutions of higher learning to fund their education i.e. those students’ joining University as Government or Self Sponsored. The loan attracts interest of 4% p.a and the students are required to repay their loans on completion of their studies. Applying for a HELB loan can allow you to afford your studies while enjoying low interest.
These loans are not automatic and have to be applied for through the student portal.
Click here to view HELB products
Mode of Delivery
Face to Face
Contacts of support persons
Chairman Dr. G.O Abong, - ooko.george@uonbi.ac.ke
Evelyne Ishuga – ishuga@uonbi.ac.ke
Joan Waluvengo – joant@uonbi.ac.ke
Structure
A3.4 Candidates seeking exemption from 2nd to 4th Year courses shall be required to sit for examinations preceding the year or semester of exemption. They shall be required to attain a pass standard in order to qualify for an exemption. The score obtained will then be used in the degree classification.
A3.6 Candidates with Diploma (Credit or Distinction) or Higher National Diploma in Food Science and Technology, Agriculture or related courses from the National Polytechnics or other recognized institutions be exempted from first-year courses and be registered in 2nd year.
A3.7 Candidates with Diploma (Credit or Distinction) in Food Science and Technology, Agriculture or related courses from recognized Universities be exempted from first-year courses and be registered in 2nd year.
Admission Requirements
-
Candidates must, in satisfying the minimum entrance requirements of mean grade of C+ for the University, offer passes at C or above in Biology or Biological Sciences; Chemistry and Physics or Physical Science and, in Mathematics (or Geography, Home Science, Agriculture).
Other Candidates
-
Alternatively, admission may be granted to outstanding diplomats from recognized Health, Agricultural or Veterinary Colleges , with passes at credit or distinction.
Careers
- Academic institutions
- Research institutions
- Consultancy firms-self or established
- Hospitals
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Food industries
- World Health Organization
- Food and Agriculture Organization
- Government parastatals
- Personal therapeutic food firm
Fees and Funding
| YEAR 1 -17UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Yearly total | |
| TUITION | 162,000.00 | 162,000.00 | 324,000.00 | |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | ||
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 8,000.00 | 9,000.00 | 17,000.00 | |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | - | 5,000.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | - | 4,000.00 | |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 | |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | - | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 | |
| Total-Bsc-Food Science and Dietetics-Year1 | 198,750.00 | 173,250.00 | 372,000.00 | |
| YEAR 2 - 17UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Yearly total | |
| TUITION | 162,000.00 | 162,000.00 | 324,000.00 | |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 | |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 8,000.00 | 9,000.00 | 17,000.00 | |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 | |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | - | 4,000.00 | |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | - | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 | |
| Total-Bsc-Food Science and Dietetics-Year2 | 193,750.00 | 173,250.00 | 367,000.00 | |
| YEAR 3 - 17UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Yearly total | |
| TUITION | 162,000.00 | 162,000.00 | 324,000.00 | |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 | |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 8,000.00 | 9,000.00 | 17,000.00 | |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | - | 4,000.00 | |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | - | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 | |
| Total-Bsc-Food Science and Dietetics-Year3 | 193,750.00 | 173,250.00 | 367,000.00 | |
| YEAR 4 - 13UNITS | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Yearly total | |
| TUITION | 162,000.00 | 162,000.00 | 324,000.00 | |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 | |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 13,000.00 | |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | - | 4,000.00 | |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | - | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | - | 2,000.00 | |
| Total-Bsc-Food Science and Dietetics-Year4 | 191,750.00 | 171,250.00 | 363,000.00 | |
|
1,469,000.00 |
Exam Regulations
The conduct of examinations shall be governed by the following regulations:
6.1 No candidate shall be permitted to an examination unless he/she has satisfactorily attended the prescribed course of study.
6.2 For purposes of these regulations. Industrial attachment shall be deemed to be part of the fourth year of study.
6.3 All examination procedures shall be governed by the following:
(a) Each course shall be examined out of a total of 100%.
(b) The pass mark in each course examination shall be 40% and be graded as follows:
70 – 100% A
60 – 69% B
50 – 59% C
40 – 49% D
39% and below F
(c) Written examination in each course shall constitute 70% Coursework Assessment Tests (CATs) the remaining 30% of the total marks.
(d) The Industrial Attachment shall be examined by written report and oral presentation. The Industrial attachment score shall be graded as Pass (P) or fail (F) on 1 and shall not be used in the degree classification.
(e) The Special Research Project shall be examined by written report and oral examination.
(f) For purposes of regulations 5.3 (a) – (e) herein, all papers shall carry equal weight.
(g) A candidate who fails to attain the pass mark in seven or more papers in any year shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be discontinued.
(h) A candidate who fails to attain the pass mark in five to six papers may on the recommendation of the faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to repeat the year with the option, to repeat externally. Candidates who repeat the year externally shall be required to pay examination and any other fees that the University may deem applicable. Candidates who repeat the year shall sit for examinations in the failed subjects only.
(i) In any year, a candidate who fails to attain the PassMark in four papers or less may on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to sit Supplementary Examinations in the papers failed within a period of three months from the last date of the ordinary examination.
(j) A candidate who fails to attain a passmark in a Supplementary examination shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to resit the supplementary examination ONCE ONLY as long as such examinations do not exceed eight in number during any one sitting.
(k) A candidate failing a resit Supplementary shall on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be discontinued from the degree course.
(l) Any Supplementary Examination shall be marked out of 100%, but the passing score shall be reduced to 40% only.
(m) For purposes of evaluation of all Supplementary examinations, regulations 5.4 (g) – (ii) shall apply.
(n) No candidate shall be permitted to repeat any year more than once for academic reasons only.
6.6 The final award of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Food Science and
Technology) shall:
(a) Be given to candidates who have completed and passed examinations in all the courses of study including Industrial Practice.
(b) Be based on the average score of all the examinations of the courses taken in the second, third and fourth year of study.
(c) Be classified into First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (Upper or Lower) Division and Pass, provided that in order to qualify for an award of honours degree, a candidate shall not have repeated either the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study or have had resit Supplementary in an Examination from the same years.
6.7 In arriving at the decision as to the degree classification for each candidate, the Faculty Board of examiners shall have regard to the overall marks obtained by the candidate and shall apply the principle that an aggregate score of:
(a) 70% -100% merits First-class Honours.
(b) 60% - 69% merits the Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
(c) 50% - 59% merits the Second Class Honours (Lower Division).
(d) 40% - 49% merits a Pass.
(e) Below 40% merits a Fail.
