Diploma in Education
The Diploma in Education is a KUCCPS-listed teacher-training programme geared toward producing qualified secondary school teachers, teaching two specialised subjects alongside professional education studies.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 93,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 186,400 to Ksh 279,600 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 116,100 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 2-3 years, full-time, part-time, school-based, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 45 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 study education foundations (psychology of learning, curriculum studies, educational assessment), teaching methods for their two chosen subjects, and professional practice, mirroring the structure of a Bachelor of Education but at diploma level. Skills RequiredSubject PedagogyCurriculum StudiesEducational AssessmentClassroom ManagementLesson PlanningKey SubjectsEducational PsychologyCurriculum StudiesSubject Methods (2 teaching subjects)Educational AssessmentGuidance and Counselling BasicsTeaching PracticeCertificationsTeachers Service Commission (TSC) RegistrationSpecializationsSciences (e.g. Mathematics/Physics/Chemistry/Biology)Teaching specialisation in science and mathematics subjects, often in shortage areas. Humanities and LanguagesTeaching specialisation in humanities, languages, and social science subjects.
Kenya's secondary school system, expanded significantly since the introduction of free day secondary education, continues to need qualified teachers, particularly for subject combinations facing shortages.
Training combines subject-specific pedagogy with a supervised teaching practice placement in a secondary school, assessed by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) or the offering institution.
Graduates work as secondary school teachers (subject to TSC registration), college/middle-level institution tutors, and can progress into a Bachelor of Education degree with credit transfer.
The programme suits KCSE graduates with a C+ mean grade who want a faster route into secondary teaching than a four-year Bachelor of Education degree.
What you study
6 subjects- Educational Psychology
- Curriculum Studies
- Subject Methods (2 teaching subjects)
- Educational Assessment
- Guidance and Counselling Basics
- Teaching Practice
Modules
10 in the programmeEducational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Psychology of learning and teaching as applied to education principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Curriculum Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Curriculum design and evaluation as applied to education principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Psychological principles underlying learning and teaching for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Curriculum Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and design of the Kenyan secondary curriculum for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Subject Methods I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Teaching methods for the trainee's first specialisation subject for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Subject Methods II
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaching methods for the trainee's second specialisation subject for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Educational Assessment
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of assessing student learning for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Teaching Practice
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching placement in a secondary school for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Sciences (e.g. Mathematics/Physics/Chemistry/Biology)
Teaching specialisation in science and mathematics subjects, often in shortage areas The track prepares graduates for technical roles in Kenyan organisations with relevant industry and regulatory compliance requirements.
Humanities and Languages
Teaching specialisation in humanities, languages, and social science subjects The track prepares graduates for technical roles in Kenyan organisations with relevant industry and regulatory compliance requirements.
Technical and Vocational Subjects
Focus on teaching technical and vocational subjects including agriculture, business studies, computer studies, and home science in Kenyan secondary schools.
Guidance and Counselling
Focus on student guidance, counselling techniques, career advisory, and psychosocial support for learners in Kenyan educational institutions.
A day as a student
Days combine education-theory lectures with subject-specific methods classes, culminating in a teaching practice placement where trainees plan and deliver lessons in a real secondary school under supervision.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Faster route into TSC-registered secondary teaching than a four-year Bachelor of Education. | Public secondary teaching job placement can be competitive and subject to TSC hiring cycles. |
| Clear credit-transfer progression into a Bachelor of Education degree. | Career ceiling without further study (e.g. degree, further postgraduate qualifications) is lower than degree-holding teachers. |
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
KU 93K/yr (victormatara). KCA 98K, Kabarak 116K/yr (kenyaeducationguide, kabarak).
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; in-service teachers already employed as untrained teachers sometimes have costs supported by their school or sponsor.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
Scholarships you could apply for
15 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
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- 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
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
A P1 certificate or equivalent qualification recognised by the offering institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 45 institutionsIncluding Presbyterian University of East Africa, Pwani University, Scott Christian University.
Including Presbyterian University of East Africa, Pwani University, Scott Christian University.
Including Presbyterian University of East Africa, Pwani University, Scott Christian University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across education theory and subject methods units.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Supervised assessment of classroom teaching performance.
Final Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.
Accreditation
Teachers Service Commission
Professional teacher registrationRequired
TSC registration is required to teach in Kenyan public schools.
KUCCPS-listed diploma (Education & Related cluster); examined by KNEC at most teacher training colleges; TSC registration required for public school employment.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSecondary School Teacher (TSC-registered)
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Teaches two specialisation subjects at a public or private secondary school.
Private School Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000
Teaches at a private secondary school, sometimes before securing TSC registration.
College Tutor (Middle-Level Institution)
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 42,000
Teaches at a TVET college or middle-level training institution.
Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Teaches subjects in secondary schools, prepares lesson plans, assesses students, and supports learner development within the Kenyan education system.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as secondary school teachers (subject to TSC registration) and college/middle-level institution tutors.
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
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Lesson planning, presentations, and educational documentation.
Google Classroom
Learning management
Online learning platform for course delivery and student engagement.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing for remote teaching and meetings.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
A Diploma in Education is a lesser qualification than a Bachelor of Education for teaching.
Diploma teachers are TSC-registered and can teach secondary school; many later upgrade to a Bachelor of Education via credit transfer for career progression.
Graduates can teach any subject.
Teachers are registered to teach the specific two subjects they specialised in during training.