Business

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.

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.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 201,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Diploma

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 favour

Project management skills are in high demand across NGOs, government and private sector.
Graduates can pursue professional certifications like PMP for career advancement.
The programme is offered at multiple universities, providing study options.

Against it

Project management careers in NGOs may be affected by funding uncertainties.
The field requires strong analytical, communication and organisational skills.

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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Certificate in project management, business management or related field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

Mathematics
C-
English
C-

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

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

Accredited by

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

Industry links

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.