Education

Bachelor of Education in Technology in Computer Studies

The Bachelor of Education in Technology in Computer Studies is a programme that prepares students to teach computer studies and technical subjects in secondary schools, technical training institutes and polytechnics. Offered at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, the programme combines computing content with technology education pedagogy to produce qualified technical teachers.

The curriculum covers computer programming, computer hardware and maintenance, networking fundamentals, database systems, web technologies, educational technology, technical drawing, pedagogy for technical subjects, curriculum development, educational psychology and teaching practice. Students develop both technical computing skills and pedagogical competence for delivering technology education.

Kenya's education sector emphasises technical and vocational education, with computer studies offered in secondary schools and technical institutes. The programme responds to the demand for qualified technology education teachers who can deliver computer studies and ICT subjects in both the Competency-Based Curriculum and technical education pathways.

The programme is delivered through lectures, programming and hardware laboratories, workshop sessions, micro-teaching and supervised teaching practice in secondary schools and technical institutions. Students gain practical experience in both computing laboratories and classroom teaching contexts.

Graduates pursue careers as computer studies teachers, technical education instructors and ICT coordinators in public and private secondary schools, technical training institutes, polytechnics and vocational training centres. They can also work as educational technology consultants and curriculum developers for technical subjects.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, an interest in computing and technology, and a commitment to teaching technical subjects. The programme is suitable for students who want to combine technical computing knowledge with education practice in Kenya's growing technical and vocational education sector.

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

Computer Programming
Computer Hardware and Maintenance
Networking Fundamentals
Database Systems
Web Technologies
Educational Technology
Technical Drawing
Pedagogy for Technical Subjects
Curriculum Development
Educational Psychology

Modules

11 in the programme

Computer Programming Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces programming concepts including variables, control structures, functions and data types, developing problem-solving skills through coding in a high-level programming language.
Computer Hardware and Maintenance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers computer hardware components, assembly, troubleshooting and maintenance, providing practical skills for managing computer laboratories in educational institutions.
Foundations of Technical Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores the philosophy and history of technical and vocational education in Kenya, examining its role in national development and the TVET sector.
Networking Fundamentals
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces computer networking concepts including network topologies, protocols, IP addressing and basic network configuration, preparing students to teach networking in schools.
Educational Psychology for Technical Subjects
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines psychological principles of learning applied to technical and vocational education, covering cognition, motivation and individual differences in practical learning contexts.
Teaching Methodology for Computer Studies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops pedagogical skills for teaching computer studies, covering lesson planning, instructional strategies, practical teaching approaches and assessment methods for computing subjects.
Database Systems and Web Technologies
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers database design, SQL fundamentals and web development technologies, equipping students to teach database and web concepts in secondary school computer studies.
Curriculum Development for Technical Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines curriculum design principles for technical and vocational education, covering the Kenyan computer studies curriculum and Competency-Based Curriculum frameworks.
Educational Technology and Instructional Design
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores the integration of technology in education, covering instructional design principles, digital learning tools and e-learning platforms for technical education.
Teaching Practice
Year 4Semester 112 creditsCore
A supervised teaching placement in a secondary school or technical institution where students teach computer studies, applying pedagogical theory to real classroom contexts.
Research Project in Technology Education
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on an aspect of technology education, demonstrating the student's ability to investigate educational issues in computing and present findings in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Secondary School Computer Studies Teaching
Focuses on teaching computer studies at secondary school level, covering the Kenyan secondary computer studies curriculum and assessment.
Technical Training Instruction
Specialises in teaching computer studies in technical training institutes and polytechnics, with focus on vocational and technical education pedagogy.
Educational Technology Management
Focuses on managing ICT infrastructure and educational technology in schools and technical institutions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on computer programming or networking fundamentals, followed by a pedagogy session on teaching methodology for technical subjects. Afternoon sessions include laboratory work in computer hardware maintenance or web development, and micro-teaching practice where students deliver sample technical lessons to peers. During teaching practice, students spend full days in secondary schools or technical institutes teaching computer studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Strong demand for qualified computer studies teachers as Kenya expands ICT integration across secondary schools and technical institutions.
Graduates are qualified to teach in both secondary schools and technical training institutes, broadening employment opportunities.
TSC registration enables employment in public schools with pensionable terms and structured career progression.

Against it

Teacher salaries are regulated by TSC scales, which may be lower than equivalent roles in the private technology sector.
Teaching practice requires significant time commitment and may involve placements in remote locations.

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 Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology245k 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

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

Students can access HELB loans, NGAAF bursaries and county government bursaries. Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive subsidised tuition. TSC employs graduates in public schools upon registration.

Funding options

HELB Loan
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
TSC Teacher Employment (Government-Sponsored)

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE Mean Grade C (Plain) with a Diploma in relevant Technical Education from a recognised institution.

Physics or Mathematics
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering both computing and education course content.
Practical Laboratory Examinations
Practicum40% of the mark
Practical examinations assessing students' ability to perform hardware maintenance, programming and networking tasks under timed conditions.
Micro-Teaching Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of teaching skills through micro-teaching sessions where students deliver sample technical lessons to peers and supervisors.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practicum100% of the mark
Supervised assessment of teaching performance in a secondary school or technical institution, evaluated by university supervisors and school-based mentors.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for teacher registration. The programme is also aligned with TVETA standards for technical education.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Aligned with TVETA standards for technical education.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Computer Studies Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches computer studies and ICT subjects in secondary schools, delivering the Kenyan curriculum and supporting digital literacy initiatives.
Technical Training Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Instructs computer studies and technical subjects in technical training institutes, polytechnics and vocational training centres.
ICT Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages ICT infrastructure and integration in schools and technical institutions, supporting teachers with technology use and maintaining computer laboratories.
Educational Technology Consultant
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 150,000
Advises educational institutions on technology integration, supporting the adoption of digital learning tools and technical education platforms.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as computer studies teachers and technical education instructors in secondary schools, technical training institutes and polytechnics across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Technology education is the same as regular computer science.
The programme combines computing content with technical education pedagogy, specifically preparing graduates to teach computer studies in technical and vocational education contexts.
Graduates can only teach in secondary schools.
Graduates are qualified to teach in secondary schools, technical training institutes, polytechnics and vocational training centres, broadening their employment opportunities.
Technical education teaching is less prestigious than academic teaching.
Kenya's emphasis on technical and vocational education under the Competency-Based Curriculum has elevated the status and demand for qualified technical education teachers.
The programme does not require strong computing skills.
The programme covers substantial computing content including programming, networking, databases and hardware maintenance, requiring solid analytical and technical abilities.