Education

Bachelor of Education (Arts)

The Bachelor of Education (Arts) is a four-year degree programme offered at over 50 universities across Kenya.

The curriculum covers educational psychology, foundations of education, curriculum development, teaching methodology, assessment and evaluation, educational technology, guidance and counselling, research methods, and subject-specific pedagogy.

Students develop skills in lesson planning, classroom management, student assessment, curriculum design, educational leadership, communication, digital literacy instruction, research methodology, and subject-specific pedagogy.

Graduates pursue careers as secondary school teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, school administrators, education consultants, and education researchers. They find employment in public and private secondary schools, teacher training institutions, county governments, educational NGOs, and publishing houses.

The programme is offered at over 50 universities in Kenya, including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Moi University, Maseno University, Egerton University, and many others. Public university fees range from KES 122,400/year (Alupe University) to KES 283,135/year (Kisii University).

Accreditation is provided 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). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) with strong passes in the chosen teaching subjects.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 283,135
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: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Psychology
Foundations of Education
Curriculum Development
Teaching Methodology
Assessment and Evaluation
Educational Technology
Guidance and Counselling
Research Methods in Education
Subject-Specific Pedagogy
Educational Leadership and Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education in Kenya and globally.
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of learning, adolescent development, motivation, and classroom behaviour management.
Curriculum Development and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, the Kenyan secondary education curriculum, and CBC framework.
Teaching Methodology for Arts Subjects
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Pedagogical methods for teaching arts and humanities subjects, including learner-centred approaches.
Subject Content I (First Teaching Subject)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced content study in the student's first teaching subject (English, History, Geography, etc.).
Subject Content II (Second Teaching Subject)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Subject Content II (Second Teaching Subject): Advanced content study in the student's second teaching subject. Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of assessment, test construction, practical evaluation, and competency-based assessment.
Educational Technology and ICT Integration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Integrating digital tools and technology in teaching, including e-learning platforms and digital resources.
Guidance and Counselling in Schools
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Counselling techniques for secondary school students, behaviour support, and career guidance.
Research Methods in Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, and analysis methods applied to educational research.
Educational Leadership and Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
School administration, leadership theories, education policy, and institutional management.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school and a final-year education research project.

Specialisations

English and Literature Education
Focus on teaching English language and literature in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
History and Geography Education
Focus on teaching history, geography, and social studies in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Religious Studies Education
Focus on teaching Christian Religious Education or Islamic Religious Education. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Kiswahili and Language Education
Focus on teaching Kiswahili language and literature in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Business Studies Education
Focus on teaching business studies, commerce, and economics in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Mathematics Education
Focus on teaching mathematics in secondary schools, combining arts education with mathematical pedagogy.
Geography Education
Focus on teaching geography, environmental studies, and earth sciences in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
French or German Language Education
Focus on teaching foreign languages in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines education theory lectures, subject content sessions, and teaching methodology workshops. Morning sessions cover educational psychology, curriculum studies, and subject-specific content, while afternoons focus on micro-teaching, lesson planning, and teaching practice preparation. Students participate in teaching practice at partner secondary schools, developing practical classroom skills. The programme emphasises learner-centred pedagogy and CBC-aligned teaching methods.

The trade offs

In its favour

Offered at over 50 universities, providing wide accessibility and choice across Kenya.
TSC employment provides competitive salary, allowances, and pension benefits for public school teachers.
Arts subjects are compulsory in secondary schools, ensuring consistent demand for teachers.
Flexible subject combinations allow students to tailor the degree to their interests and strengths.

Against it

Large number of graduates may create competition for TSC employment in popular subjects.
Teaching practice requires significant time commitment and may involve placement in remote schools.
TSC recruitment may require deployment to remote or underserved areas.
Career advancement may require additional qualifications such as a master's degree.

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

Public110k to 283k

110k at Garissa University283k at Kisii University

Private82k to 258k

82k at Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology258k 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

Kisii 283.1K; Garissa 109.7K/yr. Kiriri 82.4K; Daystar 257.8K/yr. Src: KUCCPS, Elimu Centre

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries may also be available.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes in relevant subjects; OR a relevant diploma in education from a recognised institution; OR P1 certificate with relevant experience; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, lesson plans, micro-teaching assessments, and education assignments throughout the semester.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice at partner secondary schools with assessment of classroom performance.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year education research project investigating a relevant teaching or education issue.

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).

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.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Secondary School Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches arts and humanities subjects in secondary schools, preparing students for KCSE examinations.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Works in government education offices supporting policy implementation and school supervision.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and evaluates curricula for secondary education at KICD or educational institutions.
School Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages secondary school operations, supervises staff, and oversees educational programmes.
Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Advises schools, NGOs, and educational institutions on teaching practices and curriculum.
Education Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts research on education policy, teaching methods, and learning outcomes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as secondary school teachers in public and private schools across Kenya. Demand remains high with TSC recruitment and the CBC reform creating ongoing need for qualified arts teachers.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Learning management platform for organising classes, assignments, and student communication.
Microsoft PowerPoint
PresentationPrimary
Presentation tool for lesson delivery, visual aids, and educational content creation.
Microsoft Word
Productivity
Word processing tool for lesson plans, reports, and educational documentation.
Khan Academy
Educational resource
Online educational platform with subject teaching resources and content support.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing tool for online teaching and parent-teacher communication.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

B.Ed (Arts) graduates can only teach in secondary schools.
Graduates can work as curriculum developers, education officers, school administrators, consultants, and researchers.
Arts teaching has fewer opportunities than science teaching.
Arts subjects are compulsory in Kenyan secondary schools, ensuring consistent demand for qualified arts teachers.
All universities offer the same B.Ed (Arts) experience.
Subject combinations, facilities, and teaching quality vary significantly across the 50+ institutions offering the programme.
CBC reform makes this degree obsolete.
The programme is being aligned with CBC reform, and graduates are trained to implement the new curriculum.