Agriculture

Diploma in Tea Processing and Quality Assurance

The Diploma in Tea Processing and Quality Assurance is a programme that imparts knowledge and skills to learners on tea processing operations, post-harvest handling and quality assurance. Offered at Karatina University through the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, the programme targets personnel working in the tea industry and holders of KCSE certificate who want to specialise in tea processing and quality management.

The curriculum covers tea processing fundamentals, tea withering and rolling, tea fermentation and drying, tea sorting and grading, tea quality testing, sensory evaluation, tea certification standards, food safety in tea processing, tea factory operations, tea packaging and storage, research methods and industrial attachment. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in tea processing and quality assurance.

Kenya is one of the world's leading tea producers, and maintaining tea quality is critical for export competitiveness. The programme responds to the need for trained personnel who can manage tea processing operations, ensure quality standards and support the tea value chain from factory processing to quality certification.

The programme is delivered through lectures, factory practicals, laboratory sessions, quality testing workshops, factory visits, case studies, group projects and a two-month industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience through factory processing sessions, quality testing labs and supervised industrial attachment in tea factories.

Graduates pursue careers as tea processing supervisors, tea quality officers, tea factory operators, tea grading assistants and quality assurance officers in tea factories, processing companies and tea export firms. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Food Science or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in food processing, quality assurance and the tea industry. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in tea processing and quality management, including personnel already working in tea factories who want to upgrade their qualifications.

Duration: 2 years
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Weekend, Evening
Attachment: 2 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

7 subjects

Tea Processing Fundamentals and Tea Withering
Tea Rolling, Fermentation and Drying
Tea Sorting, Grading and Packaging
Tea Quality Testing and Sensory Evaluation
Tea Certification Standards and Food Safety
Tea Factory Operations and Management
Research Methods and Industrial Attachment

Modules

7 in the programme

Tea Processing Fundamentals and Tea Withering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tea processing fundamentals, tea chemistry, tea processing flow, withering principles, withering methods, withering control and withering equipment operation.
Tea Rolling, Fermentation and Drying
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tea rolling, CTC processing, orthodox processing, fermentation, oxidation control, drying methods, dryer operation and drying parameters.
Tea Sorting, Grading and Packaging
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers tea sorting, fibre removal, tea grading systems, grade standards, tea packaging, packaging materials, storage conditions and shelf-life management.
Tea Quality Testing and Sensory Evaluation
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers tea quality testing, chemical analysis, moisture content, caffeine and polyphenol analysis, sensory evaluation, liquor characteristics, tasting skills and quality scoring.
Tea Certification Standards and Food Safety
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tea certification standards, ISO standards, HACCP, food safety in tea processing, hygiene standards, traceability and compliance with international trade requirements.
Tea Factory Operations and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tea factory operations, production planning, equipment maintenance, energy management, factory safety, labour management and factory performance monitoring.
Research Methods and Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Covers research methods and a two-month industrial attachment in a tea factory or processing company, assessed through an attachment report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Tea Factory Operations
Focuses on processing machinery and factory management for careers as tea factory operators.
Tea Quality Assurance
Specialises in quality testing and certification for careers as tea quality officers.
Sensory Evaluation
Focuses on tea tasting and sensory analysis for careers in tea evaluation.
Food Safety and Certification
Specialises in food safety standards and HACCP for careers as quality assurance officers.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on tea processing or quality standards, followed by a factory practical session on withering, rolling or drying. Afternoon sessions may include a laboratory session on tea quality testing, a sensory evaluation workshop, or preparation for industrial attachment. Students also work on tea processing projects and quality assurance assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya is a leading global tea producer, ensuring industry relevance.
The programme includes a two-month industrial attachment for practical experience.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Food Science.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
Career opportunities are specific to the tea processing industry.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

The fine print

New programme at Karatina Univ (launched Nov 2024); fee structure not yet published.

Students can access HELB loans. Public university students may access government funding through the new funding model. Tea companies may sponsor their factory employees for this programme.

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: O-Level Division III with Pass in Physics or Mathematics and any two science subjects, or Certificate in Agriculture or related fields.

Mathematics or Physics
D+
Any two of: Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physical Science, Home Science, Geography
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering tea processing, withering, rolling, fermentation, drying and quality testing.
Practical Assessments
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills in tea processing operations, quality testing labs and sensory evaluation sessions.
Tea Processing Project
Project40% of the mark
A tea processing or quality assurance project, assessed through a written report and presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during two-month industrial attachment in a tea factory or processing company.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Karatina University, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Karatina University, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Tea Processing Supervisor
Low demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 170,000
Supervises tea processing operations, monitors withering, rolling, fermentation and drying, ensures processing standards and manages factory floor operations.
Tea Quality Officer
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 165,000
Conducts tea quality testing, performs sensory evaluation, monitors quality parameters, ensures compliance with standards and supports quality certification in tea factories.
Tea Factory Operator
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 155,000
Operates tea processing machinery, monitors processing parameters, performs equipment maintenance and ensures smooth factory operations in tea processing facilities.
Quality Assurance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 180,000
Implements quality assurance systems, monitors food safety standards, conducts quality audits and ensures compliance with certification requirements in tea companies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as tea processing supervisors, tea quality officers, tea factory operators and quality assurance officers in tea factories and processing companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Tea processing is just about drying tea leaves.
Tea processing involves withering, rolling, fermentation, drying, sorting, grading and quality assurance, with precise control of each stage to produce quality tea.
A diploma in tea processing has limited career prospects.
Kenya's tea industry is a major exporter, and factories need trained personnel for processing and quality assurance. Graduates can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Food Science.
Tea quality assurance is just about tasting tea.
Tea quality assurance involves chemical analysis, sensory evaluation, certification standards, food safety protocols and compliance with international trade requirements.
Tea processing is low-tech work.
Modern tea processing involves automated machinery, precision temperature control, data monitoring and quality management systems that require technical training.