Diploma in Office Adminstration
The Diploma in Office Administration is a KNEC and TVET-CDACC examined programme that trains professionals in office management and administrative operations. The course covers front office management, office mail handling, meeting coordination, document processing, shorthand, ICT skills, office security, and telephone management across progressive modules.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 201,567 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 63,651 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 3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 100 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
Students develop competencies in office administration, computerised document processing, communication, ICT, accounting, commercial and administrative law, and office management. The programme combines administrative skills with technology competencies essential for modern office operations.
Kenya's business sector expansion, including growing SMEs, corporate organisations, and government departments, has created sustained demand for qualified office administration professionals. Organisations across all sectors require competent office administrators to manage front office operations, coordinate meetings, and handle administrative functions.
The programme combines classroom theory with practical exercises in document processing, office simulations, and communication skills. Students practice shorthand, use office software, and participate in office management exercises. A supervised industrial attachment in an office environment provides practical workplace experience.
Graduates work as office administrators, administrative assistants, front office managers, and executive assistants in corporate organisations, government departments, NGOs, and educational institutions. The qualification provides versatile skills applicable across all sectors.
This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) who are organised and interested in office management and administrative careers.
What you study
6 subjects- Research Methods
- Communication Skills
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Statistics
Modules
10 in the programmeInformation Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer applications for office administration including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.
Typing and Keyboarding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Keyboard skills development, touch typing techniques, and document production using word processing software for office tasks.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business communication, report writing, professional correspondence, and effective oral communication for office environments.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship education, business plan preparation, and venture creation skills for administrative services and office support businesses.
Office Administration and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Office management principles and procedures, organisational structure, office layout, and administrative systems for business operations.
Commercial and Administrative Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal aspects of office administration, commercial law, administrative law, and regulatory compliance for business operations.
Records Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Filing systems design, records classification, retention schedules, and information management for organisational efficiency.
Office Administration and Management II
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced office management and supervision, administrative policy development, and operational decision-making in organisations.
Principles and Practice of Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Management theory and organisational behaviour, including planning, organising, leading, and controlling organisational resources.
Human Resource Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Human resource management for office administrators, including recruitment, induction, performance management, and labour relations.
Specialisations
Front Office Management
Management of reception, telephone operations, visitor handling, and front office customer service, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Document Processing
Computerised document processing, shorthand, and office software applications, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Office Management
Overall coordination of office operations, resources, and administrative systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Records and Filing Systems
Focus on office filing systems, document management, records retention, and information organisation within Kenyan administrative and compliance frameworks.
A day as a student
Students attend morning theory classes and spend afternoons in practical sessions, workshops, or laboratory work applying concepts learned in class.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Office administration skills are needed in every organisation across all sectors. | Automation of routine office tasks may reduce demand for basic administrative roles. |
| Clear career progression from administrative assistant to office manager and executive assistant. | Career advancement to senior management may require additional business management qualifications. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering 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
TVET 67,189/yr public. Private: KIBCo 63,651, KIMTECH 49,500, Jolearn 46,500/yr (official websites)
Students can access HELB TVET loans, county government bursaries, and NG-CDF bursaries to support their studies.
Funding options
HELB loan
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed or accredited diploma programmes at recognised TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency Development Fund bursaries for needy students from the respective constituency.
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Craft Certificate in Office Administration Level 5 from an accredited TVET institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 100 institutionsIncluding Kendege Technical and Vocational College, Emurua Dikirr Technical Training Institute, Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College.
Including Kendege Technical and Vocational College, Emurua Dikirr Technical Training Institute, Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College.
Including Kendege Technical and Vocational College, Emurua Dikirr Technical Training Institute, Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester CATs covering theory and practical components.
KNEC Module Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
National examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment report and employer assessment.
Accreditation
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering this diploma programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination bodyRequired
Administers national examinations for the diploma programme at each module level.
Programmes accredited by TVETA and examined by KNEC, NITA, or CDACC in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesOffice Administrator
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 52,000
Manages office operations including front office, mail, meetings, security, and administrative functions.
Administrative Assistant
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 48,000
Provides administrative support including document processing, correspondence, and office coordination.
Front Office Manager
Medium demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Manages front office operations including reception, telephone handling, and visitor coordination.
Executive Assistant
Medium demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 58,000
Provides high-level administrative support to executives including scheduling, correspondence, and meeting coordination.
Records Management Clerk
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Manages office records, maintains filing systems, and handles document control for organisations and government departments in Kenya.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates of the Office Adminstration programme work in relevant industries across Kenya, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office
Productivity suitePrimary
Office suite for administrative documentation
Microsoft Excel
Data analysisPrimary
Spreadsheet for administrative data management
QuickBooks
Accounting software
Accounting software for office financial management
Google Workspace
Productivity suite
Cloud-based productivity suite for office collaboration
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
The Office Adminstration diploma is just theory with no practical value.
The programme emphasises hands-on practical training in workshops, laboratories, and industrial attachment, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
Graduates of this programme end up unemployed in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding sectors create steady demand for diploma holders, with opportunities in county governments, private companies, and self-employment.