Full List of the Best Chinese Language Schools in Kenya

Updated 19 October 2026

If you want to learn Chinese (Mandarin) in Kenya, the most established options are the country’s four Confucius Institutes, each hosted by a public university and run with a partner university in China. They teach from complete beginner level up to advanced, prepare students for the international HSK exams and connect strong students to scholarships in China.

Below is the full list of the best places to study Chinese in Kenya, what each one offers, what we could confirm about fees and how to choose. We used each institution’s own website for the details. Where a fee is not published online, we say so rather than guess.

In this guide

1. 1. Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi (Nairobi)
2. 2. Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University (Nairobi)
3. 3. Confucius Institute at Egerton University (Njoro, Nakuru)
4. 4. Confucius Institute at Moi University (Eldoret)
5. Other Places That Teach Chinese
6. Understanding HSK Levels
7. How to Choose a Chinese School in Kenya
8. Frequently asked questions

1. Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi (Nairobi)

The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi was launched on 19 December 2005 as the first Confucius Institute in Africa. It is a partnership between the University of Nairobi and Tianjin Normal University, and it was voted among the top 20 Confucius Institutes in the world five years running between 2007 and 2011.

Programmes offered:

• Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
• Bachelor of Education (Arts) in Chinese (through the Faculty of Education, Kikuyu Campus)
• HSK Programme, the general Chinese language course open to the public
• Chinese + Programme, which pairs Chinese with a specialisation

The course focuses on all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students in journalism, business and international relations often take Chinese alongside their degree. There are three intakes a year, in January, May and September. For the BA in Chinese, the institute lists a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least C+ in English or Kiswahili, or other routes such as a diploma or degree.

The institute is also a test centre for HSK levels 1 to 6, the HSK Speaking Test (HSKK), the Youth Chinese Test (YCT) and the YCT oral test. If you are not a University of Nairobi student, the institute asks you to call 0708 688 383 or 0709 300 006 for registration details, as fees for the public HSK course are not posted on its website. For degree fees, see our guide to University of Nairobi fees.

2. Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University (Nairobi)

Kenyatta University’s Confucius Institute opened in December 2008 in partnership with Shandong Normal University. It says more than 1,526 students have completed its Chinese certificate courses.

What stands out:

• Courses follow curricula approved by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and TVETA, and run from 3 months to 2 years.
• It is an HSK, HSKK and YCT exam centre with several sittings a year, both online and in person, and gives free intensive pre-HSK training.
• Teachers include Kenyan and Chinese staff, and Chinese staff must hold at least a master’s degree.
• The institute says about 50 students a year get fully sponsored scholarships to study in China.
• It runs clubs in martial arts, calligraphy, painting, dance, choir and tea making, plus the Chinese Bridge competition.
• Classes are held in the LCC Building, with two ICT labs and a Chinese library.

Kenyatta University has also offered a Certificate in Chinese Language and Culture at its Main and City campuses, requiring a KCSE mean grade of C- (minus). Its 2020/2021 programme list showed tuition of KSh 40,000 plus KSh 21,300 statutory fees. That is an older figure, so confirm the current fee before paying. Contact the institute on 0738 350 833 or 020 870 3706. See also our guide to Kenyatta University fees.

3. Confucius Institute at Egerton University (Njoro, Nakuru)

Launched on 13 December 2012 with Nanjing Agricultural University, Egerton’s institute says it is the only Confucius Institute in the world that focuses mainly on agriculture alongside Chinese language and culture. It is open to the general public, not just Egerton students.

Egerton runs beginner, intermediate and advanced courses in five levels. It publishes more of its charges than the others:

• Registration: KSh 1,000 per level (Levels 1 to 5)
• Study period: two semesters per academic year, each 12 weeks
• HSK exam fees: HSK 1 and HSK 2 KSh 2,000 each, HSK 3 KSh 3,000, HSK 4 KSh 4,000, HSK 5 KSh 5,000
• HSKK speaking test: Basic KSh 1,000, Intermediate KSh 1,500, Advanced KSh 2,500
• Chinese culture activities: free

To apply you need certified copies of your certificates or result slips, a copy of your ID or passport, passport photos and a completed application form. Egerton says it acknowledges applications the same day and sends admission notices within five working days. HSK certificates come about two months after the exam. Tuition per semester is not listed on the page, so ask when you apply. For degree options at the same university, see Egerton University courses.

4. Confucius Institute at Moi University (Eldoret)

The Confucius Institute at Moi University (CIMU) was launched on 30 March 2015 as the fourth in Kenya. It is run by Moi University and Donghua University in Shanghai, and it describes itself as the first Confucius Institute in the world to feature textile engineering and fashion design. It is the closest option for learners in the North Rift and western Kenya. Contact the institute through its website for current class schedules and fees. See Moi University courses for degree programmes.

Other Places That Teach Chinese

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also lists a Confucius Classroom at the Nairobi Broadcasting Station, set up in 2012. Private tutors and online platforms also offer Mandarin lessons, but quality varies. If you want a certificate that employers and scholarship bodies recognise, choose a provider that prepares you for the HSK exam.

Understanding HSK Levels

HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the standard international test of Chinese. Levels 1 and 2 cover basic everyday phrases, Level 3 lets you handle most daily situations, Level 4 lets you discuss a range of topics fluently, and Levels 5 and 6 are needed for university study or professional work in Chinese. Chinese universities and scholarship schemes usually ask for HSK 4 or higher for degree study taught in Chinese. The HSKK is a separate speaking test.

How to Choose a Chinese School in Kenya

1. Location and timing. UoN and Kenyatta suit Nairobi residents, Egerton suits Nakuru and the Rift Valley, and Moi suits Eldoret.
2. Your goal. For a career in teaching or translation, consider the UoN BA or BEd in Chinese. For work with Chinese firms, an HSK course with HSK 4 or 5 is usually enough.
3. Exam access. UoN, Kenyatta and Egerton all list HSK testing, and Kenyatta adds free pre-exam training. Ask Moi about its exam dates.
4. Scholarships. Strong HSK results and competitions such as Chinese Bridge are the usual route to fully funded study in China.

Chinese-speaking Kenyans are hired by Chinese construction, technology and trading companies. You can look for roles that ask for Mandarin on JobinKenya.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I learn Chinese in Nairobi?

The Confucius Institutes at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University both run Chinese courses open to the public, with HSK exam preparation.

How much does it cost to sit the HSK exam in Kenya?

At Egerton’s Confucius Institute, HSK 1 and 2 cost KSh 2,000 each, HSK 3 KSh 3,000, HSK 4 KSh 4,000 and HSK 5 KSh 5,000. Other centres may charge differently.

How many Confucius Institutes are there in Kenya?

Four: at the University of Nairobi (2005), Kenyatta University (2008), Egerton University (2012) and Moi University (2015).

Can I get a scholarship to study in China after learning Chinese in Kenya?

Yes. The Confucius Institutes connect top students to scholarships in China. Kenyatta’s institute says about 50 students a year get fully sponsored places.