Education

Bachelor of Education in Music

The Bachelor of Education in Music is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching music in secondary schools and educational institutions. Students study music theory, performance, music history, education theory, teaching methods and curriculum development. The programme combines musical training with education practice, preparing teachers who can deliver music curriculum effectively.

Students develop competencies in music teaching, performance, music theory, curriculum development, classroom management, educational assessment and creative expression facilitation. They learn to teach music theory, vocal and instrumental performance, music appreciation, African music traditions and contemporary music. The programme covers both music content and education theory with teaching practice in secondary schools.

In Kenya, music is part of the secondary school curriculum and the Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises creative arts. TSC employs music teachers. Kenya's rich musical heritage and growing creative economy create opportunities for music educators. Kenyatta University offers music education through its Department of Music. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, teacher training colleges, cultural organisations and the creative industry.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, music performance sessions, ensemble practice, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students develop music performance skills, create lesson plans, teach music classes and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as music teachers, music instructors, choir directors, curriculum developers, music coordinators and arts education officers. Some work in secondary schools teaching music. Others join cultural organisations, media houses or the creative industry.

This programme is ideal for individuals with musical talent, creativity and teaching passion. Students who enjoy music performance, theory and education will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 188,100
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Music Theory and Composition
Vocal and Instrumental Performance
Music History and Appreciation
African Music Traditions
Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Teaching Methods for Music Education
Curriculum Development for Music
Choral and Ensemble Direction
Music Technology and Production
Research Methods in Music Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Music Theory and Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Music Theory and Fundamentals: Music theory including notation, scales, intervals, chords and rhythm Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Vocal and Instrumental Performance I
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of vocal and instrumental performance skills with practical instruction
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Psychology: Psychological principles of learning and development in music education Covers theoretical frameworks, research methods, and practical applications in psychology.
Music History and Appreciation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Survey of music history including Western, African and contemporary music traditions
Teaching Methods for Music Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Teaching Methods for Music Education: Teaching strategies and methods for music in secondary schools Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
African Music Traditions
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of African music traditions, instruments, rhythms and cultural significance
Choral and Ensemble Direction
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Choral and Ensemble Direction: Techniques for directing choirs, ensembles and school music groups Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Curriculum Development for Music
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum Development for Music: Curriculum design for music education and CBC implementation for creative arts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Music Technology and Production
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Music Technology and Production: Music technology, recording, production and digital music tools for education Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Project: Independent research on music education producing a scholarly dissertation Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Teaching Practice: Supervised teaching practice in a secondary school, delivering music lessons Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.

Specialisations

African Music Education
Specialization in African Music Education, 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.
Instrumental Music Teaching
Specialization in Instrumental Music 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.
Music Technology Education
Specialization in Music Technology Education, 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.
Choral Direction
Specialization in Choral Direction, 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.
Vocal Music Teaching
Specialization in Vocal Music 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.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on music theory or education with afternoon performance sessions or teaching practice. Students may practise instruments, rehearse ensembles, develop lesson plans, teach music classes or work on composition projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Develops both musical and teaching skills
Growing creative economy in Kenya
Opportunity to nurture creativity in young people
Diverse career paths in education and creative industries

Against it

Music teaching positions may be limited in some schools
Music instruments and equipment can be expensive
Some may view music as less important than core subjects
Career progression may require additional qualifications

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 cultural organisations and music festivals offer stipends during attachment 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
Goethe-Institut Scholarship Programmes
Scholarship
Students and artists in cultural and performing arts

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 any Group II
C
Any Group III subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

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

Music Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides music instruction in schools, community centres or private studios
Curriculum Developer
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Develops music education curricula and learning materials
Choir Director
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Directs choirs and vocal ensembles in schools or religious institutions
Music Teacher
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Teaches music in secondary schools following the Kenyan curriculum
Arts Education Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates arts education programmes in cultural organisations or government

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as music teachers, music instructors, choir directors, curriculum developers, music coordinators and arts education officers in secondary schools, teacher training colleges, cultural organisations and the creative industry.

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

Music teaching is not a serious career
Music education is a recognised profession that develops creativity, discipline and cultural awareness.
Music has limited career prospects in Kenya
Kenya's growing creative economy offers opportunities in education, performance, production and cultural sectors.
Anyone who can sing can teach music
Professional music education requires training in theory, pedagogy, performance and curriculum design.
Music is not important in the curriculum
The Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises creative arts as essential for holistic learner development.