Education

Bachelor of Education in Home Science and Technology

The Bachelor of Education in Home Science and Technology is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching home science in secondary schools. Students study food and nutrition, home management, clothing and textiles, education theory and teaching methods. The programme is confirmed on the KUCCPS portal and offered by the University of Eldoret, with a related programme (Home Science with IT) offered at Maseno University and Tom Mboya University.

Students develop competencies in home science teaching, food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, home management, curriculum development, classroom management and educational assessment. The programme covers three core areas: Food and Nutrition including food science, meal management and community nutrition; Home Management including child care, household equipment, housing and consumer economics; and Clothing and Textiles including flat pattern designing, clothing construction and costume design.

In Kenya, home science is an integral part of the secondary school curriculum. The skills learnt are directly applicable in manufacturing and service industries, supporting Kenya's industrialisation goals. TSC employs home science teachers. KUCCPS lists this programme under Cluster 19. University of Eldoret is the primary institution offering this programme. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, hotels, hospitals, food processing firms, clothing and textile industries, and NGOs.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, practical cookery, textile workshops, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students conduct food science experiments, develop clothing projects, teach home science classes and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a supervised research project and home management practicum.

Graduates pursue careers as home science teachers, nutrition and dietetics consultants, fashion designers, interior designers, hotel and restaurant managers, counsellors and researchers. Some work in secondary schools or teacher training colleges. Others join government ministries, food processing firms, clothing industries or consultancy firms.

This programme is ideal for individuals with practical skills, creativity and interest in home science disciplines. Students who enjoy food science, textiles, nutrition and teaching will find this programme particularly engaging.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 188,100
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Food and Nutrition and Food Science
Home Management and Consumer Economics
Clothing and Textiles and Apparel Design
Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Teaching Methods for Home Science
Curriculum Development for Home Science
Microbiology for Home Science
Family Resource Management
Community Nutrition
Research Methods in Home Science

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Biology for Home Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Biological principles relevant to home science including human biology and food biology
Introduction to Food and Nutrition
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Introduction to Food and Nutrition: Fundamentals of food science, nutrition principles and meal management Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Introduction to Clothing Construction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Clothing Construction: Basic clothing construction techniques, textile fundamentals and pattern use Covers construction technology, materials science, and project execution.
Chemistry in the Home and Microbiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Chemistry in the Home and Microbiology: Chemistry principles in home science and microbiology for food safety Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Educational Psychology: Psychological principles of learning and development for home science education Covers theoretical frameworks, research methods, and practical applications in psychology.
Textiles and Meal Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Textiles and Meal Management: Textile science, meal planning and practical food preparation skills Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Teaching Methods for Home Science
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaching Methods for Home Science: Teaching strategies and methods for home science in secondary schools Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Family Resource Management and Housing
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Family Resource Management and Housing: Family resource management, housing, home furnishings and consumer economics Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Curriculum Development for Home Science
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum Development for Home Science: Curriculum design for home science education and CBC implementation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Research Methods and Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods and Project: Research methods in home science and supervised research project Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Teaching Practice and Home Management Practicum
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Teaching Practice and Home Management Practicum: Supervised teaching practice in secondary schools and home management practicum Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisation...

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Fashion and Apparel Design
Specialization in Fashion and Apparel Design, preparing graduates for careers such as fashion-designer.
Community Nutrition
Specialization in Community Nutrition, preparing graduates for careers such as nutritionist. 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.
Food and Nutrition Teaching
Specialization in Food and Nutrition Teaching, preparing graduates for careers such as nutritionist.
Home Management Teaching
Specialization in Home Management Teaching, 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.
Clothing and Textiles Teaching
Specialization in Clothing and Textiles Teaching, 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 food science, nutrition or textiles with afternoon practical sessions in the foods laboratory or textiles workshop. Students may conduct food experiments, develop clothing projects, teach home science classes or work on meal management practicals.

The trade offs

In its favour

Diverse career paths beyond teaching
Practical skills applicable in multiple industries
Relevant to Kenya's food processing and textile industries
Interdisciplinary programme combining science and arts

Against it

Home science teaching positions may be limited in some schools
Laboratory and workshop equipment can be expensive
Some may view home science as less prestigious than other subjects
Requires balancing practical and theoretical coursework

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 184k

110k at Garissa University184k at Kenyatta University

Private105k to 188k

105k at Mount Kenya University188k 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

KU 183,600/yr; Garissa 109,650/yr; Kabarak 188,100/yr; MKU 105,000/yr. Src: mawese, Tuko, Kabarak, MKU

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some food processing firms and textile industries offer attachment opportunities.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English
C+
Mathematics A/B or Biology or Physics or Chemistry
C+
Biology/Physics/Chemistry/History/Geography/CRE/IRE
C+
Kiswahili or any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Practical Sessions and Teaching Practice
Coursework40% of the mark
Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

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

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Nutrition and Dietetics Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides nutrition and dietetics consultancy in hospitals or private practice
Interior Designer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Provides interior design services using home management and furnishing knowledge
Home Science Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches home science in secondary schools following the Kenyan curriculum
Fashion Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Designs clothing and apparel using textile and design skills from the programme
Hotel and Restaurant Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages hotel and restaurant operations using food and hospitality skills

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as home science teachers, nutrition and dietetics consultants, fashion designers, interior designers, hotel and restaurant managers, counsellors and researchers in secondary schools, hotels, hospitals, food processing firms, clothing and textile industries and NGOs.

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

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Home science is just about cooking and sewing
Home science encompasses food science, nutrition, textiles, consumer economics, family management and professional teaching.
Home science teaching has limited career prospects
Graduates work in diverse fields including nutrition, fashion design, interior design, hospitality and education.
Home science is only for women
Home science is a professional discipline open to all genders, with male graduates pursuing successful careers.
Home science is not relevant to industrialisation
Home science skills are directly applicable in food processing, textile manufacturing and service industries.