Technology

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 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.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 263,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: Moderate

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

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 programme

Introduction 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

Unique combination of education and information science skills, positioning graduates for emerging roles in digital education and information management.
Growing demand for information management professionals as educational institutions digitise their resources and services.
Offered at Kenyatta University, one of Kenya's leading institutions for both education and library science training.
Graduates are eligible for TSC registration and Kenya Library Association membership, providing dual professional recognition.

Against it

Offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice and geographic accessibility.
Niche programme with a smaller cohort, which may mean fewer electives and specialisation options compared to broader education degrees.
Some employers may not fully understand or value the combined education and information studies qualification.
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 courses

Public184k to 263k

184k at Kenyatta University263k at University of Nairobi

Private181k to 243k

181k at Kabarak University243k 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 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 recorded

Higher 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.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: 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.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous 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

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.

Accredited by

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.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

School 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

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.