Education

Master of Education in Higher Education

The Master of Education in Higher Education is a specialised postgraduate programme that equips education professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in higher education theory, university governance, and tertiary institution management. The programme prepares graduates for leadership and management roles in universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions.

Core areas of study include higher education theory, university governance and administration, higher education curriculum development, student affairs management, higher education policy analysis, quality assurance in higher education, university teaching and learning, research methods in higher education, higher education finance, and comparative higher education. Students engage with the unique challenges of managing and leading tertiary institutions.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Kenyatta University listed as a college. Kenyatta University offers the programme through its Department of Educational Foundations. The programme combines higher education theory with institutional management practice.

Students develop competencies in higher education governance, university administration, curriculum development for higher education, student affairs management, quality assurance, policy analysis, research methodology, financial management, and strategic planning. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a thesis or project option, with thesis students taking minimum 10 units and project students minimum 14 units.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time modes available. Regular, DSVOL, and CEP modes are offered at Kenyatta University. The programme is designed for university lecturers, college administrators, student affairs staff, and higher education managers seeking advanced expertise in higher education leadership.

Graduates pursue careers as university administrators, college principals, student affairs directors, quality assurance officers, higher education policy analysts, academic deans, and higher education consultants in universities, colleges, government education departments, and international higher education organisations.

Skills Required

Higher Education Theory and Practice
University Governance and Administration
Higher Education Curriculum Development
Student Affairs Management
Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Higher Education Policy Analysis
University Teaching and Learning Design
Higher Education Finance and Budgeting
Research Methods in Higher Education
Strategic Planning in Higher Education

Key Subjects

Higher Education Theory and Practice
University Governance and Administration
Higher Education Curriculum Development
Student Affairs Management
Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Higher Education Policy Analysis
University Teaching and Learning
Higher Education Finance
Research Methods in Higher Education
Comparative Higher Education

Certifications

CUE Quality Assurance Certification
AAU Professional Membership

Specializations

University Governance

Focuses on university governance structures, institutional governance, board management, university administration, and regulatory frameworks governing higher education institutions.

Student Affairs Management

Examines student affairs administration, student services management, student development theory, student welfare, and managing student life in higher education institutions.

Higher Education Curriculum

Covers curriculum development for higher education, programme design, academic programme management, and curriculum innovation in universities and colleges.

Quality Assurance in Higher Education

Focuses on quality assurance frameworks for higher education, academic quality standards, programme accreditation, institutional evaluation, and quality improvement in universities.

Higher Education Policy

Examines higher education policy analysis, national higher education policy, regulatory frameworks, policy development, and the policy environment shaping higher education.

University Teaching and Learning

Covers university teaching methods, higher education pedagogy, learning design for tertiary education, and promoting effective teaching and learning in universities.

Higher Education Finance

Focuses on higher education finance, university budgeting, resource mobilisation, financial management of higher education institutions, and funding models for universities.

Comparative Higher Education

Examines comparative higher education systems, international higher education trends, global university rankings, and comparing higher education policies and practices across countries.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, School-based, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Higher Education Theory and Practice
University Governance and Administration
Higher Education Curriculum Development
Student Affairs Management
Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Higher Education Policy Analysis
University Teaching and Learning
Higher Education Finance
Research Methods in Higher Education
Comparative Higher Education

Modules

10 in the programme

Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in higher education, including research design and data analysis.
Educational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for educational research, descriptive and inferential statistics, and data analysis techniques for higher education research.
Contemporary Themes in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers contemporary themes and issues in higher education, emerging challenges, global trends, and current developments in tertiary education.
Higher Education Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines higher education theory, historical development of universities, higher education systems, and theoretical foundations of higher education practice.
University Governance and Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers university governance structures, institutional governance, university administration, regulatory frameworks, and management of higher education institutions.
Higher Education Curriculum Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines curriculum development for higher education, academic programme design, curriculum innovation, and managing academic programmes in universities and colleges.
Student Affairs Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers student affairs administration, student services management, student development theory, student welfare, and managing student life in higher education institutions.
Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines quality assurance frameworks for higher education, academic quality standards, programme accreditation, institutional evaluation, and quality improvement in universities.
Higher Education Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers higher education policy analysis, national higher education policy, regulatory frameworks, policy development, and the policy environment shaping higher education in Kenya and globally.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a higher education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and higher education theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

