Education

Bachelor of Arts in Education (Physics)

The Bachelor of Arts in Education (Physics) is a four-year degree programme that prepares graduates to teach Physics at secondary school level and teacher training colleges.

The curriculum covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, quantum mechanics, electronics, solid state physics, and mathematical physics alongside education courses including educational psychology, philosophy of education, curriculum development, teaching methodology, educational measurement and evaluation, and sociology of education.

Students develop competencies in physics problem-solving, laboratory techniques, scientific reasoning, pedagogical skills, lesson planning, classroom management, and educational assessment. The programme includes laboratory practicals, micro-teaching sessions, and a twelve-week teaching practice attachment in a secondary school, providing hands-on classroom and laboratory teaching experience.

Graduates pursue careers primarily as secondary school Physics and Mathematics teachers, employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) or private schools. Physics teachers are in high demand due to the STEM emphasis in Kenya's education policy and the relatively low number of qualified physics teachers.

The programme is offered at numerous Kenyan universities including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Moi University, Maseno University, Egerton University, and Mount Kenya University.

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 strong performance in Physics and Mathematics, reflecting the scientific rigour of the programme.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,885
Private, up to: Ksh 200,000
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Classical Mechanics
Electricity and Magnetism
Thermodynamics
Optics
Quantum Mechanics
Electronics
Mathematical Physics
Educational Psychology
Teaching Methodology
Educational Measurement and Evaluation

Modules

12 in the programme

Classical Mechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of motion, forces, energy, and momentum, including Newton's laws, oscillations, and rotational dynamics.
Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of education, including major schools of thought and their implications for educational practice.
Electricity and Magnetism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Electric and magnetic fields, circuits, electromagnetic induction, and Maxwell's equations.
General Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories of human learning and development, motivation, and their application to classroom teaching and learning.
Thermodynamics and Optics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Heat, temperature, laws of thermodynamics, geometric and physical optics, including wave properties of light.
General Methods of Teaching
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of teaching, including lesson planning, instructional strategies, and classroom management.
Special Methods in Physics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Subject-specific teaching methodology for Physics, including laboratory-based teaching, demonstrations, and inquiry-based learning.
Quantum Mechanics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantum phenomena, wave-particle duality, Schrodinger equation, and applications to atomic and nuclear physics.
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 and laboratory teaching.
Electronics and Solid State Physics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Electronic circuits, semiconductors, diodes, transistors, and properties of solid materials.
Research Project in Physics Education
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an aspect of physics education, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Classical Mechanics
Study of motion, forces, energy, and momentum, including Newton's laws, oscillations, and rotational dynamics.
Electricity and Magnetism
Study of electric and magnetic fields, circuits, electromagnetic induction, and Maxwell's equations.
Quantum Mechanics
Study of quantum phenomena, wave-particle duality, quantum states, and applications to atomic and nuclear physics.
Educational Psychology
Study of human learning and development, including theories of learning, motivation, and their application to science teaching.
Science Teaching Methodology
Subject-specific teaching methods for Physics, including laboratory-based teaching, demonstrations, and inquiry-based learning.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Methods of assessing student learning in science, constructing tests, and evaluating educational outcomes in physics education.

A day as a student

A typical day combines physics lectures and laboratory practicals with education courses on teaching methodology and psychology. Morning sessions may cover mechanics, electromagnetism, or quantum physics, while afternoons focus on educational psychology, curriculum studies, or micro-teaching practice. Laboratory sessions develop practical skills in experimental physics and data analysis. Teaching practice attachment in a secondary school provides twelve weeks of hands-on classroom and laboratory teaching experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical shortage of qualified physics teachers in Kenya creates strong demand and job security for graduates.
STEM education is a national priority, with physics teachers eligible for government sponsorship and TSC employment.
Widely offered at both public and private universities, with full-time and school-based study modes.
Physics teaching skills are transferable to technical training, curriculum development, and educational research.

Against it

Physics content is demanding, requiring strong mathematical ability and consistent effort throughout the programme.
Teaching salaries in Kenya, particularly for entry-level teachers, are modest compared to careers in engineering or technology.
Laboratory facilities and equipment may be limited in some schools, constraining effective physics teaching.
Teaching practice attachment requires twelve weeks away from campus, which can be logistically challenging.

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

Public245k to 296k

245k at Kenyatta University296k at Kisii University

Private110k to 200k

110k at Mount Kenya University200k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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 244,800/yr; Kisii 295,885/yr; MKU 110,000/yr; CUEA 200,000/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. Some universities offer STEM-specific bursaries for science education students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Teachers Service Commission Study Leave
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

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.
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.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Some universities offer STEM-specific bursaries for science education students.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate 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 two principal passes in science subjects; OR a Diploma in Education (Science) from a recognised institution with a mean grade of C in KCSE; OR a P1 or S1 certificate with at least two years of teaching experience.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, problem sets, and laboratory reports conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester covering both physics content and education courses.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Supervised assessment of classroom and laboratory teaching during the twelve-week teaching practice attachment.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project on an aspect of physics education, 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) for employment in public secondary schools.

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

Secondary School Physics Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Teaches Physics and Mathematics at secondary school level, preparing students for KCSE examinations.
Mathematics Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Teaches Mathematics at secondary school level, a common second teaching subject for physics graduates.
Technical Training Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches physics and technical subjects in technical and vocational education training institutions.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Develops and reviews physics and science curriculum materials for educational publishers or KICD.
Educational Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages school operations as head of science department, deputy principal, or principal.
Laboratory Technician
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages physics laboratories and equipment in schools, colleges, or research institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand as secondary school Physics and Mathematics teachers. STEM teacher shortages, particularly in Physics, create consistent employment opportunities in both public and private schools.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
Data analysisPrimary
Spreadsheet application for data analysis, graph plotting, and statistical calculations in physics practicals.
PhET Simulations
Educational technologyPrimary
Interactive physics simulations for teaching concepts in mechanics, electricity, waves, and quantum phenomena.
Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Online learning platform for managing assignments, sharing resources, and communicating with students.
Python
Programming
Programming language for data analysis, computational physics, and creating physics simulations.
GeoGebra
Mathematical software
Interactive mathematics software for creating visualisations and simulations of physics concepts.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Physics teaching has limited career prospects compared to engineering or pure physics.
Qualified physics teachers are in critical shortage in Kenya, creating strong demand and job security. Graduates also work in curriculum development, educational administration, and technical training.
Only students who cannot become engineers choose to teach physics.
Physics teaching is a distinct profession requiring pedagogical skills, subject mastery, and dedication to education. Many graduates choose teaching deliberately for its stability, impact, and intellectual satisfaction.
Physics is too difficult to teach effectively at secondary school level.
The programme equips graduates with pedagogical strategies, laboratory skills, and teaching methods specifically designed to make physics accessible and engaging for secondary school students.
This degree is only for teaching in rural schools.
Physics teachers are needed in all secondary schools across Kenya, including national and extra-county schools, with particularly strong demand in STEM-focused institutions.