Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) Admission Requirements 2026-2027

Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) Admission Requirements 2026/2027 Intake | The Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) courses, application entry requirements, and fees for undergraduate, postgraduate, distant learning courses for the 2026/2027 academic year have been released.

The management of the Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) has released the 2026 Intake application entry requirements for successful admission into the undergraduate and postgraduate (Degree, MBA, PhD, Master’s, Diploma, Certificate, Short Course, and Non-Degree) programs, for the 2026/2027 academic year.

General minimum requirements: Who is eligible for the GLUK 2026 intake

Before looking at specific courses, it helps to understand the general minimum requirements that GLUK typically expects from applicants

You should hold a recognised secondary school qualification, for example, KCSE, IGCSE, or another equivalent certificate approved by the Kenyan Commission for University Education.
You must meet the minimum grade point or score set for your chosen level of study.
You may be asked to meet course-specific subjects, for example, minimum grades in Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry or related subjects, depending on the programme.
International applicants need to provide certified equivalents of their qualifications and sometimes an English language proficiency test if their previous schooling was not in English.

These general rules apply across the university, with each school and department adding its own detailed requirements for specific programmes.

Certificate programmes at GLUK, typical 2026 entry requirements

Certificate programmes are designed for students who may not yet meet the direct requirements for diploma or degree programmes, or who want to build foundational skills in a particular field.

For 2026, you can expect the typical GLUK certificate entry requirements to look something like this

KCSE mean grade, usually D plain or D plus
For some courses, there may be minimum grades in English, Mathematics, or relevant sciences, especially in health or technical areas
For mature students, work experience in a related area can sometimes strengthen the application

Certificate programmes often last between one and two years. After completing a certificate with good grades, you may be able to progress into a related diploma programme at GLUK, sometimes with credit exemptions.

Diploma programmes at GLUK, 2026 admission requirements

Diploma programmes are a popular pathway for students who did not meet the direct degree entry requirements but still want a strong technical, professional qualification. Many GLUK diplomas are in areas like

Community health and development
Nursing-related fields
Business management and accounting
Information technology
Education and early childhood studies

Typical admission requirements for diploma programmes in 2026 are likely to include

KCSE mean grade of C minus or C plain, depending on the programme
For health-related diplomas, stronger grades in Biology, Chemistry and English may be required
Some programmes may require a C plain in English or Kiswahili
Applicants with a relevant certificate qualification from a recognised institution may also be considered for diploma entry, especially if their certificate performance was strong

Diploma graduates can often join degree programmes at GLUK later, with advanced standing or credit transfer into the second or third year, depending on the programme and performance.

Undergraduate degree admission requirements, GLUK 2026

Undergraduate degree programmes form the core of GLUK’s academic offerings. In 2026, a typical applicant will be a recent KCSE graduate or a diploma holder looking to upgrade to a bachelor’s degree.

KCSE entry route, direct degree admission

For direct admission from KCSE, the university normally expects

A minimum mean grade of C plus in KCSE for most bachelor’s programmes
Specific subject requirements for particular courses, for example
- Science and health programmes, stronger grades in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics
- Business and economics, decent performance in Mathematics and English or Business-related subjects
- Education programmes, appropriate subject combinations that match the teaching areas you plan to specialise in

Remember that meeting the minimum grade is not always enough for competitive programmes, especially in health sciences. The higher your grades, the better your chances of securing admission and possible scholarships.

Diploma to degree route, credit transfer and upgrading

If you already hold a relevant diploma, GLUK often provides an upgrading route into a bachelor’s degree. For 2026, you can expect something like

A recognised diploma from an accredited institution, usually with a credit or distinction pass
The diploma must be in a field closely related to the degree you want to pursue
Official transcripts will be evaluated to determine how many credits can be transferred
You may be allowed to join in the second or third year, depending on the match between your previous coursework and the GLUK degree curriculum

This pathway is very attractive if you want to move from technical training into a full university degree without starting again from first year.

Popular GLUK programmes, typical admission expectations

Different GLUK schools and programmes may set their own detailed requirements. Here is a general overview of what you can expect from some of the more popular areas of study in 2026.

Health sciences and nursing are demanding but rewarding

Health-related programmes are among the most competitive at GLUK, especially in nursing, public health and community health. For these programmes, admission requirements often include

KCSE mean grade of at least C plus, sometimes higher for certain options
Minimum grades in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili
For nursing-related courses, regulatory body requirements must be satisfied, for example, those of the Nursing Council of Kenya. This may include subject combinations and a clean record of professional conduct for upgrading nurses

Applicants should be prepared for a rigorous selection process, since capacity for clinical placements and facilities can be limited. Submitting your application early and ensuring that all documents are complete is essential.

Business, economics and management programmes

For business-related degrees such as the Bachelor of Commerce or the Bachelor of Business Administration, GLUK typically expects

KCSE mean grade of C plus
A good grade in Mathematics
Decent performance in English and business-related subjects, where applicable

If you are upgrading from a business diploma, your transcripts will be evaluated to see how well your previous modules align with the GLUK curriculum. Strong performance in quantitative units makes your application more competitive.