University Governance
Focuses on university governance structures, institutional governance, board management, university administration, and regulatory frameworks governing higher education institutions.
Student Affairs Management
Examines student affairs administration, student services management, student development theory, student welfare, and managing student life in higher education institutions.
Higher Education Curriculum
Covers curriculum development for higher education, programme design, academic programme management, and curriculum innovation in universities and colleges.
Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Focuses on quality assurance frameworks for higher education, academic quality standards, programme accreditation, institutional evaluation, and quality improvement in universities.
Higher Education Policy
Examines higher education policy analysis, national higher education policy, regulatory frameworks, policy development, and the policy environment shaping higher education.
University Teaching and Learning
Covers university teaching methods, higher education pedagogy, learning design for tertiary education, and promoting effective teaching and learning in universities.
Higher Education Finance
Focuses on higher education finance, university budgeting, resource mobilisation, financial management of higher education institutions, and funding models for universities.
Comparative Higher Education
Examines comparative higher education systems, international higher education trends, global university rankings, and comparing higher education policies and practices across countries.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on higher education theory, university governance, or quality assurance in higher education. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing case studies of university management challenges, higher education policy dilemmas, and institutional governance issues. Group projects involve developing institutional strategic plans, designing quality assurance frameworks, or analysing higher education policies. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in higher education research methods. The programme includes analysis of comparative higher education systems, examining university models from different countries. Guest lectures from university vice-chancellors, CUE officials, and international higher education experts provide real-world insights into higher education leadership. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent research on higher education topics, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme specifically addresses higher education leadership, a growing field with Kenya's expanding university sector and increasing demand for qualified leaders.
Programme covers comprehensive higher education management including governance, student affairs, quality assurance, curriculum, and policy.
Programme aligns with CUE quality assurance standards and connects students with AAU and international higher education networks.
Graduates can pursue diverse careers in university administration, college management, government, and international higher education organisations.

Against it

Programme is offered at only three public universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
No private university offers this programme, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.
Kenyatta University fees of KES 246,000 per year are relatively high compared to other public universities.
Specialised focus on higher education may limit career flexibility compared to broader MEd specialisations in educational management.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public187k to 246k

187k at Moi University246k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International University

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

KU M.Ed 246K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~187K/yr. Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may sponsor their staff through staff development programmes for higher education leadership training. AAU and other higher education associations may offer training sponsorships. CUE may sponsor quality assurance officers for higher education training.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Staff Development Sponsorship
AAU Training Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Staff Development Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 246,000Kenyan
Universities may sponsor their academic and administrative staff for higher education leadership training through staff development programmes.
AAU Training Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
AAU and other higher education associations may offer training sponsorships for African university staff pursuing higher education leadership programmes.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is available in full-time, part-time, DSVOL, CEP, and institution-based modes. Students can choose between thesis (minimum 10 units) or project (minimum 14 units) options. Designed for university lecturers, college administrators, student affairs staff, and higher education managers.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, governance analysis essays, policy brief writing, quality assurance framework development, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Practical Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving institutional analysis projects, governance case studies, quality assurance exercises, and higher education policy analysis assignments.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering higher education theory, governance, quality assurance, and policy, including essay questions and case analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on a higher education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and higher education theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Karatina University, and Kenyatta University are all CUE-accredited public universities. The programme aligns with CUE quality assurance standards and AAU professional standards for higher education leadership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Karatina University, and Kenyatta University are all CUE-accredited public universities.
Association of African Universities (AAU)
Professional standards
AAU provides professional standards and networking for African university leaders. Graduates may pursue AAU professional membership for recognition in higher education leadership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

University Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages university administrative departments, overseeing academic administration, student affairs, faculty management, or institutional planning in universities.
College Principal
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Leads and manages tertiary colleges, overseeing academic programmes, staff management, student welfare, financial management, and institutional development.
Student Affairs Director
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Directs student affairs in universities or colleges, overseeing student services, student welfare, student development programmes, and student life management.
Quality Assurance Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Monitors and assures academic quality in universities or colleges, overseeing quality standards, programme accreditation, institutional evaluation, and quality improvement.
Higher Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 95,000 to Ksh 380,000
Analyses higher education policy for government, CUE, think tanks, or international organisations, providing evidence-based recommendations on higher education policy.
Higher Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides consulting services on higher education management, governance, quality assurance, and institutional development for universities, government, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university administrators, college principals, student affairs directors, quality assurance officers, and higher education consultants in universities, colleges, and government.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for higher education research, including institutional data analysis, student outcomes research, and higher education programme evaluation.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, policy documents, and qualitative research in higher education studies.
Microsoft Teams
Software
Collaboration platform for higher education administration, supporting communication, meetings, and coordination in universities and colleges.
Google Workspace for Education
Software
Education-focused productivity and collaboration tools supporting higher education administration, academic management, and institutional governance.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Higher education is just about teaching in universities.
The programme covers comprehensive higher education leadership including governance, administration, student affairs, quality assurance, finance, policy, and institutional management, far beyond teaching.
This programme is only for current university lecturers.
Graduates include college administrators, student affairs staff, quality assurance officers, and education managers, applying higher education expertise across diverse tertiary institution roles.
Higher education management has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding higher education sector, growing number of universities, and increasing demand for quality assurance create opportunities for qualified higher education leaders.
You need university teaching experience to study higher education.
While university experience is valuable, the programme accepts education professionals from diverse backgrounds, developing higher education knowledge from foundational levels.
Higher education is the same as educational administration.
Higher education specifically focuses on tertiary institutions, addressing unique challenges of university governance, academic programmes, research management, and student affairs not covered in general educational administration.
This programme is too specialised for practical application.
With over 70 universities in Kenya and growing tertiary education sector, higher education management expertise is increasingly relevant and practical for career advancement.