Diploma in Development Studies and Project Management
The Diploma in Development Studies and Project Management is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in community development, project management, social policy and sustainable development. Offered at multiple universities in Kenya, the programme prepares students for careers in non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, government agencies and development-focused institutions.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 50,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 100,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 60,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, blended, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers development theory, community development, project planning and management, social research methods, economics for development, governance and public policy, gender and development, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, communication skills, ICT, monitoring and evaluation, and industrial attachment. Students develop both analytical and practical community engagement skills.
Kenya's development sector employs thousands of professionals across NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, county governments and international agencies. The programme responds to the need for trained practitioners who can design, implement and evaluate development projects that address social and economic challenges in communities.
The programme is delivered through lectures, group discussions, field visits, case studies, community-based projects, research assignments and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in community needs assessment, project planning, monitoring and evaluation through fieldwork and attachment at NGOs, CBOs or government departments.
Graduates pursue careers as project officers, community development officers, programme assistants, monitoring and evaluation assistants, social development assistants and research assistants in NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, county governments and international development agencies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have an interest in community work, social justice and development. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in the development sector and those passionate about driving positive change in communities.
What you study
8 subjects- Development Theory and Community Development
- Project Planning, Management and Evaluation
- Social Research Methods and Data Analysis
- Economics for Development and Governance
- Gender, Environment and Sustainable Development
- Entrepreneurship and Communication Skills
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Social Policy and Public Administration
Modules
8 in the programmeDevelopment Theory and Community Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers theories of development, community development principles, participatory approaches, community mobilisation and social change processes.
Project Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers project identification, design, planning, implementation, budgeting, risk management and project cycle management.
Social Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection, sampling, analysis and report writing for development research.
Economics for Development and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers development economics, poverty analysis, governance, public policy, decentralisation and the role of the state in development.
Gender, Environment and Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers gender and development, environmental sustainability, climate change, natural resource management and sustainable development goals.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers M&E frameworks, indicators, logical framework approach, data collection for M&E, evaluation methods and reporting.
Entrepreneurship and Communication Skills
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers entrepreneurship, business planning, communication skills, ICT, advocacy and resource mobilisation for development.
Industrial Attachment and Research Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at an NGO, CBO or government department, plus a research project on a development topic assessed through a report.
Specialisations
Community Development
Focuses on community mobilisation, participatory development and grassroots empowerment for careers as community development officers.
Project Management
Specialises in project planning, implementation and evaluation for careers as project officers.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Focuses on M&E frameworks, data collection and evaluation for careers as M&E assistants.
Policy and Governance
Specialises in public policy, governance and advocacy for careers in government and policy-focused organisations.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on development theory or community development, followed by a group discussion on project planning. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to a community project, a case study on monitoring and evaluation, or a research methods workshop. Students also work on community-based projects and assignments.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya has a large development sector with numerous NGOs, CBOs and government agencies offering employment opportunities. | Many entry-level positions in the development sector are short-term or project-based contracts. |
| The programme is offered at multiple universities, providing flexibility in study location and mode. | Career progression often requires additional qualifications and experience beyond the diploma. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies or related degree programmes. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social sciences 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
UoEld 50K/yr (uoeld.ac.ke). TEAU 60K/yr (teau.ac.ke).
Students can access HELB loans. Individual universities offer bursaries and scholarships for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
7 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
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- 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
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Certificate in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification recognised by the university senate.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding University of Eldoret, Africa International University, The East African University.
Including University of Eldoret, The East African University, Kenya Methodist University.
Including University of Eldoret, Africa International University, The East African University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering development theory, project management and research methods.
Coursework Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of essays, group projects, presentations and community-based assignments.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a development topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an NGO, CBO or government department.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at multiple universities in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at multiple universities in Kenya including University of Eldoret, Africa International University, The East African University, Kenya Methodist University, Presbyterian University of East Africa and University of Eastern Africa Baraton.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesProject Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Plans, implements and monitors development projects in NGOs, CBOs and government agencies, ensuring project objectives are met.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 130,000
Works with communities to identify needs, mobilise resources, facilitate development initiatives and support community empowerment.
Programme Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supports programme implementation in development organisations, assists with reporting, documentation and stakeholder coordination.
Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 33,000 to Ksh 140,000
Supports M&E activities including data collection, indicator tracking, report preparation and evaluation support in development projects.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as project officers, community development officers and programme assistants in NGOs, CBOs, county governments and international development agencies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Development studies is just about charity work.
The programme covers project management, research, policy analysis, economics and governance, preparing graduates for professional roles in the development sector.
Development studies graduates can only work in NGOs.
Graduates work in NGOs, CBOs, county governments, government ministries, international agencies and private sector organisations with social responsibility programmes.
Development studies is the same as social work.
While related, development studies focuses on community development, project management and policy, while social work focuses on individual and family support services.
There are no jobs in development studies.
Kenya's development sector is significant, with thousands of NGOs, CBOs and government agencies employing development professionals.