Diploma in Web Development
The Diploma in Web Development is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in web design, web development, front-end and back-end programming and database integration. Offered at Lukenya University in collaboration with AISECT, the programme prepares students for careers in web development and the broader ICT industry.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 107,500 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 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers HTML and CSS, JavaScript, web design principles, responsive design, front-end frameworks, PHP programming, MySQL database, content management systems, web APIs, version control, web hosting and deployment, e-commerce integration, search engine optimisation, web security basics, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills in building dynamic, data-driven websites.
Kenya's ICT sector is one of the fastest growing industries, with increasing demand for web developers who can create and maintain websites and web applications for businesses, organisations and government. The programme responds to the need for trained web developers who can build modern, responsive and secure web solutions.
The programme is delivered through lectures, programming labs, project-based learning, web development workshops, coding assignments, group projects and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through web development projects, coding exercises and supervised practicum in IT companies or web development firms.
Graduates pursue careers as web developers, front-end developers, back-end developers, web designers, CMS specialists and freelance web developers in IT companies, digital agencies, corporate IT departments and as entrepreneurs. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Information Technology.
Prospective students should have interest in programming, web technologies and problem-solving. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in web development and the digital economy.
What you study
7 subjects- HTML, CSS and JavaScript
- Responsive Design and Front-end Frameworks
- PHP Programming and MySQL Database
- Content Management Systems and Web APIs
- Web Hosting, Deployment and E-commerce Integration
- Web Security Basics and Search Engine Optimisation
- Research Methods and Practicum
Modules
7 in the programmeHTML, CSS and JavaScript
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript fundamentals, DOM manipulation, forms, validation, web page structure, styling, layout techniques and interactive web elements.
Responsive Design and Front-end Frameworks
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers responsive web design, mobile-first design, CSS frameworks, Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS, front-end JavaScript frameworks and user experience principles.
PHP Programming and MySQL Database
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers PHP programming, server-side scripting, form handling, sessions, MySQL database design, SQL queries, CRUD operations and database integration with PHP.
Content Management Systems and Web APIs
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers content management systems, WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, theme development, plugin development, REST APIs, API integration and web services.
Web Hosting, Deployment and E-commerce Integration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers web hosting, domain management, deployment tools, FTP, version control with Git, e-commerce integration, payment gateways and online store setup.
Web Security Basics and Search Engine Optimisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers web security basics, HTTPS, SSL, common vulnerabilities, XSS prevention, SQL injection prevention, search engine optimisation, SEO techniques and web analytics.
Research Methods and Practicum
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Covers research methods and a supervised practicum in an IT company or web development firm, assessed through a practicum report, web development project and supervisor evaluation.
Specialisations
Front-end Development
Focuses on user interface design and JavaScript frameworks for careers as front-end developers.
Back-end Development
Specialises in server-side programming and database management for careers as back-end developers.
CMS Development
Focuses on WordPress and CMS theme and plugin development for careers as CMS specialists.
E-commerce Development
Specialises in online store development and payment integration for careers in e-commerce.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on web design principles or JavaScript, followed by a programming lab session building web pages or web applications. Afternoon sessions may include a database workshop, a CMS setup exercise, or preparation for practicum. Students also work on web development projects and coding assignments.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Web development skills are in high demand across all sectors. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options. |
| The programme provides practical, hands-on skills in modern web technologies. | Web technologies evolve rapidly, requiring continuous self-learning beyond the diploma. |
| Graduates can work as freelancers or start their own web development businesses. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 191 technology 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 67K public. Lukenya 64K, Finstock 108K/yr (scribd fee structure, finstockevarsity.com).
Students can access HELB loans. Lukenya University may offer internal bursaries for diploma students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- 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
Relevant certificate qualification in a related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Lukenya University, Africa Nazarene University, KCA University.
Including Lukenya University, Africa Nazarene University, KCA University.
Including Lukenya University, Africa Nazarene University, KCA University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and MySQL concepts.
Coding Assignments and Projects
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of web development projects, coding assignments, website builds and database integration tasks.
Web Development Project
Project40% of the mark
A comprehensive web development project, assessed through a deployed website, source code and presentation.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum in an IT company or web development firm.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Lukenya University in collaboration with AISECT.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesWeb Developer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 220,000
Develops and maintains websites and web applications, writes front-end and back-end code, integrates databases and deploys web solutions for businesses and organisations.
Front-end Developer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Builds user interfaces, implements responsive designs, develops interactive web elements and ensures cross-browser compatibility using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Back-end Developer
Moderate demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 210,000
Develops server-side logic, builds APIs, manages databases, handles authentication and ensures web application performance and security.
Web Designer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs website layouts, creates visual elements, ensures user experience quality and builds responsive designs for web and mobile platforms.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as web developers, front-end developers, back-end developers and web designers in IT companies, digital agencies and corporate IT departments.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Database Reliability EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Edge Computing EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
HTML/CSS/JavaScript
ToolPrimary
PHP
CodePrimary
MySQL
Tool
WordPress
Tool
Git
Tool
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Web development is just about making websites look good.
Web development involves front-end and back-end programming, database integration, security, performance optimisation and deployment, in addition to visual design.
A diploma in web development has limited career prospects.
Web development skills are in high demand across all sectors. Graduates can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or IT.
Web development is easy and anyone can learn it without formal training.
While basic web development can be self-taught, professional web development requires systematic training in programming, databases, security and best practices.
Web development will be replaced by AI and website builders.
While AI tools assist with web development, they cannot replace the need for skilled developers who can build custom, secure and complex web applications.