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Diploma in Education Arts

The Diploma in Education Arts is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in secondary school arts teaching, educational psychology, curriculum development and classroom management. Offered at Laikipia University and Rongo University, the programme prepares students for teaching careers in secondary schools with arts subject specialisations.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 107,000
Ksh 214,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 60,000
Ksh 120,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 107,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 214,000 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, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, school-based, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 8 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

The curriculum covers educational psychology, foundations of education, curriculum development, teaching methods for arts subjects (English, Kiswahili, History, Geography, Religious Studies, CRE, IRE), instructional technology, assessment and evaluation, inclusive education, guidance and counselling, educational research, communication skills and teaching practice. Students develop both pedagogical and practical teaching skills.

Kenya's education sector continues to require qualified secondary school teachers, especially with the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC). The programme responds to the need for trained arts teachers who can deliver quality education in secondary schools across the country.

The programme is delivered through lectures, micro-teaching sessions, teaching practice, school visits, case studies, research projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in lesson planning, classroom teaching and learner assessment through teaching practice at secondary schools.

Graduates pursue careers as secondary school arts teachers, education officers, curriculum support officers and education programme assistants in public and private schools, county governments and education-focused organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree programme.

Prospective students should have a passion for teaching, interest in arts subjects and commitment to education. The programme is suitable for students seeking secondary school teaching careers with arts subject specialisations.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education
  • Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology
  • Teaching Methods for Arts Subjects
  • Assessment, Evaluation and Inclusive Education
  • Guidance, Counselling and Communication Skills
  • Educational Research and School Administration
  • Subject Specialisation (English, Kiswahili, History, Geography, Religious Studies)
  • Teaching Practice and Micro-Teaching

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers educational psychology, learning theories, child and adolescent development, foundations of education, history of education and the Kenyan education system.

  • Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers curriculum development principles, curriculum design, instructional technology, ICT in education, CBC curriculum and teaching resources.

  • Teaching Methods for Arts Subjects

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers teaching methods for English, Kiswahili, History, Geography, Religious Studies and other arts subjects, including lesson planning and delivery.

  • Assessment, Evaluation and Inclusive Education

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers assessment methods, evaluation techniques, inclusive education principles, supporting diverse learners and differentiated instruction.

  • Guidance, Counselling and Communication Skills

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers guidance and counselling, learner support, communication skills, professional ethics and classroom management.

  • Educational Research and School Administration

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers educational research methods, data collection and analysis, school administration, leadership and management basics.

  • Subject Specialisation and Micro-Teaching

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers in-depth subject specialisation in two arts teaching subjects, with micro-teaching practice and peer assessment.

  • Teaching Practice

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

    A supervised teaching practice placement at a secondary school, assessed through lesson observation, teaching performance and a reflective report.

Specialisations

  • English and Literature

    Focuses on teaching English language and literature for careers as English teachers in secondary schools.

  • Kiswahili

    Specialises in teaching Kiswahili language and fasihi for careers as Kiswahili teachers.

  • History and Government

    Focuses on teaching History and Government for careers as History teachers.

  • Geography

    Specialises in teaching Geography for careers as Geography teachers in secondary schools.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on educational psychology or curriculum development, followed by a micro-teaching session where students practise lesson delivery in their arts subjects. Afternoon sessions may include a teaching methods workshop, an assessment design exercise, or a group discussion on inclusive education. Students also prepare lesson plans and teaching materials for teaching practice.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Teaching is a stable career with TSC registration and employment opportunities in public and private schools.Entry requirements are higher than most diplomas, requiring KCSE C+ with C+ in two teaching subjects.
The programme is offered at two public universities, providing study location options.Teaching salaries at entry level can be modest, especially in private schools.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree programme.—

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
Public67k to 107k
67k at Public TVET Colleges (standardised rate)107k at Laikipia University (self-sponsored)
Private60k to 60k
60k at Kabarak University (tuition 30K/sem)60k at Kabarak University (tuition 30K/sem)

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

TVET 67K, Laikipia 107K/yr SSP; Kabarak 60K/yr tuition (victormatara.com, kabarak.ac.ke)

Students can access HELB loans and government scholarships under Kenya's new funding model. County governments may offer bursaries for students pursuing education programmes.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Scholarships you could apply for

7 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
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

P1 certificate with C+ at KCSE and C+ in two teaching subjects, or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.

Subject requirements
Two teaching subjectsC+
EnglishC
MathematicsD+

When it next starts

Taught at 8 institutions
January 20278 institutions

Including Rongo University, Laikipia University, Tangaza University.

May 20277 institutions

Including Rongo University, Laikipia University, Kabarak University.

September 20278 institutions

Including Rongo University, Laikipia University, Tangaza University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Written examination30% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering educational psychology, curriculum and teaching methods.

  • Micro-Teaching and Coursework

    Practicum30% of the mark

    Assessment of micro-teaching sessions, lesson plans, teaching materials and coursework assignments.

  • Research Project

    Project40% of the mark

    An educational research project on a teaching or curriculum topic, assessed through a written report.

  • Teaching Practice Assessment

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Assessment of teaching performance during supervised teaching practice at a secondary school.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are eligible for TSC registration. The programme is offered at Laikipia University and Rongo University.

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The programme is offered at Laikipia University and Rongo University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Secondary School Teacher (Arts)

    High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Teaches arts subjects such as English, Kiswahili, History, Geography or Religious Studies in secondary schools.

  • Curriculum Support Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Supports curriculum implementation in schools, provides teacher mentoring and assists with CBC rollout at county level.

  • Education Programme Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Supports education programmes in NGOs and county governments, assists with teacher training and community engagement.

  • Education Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 36,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Works with county education offices to support school supervision, teacher development and education quality assurance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as secondary school arts teachers in public and private schools, with opportunities in county governments and education-focused organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • A diploma in education arts is not as good as a degree.

    The diploma provides a solid foundation for teaching and graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree programme.

  • Arts teachers have fewer job opportunities than science teachers.

    Both arts and science teachers are in demand in Kenya's secondary schools, with arts subjects forming a core part of the curriculum.

  • Teaching is a low-paying career with no growth.

    Teaching offers stable employment with TSC, structured salary progression and opportunities for advancement into administration and specialised roles.

  • You can only teach with this diploma.

    Graduates can also work as curriculum support officers, education programme assistants and in education-focused NGOs beyond classroom teaching.

Further reading

Read next