Diploma in Secretarial Studies and Office Management
The Diploma in Secretarial Studies and Office Management is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Business & Related cluster) that trains graduates in the administrative and secretarial skills needed to run an efficient office.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 to Ksh 201,567 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 43,500 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 90 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 study shorthand and typewriting/keyboarding, office procedures, business communication, records management, and office computer applications, building a comprehensive administrative skill set.
Every business, government office, and organisation in Kenya needs administrative support staff, making this a consistently applicable business diploma across sectors.
Training combines classroom office procedures theory with practical typing, shorthand, and computer application exercises, plus a supervised industrial attachment.
Graduates work as office administrators, executive secretaries, and personal assistants across companies, government offices, and NGOs, with progression into a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. The programme suits students who want a broadly applicable, practically focused administrative qualification combining traditional secretarial skills with modern office computing.
Skills RequiredShorthand and KeyboardingOffice ProceduresBusiness CommunicationRecords ManagementOffice Computer ApplicationsKey SubjectsShorthand and TypewritingOffice ProceduresBusiness CommunicationRecords ManagementOffice Computer ApplicationsCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) RecognitionSpecializationsExecutive Secretarial SupportFocus on supporting senior executives with correspondence and scheduling. Office Systems AdministrationFocus on managing office records, procedures, and computer systems. The programme also covers emerging digital office tools, electronic records management, and virtual assistance skills increasingly demanded in modern workplaces. The programme also covers emerging digital office tools, electronic records management, and virtual assistance skills increasingly demanded in modern workplaces.
What you study
6 subjects- Shorthand and Typewriting
- Office Procedures
- Business Communication
- Records Management
- Office Computer Applications
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeOffice Procedures
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Standard procedures for running an efficient office for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Office Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Office management procedures including planning, organising, staffing, and controlling operational activities and resources.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business planning and enterprise skills for enterprise development, business planning, and venture creation skills.
Shorthand and Typewriting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational shorthand and keyboarding skills for efficient office for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Typing and Keyboarding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Keyboard skills and document production as applied to secretarial studies and office management principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Business Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Written and verbal business communication skills, including correspondence for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Records Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Managing physical and digital office records, including filing systems and for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Office Computer Applications
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Using standard office software for administrative tasks for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement in an office administration setting for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Executive Secretarial Support
Focus on supporting senior executives with correspondence and scheduling, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Office Systems Administration
Focus on managing office records, procedures, and computer systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Office Communication
Focus on business correspondence, report writing, meeting documentation, and professional communication within Kenyan office and administrative environments.
Office Technology and Automation
Focus on modern office technology, digital productivity tools, office automation systems, and ICT applications within Kenyan business environments.
A day as a student
Days combine office procedures theory with practical typing, shorthand, and computer application exercises, building toward a supervised office attachment.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Broadly applicable administrative skill set relevant across nearly every sector. | Entry-level administrative roles are competitive given the broad applicant pool. |
| Wide institutional availability makes it accessible nationwide. | Career progression to senior office/executive roles typically benefits from further study or 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 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
TUM 36K, TVET 67K/yr pub. AITEC 24K, Vitech 43.5K/yr priv (institution websites).
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries.
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 recordedCounty 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.
Scholarships you could apply for
7 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
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
A relevant certificate in secretarial studies or business from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 90 institutionsIncluding Zetech University, Eastern Kenya Integrated University, Technical University of Mombasa.
Including Zetech University, Technical University of Mombasa, Technical University of Kenya.
Including Zetech University, Eastern Kenya Integrated University, Technical University of Mombasa.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across office procedures and communication units.
Typing/Shorthand Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Assessed typing speed and shorthand transcription exercises.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.
Accreditation
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's TVET qualifications framework.
KUCCPS-listed diploma (Business & Related cluster); examined by KNEC at most public TVET colleges.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesOffice Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000
Manages day-to-day office operations and correspondence.
Executive Secretary
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supports a senior executive with scheduling and correspondence.
Personal Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 46,000
Provides direct administrative support to an individual executive or manager.
Office Manager
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages office operations, supervises administrative staff, and coordinates office systems for organisations and businesses in Kenya.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as office administrators, executive secretaries, and personal assistants.
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
QuickBooks
Accounting softwarePrimary
Accounting and bookkeeping software for business financial management.
Microsoft Excel
ProductivityPrimary
Financial modelling, data analysis, and reporting.
SAP
Erp software
Enterprise resource planning for business operations management.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Shorthand is an outdated, irrelevant skill.
While less central than in past decades, it remains part of the curriculum alongside modern office computing and communication skills.
Secretarial work is limited to typing letters.
The role includes records management, business communication, and increasingly digital office systems administration.