Education

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in French

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in French is a four-year degree that combines French language and literature studies with teacher training, preparing graduates for careers as French teachers in secondary schools and as. Students study French language, French linguistics, French and Francophone literature, oral and written expression, translation, educational psychology, curriculum development, teaching methodology, assessment, and teaching practice.

Graduates find opportunities in public and private secondary schools as French teachers, in diplomatic missions, international organisations, translation services, tourism, and hospitality. The programme is delivered over eight semesters at Kenyatta University, Moi University, Maseno University, and Kaimosi Friends University, all CUE-accredited public universities.

Graduates work as secondary school French teachers, language instructors, translators, diplomatic service officers, and international organisation staff. This programme suits students with aptitude for languages, interest in French culture and Francophone affairs, and desire to teach.

French is increasingly important in Kenya and East Africa due to Francophone neighbours and diplomatic, business, and cultural ties with Francophone countries. Skills RequiredFrench Language ProficiencyFrench and Francophone Literature AnalysisTranslation and InterpretationLanguage Teaching MethodologyCurriculum Development for LanguagesEducational Psychology and Learner SupportAssessment and Evaluation in Language EducationCross-Cultural CommunicationLesson Planning and DeliveryEducational Technology in Language TeachingKey SubjectsFrench Language and GrammarFrench and Francophone LiteratureFr

ench LinguisticsOral and Written Expression in FrenchTranslation and InterpretationEducational PsychologyTeaching Methodology for FrenchCurriculum DevelopmentAssessment and Evaluation in EducationFrench Civilization and CultureCertificationsTeachers Service Commission (TSC) RegistrationAlliance Française de Nairobi — DELF/DALF CertificationKenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) MembershipSpecializationsFrench Language TeachingFocus on teaching French as a foreign language in secondary schools — developing language pedagogy, communicative approaches, and assessment methods for French instruction.

French and Francophone LiteratureFocus on French and Francophone literature from Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe — developing literary analysis skills and cultural knowledge for teaching and research. Translation and InterpretationFocus on French-English translation and interpretation — developing bilingual proficiency for careers in diplomacy, international organisations, and translation services.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 257,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

French Language and Grammar
French and Francophone Literature
French Linguistics
Oral and Written Expression in French
Translation and Interpretation
Educational Psychology
Teaching Methodology for French
Curriculum Development
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
French Civilization and Culture

Modules

12 in the programme

French Language and Grammar I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Intermediate French language study including grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, written expression, and oral communication skills.
Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in education including the nature and aims of education, education systems in Kenya, the role of the teacher, and introduction to educational philosophy.
French and Francophone Literature I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to French and Francophone literature including major authors, literary movements, text analysis, and cultural contexts of French-language literature.
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychological principles applied to education including theories of learning, child and adolescent development, motivation, and classroom behaviour management.
French Linguistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Linguistic analysis of French including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics — providing the scientific basis for understanding French language structure.
French Oral and Written Expression
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced oral and written French expression including debate, essay writing, creative writing, presentation skills, and French rhetorical conventions.
Teaching Methodology for French
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Methods and strategies for teaching French as a foreign language including communicative language teaching, task-based instruction, use of media, and language assessment techniques.
Curriculum Development and Implementation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum development including curriculum design, syllabus interpretation, lesson planning, and the Kenya secondary school French curriculum framework.
French Civilization and Culture
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of French and Francophone civilisation including history, institutions, cultural practices, arts, and contemporary society in French-speaking countries.
Translation and Interpretation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
French-English translation and interpretation techniques including written translation, oral interpretation, terminology management, and professional translation practice.
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in a secondary school — observing, planning, delivering, and evaluating French lessons under the guidance of experienced teachers and university supervisors.
Assessment and Evaluation in Language Education
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and practices of language assessment including formative and summative assessment, test construction for French, proficiency testing, and KCSE French examination requirements.

Specialisations

French Language Teaching
Focus on teaching French as a foreign language in secondary schools — developing language pedagogy, communicative approaches, and assessment methods for French instruction.
French and Francophone Literature
Focus on French and Francophone literature from Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe — developing literary analysis skills and cultural knowledge for teaching and research.
Translation and Interpretation
Focus on French-English translation and interpretation — developing bilingual proficiency for careers in diplomacy, international organisations, and translation services.
French Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Focus on French linguistics including phonetics, syntax, semantics, and applied linguistics — for careers in language research and language education.
French for Diplomacy and International Relations
Focus on diplomatic French, international relations terminology, and Francophone affairs — for careers in diplomatic service and international organisations.
French for Tourism and Hospitality
Focus on French for tourism, hospitality, and cultural exchange — for careers in Kenya's tourism industry serving Francophone visitors.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning language laboratory sessions for French oral and written practice with afternoon lectures on French literature, linguistics, or educational psychology. Students engage in conversation practice, analyse French texts, prepare lesson plans for French classes, and participate in micro-teaching sessions. Evenings involve reading French literature, practising translation exercises, and preparing teaching materials. During teaching practice, students teach French in secondary schools.

