Education

Bachelor of Education in Science with Guidance and Counselling

The Bachelor of Education in Science with Guidance and Counselling is a four-year programme that prepares students for teaching science subjects while providing professional guidance and counselling services in secondary schools. Students study science content, counselling theory, educational psychology, teaching methods and curriculum development. The programme combines science teaching with counselling specialisation, preparing graduates who can deliver both curriculum science and student support services.

Students develop competencies in science teaching, laboratory management, counselling theory and practice, curriculum development, educational assessment and student support. They learn to teach science subjects while also providing guidance and counselling to students. The programme covers both science content and counselling methodology with teaching practice in secondary schools.

In Kenya, school-based counselling is increasingly important as students face academic pressure and mental health concerns. TSC employs teachers with counselling specialisation. Kenya's emphasis on learner wellbeing in the Competency-Based Curriculum creates demand for science teachers with counselling skills. Graduates find roles in secondary schools, educational institutions and youth support organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, counselling practicum, teaching practice, micro-teaching and research projects. Students conduct science experiments, develop counselling skills, teach science classes and undertake teaching practice. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as science and counselling teachers, school counsellors, guidance officers, education officers and youth counsellors. Some work in secondary schools teaching science and providing counselling. Others join educational administration or youth support organisations.

This programme is ideal for individuals with science aptitude, empathy and passion for both teaching and student support. Students who enjoy science and counselling will find this programme particularly fulfilling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Chemistry, Physics or Biology Teaching Content
Principles of Guidance and Counselling
Counselling Theories and Techniques
Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
Teaching Methods for Science Education
Curriculum Development for Science
Laboratory Management and Safety
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Research Methods in Education and Counselling

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of education including philosophy, history and sociology of education
Major Science Subject I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Major Science Subject I: Foundational content in the student's major science teaching subject Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Principles of Guidance and Counselling
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Foundations of guidance and counselling including approaches, ethics and the counselling relationship
Educational Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Psychology: Psychological principles of learning and development in science education Covers theoretical frameworks, research methods, and practical applications in psychology.
Counselling Theories and Techniques
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Counselling Theories and Techniques: Major counselling theories and their application in educational contexts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Teaching Methods for Science Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Teaching strategies and methods for science in secondary schools including laboratory pedagogy
Curriculum Development for Science
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum Development for Science: Curriculum design for science education and CBC implementation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Vocational Guidance and Career Counselling: Career development theory, career assessment and guidance for students Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Laboratory Management and Safety
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Laboratory safety protocols, equipment management and experiment design for teaching
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Measurement and Evaluation: Assessment methods for science education and counselling evaluation Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on science education and counselling producing a scholarly dissertation
Teaching Practice and Counselling Practicum
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Teaching Practice and Counselling Practicum: Supervised teaching practice and counselling practicum in secondary schools Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.

Specialisations

School Counselling
Specialization in School Counselling, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor. 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.
Educational Psychology
Specialization in Educational Psychology, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor.
Laboratory Management
Specialization in Laboratory Management, 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.
Career Guidance
Specialization in Career Guidance, preparing graduates for careers such as school-guidance-counselor.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Science Teaching with Counselling
Specialization in Science Teaching with Counselling, preparing graduates for careers such as teacher.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on science content or counselling theory with afternoon laboratory sessions, counselling practicum or teaching practice. Students may conduct experiments, practise counselling skills, teach science classes or work on guidance projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines in-demand science teaching with counselling skills
Growing recognition of student mental health needs
Diverse career paths in education and student support
Opportunity to support both academic and personal development

Against it

Requires balancing science and counselling coursework
Counselling work can be emotionally demanding
Some schools may not have dedicated counselling positions
May require additional counselling certifications for advanced practice

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

Public245k to 245k

245k at Maasai Mara University245k at Maasai Mara 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

Maasai Mara 244,800/yr (KUCCPS). Sole public provider. Private unverified.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some schools and counselling organisations 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

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
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
Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) Student Support
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing counselling and psychology programmes

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

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework25% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals, Counselling Practicum and Teaching Practice
Coursework35% 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

Youth Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Provides counselling and support services to young people in organisations
School Counsellor
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides professional counselling services to students in educational institutions
Guidance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides guidance and career counselling to students in schools
Science and Counselling Teacher
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches science and provides counselling services in secondary schools
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages education programmes and supports student wellbeing initiatives

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as science and counselling teachers, school counsellors, guidance officers, education officers and youth counsellors in secondary schools, educational institutions and youth support organisations.

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

Science and counselling is an unusual combination
Science teachers with counselling skills are valuable in supporting student wellbeing alongside academic instruction.
Counselling is only for arts teachers
Science teachers can effectively combine subject teaching with professional counselling support.
This programme is harder than regular science education
The programme integrates counselling modules alongside standard science education content.
Counselling detracts from science teaching
Counselling skills enhance teaching effectiveness by supporting student wellbeing and learning.