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Bachelor of Education in Arts (History, CRE, Geography, English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Business Studies)

The Bachelor of Education in Arts is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching multiple arts and humanities subjects in secondary schools. Students study education theory, teaching methods and content across History, Christian Religious Education, Geography, English, Kiswahili, Mathematics and Business Studies, developing versatile teaching skills. The programme prepares graduates for multi-subject teaching roles common in Kenyan secondary schools.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 283,135
Ksh 1,132,540 total
Private tuition
Ksh 188,500
Ksh 754,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

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 188,500 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. 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 22 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

Students develop competencies in teaching multiple subjects, curriculum development, classroom management, educational assessment and interdisciplinary instruction. They learn to teach combinations of arts and humanities subjects, manage diverse classrooms, develop curricula and assess learning across disciplines. The programme covers broad subject content with education training.

In Kenya, secondary school teachers often handle multiple subjects, especially in smaller schools. The Competency-Based Curriculum integrates subjects and emphasises cross-curricular competencies. TSC employs teachers with multi-subject qualifications. Schools in rural and sub-county settings particularly value teachers who can handle multiple subjects. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, teacher training colleges and educational organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, subject content sessions, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students develop lesson plans across subjects, teach multiple classes and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as multi-subject teachers, subject teachers, curriculum developers and education officers. Some work in secondary schools teaching various subject combinations. Others join educational organisations or training institutions.

This programme is ideal for individuals with broad academic interests and teaching aptitude. Students who enjoy multiple humanities subjects and want versatility in teaching will find this programme particularly suitable.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
  • Teaching Methods for Arts and Humanities
  • History and Government Education
  • Christian Religious Education (CRE)
  • Geography Education
  • English and Kiswahili Language Education
  • Mathematics for Secondary Teaching
  • Business Studies Education
  • Curriculum Development and CBC Implementation
  • Educational Assessment and Evaluation

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Education

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Foundations of education, including history, philosophy and sociology of education

  • Educational Psychology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Psychological principles of learning, development and motivation in educational settings

  • History and Government Content

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    History and Government Content: Content knowledge in History and Government for secondary school teaching Covers historical analysis, source evaluation, and interpretation of past events.

  • Geography and CRE Content

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Geography and CRE Content: Content knowledge in Geography and Christian Religious Education for teaching Covers spatial analysis, human-environment interactions, and geographic methods.

  • Teaching Methods for Arts and Humanities

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Teaching Methods for Arts and Humanities: Teaching strategies and methods for arts and humanities subjects Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.

  • English and Kiswahili Language Content

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Content knowledge in English and Kiswahili for secondary school language teaching

  • Mathematics and Business Studies Content

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Mathematics and Business Studies Content: Content knowledge in Mathematics and Business Studies for secondary teaching Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical appl...

  • Curriculum Development and CBC Implementation

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Curriculum Development and CBC Implementation: Curriculum design principles and Competency-Based Curriculum implementation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relev...

  • Educational Assessment and Evaluation

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Educational Assessment and Evaluation: Assessment methods for multiple subjects and competency-based evaluation Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.

  • Classroom Management and Behaviour Support

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Classroom Management and Behaviour Support: Classroom management strategies for diverse learning environments Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Research Project

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Independent research on a selected education topic producing a scholarly dissertation

  • Teaching Practice

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Supervised teaching practice in a secondary school, delivering lessons across multiple subjects

Specialisations

  • History and CRE

    Specialization in History and CRE, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. 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 and Business Studies

    Specialization in Mathematics and Business Studies, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher.

  • English and History

    Specialization in English and History, preparing graduates for careers such as language-teacher. 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.

  • Curriculum Development

    Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.

  • Geography and English

    Specialization in Geography and English, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. 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 Business Studies

    Specialization in Kiswahili and Business Studies, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher. 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 morning lectures on education theory or subject content with afternoon teaching practice or micro-teaching. Students may develop lesson plans across multiple subjects, teach different classes or work on interdisciplinary curriculum projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Multi-subject qualification increases employabilityRequires competence across multiple subject areas
Versatile teaching skills valued in Kenyan schoolsBalancing multiple subjects can be demanding
Diverse career paths in educationMay limit depth in any single subject
Particularly valuable in rural and sub-county schoolsSome schools may prioritise single-subject specialists

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
Private96k to 189k
96k at Islamic University of Kenya189k at Marist International University College

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 283,135/yr; Garissa 109,650/yr; Marist 188,500/yr; Islamic 96,000/yr. Src: educationnewshub KUCCPS, Tuko

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some schools offer stipends during teaching practice periods.

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

    LoanKsh 60,000

  • National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

    Bursary

  • County Government Bursaries

    Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    BursaryKenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

  • TSC Teacher Training Support

    BursaryKenyan

    Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

  • Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing

Scholarships you could apply for

12 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
English/KiswahiliC+
Mathematics A/B or any Group IIC+
Any Group III subjectC+
Any Group III, IV or V subjectC+

When it next starts

Taught at 22 institutions
January 202722 institutions

Including Chuka University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Machakos University.

May 202722 institutions

Including Chuka University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Machakos University.

September 202722 institutions

Including Chuka University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Machakos University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Teaching Practice and Micro-Teaching

    Coursework35% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework25% of the mark

  • Research Project

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Final Examination

    Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    InstitutionalRequired

  • Teachers Service Commission (TSC)

    InstitutionalRequired

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is required for teaching in public schools in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Multi-Subject Teacher

    High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Teaches multiple arts and humanities subjects in secondary schools

  • Curriculum Developer

    Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Develops educational curricula across multiple subject areas

  • Education Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Manages education programmes and supports school administration

  • Subject Teacher

    High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Teaches specific arts subjects in secondary schools

  • Teacher Educator

    Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Trains future teachers at teacher training colleges

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as multi-subject teachers, subject teachers, curriculum developers and education officers in secondary schools, teacher training colleges and educational organisations across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Excel

    SoftwarePrimary

    Spreadsheet for educational data management, extension planning and IT project tracking.

  • PowerPoint

    SoftwarePrimary

    Presentation tool for teaching, farmer training and extension education sessions.

  • SPSS

    Software

    Statistical analysis software for educational and extension research.

  • Google Classroom

    Software

    Learning management system for agricultural education and online teaching.

  • KoboToolbox

    Software

    Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Multi-subject teachers are less qualified

    Multi-subject qualification is an advantage, especially in schools where teachers handle several subjects.

  • This programme covers too many subjects superficially

    Students typically specialise in two or three teaching subjects while gaining exposure to others.

  • Multi-subject teachers only work in rural schools

    Multi-subject teachers are valued in all types of schools for their versatility.

  • This is a generalist degree with no focus

    Students develop depth in selected teaching subjects while maintaining breadth across disciplines.

Further reading

Read next