Master of Education in History of Education
<p>The Master of Education in History of Education is a specialised postgraduate programme that equips education professionals with advanced knowledge of the historical development of education systems, educational thought, and educational institutions. The programme prepares graduates to analyse contemporary educational issues through historical perspectives and contribute to educational policy and practice through historical research.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 246,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 492,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 191,050 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, school-based, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 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
Core areas of study include history of education in Africa, history of education in Kenya, comparative historical perspectives on education, history of educational thought, colonial and post-colonial education, indigenous education systems, history of educational institutions, historiography of education, contemporary themes in education, educational research methods, and research thesis. Students engage with both historical foundations and their relevance to contemporary education.
The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, and Moi University listed as colleges. Kenyatta University offers the programme through its Department of Educational Foundations. The programme combines historical analysis with educational inquiry.
Students develop competencies in historical research, historiography, comparative education analysis, policy analysis through historical lenses, archival research, oral history methods, critical analysis of educational developments, research methodology, and academic writing. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a thesis or project option.
The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time modes available. Regular and institution-based programme modes are offered. The programme is designed for teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, and education researchers seeking historical perspective on educational issues.
Graduates pursue careers as education researchers, curriculum developers, education policy analysts, history teachers, education consultants, university lecturers, and educational writers in schools, universities, government education departments, research institutions, and publishing organisations.
Skills Required
- Historical Research in Education
- Historiography of Education
- Comparative Education Analysis
- Colonial and Post-Colonial Education Studies
- Indigenous Education Systems Knowledge
- Archival Research Methods
- Oral History Methods
- Educational Policy Analysis through Historical Perspectives
- Academic Writing and Historical Scholarship
- Research Methods in Education
Key Subjects
- History of Education in Africa
- History of Education in Kenya
- History of Educational Thought
- Colonial and Post-Colonial Education
- