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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 979,200 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines in-demand science teaching with counselling skills | Requires balancing science and counselling coursework |
| Growing recognition of student mental health needs | Counselling work can be emotionally demanding |
| Diverse career paths in education and student support | Some schools may not have dedicated counselling positions |
| Opportunity to support both academic and personal development | 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 coursesAnnual 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 recordedCounty 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
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding Maasai Mara University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kabarak University.
Including Maasai Mara University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kabarak University.
Including Maasai Mara University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kabarak University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
InstitutionalRequired
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). TSC registration is required for teaching in public schools in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesYouth 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- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
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.