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Certificate in Secretarial Studies

The Certificate in Secretarial Studies is a KNEC-examined programme that trains individuals in office administration, document processing, shorthand, and communication skills. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Duration
1 year
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 67,189 total
Private tuition
Ksh 45,000
Ksh 45,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 67,189 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 45,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of D or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 1 year, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Trainees develop competencies in typing and keyboarding, office procedures, shorthand, computerised document processing, communication skills, and office management. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with extensive practical training in office simulation environments.

Kenya's business sector requires trained secretarial personnel to support office operations in government, private companies, and NGOs. The programme supports the professionalisation of office administration roles.

The course is delivered through classroom sessions and practical training in computer laboratories and simulated offices. Trainees practise typing, document preparation, office procedures, and communication skills under instructor supervision.

Graduates can work as secretaries, office assistants, typists, or administrative clerks in various organisations. The programme provides a foundation for progression to Diploma in Secretarial Studies or business management qualifications.

This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of D (plain) who have an interest in office administration. It provides practical skills for employment in clerical and secretarial roles.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Office Procedures
  • Computerised Document Processing
  • Shorthand
  • Communication Skills
  • Office Administration
  • Information Communication Technology
  • Commerce
  • Secretarial Duties

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Office Procedures I

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers office organisation, filing systems, telephone procedures, mail handling, and basic office management principles.

  • Computerised Document Processing I

    Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore

    Develops typing and word processing skills using computers including document formatting, mail merge, and document production.

  • Shorthand I

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduces shorthand theory and practice for rapid note-taking in office and meeting environments.

  • Communication Skills I

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore

    Develops written and oral communication skills for professional office environments.

  • Information Communication Technology I

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers computer basics, operating systems, office productivity software, and internet usage for office work.

  • Commerce I

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduces business and commerce concepts including trade, business organisations, and commercial transactions.

  • Secretarial Duties

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers the duties and responsibilities of a secretary including diary management, meeting preparation, and executive support.

  • Entrepreneurship

    Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective

    Introduces entrepreneurship concepts and business skills for self-employment opportunities.

Specialisations

  • Executive Secretarial

    Focuses on supporting senior executives with advanced administrative skills.

  • Legal Secretarial

    Specialises in secretarial support for law firms and legal departments.

  • Medical Secretarial

    Covers secretarial support for medical offices and hospital departments.

  • Office Administration

    Focuses on general office management and administrative coordination.

A day as a student

A typical day includes morning theory on office procedures or commerce, followed by afternoon practical sessions in computer labs where trainees practise typing, document processing, shorthand, and office communication skills.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Office administration skills are needed in every sector of the economy.Automation has reduced demand for some traditional secretarial roles.
Short training duration enables quick entry into employment.Entry-level positions may offer modest remuneration.
Clear progression path to diploma and degree programmes in business management.—

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)
Private33k to 45k
33k at AITEC College45k at Zetech 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: AITEC 33,000, Zetech 45,000/yr (aitec.ac.ke, kenyaplex.com).

HELB TVET loans, KUCCPS capitation, and county bursaries are available for eligible students.

Funding options

  • HELB TVET Loan

  • KUCCPS Government Capitation

  • County Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

  • HELB TVET Loan

    LoanKsh 50,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions

  • County Bursary

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes

Scholarships you could apply for

1 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Dminimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE D- (minus) with a pass in English and Mathematics of at least D+.

Subject requirements
EnglishD+
MathematicsD+

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Bartmore Technical College.

May 20271 institution

Including Bartmore Technical College.

September 20271 institution

Including Bartmore Technical College.

How you are assessed

2 components

  • KNEC Theory Examination

    Written examination70% of the mark

    Written examination covering secretarial studies theory and commerce.

  • KNEC Practical Examination

    Practical examination30% of the mark

    Practical examination assessing typing, document processing, and shorthand skills.

Accreditation

  • Kenya National Examinations Council

    AcademicRequired

    KNEC examines and certifies the Certificate in Secretarial Studies.

  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority

    AcademicRequired

    TVETA accredits institutions offering secretarial studies programmes.

Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Secretary

    Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 45,000

    Provides secretarial support including document processing, correspondence, and office administration.

  • Office Assistant

    High demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 40,000

    Assists with general office operations including filing, document preparation, and reception.

  • Typist

    Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 38,000

    Prepares typed documents, correspondence, and reports for organisations.

  • Administrative Clerk

    Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 42,000

    Handles administrative tasks including records management, correspondence, and office coordination.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as secretaries, office assistants, and typists in government, private companies, and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Secretarial studies is outdated in the digital age.

    Modern secretarial roles combine traditional skills with digital proficiency in office software and communication tools.

  • Secretarial work is only for women.

    Office administration roles are open to all genders, with many male professionals in the field.

  • Anyone can be a secretary without training.

    Professional training provides skills in document processing, office procedures, and communication that employers require.

  • There is no career progression from secretarial studies.

    Graduates can progress to diploma programmes in business management, human resources, and office administration.

Further reading

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