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Diploma in Project Planning and Management

The Diploma in Project Planning and Management is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Offered at multiple universities including the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, Tharaka University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Marist International University College and The East African University, the programme prepares students for project management roles in development organisations, government agencies and private sector firms.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 201,000
Ksh 402,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 201,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 402,000 for the whole course.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, part-time, distance learning, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers project planning, project cycle management, project design, logical framework approach, project financing, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, project risk management, stakeholder management, community participation, research methods, project proposal writing and industrial attachment. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical project management skills.

Kenya's development sector relies heavily on project-based interventions by NGOs, government agencies and international organisations. The programme responds to the need for trained project management personnel who can design, implement and evaluate development projects effectively and ensure efficient use of resources.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, project simulation exercises, field visits to development projects, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in project planning and management through supervised attachment in NGOs, development agencies or project management units.

Graduates pursue careers as project officers, project coordinators, monitoring and evaluation assistants, development workers and programme assistants in NGOs, government agencies, community organisations and private companies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Project Planning and Management or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in development, planning and management. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in project management within the development sector.

What you study

8 subjects
  • Project Planning and Project Cycle Management
  • Project Design and Logical Framework Approach
  • Project Financing and Budgeting
  • Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Project Risk Management and Stakeholder Management
  • Community Participation and Development
  • Research Methods and Project Proposal Writing
  • Industrial Attachment and Project Management Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Project Planning and Project Cycle Management

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers project planning, project cycle management, project identification, project appraisal, project feasibility analysis and project selection criteria.

  • Project Design and Logical Framework Approach

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers project design, logical framework approach, stakeholder analysis, problem tree analysis, objective tree analysis and project proposal writing.

  • Project Financing and Budgeting

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers project financing, project budgeting, cost estimation, financial analysis, resource mobilisation, donor funding and project financial management.

  • Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers project implementation, project scheduling, Gantt charts, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, performance indicators, baseline surveys and end-of-project evaluation.

  • Project Risk Management and Stakeholder Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers project risk management, risk identification, risk assessment, risk mitigation, stakeholder management, stakeholder engagement and conflict management in projects.

  • Community Participation and Development

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers community participation, participatory approaches, community mobilisation, community needs assessment, gender in development and sustainable development principles.

  • Research Methods and Project Proposal Writing

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research methods, data collection, data analysis, project proposal writing, donor proposal formats and a project proposal assessed through a written document and presentation.

  • Industrial Attachment and Project Management Practice

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

    A supervised industrial attachment in an NGO, development agency or project management unit, assessed through an attachment report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

  • Development Project Management

    Focuses on development project planning and implementation for careers in NGOs and development agencies.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation

    Specialises in M&E frameworks and data collection for careers as monitoring and evaluation assistants.

  • Community Project Management

    Focuses on community participation and participatory project planning for careers in community development.

  • Project Finance Management

    Specialises in project budgeting and financial management for careers in project finance roles.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on project planning or monitoring and evaluation, followed by a case study on a development project. Afternoon sessions may include a logical framework workshop, a group project design exercise, or preparation for industrial attachment. Students also work on project proposals and research assignments.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Project management skills are in high demand across NGOs, government and private sector.Project management careers in NGOs may be affected by funding uncertainties.
Graduates can pursue professional certifications like PMP for career advancement.The field requires strong analytical, communication and organisational skills.
The programme is offered at multiple universities, providing study options.—

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
Public70k to 201k
70k at Chuka University201k at University of Nairobi

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

Chuka 70K, UoN 201K/yr (chuka.ac.ke, uonbi.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. The government may offer sponsorships through KUCCPS. NGOs and development agencies may offer sponsorships for project management students.

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

11 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
Cminimum entry
Alternative entry

Certificate in project management, business management or related field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

Subject requirements
MathematicsC-
EnglishC-

When it next starts

Taught at 7 institutions
January 20277 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University.

May 20276 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University.

September 20277 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Written examination30% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering project planning, project design, financing and monitoring and evaluation.

  • Coursework Assignments

    Assignment30% of the mark

    Assessment of project proposals, case studies, logical framework analyses and group presentations.

  • Project Proposal

    Project40% of the mark

    A comprehensive project proposal on a development topic, assessed through a written document and oral presentation.

  • Industrial Attachment Report

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Assessment of performance during industrial attachment in an NGO, development agency or project management unit.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at multiple universities in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Project Officer

    High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Supports project implementation, manages project activities, monitors progress and prepares project reports in NGOs and development organisations.

  • Project Coordinator

    High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Coordinates project activities, manages project budgets, liaises with stakeholders and supports project delivery in development organisations.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 190,000

    Supports monitoring and evaluation activities, collects data, conducts surveys and prepares M&E reports in NGOs and government agencies.

  • Development Worker

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 170,000

    Supports community development projects, facilitates community participation and assists with project planning at the community level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as project officers, project coordinators, monitoring and evaluation assistants and development workers in NGOs, government agencies and private companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Project planning is only for construction projects.

    Project planning and management applies to development projects, social programmes, health interventions, education initiatives and organisational projects across all sectors.

  • You need experience to study project management.

    The diploma programme is designed for entry-level students and provides foundational knowledge and practical skills for project management careers.

  • Project management is the same as general management.

    Project management focuses on temporary, time-bound initiatives with specific deliverables, while general management involves ongoing operations. Project management requires specialised planning, scheduling and monitoring skills.

  • A diploma in project planning has limited career prospects.

    Kenya's NGO sector and government development programmes create strong demand for project management professionals. Graduates can also pursue professional certifications like PMP for career advancement.

Further reading

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