The trade offs

In its favour

French is a shortage subject in Kenyan secondary schools — TSC actively recruits French teachers, meaning graduates have strong employment prospects in public schools.
French language skills open doors beyond teaching — graduates can work in diplomacy, international organisations, translation, tourism, and hospitality, providing diverse career options.
The combined BA and B.Ed qualification provides both subject expertise and teaching credentials — graduates are versatile professionals with multiple career pathways.
East African Community integration and Kenya's diplomatic relations with Francophone countries create increasing demand for French-literate professionals.

Against it

The programme requires C+ in French at KCSE — this limits access to students who studied French in secondary school, which is not offered in all schools.
French teaching positions, while in demand, are fewer than core subjects like English or Mathematics — some schools may not have French programmes, limiting deployment options.
Maintaining French language proficiency requires ongoing practice and engagement — graduates who don't use French regularly may lose fluency over time.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public184k to 184k

184k at Moi University184k at Kenyatta University

Private188k to 258k

188k at Kabarak University258k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU B.Ed 184K, Moi B.Ed 184K/yr (KUCCPS). Daystar 258K (KUCCPS), Kabarak 188K/yr (PDF).

Students can access HELB loans, county government bursaries, and university-specific scholarships and bursaries. The French Embassy in Kenya also offers occasional scholarships for French language studies.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
County Government Bursaries
University Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
French Embassy Scholarship Programmes
Scholarship
Kenyan students pursuing French-language or France-related studies
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Students from the respective county, applied through county education offices.
French Embassy Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 100,000
Students demonstrating excellence in French language studies, applied through the French Embassy in Kenya.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students placed through KUCCPS in public universities.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in French and English, or KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary pass, or a Diploma in Education (French) from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Written and oral tests covering French language, literature, linguistics, education theory, and teaching methodology — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Language Laboratory and Oral Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Oral examinations, conversation assessments, pronunciation exercises, translation practicals, and micro-teaching sessions assessed through practical performance evaluation.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Coursework25% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice in secondary schools — assessed by university supervisors and cooperating teachers on French lesson delivery, classroom management, and professional conduct.
Final Examinations and Research Project
Examination30% of the mark
End-of-semester written and oral examinations in French, and a final-year research project or teaching portfolio demonstrating integration of French language and education theory.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, Moi University, Maseno University, and Kaimosi Friends University, all CUE-accredited public universities. Graduates with the B.Ed component are eligible for Teachers Service Commission (TSC) registration for employment in public secondary schools.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Secondary School French Teacher (TSC, Job Group B5)
High demandKsh 34,955 to Ksh 43,694
TSC-employed secondary school French teacher — responsible for French language instruction, assessment, and promoting Francophone cultural awareness in schools.
Private School French Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Teaches French in private and international schools — with potentially higher salaries in international schools that follow French or bilingual curricula.
Translator or Interpreter
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Provides French-English translation and interpretation services for diplomatic missions, international organisations, NGOs, and conference events.
Diplomatic Service Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 75,000
Works in Kenya's foreign service or Francophone embassies — using French language skills for diplomatic communication, protocol, and international relations.
Language Instructor (Alliance Française or Similar)
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Teaches French at Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, or similar cultural institutions — delivering French language courses to diverse learners.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as secondary school French teachers, language instructors, translators, diplomatic service officers, and international organisation staff — French is a shortage subject with strong TSC demand.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Productivity tools including Word for lesson planning, Excel for grade management, PowerPoint for lesson presentations, and Access for student records.
Google Workspace for Education
SoftwarePrimary
Educational technology platform including Google Classroom, Docs, and Forms — widely used for digital learning and assignment management in language teaching.
KICD Curriculum Materials
Resource
Official French curriculum materials, syllabi, and digital content from KICD — essential resources for French lesson planning and curriculum compliance.
TV5Monde Apprendre
Resource
Free French learning platform from TV5Monde — providing exercises, videos, and interactive activities for French language teaching and learning.
Alliance Française Resources
Resource
French cultural resources from Alliance Française — including DELF/DALF preparation materials, cultural events, and teaching resources for French instructors.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

French is not useful in Kenya since we are an English-speaking country.
French is one of the most important foreign languages in Kenya due to Francophone neighbours (DRC, Rwanda, Burundi), East African Community integration, diplomatic relations, and international organisation work — French teachers are in demand.
You need to already speak French fluently to enrol.
While C+ in French at KCSE is required, the programme builds language proficiency from intermediate to advanced levels — students develop fluency through four years of intensive language study.
French teaching graduates can only work as teachers.
Graduates work as translators, diplomatic service officers, international organisation staff, tourism and hospitality professionals, and cultural attachés — French skills open doors beyond teaching.
This is the same as a general BA in French.
The combined BA and B.Ed programme includes both French language/literature content and professional teacher training — graduates are qualified for TSC registration, which a general BA French does not provide.
French teachers have limited career prospects.
French is a shortage subject in Kenyan secondary schools — TSC actively recruits French teachers, and the East African Community's expansion creates increasing demand for French-literate professionals.