Education

Bachelor of Education in Computer

The Bachelor of Education in Computer is a programme that prepares students to teach computer studies and information technology in secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Offered at Pwani University, the programme combines computer science content with pedagogical training to produce qualified teachers for Kenya's growing ICT education sector.

The curriculum covers computer programming, data structures, computer architecture, operating systems, databases, computer networks, software engineering, educational psychology, curriculum development, teaching methodology, instructional technology and classroom management. Students develop both technical computing skills and pedagogical competence for effective teaching.

Kenya's education sector has integrated ICT across the curriculum, with computer studies offered as an examinable subject in secondary schools. The programme responds to the demand for qualified computer studies teachers who can deliver the Competency-Based Curriculum and support digital literacy initiatives in schools.

The programme is delivered through lectures, programming laboratories, teaching practice, micro-teaching sessions and school-based attachments. Students gain practical teaching experience through supervised teaching practice in secondary schools, applying pedagogical theory to real classroom contexts.

Graduates pursue careers as computer studies teachers, ICT coordinators and education officers in public and private secondary schools, teacher training colleges and educational institutions. They can also work as educational technology consultants and curriculum developers. The programme is accredited by the Teachers Service Commission for employment in public schools.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, an interest in computing and a passion for teaching. The programme is suitable for students who want to combine technical computing knowledge with education practice, contributing to Kenya's digital literacy goals.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 232,560
Private, up to: Ksh 191,100
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Computer Programming
Data Structures and Algorithms
Computer Architecture
Operating Systems
Databases
Computer Networks
Educational Psychology
Curriculum Development
Teaching Methodology
Instructional Technology

Modules

11 in the programme

Introduction to Computer Programming
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces programming fundamentals including variables, control structures, functions and arrays, developing problem-solving skills through coding exercises in a high-level programming language.
Foundations of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores the philosophical, sociological and historical foundations of education in Kenya, examining the role of education in national development and the Kenyan education system.
Computer Architecture and Organisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers computer hardware architecture including processors, memory, input/output systems and digital logic, providing foundational understanding of how computers operate.
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines psychological principles of learning and development, covering theories of cognition, motivation, individual differences and their application to teaching and learning.
Data Structures and Algorithms
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers fundamental data structures including arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees and graphs, and algorithms for sorting, searching and problem-solving.
Teaching Methodology for Computer Studies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops pedagogical skills for teaching computer studies, covering lesson planning, instructional strategies, assessment methods and practical approaches for teaching computing concepts.
Databases and Information Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces database design, SQL, normalisation and information systems development, equipping students to teach database concepts in secondary school computer studies.
Computer Networks and Internet Technologies
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers networking fundamentals including network topologies, protocols, internet technologies and web development, providing knowledge for teaching network concepts.
Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines curriculum design principles and the integration of technology in education, covering the Kenyan computer studies curriculum and digital learning tools.
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 112 creditsCore
A supervised teaching placement in a secondary school where students take responsibility for teaching computer studies classes, applying pedagogical theory to real classroom contexts.
Research Project in Computer Education
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on an aspect of computer education, demonstrating the student's ability to investigate educational issues in computing and present findings in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Secondary School Computer Studies Teaching
Focuses on teaching computer studies at secondary school level, covering the Kenyan secondary computer studies curriculum and assessment.
Educational Technology
Specialises in the integration of technology in education, preparing graduates for roles as ICT coordinators and educational technology specialists.
ICT Curriculum Development
Focuses on designing and developing ICT curricula and learning materials for schools and educational institutions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on computer programming or data structures, followed by a pedagogy session on teaching methodology or educational psychology. Afternoon sessions include programming laboratory work and micro-teaching practice where students deliver sample lessons to peers. During teaching practice periods, students spend full days in secondary schools observing and teaching computer studies classes.

The trade offs

In its favour

Strong demand for computer studies teachers in Kenya as ICT integration in education continues to expand across secondary schools.
TSC registration enables employment in public schools with pensionable terms, providing job security and structured career progression.
The programme combines technical computing skills with education, offering versatile career paths in both teaching and educational technology.

Against it

Teacher salaries in Kenya are regulated by TSC scales, which may be lower than equivalent roles in the private technology sector.
Teaching practice requires significant time commitment during the final year, with placements that may be in remote locations.

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 233k

184k at Kenyatta University233k at Pwani University

Private110k to 191k

110k at Mount Kenya University191k at Kabarak 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

Pwani 232,560/yr; KU 183,600/yr; Kabarak 191,100/yr; MKU 110,000/yr. Src: Pwani PDF, mawese, Kabarak, MKU

Students can access HELB loans, NGAAF bursaries and county government bursaries. Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive subsidised tuition. TSC employs graduates in public schools upon registration.

Funding options

HELB Loan
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
TSC Teacher Employment (Government-Sponsored)

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Education or a relevant field from a recognised institution.

Mathematics
C+
Computer Studies or Physics
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering both computing and education course content.
Programming Practical Examinations
Practicum40% of the mark
Practical programming examinations assessing students' ability to write, debug and execute code under timed conditions.
Micro-Teaching Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of teaching skills through micro-teaching sessions where students deliver sample lessons to peers and supervisors.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practicum100% of the mark
Supervised assessment of teaching performance in a secondary school, evaluated by university supervisors and school-based mentors.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for teacher registration and employment in public schools.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for teacher registration and employment in public schools.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Computer Studies Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches computer studies and ICT subjects in secondary schools, delivering the Kenyan curriculum and supporting digital literacy initiatives.
ICT Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages ICT infrastructure and integration in schools, supporting teachers with technology use and maintaining computer laboratories.
Educational Technology Consultant
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 150,000
Advises schools and educational organisations on technology integration, supporting the adoption of digital learning tools and platforms.
Curriculum Developer
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 140,000
Develops computer studies curricula and learning materials for educational institutions, publishers and curriculum development organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as computer studies teachers and ICT coordinators in secondary schools across Kenya, with strong demand driven by ICT integration in the education system.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A Bachelor of Education in Computer only leads to teaching careers.
While most graduates become teachers, the computing skills acquired also open opportunities in educational technology, curriculum development, ICT training and systems administration in educational institutions.
Computer studies teachers are not in demand in Kenya.
The integration of ICT across Kenya's education system has created strong demand for qualified computer studies teachers, with many schools struggling to fill computer studies positions.
The programme is easier than a pure computer science degree.
The programme covers substantial computer science content alongside education coursework, requiring students to master both technical computing concepts and pedagogical theory.
Teaching practice is just observation.
Teaching practice involves taking full responsibility for teaching computer studies classes in secondary schools, including lesson planning, delivery, assessment and classroom management under supervision.