Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
The Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics is a TVET CDACC Level 6 qualification that equips learners with knowledge and skills in food science, human nutrition, diet therapy, and public health nutrition.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 122,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 244,400 to Ksh 366,600 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 103,650 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, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 124 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers human anatomy and physiology, principles of human nutrition, dietetics operations, maternal infant and young child nutrition, nutrition in communicable and non-communicable diseases, specialised meal management, food processing and preservation, nutrition education and counselling, malnutrition case management, nutritional biochemistry, nutritional epidemiology, diet therapy in systemic and non-systemic conditions, nutrition in emergencies, food microbiology.
The programme is accredited by TVET CDACC under the Nutrition and Dietetics Level 6 qualification (code 091506T4NUT, ISCED 0915554A) and examined by KNEC in some institutions. Graduates must register with the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) to practise.
Training combines classroom theory with laboratory practicals, clinical rotations in hospitals, and community outreach programmes. Trainees work with nutritional assessment tools, diet planning software, food analysis equipment, and clinical nutrition resources.
Graduates find employment in hospitals, county health departments, NGOs, schools, food manufacturing industries, sports clubs, and wellness centres.
The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have an interest in health, food, and nutrition, as well as certificate holders seeking to upgrade. It provides a progression pathway to degree programmes in Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, or Clinical Nutrition.
What you study
10 subjects- Human Nutrition and Metabolism
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Diet Therapy and Clinical Nutrition
- Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition
- Nutrition in Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
- Food Science, Processing and Preservation
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Community Nutrition and Public Health
- Nutrition Education and Counselling
- Food Microbiology and Parasitology
Modules
12 in the programmeHuman Nutrition and Anatomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of human nutrition, macronutrients, micronutrients for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Food Science and Microbiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Food composition, food hygiene, food microbiology, parasitology, and food safety
Nutrition Legal Ethics and Professional Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsElective
Legal aspects of nutrition practice, professional ethics, and KNDI for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Nutrition during pregnancy, lactation, infant feeding, and young child for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Dietetics Operations and Meal Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of dietetics, meal planning, food preparation, and specialised for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Nutrition in Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Nutritional management of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biochemical basis of nutrition, metabolism, and nutritional biochemistry for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Food Processing and Preservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Principles of food processing, preservation techniques, and food product for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Diet Therapy in Systemic Conditions
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Therapeutic diets for gastrointestinal, renal, liver, and cardiovascular for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Nutrition Education and Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Behaviour change communication, nutrition counselling techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Malnutrition Case Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Assessment and management of acute and chronic malnutrition in clinical and for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Diet Therapy in Non-Systemic Conditions
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Therapeutic diets for cancer, burns, trauma, surgery, and other for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Clinical Dietetics
Focuses on therapeutic diet planning and nutritional management of patients in clinical settings, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Community and Public Health Nutrition
Focuses on community nutrition programmes, public health interventions, and nutrition surveillance, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Food Service Management
Focuses on institutional food service operations, quality assurance, and nutritional standards, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Maternal and Child Nutrition
Focuses on nutrition during pregnancy, lactation, infant feeding, and young child nutrition programmes, 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 begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on nutritional biochemistry or diet therapy, followed by a laboratory practical on food analysis or nutritional assessment techniques. Afternoons often involve clinical rotations in hospital dietetics departments, community nutrition outreach, or meal planning workshops. Industrial attachment and clinical practicum place students in hospitals, NGOs, or community health programmes for hands-on nutrition practice.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand driven by rising lifestyle diseases and government nutrition programmes | KNDI registration is mandatory to practise, requiring additional steps after graduation |
| Diverse employment opportunities in hospitals, NGOs, county governments, food industry, and private practice | Some hospitals prefer degree holders for clinical dietitian positions, limiting entry-level opportunities for diploma graduates |
| Clear progression pathway to degree programmes in Food Nutrition and Dietetics or Public Health | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health 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
KMTC 122.2K Y1/118K Y2+, TVET 67K (tvet.co.ke). Outspan 59.7K-MKU 103.7K/yr
HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. KMTC offers government-subsidised rates. County government bursaries and NG-CDF funds are widely available. Some NGOs offer sponsorship for students committed to community nutrition work.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Constituency Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedNG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes
Scholarships you could apply for
12 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
Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics or Nutrition and Food Sciences from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification as determined by KNDI and KNQA.
When it next starts
Taught at 124 institutionsIncluding Technical University of Kenya, Kabarak University, Kenya Methodist University.
Including Technical University of Kenya, Kabarak University, Kenya Methodist University.
Including Technical University of Kenya, Kabarak University, Kenya Methodist University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Internal assessments including theory tests, laboratory practicals, and case studies
KNEC/CDACC End-of-Module Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
National examinations at the end of each module covering theory and practical components
Clinical Practicum and Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of clinical rotations and community nutrition attachment performance
Accreditation
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certificationRequired
Nutrition and Dietetics Level 6, code 091506T4NUT, ISCED 0915554A
Kenya National Examinations Council
ExaminationRequired
Primary examination body for most institutions offering this diploma
Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute
Professional registrationRequired
Mandatory professional registration to practise as a nutritionist or dietician in Kenya
Accredited by TVET CDACC (Nutrition and Dietetics Level 6, code 091506T4NUT, ISCED 0915554A) and regulated by TVETA. Most institutions offer the KNEC-examined variant. Graduates must register with KNDI to practise as nutritionists or dieticians in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesClinical Nutritionist
High demandKsh 36,000 to Ksh 70,000
Provides nutritional care and diet therapy in hospital and clinical settings
Community Nutrition Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Implements community nutrition programmes in county health departments and NGOs
Dietitian
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Plans and manages therapeutic diets for patients with various medical conditions
Food Service Manager
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages food service operations in hospitals, schools, and institutions ensuring nutritional standards
Nutrition Educator
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 60,000
Conducts nutrition education programmes in schools, communities, and health facilities
Graduate outcomes
Graduates are in growing demand as Kenya addresses malnutrition and lifestyle diseases. Entry-level nutritionists and dietitians earn KSH 36,000 to KSH 70,000 per month, with experienced professionals earning KSH 70,000 to KSH 130,000+ per month in hospitals, NGOs, and private practice.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office Suite
Software
Essential for report writing, data analysis, and nutrition programme documentation
Nutritional Assessment Tools
EquipmentPrimary
Anthropometric equipment, BMI calculators, and nutritional status assessment tools
Food Analysis Equipment
Equipment
Laboratory equipment for food composition analysis and nutritional content testing
Diet Planning Software
SoftwarePrimary
Software for meal planning, nutritional analysis, and diet prescription
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Nutrition and dietetics is just about telling people what to eat
The diploma covers clinical diet therapy, nutritional biochemistry, public health nutrition, emergency nutrition, food science, and research, preparing graduates for diverse roles in hospitals, communities, and food industries.
There are limited job opportunities for nutritionists in Kenya
Growing awareness of lifestyle diseases, government nutrition programmes, NGO interventions, and the food industry's focus on product nutrition create increasing demand for qualified nutritionists and dietitians across Kenya.