Education

Bachelor of Education (French)

The Bachelor of Education (French) is a four-year degree programme that prepares graduates to teach French as a foreign language in Kenyan secondary schools.

The curriculum covers French language, French literature, francophone studies, linguistics, teaching methodology for French, educational psychology, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, educational foundations, research methods, and educational technology.

Students develop skills in French language instruction, lesson planning for language teaching, classroom management, student assessment, curriculum design, educational leadership, intercultural communication, translation, and research methodology.

Graduates pursue careers as French teachers, language teachers, education officers, school administrators, curriculum developers, and education consultants. They find employment in public and private secondary schools, international schools, language institutes, diplomatic missions, and educational NGOs.

The programme is offered at Kaimosi Friends University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Maseno University, and Tom Mboya University — all public universities. Fees range from KES 183,600 to KES 184,000 per year. KUCCPS codes vary by institution. All institutions are CUE-accredited.

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 a strong pass in French or equivalent language proficiency.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 184,000
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

French Language
French Literature
Francophone Studies
Linguistics
Teaching Methodology for French
Educational Psychology
Curriculum Development
Assessment and Evaluation
Research Methods in Education
French Culture and Civilisation

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of education in Kenya and globally.
French Language and Grammar
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
French grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and oral communication skills for language teaching.
Teaching Methodology for French
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Communicative language teaching methods, lesson planning for French, and classroom techniques.
French Literature and Textual Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of French and francophone literary texts, poetry, prose, and drama for teaching.
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of learning, second language acquisition, adolescent development, and classroom management.
Francophone Studies and Civilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Francophone Studies and Civilisation: French and francophone culture, history, institutions, and civilisation. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Curriculum Development and Assessment
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, the Kenyan French curriculum, and language assessment methods.
Linguistics and Language Structure
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax of French for language teaching applications.
Translation and Written Expression
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Translation techniques, written French expression, and academic writing in French.
Research Methods in Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, and analysis methods applied to language education 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 French education research project.

Specialisations

French Language Teaching
Focus on teaching French as a foreign language in secondary schools using communicative and interactive methods.
Francophone Literature Education
Focus on teaching French and francophone 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.
French Culture and Civilisation
Focus on teaching French culture, civilisation, and intercultural 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.
Translation and Interpretation in Education
Focus on translation skills and their application in language education and cross-cultural communication.
French for Specific Purposes
Focus on teaching French for professional and academic purposes in schools and training institutions.
Language Technology in French Education
Focus on integrating digital tools and language technology in French teaching and learning. 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 French language lectures, literature seminars, and teaching methodology workshops. Morning sessions cover French grammar, oral expression, and francophone literature, while afternoons focus on micro-teaching, lesson planning, and language laboratory practice. Students participate in teaching practice at partner secondary schools, developing practical skills for French language instruction. The programme emphasises communicative language teaching and intercultural competence.

The trade offs

In its favour

French is a popular KCSE elective with demand for qualified teachers in secondary schools.
French skills open opportunities in international schools, diplomacy, translation, and international organisations.
Offered at four public universities, providing geographic choice and affordable tuition.
TSC employment provides competitive salary, allowances, and pension benefits.

Against it

Requires aptitude for language learning and intercultural communication.
French teaching positions may be limited compared to core subjects like English and Mathematics.
No private university offering confirmed, limiting options for students preferring private institutions.
Career advancement may require additional qualifications in education or French studies.

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 Kaimosi Friends University184k at Maseno University

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya 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

Maseno 184K; Kaimosi 183.6K/yr. MKU 105K; Daystar 242.8K/yr. Src: educationnewshub, KUCCPS

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

5 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.
French Embassy Scholarship Programmes
Scholarship
Kenyan students pursuing French-language or France-related studies
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 or French from a recognised institution; OR equivalent French proficiency certification (DELF B1 or above); 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, oral assessments, translation exercises, and micro-teaching evaluations 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 and oral examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project investigating a relevant French language 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

French Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches French language and literature in secondary schools, preparing students for KCSE French.
Language Teacher (International School)
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches French in international schools with higher salary potential and global curriculum.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Works in government education offices supporting language education policy and implementation.
Translator and Interpreter
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides translation and interpretation services for organisations, diplomatic missions, and businesses.
Curriculum Developer (French)
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and evaluates French language curricula 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.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as French teachers in secondary schools. Demand is moderate with French being a popular elective subject and growing in importance for regional and international opportunities.

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 French cultural content creation.
Duolingo for Schools
Language learning
Language learning platform for supplementing French instruction with interactive exercises.
Microsoft Word
Productivity
Word processing tool for lesson plans, translation exercises, and educational documentation.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing tool for online teaching and virtual language exchange sessions.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

French teaching has limited career opportunities in Kenya.
French is a popular KCSE elective subject, and graduates also find opportunities in international schools, diplomacy, and translation.
You need to be fluent in French before enrolling.
The programme builds French proficiency from intermediate to advanced levels alongside teaching methodology.
French is only useful for working in francophone countries.
French skills are valuable in Kenya for international organisations, diplomacy, tourism, and regional trade within the East African Community.
Only offered at one university, so it must be limited.
The programme is offered at four public universities across Kenya, providing geographic choice.