Business

Diploma in Office Administration

The Diploma in Office Administration (TVET CDACC Level 6) is a competency-based qualification that trains graduates to manage the day-to-day administrative operations of an organisation's front and back office.

Students work through competency units covering front office operations, office mail and correspondence management, meeting coordination, office security, and telephone/communications handling, building comprehensive administrative competence. Skills RequiredFront Office OperationsOffice Mail and Correspondence ManagementMeeting CoordinationOffice Security ManagementBusiness CommunicationKey SubjectsFront Office OperationsOffice Mail ManagementMeeting CoordinationOffice SecurityBusiness CommunicationCertificationsTVET CDACC Certificate of Competency (per unit)SpecializationsFront Office ManagementFocus on reception, visitor management, and front-of-house operations. Executive Administrative SupportFocus on supporting senior executives with correspondence, scheduling, and meetings. Skills RequiredBusiness CommunicationFront Office OperationsMeeting CoordinationOffice Mail and Correspondence ManagementOffice Security ManagementKey SubjectsFront Office OperationsOffice Mail ManagementMeeting CoordinationOffice SecurityBusiness CommunicationResearch MethodsCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) CertificationSpecializationsFront Office ManagementFocus on reception, visitor management, and front-of-house operations. Executive Administrative SupportFocus on supporting senior executives with correspondence, scheduling, and meetings.

Every organisation, from small businesses to large corporations and government offices, needs skilled office administrators to keep operations running smoothly, making this a broadly applicable qualification.

Training combines short theory modules with practical office simulation exercises, assessed unit-by-unit against national occupational standards, often delivered in blended or online formats.

Graduates work as office administrators, executive assistants, and front office/reception managers across virtually any sector, with transferable skills applicable in business, government, and NGOs alike.

The programme suits students who want a broadly applicable, practically assessed administrative qualification with strong employability across sectors.

Duration: 2 years (competency-based, modular)
Public, up to: Ksh 72,000
Private, up to: Ksh 61,300
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

6 subjects

Front Office Operations
Office Mail Management
Meeting Coordination
Office Security
Business Communication
Research Methods

Modules

11 in the programme

Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business communication and correspondence for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer applications for office management for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Typing and Keyboarding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Keyboard skills and document production as applied to office administration principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Front Office Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing reception, visitor handling, and front-desk operations for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Office Mail Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Processing and organising incoming and outgoing correspondence for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Meeting Coordination
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Planning, scheduling, and supporting organisational meetings for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Records Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Filing systems and records administration for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Office Security
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing office access, confidentiality, and security procedures for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Business Communication
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Written and verbal communication skills for office administration for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Office Administration and Management II
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced office management and supervision for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Human Resource Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
HR principles for office administrators including planning, organising, staffing, and controlling operational activities and resources.

Specialisations

Front Office Management
Focus on reception, visitor management, and front-of-house operations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Executive Administrative Support
Focus on supporting senior executives with correspondence, scheduling, and meetings, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Records and Information Management
Focus on office records management, document control, filing systems, and information governance within Kenyan office administration and compliance frameworks.
Office Technology
Focus on office automation, digital tools, productivity software, and modern office technology systems within Kenyan business and administrative environments.

A day as a student

Learning is organised into competency units combining short theory input with office simulation exercises — managing correspondence, coordinating meetings, handling front-desk scenarios — assessed unit-by-unit.

The trade offs

In its favour

Broadly applicable administrative skill set valued across virtually every sector.
Flexible online/blended delivery accommodates working adults.

Against it

Entry-level administrative roles are competitive given the broad applicant pool.
Career progression to senior office/executive management typically benefits from further study or years of experience.

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 72k

67k at TVET institutions (standard self-sponsored rate)72k at Technical University of Mombasa

Private61k to 61k

61k at Zetech University61k at Zetech University

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 67,189/yr, TUM 72K/yr (tum.ac.ke). Zetech 61.3K/yr (eafinder.com)

Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; many employers sponsor existing staff to formalise administrative skills through this qualification.

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 recorded

County 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.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: A relevant certificate or equivalent qualification determined by KNQA.

How you are assessed

2 components

Competency-Based Unit Assessments
Coursework60% of the mark
Practical demonstration of competency in each office administration unit.
TVET CDACC National Assessment
Examination40% of the mark
Standardised national assessment for the Level 6 qualification.

Accreditation

Nationally examined by TVET CDACC as a competency-based (CBET) Level 6 qualification.

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
National competency based (cbet) qualification, level 6Required
Assessed against national occupational standards for Office Administration.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Administrative Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Manages office operations, coordinates administrative functions, and supports executive staff for organisations across Kenya.
Office Administrator
High demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 42,000
Manages day-to-day office operations, correspondence, and scheduling for an organisation.
Executive Assistant (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Supports a senior executive with administrative and scheduling tasks.
Front Office/Reception Manager
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Manages reception and front-of-house operations for an organisation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as office administrators, executive assistants, and front office/reception managers across virtually any sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office Suite
Productivity softwarePrimary
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for document preparation, spreadsheets, presentations, and email management.
QuickBooks
Accounting softwarePrimary
Accounting software for managing office finances, payroll, supplier payments, and financial reports.
Google Workspace
Productivity software
Cloud-based collaboration tools including Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive for office administration.
Sage Pastel
Accounting software
Accounting and payroll software widely used in Kenyan businesses for financial record management.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing platform for virtual meetings, remote administration, and stakeholder communication.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Office administration is just answering phones.
It covers correspondence management, meeting coordination, office security, and organisational support, a broader administrative function.
This qualification is only for secretarial roles.
Graduates progress into executive assistant and office management roles with broader responsibility.