Education

Bachelor of Education in Physical Education

The Bachelor of Education in Physical Education is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching physical education in secondary schools. Students study physical education theory, sports science, anatomy, physiology, education theory, teaching methods and curriculum development. The programme is confirmed on the KUCCPS portal and offered at Kenyatta University, which positions it in line with Kenya's educational reforms and Vision 2030 socio-economic transformation agenda.

Students develop competencies in physical education teaching, sports coaching, anatomy and physiology, curriculum development, classroom and sports management, educational assessment and health promotion. They learn to teach physical education, sports skills, fitness programmes and health education. The programme covers both physical education content and education theory with teaching practice in secondary schools.

In Kenya, physical education is increasingly valued in schools as part of holistic learner development. The Competency-Based Curriculum emphasises physical activity and health education. TSC employs physical education teachers. Kenyatta University offers this programme at KES 183,600 per year. Kenya's focus on sports development, including athletic and football academies, creates demand for qualified PE teachers. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, sports organisations and educational institutions.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical PE sessions, sports coaching, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students develop PE lesson plans, teach physical education classes, coach sports teams and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as PE teachers, sports coaches, sports coordinators, fitness instructors and education officers. Some work in secondary schools teaching PE. Others join sports organisations, fitness centres or educational institutions.

This programme is ideal for individuals with physical fitness, sports aptitude and teaching passion. Students who enjoy sports, physical activity and education will find this programme particularly engaging.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 275,400
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Anatomy and Physiology for Physical Education
Sports Science and Kinesiology
Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Teaching Methods for Physical Education
Curriculum Development for PE
Athletics and Track Events
Team Sports and Games
Health Education and Nutrition
Sports Management and Administration
Research Methods in Physical Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Anatomy and Physiology for PE
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Human anatomy and physiology relevant to physical education and sports performance
Fundamentals of Physical Education
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Fundamentals of Physical Education: Introduction to physical education principles, history and philosophy Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Psychology: Psychological principles of learning and development in physical education Covers theoretical frameworks, research methods, and practical applications in psychology.
Sports Science and Kinesiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Sports Science and Kinesiology: Movement science, biomechanics and sports performance principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Teaching Methods for Physical Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Teaching strategies and methods for PE in secondary schools including practical pedagogy
Athletics and Track Events
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Athletics and Track Events: Coaching and teaching athletics including track, field and running events Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Team Sports and Games
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Coaching and teaching team sports including football, basketball, volleyball and netball
Curriculum Development for PE
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum Development for PE: Curriculum design for physical education and CBC implementation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Health Education and Nutrition
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Health Education and Nutrition: Health education, nutrition and wellness principles for school PE programmes Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Project: Independent research on physical education producing a scholarly dissertation Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice in a secondary school, delivering PE lessons and coaching sports

Specialisations

Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Sports Management
Specialization in Sports Management, preparing graduates for careers such as pe-sports-coach. 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.
Athletics Coaching
Specialization in Athletics Coaching, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.
Recreation Education
Specialization in Recreation Education, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.
Team Sports Coaching
Specialization in Team Sports Coaching, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.
Health and Fitness Education
Specialization in Health and Fitness Education, preparing graduates for careers such as physical-education-teacher.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on anatomy or PE theory with afternoon practical sessions or teaching practice. Students may develop PE lesson plans, coach sports teams, teach physical education classes or work on fitness assessment projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for PE teachers under Kenya's CBC
Relevant to Kenya's sports development agenda
Diverse career paths in education and sports
Opportunity to promote health and fitness in young people

Against it

PE facilities may be limited in some schools
May require additional sports coaching certifications
Some schools may not prioritise PE in their curriculum
Physical demands of teaching PE can be 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

Public184k to 275k

184k at Kenyatta University275k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

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; MMUST 275,400/yr (KUCCPS/mawese). No private B.Ed PE provider verified.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some sports organisations and 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

4 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

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

Practical Sessions and Teaching Practice
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

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

Accredited by

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

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Sports Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates sports programmes in schools or educational institutions
PE Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches physical education in secondary schools following the Kenyan curriculum
Sports Coach
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coaches sports teams in schools, clubs or sports organisations
Fitness Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides fitness instruction in fitness centres, gyms or wellness programmes
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages education programmes and supports PE and sports initiatives

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as PE teachers, sports coaches, sports coordinators, fitness instructors and education officers in secondary schools, sports organisations, fitness centres and educational institutions.

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

Physical education is just about playing sports
PE involves anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pedagogy and structured curriculum delivery.
PE teaching is not a serious profession
PE teachers require professional training and TSC registration, same as other teachers.
There are limited jobs for PE teachers
Kenya's growing sports sector and CBC emphasis on physical activity create demand for PE teachers.
PE is only for athletic students
PE education focuses on teaching skills, health promotion and inclusive physical activity for all learners.