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Diploma in Education in Science

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

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 71,850
Ksh 143,700 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 71,850 a year at a public institution, Ksh 143,700 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 2 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 4 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 science subjects (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology), 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 science teachers, particularly with the emphasis on STEM education and the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC). The programme responds to the need for trained science teachers who can deliver quality education in secondary schools.

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

Graduates pursue careers as secondary school science 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 (Science) degree programme.

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

What you study

8 subjects
  • Educational Psychology and Foundations of Education
  • Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology
  • Teaching Methods for Science Subjects
  • Laboratory Management and Safety
  • Assessment, Evaluation and Inclusive Education
  • Guidance, Counselling and Communication Skills
  • Educational Research and School Administration
  • 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 digital teaching resources.

  • Teaching Methods for Science Subjects

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers teaching methods for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, including inquiry-based learning, practical work and laboratory pedagogy.

  • Laboratory Management, Assessment and Inclusive Education

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers laboratory management and safety, science practical assessment, evaluation techniques, inclusive education and supporting diverse learners.

  • 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 science teaching subjects, with micro-teaching practice, laboratory demonstrations and peer assessment.

  • Teaching Practice

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

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

Specialisations

  • Mathematics

    Focuses on teaching Mathematics for careers as Mathematics teachers in secondary schools.

  • Physics

    Specialises in teaching Physics and laboratory management for careers as Physics teachers.

  • Chemistry

    Focuses on teaching Chemistry and practical work for careers as Chemistry teachers.

  • Biology

    Specialises in teaching Biology and field work for careers as Biology teachers.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on educational psychology or teaching methods, followed by a laboratory session on practical science teaching techniques. Afternoon sessions may include a micro-teaching practicum, an assessment design workshop, or a group discussion on inclusive education. Students also prepare lesson plans, laboratory experiments and teaching materials for teaching practice.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Science teachers are in high demand in Kenya, with STEM education being a national priority.Entry requirements are higher than most diplomas, requiring KCSE C+ with C+ in two science subjects.
The programme is offered at two public universities, providing study location options.Science teaching requires additional laboratory management and safety responsibilities beyond classroom teaching.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Education (Science) 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 72k
67k at Public TVET Colleges (standardised rate)72k at Kibabii University (total new student fees)
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, Kibabai 71.9K/yr; Kabarak 60K/yr tuition (kabarak.ac.ke, kibu.ac.ke)

Students can access HELB loans and government scholarships under Kenya's new funding model. STEM education initiatives may offer additional bursaries for science teacher trainees.

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

6 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

Diploma in Education with C+ in two science teaching subjects, or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.

Subject requirements
Two science teaching subjectsC+
MathematicsC-

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Machakos University, Rongo University, Kabarak University.

May 20274 institutions

Including Machakos University, Rongo University, Kabarak University.

September 20274 institutions

Including Machakos University, Rongo University, Kabarak 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 science teaching methods.

  • Laboratory Practicals and Micro-Teaching

    Practicum30% of the mark

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

  • Research Project

    Project40% of the mark

    An educational research project on a science 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, including laboratory teaching.

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 Machakos 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 Machakos University and Rongo University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Secondary School Science Teacher

    High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Teaches science subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology in secondary schools, including laboratory practicals.

  • Curriculum Support Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 140,000

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

  • Laboratory Coordinator

    Moderate demandKsh 33,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Manages school science laboratories, prepares practical experiments, ensures safety standards and supports science teachers.

  • Education Programme Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 110,000

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

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as secondary school science teachers in public and private schools, with strong demand for STEM teachers in Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Science teaching is harder than arts teaching.

    Both require specialised pedagogical skills; science teaching additionally requires laboratory management and safety knowledge but is not inherently harder.

  • A diploma in education science limits you to teaching only.

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

  • Science teachers are only needed in urban schools.

    Science teachers are in demand across all schools in Kenya, with particular need in rural and underserved areas.

  • You need to be a science genius to teach science.

    The programme builds the necessary subject knowledge and teaching skills from the foundation up; passion for teaching and commitment to learning are more important than prior expertise.

Further reading

Read next