Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Education in Secondary Education is a four-year degree programme that prepares graduates to teach arts-based subjects at secondary school level.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 283,135 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,132,540 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 7 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 two teaching subjects chosen from English, Kiswahili, History, Geography, Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Education, Business Studies, Mathematics, Computer Studies, and Arabic, alongside education courses including educational psychology, philosophy of education, curriculum development, teaching methodology, educational measurement and evaluation,.
Students develop competencies in subject content mastery, pedagogical skills, lesson planning, classroom management, educational assessment, and curriculum implementation. The programme includes micro-teaching sessions and a twelve-week teaching practice attachment in a secondary school, providing hands-on classroom experience.
Graduates pursue careers primarily as secondary school teachers, employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) or private schools. They also find opportunities in educational administration, curriculum development, publishing, and training roles.
The programme is offered at Africa Nazarene University, Mount Kenya University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and other institutions.
Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring all programmes meet national quality standards. The Teachers Service Commission recognises graduates for employment in public secondary schools. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a minimum of C+ in two teaching subjects.
What you study
10 subjects- Educational Psychology
- Philosophy of Education
- Curriculum Development
- General Methods of Teaching
- Educational Measurement and Evaluation
- Sociology of Education
- Special Methods in Teaching Subject
- History of Education
- Educational Research
- Teaching Practice
Modules
12 in the programmePhilosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of education, including major schools of thought and their implications for educational practice.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Academic communication skills including essay writing, presentation skills, and academic discourse.
General Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories of human learning and development, motivation, and their application to classroom teaching and learning.
General Methods of Teaching
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of teaching, including lesson planning, instructional strategies, and classroom management.
History of Education
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Historical development of education from ancient to modern times, with emphasis on African and Kenyan education systems.
Educational Media and Resources
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Design, selection, and use of instructional media and resources for effective teaching, including technology integration.
Special Methods in Teaching Subject
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Subject-specific teaching methodology for the student's chosen teaching subjects, including approaches to teaching and assessment.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and methods of educational assessment, including test construction, marking, and interpretation of results.
Teaching Practice
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Twelve-week supervised teaching practice in a secondary school, applying pedagogical theory to real classroom teaching across two subjects.
Curriculum Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, development, implementation, and evaluation in the Kenyan education system.
Educational Research
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods in education, including research design, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an aspect of secondary education or teaching subject area, culminating in a written dissertation.
Specialisations
English and Literature
Teaching English language and literature at secondary school level, covering grammar, comprehension, literary analysis, and composition writing.
History and Government
Teaching History and Government at secondary school level, covering historical analysis, political systems, and civic education.
Geography and Religious Studies
Teaching Geography alongside Christian or Islamic Religious Education at secondary school level. 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.
Educational Psychology
Study of human learning and development, including theories of learning, motivation, and their application to classroom teaching.
Curriculum and Instruction
Principles of curriculum design, development, and implementation, with focus on subject-specific teaching methodology for secondary education.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Methods of assessing student learning, constructing tests, and evaluating educational outcomes across secondary teaching subjects.
A day as a student
A typical day combines teaching subject lectures with education courses on methodology and psychology. Morning sessions cover subject content such as English literature, historical analysis, or geographical concepts, while afternoons focus on educational psychology, curriculum studies, or micro-teaching practice. Teaching practice attachment in a secondary school provides twelve weeks of hands-on classroom teaching experience, applying pedagogical theory to real students across two teaching subjects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Flexible subject combinations allow students to tailor their teaching qualifications to their strengths and career interests. | Teaching salaries in Kenya, particularly for entry-level teachers, are modest compared to careers in finance or technology. |
| Offered at both public and private universities with multiple study modes including full-time, part-time, and school-based. | Teaching practice attachment requires twelve weeks away from campus, which can be logistically challenging for some students. |
| Graduates are eligible for TSC registration and employment in public schools, providing a clear career pathway with pension benefits. | Career advancement may require additional qualifications such as a Master's degree for promotion to senior or administrative roles. |
| Arts subjects are compulsory in the Kenyan secondary curriculum, ensuring consistent demand for qualified teachers. | Some private university education degrees may have lower employer recognition compared to established public universities. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education 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 183,600/yr; Kisii 283,135/yr; MKU 105,000/yr; Daystar 242,800/yr. Src: educationnewshub.co.ke
Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Employed teachers may access study leave with pay through the Teachers Service Commission. Universities also offer internal bursaries for financially needy students.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Teachers Service Commission Study Leave
University Internal Bursaries
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. Must demonstrate financial need.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the respective university financial aid office.
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.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
10 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
- 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
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR a Diploma in Education from a recognised institution; OR a P1 certificate with at least two years of teaching experience and a mean grade of C in KCSE.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding University of Nairobi, Africa International University, Lukenya University.
Including University of Nairobi, Lukenya University, Meru University of Science and Technology.
Including University of Nairobi, Africa International University, Lukenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, assignments, and micro-teaching assessments conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester covering both teaching subject content and education courses.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Supervised assessment of classroom teaching during the twelve-week teaching practice attachment in a secondary school.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project on an aspect of secondary education, 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) for employment in public secondary schools.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesSecondary School Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Teaches two arts subjects at secondary school level, preparing students for KCSE examinations.
School Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages school operations as head of department, deputy principal, or principal in secondary schools.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Develops and reviews curriculum materials for educational publishers or curriculum development organisations.
Educational Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Provides advisory services to schools, educational institutions, or organisations on educational practices and policies.
Teacher Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Trains pre-service or in-service teachers at teacher training colleges or universities.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Works in county or national education offices, supporting education policy implementation and school supervision.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates are employed as secondary school teachers by the Teachers Service Commission and private schools. Demand for qualified secondary teachers remains steady, with particular need for English, Kiswahili, and science subject combinations.
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
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for lesson preparation and educational administration.
Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Online learning platform for managing assignments, sharing resources, and communicating with students.
Zoom
Video conferencing
Video conferencing platform for online teaching, meetings, and remote learning sessions.
Canva
Design
Design tool for creating visual teaching aids, presentations, and educational materials.
Khan Academy
Educational resource
Free online educational platform with instructional videos and practice exercises across multiple subjects.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
An education degree limits you to classroom teaching only.
Graduates also work in educational administration, curriculum development, publishing, research, corporate training, and non-governmental organisations focused on education.
Secondary education teaching is less rewarding than primary teaching.
Secondary teaching offers the opportunity to specialise in subject areas, mentor young adults, and prepare students for national examinations and career pathways.
Arts teachers have fewer job opportunities than science teachers.
Arts subjects like English, Kiswahili, and History are compulsory in the Kenyan secondary curriculum, creating consistent demand for qualified arts teachers.
This programme is only for students who could not qualify for other degrees.
Education programmes require C+ grades in specific subjects, and teaching is a respected profession requiring dedication, skill, and continuous professional development.