Beauty Colleges in Kenya: 7 Verified Options With Courses, Fees and Entry Grades

Updated 18 October 2026

Kenya’s beauty industry needs trained hairdressers, beauty therapists, nail technicians and cosmetologists, and you can train for it at public TVET colleges or private beauty schools. Rather than an unverifiable “top 10”, this guide lists seven colleges whose courses, fees or accreditation we confirmed from official sources: the colleges’ own websites and brochures, and the VTCT Skills (ITEC) centre register.

Public vs Private: What’s the Difference?

• Public TVET colleges and national polytechnics offer competence-based Cosmetology, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy courses from Level 3 to Level 6, examined by TVET CDACC or the institution itself. Fees are lower, and government-placed students can apply for HEF scholarships and loans.
• Private beauty schools often offer internationally recognised qualifications such as ITEC, awarded by VTCT Skills in the UK, which can help if you want to work in hotels, spas, cruise ships or abroad.

Public Colleges

1. Kabete National Polytechnic (Nairobi)

• Courses: Artisan in Beauty Therapy and Artisan in Hairdressing, under the Cosmetology department.
• Entry: KCSE D plain or a relevant artisan certificate.
• Duration and fees: 1 year, KSh 33,000 a year, according to the polytechnic’s course pages.
• Intakes: January, May and September. The next intake is January 2027.
• Contact: Waiyaki Way, off Gacharage Road. Phone 0790 000 001, info@kabetepoly.ac.ke.

2. Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (Mombasa)

• Courses: Cosmetology Level 4 (KCSE D-, term 1 fee KSh 31,400) and Level 5 (KCSE D, KSh 41,200), in the Fashion Design and Cosmetology department, according to the September 2025 brochure.
• Read more in our KCNP courses guide.

3. Rift Valley National Polytechnic, formerly RVIST (Nakuru)

• Courses: Hairdressing Level 4 (KCSE E or D-), Cosmetology Level 4, Level 5 (KCSE D) and Level 6 (KCSE C-), in the Hospitality and Tourism department, from its September 2026 intake advert.
• Fees: KSh 67,189 a year for 2025/2026.
• See our RVNP courses and fees guide.

4. The Eldoret National Polytechnic (Eldoret)

• Courses: Cosmetology Level 6 (KCSE C-, 7 modules), Level 5 (KCSE D, 4 modules) and Level 4 (KCSE D-, 2 modules), assessed by the polytechnic, from its September 2026 brochure.
• Location: 4km from Eldoret CBD on the Eldoret-Kisumu Road. Phone 0797 222 666, info@tenp.ac.ke. Apply at tenp.ac.ke/application. Classes start on 31 August 2026.

5. Bomet Central Technical and Vocational College (Bomet)

• Courses: Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, with Hairdressing offered from Level 3 to Level 6 and Beauty Therapy from Level 4 to Level 6.
• Fees: KSh 67,189 a year under its official fee structure.
• Full details are in our Bomet TVC courses guide.

Private ITEC Beauty Schools in Nairobi

6. Serenity Spa Beauty Training College (Gigiri)

• Courses: ITEC diplomas including the full Beauty Diploma, Beauty Treatments, Body Treatments, Beauty Specialist, Reflexology, Nail Specialist, Anatomy and Physiology.
• Location: 412 UN Crescent, Gigiri, at Serenity Spa Gigiri.
• Contact: 0700 303 353, admissions@serenitybeautycollege.co.ke.
• Fees are not published online, so ask the admissions office for a quote.

7. Beauty Therapy Institute Nairobi Central

• Accreditation: listed on the VTCT Skills international centre register, with approved ITEC qualifications such as the Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists, Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Massage, Level 3 Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology, and Level 4 and 5 skin needling and peeling awards.
• Address: Crescent Business Center, 1st Floor, Nairobi. Phone 0725 024 030.
• Ask for current fees and intake dates directly.

Entry Requirements at a Glance

How to Choose

• Check accreditation: public courses should be TVET CDACC or institution-assessed under TVETA rules. For ITEC, confirm the school on the VTCT Skills centre register.
• Look at practical time: ask how many hours you will spend in a working salon or clinic.
• Budget beyond tuition: kits, uniforms and exam fees can add a lot. Our TVET fees guide explains public college costs, and the HELB help page covers funding.

Qualified beauty professionals can find salon and spa jobs on Job in Kenya.

Frequently asked questions

Which public colleges offer beauty courses in Kenya?

Examples include Kabete, Kenya Coast, Rift Valley and Eldoret national polytechnics, and Bomet Central TVC.

How much does a beauty course cost at a national polytechnic?

Kabete lists KSh 33,000 a year for its artisan beauty courses. Rift Valley National Polytechnic and Bomet Central TVC charge KSh 67,189 a year.

What grade do I need for a cosmetology diploma?

KCSE C- (minus) for Level 6 at public colleges.

What is ITEC?

An international beauty and therapy qualification awarded by VTCT Skills in the UK, offered in Kenya by approved centres.

Can I study beauty therapy with a D plain?

Yes. Level 5 certificates and Kabete’s artisan courses accept KCSE D plain.