Education and social sciences programmes

GLUK also offers programmes in education, community development and social sciences. Typical expectations for these include

KCSE mean grade of C plus for degree programmes
Appropriate subject combinations for teaching degrees, for example, Mathematics and Physics, English and Literature, Kiswahili and CRE
For community development and social work-related programmes, solid performance in humanities and languages is helpful

Some education programmes may also look at your communication skills and your motivation for teaching, sometimes through interviews or personal statements.

Postgraduate admission requirements, GLUK 2026

If you plan to advance your studies beyond the bachelor’s level, GLUK offers postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees and doctoral programmes.

Postgraduate diplomas, flexible professional advancement

Postgraduate diploma programmes are ideal if you already have a bachelor’s degree but want to specialise or retool in a new area. Typical requirements include

A recognised bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Usually at least a lower second class honours or equivalent, though this can vary by programme
Some programmes may accept a pass degree if you also have relevant work experience in the field

Postgraduate diplomas often run for one academic year and may be offered in flexible or blended formats to accommodate working professionals.

Master’s programmes, building advanced expertise

For master’s degree programmes at GLUK in 2026, you can expect the following general requirements

A bachelor’s degree with at least a second class honours, upper division, from a recognised university
In some cases, a strong second class, lower division, with relevant work experience, may be acceptable
The undergraduate degree should be in a discipline closely related to the master’s programme you wish to join
You may be asked to provide a statement of purpose, curriculum vitae and academic references

Some master’s programmes, especially in research-oriented fields, may require you to propose a preliminary research topic, showing that you understand current issues in your area of interest.

Doctoral, PhD admission

Doctoral programmes are the highest academic level at GLUK and have more demanding entry requirements. Typically, applicants must have

A relevant master’s degree from a recognised institution
Evidence of research capacity, for example, a strong master’s thesis
A well-developed research proposal that aligns with the expertise available in the university’s academic departments
Referees who can comment on your academic and research potential

If you plan to apply for a PhD in 2026, start preparing your proposal early, and try to identify potential supervisors whose research interests match your own.

Application documents: what you should prepare for GLUK 2026

Regardless of the level of study, you should be ready to submit a complete set of documents with your application. While exact requirements may change slightly, a typical GLUK 2026 application will include

Completed application form, either online or paper-based, depending on the system in use
Certified copies of KCSE or equivalent secondary school certificates and result slips
Certified copies of post-secondary certificates and transcripts for diploma, degree or postgraduate applicants
A national identity card or passport copy, for international students, a valid passport and any required passes
Recent passport-size photographs, if requested
Application fee payment evidence, for example, a bank slip or other payment confirmation
For international applicants, sometimes a recognition letter or an equivalency of certificates from the relevant national authority

Postgraduate applicants may also need to provide

Curriculum vitae, describing academic background and work experience
Academic referees, usually two or three
Statement of purpose, explaining why you want to join the programme and your plans
Research concept paper or proposal, for research-based master’s and PhD programmes

Submitting clear, legible, certified copies of your documents helps the admissions team process your file more quickly.

English language and international applicants, GLUK 2026

GLUK attracts students from across East Africa and beyond. If you are an international applicant for 2026, you should pay attention to

If the equivalence of your secondary school qualification to the Kenyan KCSE, you may need a formal equivalence or recognition letter from the relevant authority
Proof of English language proficiency, if your previous education was not in English, this might include recognised tests or other evidence that you can study effectively in English
Visa and immigration requirements, you will need to meet the conditions set by Kenyan authorities for foreign students, including valid travel documents and, in some cases, proof of financial support

Applying early is particularly important for international students, because processing visas and recognition of certificates can take time.

Intakes, academic calendar and application timing

GLUK usually has specific intakes during the year, commonly around January and sometimes other months, depending on the programme and mode of study. For the 2026 admission cycle

Check which intakes your chosen programme offers. Some programmes have one major intake per year, others may have multiple
Note the application deadlines; late applications may be considered, subject to space and approval, but it is always safer to apply before the official closing date
Pay attention to reporting dates, orientation sessions and fee payment deadlines; these are essential for securing your place and avoiding cancellation

Part-time, evening or weekend programmes may follow slightly different calendars, designed to accommodate working students.

Financial considerations, tuition fees and scholarships

While this guide focuses on admission requirements, it is impossible to plan for university without thinking about costs. GLUK tuition fees can vary significantly between programmes, especially between health sciences, business and humanities. When planning for 2026

Request the latest fee structure for your specific programme and level
Factor in other costs, such as accommodation, meals, books, transport and personal expenses
Ask about available scholarships, bursaries and work study options. Some institutions offer limited financial aid for high-performing or financially needy students
If you are a Kenyan citizen, consider whether you are eligible for government support mechanisms, such as student loans or scholarships administered by relevant state agencies, depending on current policies

Having a clear financial plan makes it easier to focus on meeting the academic admission requirements.

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