Bachelor of Arts in Education and Information Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Education and Information Studies is a four-year degree programme that combines professional education training with library and information science.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 263,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,052,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 242,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers library science, information organisation, cataloguing and classification, reference services, educational technology, and digital librarianship alongside education courses including educational psychology, philosophy of education, curriculum development, teaching methodology, educational measurement and evaluation, and sociology of education.
Students develop skills in information retrieval, cataloguing, classification systems, digital resource management, educational technology integration, pedagogical methods, and educational assessment. The programme includes practical attachments in school libraries or information centres and a teaching practice component, providing hands-on experience in both library management and classroom teaching.
Graduates pursue careers as school librarians, teacher-librarians, information resource managers, educational technology coordinators, and library administrators. They find employment in secondary schools, universities, research institutions, government departments, and corporate information centres.
The programme is primarily offered at Kenyatta University, which has a well-established Department of Library and Information Science alongside its School of Education. The programme is available through KUCCPS placement for government-sponsored students and through self-sponsored admission.
Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with strong performance in English, reflecting the language-intensive nature of library and information work. Diploma holders in Library Science or Information Science may also qualify for admission.
What you study
10 subjects- Introduction to Library and Information Science
- Cataloguing and Classification
- Reference and Information Services
- Educational Psychology
- Philosophy of Education
- Curriculum Development
- Educational Technology
- Digital Librarianship
- Collection Development and Management
- Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Library and Information Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of library and information science, including the history, philosophy, and development of libraries and information services.
Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of education, including major schools of thought and their implications for educational practice.
General Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories of human learning and development, motivation, and their application to classroom teaching and information literacy education.
Cataloguing and Classification
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practices of cataloguing and classification, including AACR2, DDC, and LCC systems for organising library materials.
General Methods of Teaching
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of teaching, including lesson planning, instructional strategies, and classroom management techniques.
Reference and Information Services
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Reference services in libraries, including reference interviews, information sources, and digital reference tools.
Educational Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Integration of information technology in education, including educational media, learning management systems, and digital resources.
Collection Development and Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of developing and managing library collections, including selection, acquisition, weeding, and collection evaluation.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and methods of educational assessment, including test construction, marking, and interpretation of results.
Digital Librarianship
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Management of digital libraries, electronic resources, institutional repositories, and online information services.
Teaching Practice and Library Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice and library attachment in a school setting, applying both pedagogical and library management skills.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project at the intersection of education and information studies, culminating in a written dissertation.
Specialisations
School Librarianship
Management of school library resources, collection development, and promoting reading and information literacy among students.
Information Organisation and Retrieval
Cataloguing, classification, indexing, and development of information retrieval systems for educational institutions.
Educational Technology
Integration of information technology in education, including digital learning resources, learning management systems, and educational media.
Digital Librarianship
Management of digital libraries, electronic resources, and online information services in educational settings.
Educational Psychology
Study of human learning and development, including theories of learning, motivation, and their application to teaching and information literacy education.
Curriculum and Instruction
Principles of curriculum design, development, and implementation, with focus on integrating information resources into the curriculum.
A day as a student
A typical day combines library and information science lectures with education courses on teaching methodology and psychology. Morning sessions may cover cataloguing, classification, or digital resource management, while afternoons focus on educational psychology, curriculum studies, or educational technology. Practical sessions in the university library provide hands-on experience in information organisation and reference services. Teaching practice and library attachment provide real-world experience in school libraries and information centres.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Unique combination of education and information science skills, positioning graduates for emerging roles in digital education and information management. | Offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice and geographic accessibility. |
| Growing demand for information management professionals as educational institutions digitise their resources and services. | Niche programme with a smaller cohort, which may mean fewer electives and specialisation options compared to broader education degrees. |
| Offered at Kenyatta University, one of Kenya's leading institutions for both education and library science training. | Some employers may not fully understand or value the combined education and information studies qualification. |
| Graduates are eligible for TSC registration and Kenya Library Association membership, providing dual professional recognition. | School librarian positions are not yet established in all Kenyan secondary schools, potentially limiting direct employment opportunities. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 191 technology coursesAnnual 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 183.6K; UoN 263K/yr. Kabarak 181.2K; Daystar 242.8K/yr. Src: KUCCPS, Elimu Centre
Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Kenyatta University offers internal bursaries for financially needy students.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Internal Bursaries
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points and are placed in the programme through the central placement system.
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. Must demonstrate financial need.
County Government Bursaries
County bursaryKenyan
Students from specific counties may apply for bursary support through their county government education funds.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the Kenyatta University financial aid office.
Scholarships you could apply for
11 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Mean grade of C (Plain) at KCSE with a Diploma in Library Science and/or Information Science or Archives Administration from a recognised institution; OR mean grade of C- (Minus) with a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding Laikipia University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.
Including Laikipia University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.
Including Laikipia University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, assignments, and practical cataloguing exercises conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester covering both information science and education content.
Teaching Practice and Library Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Supervised assessment of classroom teaching and library management during the teaching practice and library attachment period.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project at the intersection of education and information studies, culminating in a written dissertation.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
Professional registrationRequired
TSC is the government body responsible for registering and employing teachers in Kenyan public schools. Graduates must register with TSC to be employed as teachers.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Library Association.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesSchool Librarian
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 75,000
Manages school library resources, promotes reading and information literacy, and supports teaching and learning through resource provision.
Teacher-Librarian
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Combines teaching responsibilities with library management, integrating information literacy into the curriculum.
Information Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages information resources and systems in educational institutions, research centres, or corporate organisations.
Educational Technology Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Coordinates the integration of technology in teaching and learning, managing digital resources and learning platforms.
Records Manager
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Manages institutional records and information systems in government departments, schools, or corporate organisations.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Supports research projects in educational institutions, NGOs, or research organisations through information management and data collection.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as school librarians, teacher-librarians, and information resource managers in educational institutions. Demand is growing as schools digitise their libraries and integrate information technology into teaching.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
KOHA
Library management systemPrimary
Open-source integrated library management system used for cataloguing, circulation, and OPAC management.
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for lesson preparation, library administration, and report writing.
Google Workspace for Education
Educational technologyPrimary
Cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools for education, including Google Classroom and Google Drive.
DSpace
Digital repository
Open-source digital repository platform for managing and disseminating digital scholarly and educational content.
Moodle
Learning management system
Open-source learning management system for delivering online courses and managing educational content.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Library and information studies is an outdated field with no relevance in the digital age.
The field has evolved significantly, with digital librarianship, information management, and educational technology being critical skills in modern educational institutions.
This programme only prepares you to work in a library.
Graduates work as teacher-librarians, educational technology coordinators, information resource managers, records managers, and research assistants across various sectors.
There are limited job opportunities for graduates of this programme.
As schools and institutions digitise their resources, demand for professionals who can manage both education and information systems is growing steadily.
This is an easy programme compared to other education degrees.
The programme requires mastery of both education theory and information science principles, including cataloguing systems, classification schemes, and educational technology.