Business

Diploma in Investment Management

Investment Management Level 6 is a TVET CDACC-accredited diploma programme that trains professionals to apply financial systems, manage institutional and individual investors, construct investment portfolios, assess investment objectives, manage investment risks, allocate investment resources, analyse investment securities, and monitor and evaluate portfolio performance.

The curriculum was developed by TVET CDACC under the CBET framework and covers financial markets, investment analysis, portfolio management, risk management, financial regulations, securities trading, asset allocation, and investment performance evaluation. The programme combines theoretical finance knowledge with practical investment management skills.

Kenya's financial sector has grown significantly with the expansion of the Nairobi Securities Exchange, growth of unit trusts, retirement benefit schemes, and increasing retail investor participation. The Capital Markets Authority and Retirement Benefits Authority have created regulatory frameworks that demand qualified investment professionals.

Training is offered at institutions including Jolearn College and other TVETA-accredited institutions. The programme combines classroom theory with practical case studies and industry attachment. Assessment is conducted both internally through continuous assessment and externally by TVET CDACC.

Graduates work as investment analysts, investment account managers, investment advisors, portfolio assistants, and risk management assistants with asset management firms, insurance companies, banks, retirement benefit schemes, and stockbroking firms, with progression routes to degree programmes in finance or investment.

Skills RequiredInvestment Portfolio ConstructionInvestment Risk ManagementSecurities AnalysisAsset AllocationFinancial Systems ApplicationInvestment Performance MonitoringInvestment Objective AssessmentFinancial Market AnalysisRegulatory Compliance in InvestmentsClient Relationship ManagementKey SubjectsFinancial Markets and InstrumentsInvestment Analysis and ValuationPortfolio ManagementInvestment Risk ManagementAsset Allocation StrategiesSecurities Trading and

Duration: 86 weeks (approximately 2 years)
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Financial Markets and Instruments
Investment Analysis and Valuation
Portfolio Management
Investment Risk Management
Asset Allocation Strategies
Securities Trading and Settlement
Financial Regulations and Compliance
Investment Performance Evaluation
Retirement Benefits and Pension Management
Entrepreneurship and Communication Skills

Modules

10 in the programme

Communication Skills, ICT and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Basic units covering communication skills, information communication technology.
Life Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Personal development and interpersonal skills for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Financial Markets and Instruments
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on financial markets structure, instruments including equities for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Investment Analysis and Valuation
Year 1Semester 110 creditsCore
Core unit on fundamental and technical analysis, security valuation methods for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Investment Risk Management
Year 1Semester 28 creditsCore
Core unit on risk identification, measurement, mitigation strategies for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Portfolio Management and Asset Allocation
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on portfolio theory, asset allocation strategies, diversification for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Retirement Benefits and Pension Management
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Unit on retirement benefit schemes, pension fund management, and regulatory for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Financial Regulations and Compliance
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Core unit on regulatory framework governing investments in Kenya including CMA for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Investment Performance Evaluation and Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on performance measurement, benchmarking, attribution analysis for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Portfolio Management
Constructing and managing investment portfolios for individual and institutional investors, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Securities Analysis
Analysing stocks, bonds, and other securities to assess investment value and potential returns, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Investment Risk Management
Identifying, assessing, and mitigating investment risks to protect portfolio value, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Retirement Benefits Management
Managing pension funds and retirement benefit schemes in compliance with regulatory requirements, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theory lectures on financial markets, investment analysis, or portfolio management with practical case studies analysing securities and constructing investment portfolios. Students use financial calculators, analyse market data, and practise risk assessment techniques. Industry visits to securities exchange and asset management firms supplement classroom learning.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing financial sector and expanding capital markets create opportunities for investment professionals.
CDACC-accredited programme aligned with industry competency standards.
Skills are transferable across banks, insurance companies, asset management firms, and pension schemes.

Against it

Investment industry is competitive and may require additional certifications like CFA for career advancement.
Requires strong aptitude in mathematics and analytical thinking.

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 TVET institutions (KUCCPS rate)67k at TVET institutions (KUCCPS rate)

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/yr (KUCCPS rate). Private: unverified.

Students are eligible for HELB TVET loans (up to KSH 40,000), government capitation (KSH 30,000/year), and county bursaries.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
Government TVET Capitation (KSH 30,000/year)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.
Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET programmes.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Equivalent qualifications as determined by KNQA or relevant regulatory body.

How you are assessed

3 components

CDACC External Assessment
Examination60% of the mark
External assessment conducted by TVET CDACC at the end of each unit of competency.
Internal Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment by trainers including tests, assignments, and practical exercises monitored by an accredited internal verifier.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment at an investment firm, assessed through supervisor reports and portfolio of work.

Accreditation

Accredited by the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC) under the CBET framework at Level 6. The programme is listed on KUCCPS and recognised by KNQA.

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory body for CBET curriculum development, assessment and certification of investment management programme.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Qualifications recognitionRequired
Recognises the Level 6 qualification within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Investment Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analyses securities, markets, and economic data to support investment decision-making at asset management firms or banks.
Investment Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Provides investment advice to individual and institutional clients on portfolio construction and asset allocation.
Portfolio Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Supports portfolio managers with research, trade execution, performance monitoring, and client reporting.
Risk Management Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Assists in identifying, measuring, and mitigating investment risks for financial institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as investment analysts, investment advisors, and portfolio assistants with asset management firms, banks, insurance companies, and retirement benefit schemes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Financial Calculators
EquipmentPrimary
Professional financial calculators for investment valuation, bond pricing, and portfolio analysis.
Market Data Platforms
Software
Platforms providing real-time market data, securities prices, and economic indicators for investment analysis.
Spreadsheet Software (Excel)
SoftwarePrimary
Used for financial modelling, portfolio analysis, and investment performance calculations.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Investment management is only for wealthy individuals.
Investment management professionals serve a range of clients including retail investors, pension schemes, unit trusts, and institutional investors, not just high-net-worth individuals.
You need a university degree to work in investments.
The Level 6 diploma provides sufficient qualification for entry-level investment analysis and portfolio assistance roles, with progression routes to degree programmes.
Investment management is the same as accounting.
While related, investment management focuses on portfolio construction, securities analysis, and risk management, while accounting focuses on financial reporting and record-keeping.
There are limited investment career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya's growing financial sector, expanding capital markets, and increasing retail investor participation create diverse opportunities for investment professionals.