Business

Certificate in Project Management

The Certificate in Project Management provides foundational training in project planning, project execution, project monitoring, and project evaluation. Students learn project management principles, project cycle management, project planning tools, risk management, stakeholder management, and project reporting. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in project management or as a pathway to further studies in project management.

Students develop competencies in project planning, project scheduling, budget management, risk management, stakeholder engagement, project monitoring, and project reporting. The curriculum covers introduction to project management, project planning and design, project implementation, project monitoring and evaluation, project risk management, project finance and budgeting, stakeholder management, and project management tools. Practical skills are developed through case studies and project planning exercises.

Project management skills are in high demand across Kenya's development sector, construction industry, NGO sector, government, and corporate organisations. Every organisation implementing projects requires trained project management personnel to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate projects. Kenya's vibrant NGO sector and government development programmes create sustained demand for project management skills. The programme addresses the demand for foundational project management training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, practical exercises, and project planning work. Students develop project plans, create project schedules, analyse project risks, and design monitoring frameworks. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and project-based work. The programme emphasises practical problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed by project management professionals.

Graduates find employment as project assistants, project coordinators, programme assistants, or project support staff in NGOs, government agencies, construction firms, and corporate organisations. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in project management at Kabarak University, Kenyatta University, and other institutions.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in project management, as well as individuals working in or seeking to enter the NGO, development, or construction sectors. The programme provides directly employable skills in project planning and management.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 97,700
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Evening and Weekend
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Project Management
Project Planning and Design
Project Implementation and Execution
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Project Risk Management
Project Finance and Budgeting
Stakeholder Management
Project Management Tools and Techniques
Project Proposal Writing
Project Reporting and Communication

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Project Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to project management covering project concepts, project lifecycle, project management processes, the role of project managers, and project management frameworks.
Project Planning and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Project planning and design covering needs assessment, project design, logical framework approach, project scheduling, work breakdown structures, and Gantt charts.
Project Finance and Budgeting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Project finance and budgeting covering project cost estimation, budget development, financial planning, cost control, and project financial management.
Project Risk Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Project risk management covering risk identification, risk assessment, risk analysis, risk response planning, and risk monitoring throughout the project lifecycle.
Project Implementation and Stakeholder Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project implementation covering execution processes, team management, stakeholder engagement, communication management, and managing project implementation.
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project monitoring and evaluation covering M&E frameworks, performance indicators, progress tracking, evaluation methods, and learning from project outcomes.
Project Proposal Writing and Reporting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project proposal writing covering proposal development, donor requirements, project reporting, progress reports, and communicating project results to stakeholders.
Project Management Tools and Capstone Project
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project management tools and software, and a capstone project developing a complete project plan including proposal, budget, schedule, risk plan, and M&E framework.

Specialisations

Development Project Management
Focus on project management in NGO and development contexts, including donor-funded projects, community projects, and development programme management.
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Focus on M&E frameworks, performance tracking, evaluation design, and learning from project outcomes.
Project Planning and Design
Focus on project design, proposal writing, logical framework approach, and project planning tools and techniques.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on project management theory with afternoon case study discussions and practical exercises. Students develop project plans, create Gantt charts, analyse project risks, design monitoring frameworks, and practise stakeholder engagement strategies. Group work involves developing project proposals and project implementation plans for real or simulated projects. The programme emphasises practical project planning and management skills.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for project management skills across all sectors in Kenya including NGOs, government, and private sector.
Offered at both public (KU) and private (Kabarak) universities, providing accessibility and choice.
Provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in project management with international certification opportunities (PMI).

Against it

Senior project management roles require diploma or degree-level qualifications plus experience.
Entry-level project positions may have modest starting salaries, especially in the NGO sector.
Project management work can involve pressure to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Public TVET (standardised fee)67k at Public TVET (standardised fee)

Private62k to 98k

62k at Mount Kenya University98k 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

Public TVET 67,189/yr. Private: MKU 61,650, Kabarak 97,700/yr (studyinkenya.co.ke, kabarak.ac.ke).

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Universities may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: KCSE C- (Minus) for KU; KCSE D+ (Plus) for Kabarak University. KU also accepts KCE Division III or equivalent.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of project management theory, planning, and evaluation concepts.
Case Studies and Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Case study analyses of project scenarios, project planning assignments, and risk management exercises.
End of Semester Examinations and Capstone Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a capstone project plan demonstrating applied project management competencies.

Accreditation

Kabarak University and Kenyatta University are chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme provides foundational project management training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Kabarak University and Kenyatta University are chartered by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Project Assistant
High demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 65,000
Assists in project management activities in NGOs, government agencies, or companies, supporting project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Project Coordinator
High demand
Coordinates project activities in organisations, managing project schedules, facilitating communication, tracking progress, and supporting project delivery.
Programme Assistant
High demand
Supports programme management in NGOs or development organisations, assisting with programme coordination, monitoring, documentation, and stakeholder communication.
Project Support Staff
Moderate demand
Provides administrative and operational support to project teams in organisations, handling documentation, logistics, meetings, and project records.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as project assistants, project coordinators, and programme assistants in NGOs, government agencies, and corporate organisations, with opportunities for progression to diploma and degree programmes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Project
ToolPrimary
Jira
Tool

Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) — CAPM level

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Project management is only for construction projects.
Project management applies to any organised effort with defined goals and timelines, including NGO programmes, IT projects, events, and organisational initiatives.
Project management is just about making plans.
Project management involves planning, execution, monitoring, risk management, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and evaluation — a comprehensive discipline.
A certificate in project management has limited career value.
Every organisation implementing projects needs project management personnel, and the certificate provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes.
Project management requires engineering or technical background.
Project management skills are applicable across all sectors including NGOs, business, healthcare, education, and government, not just technical fields.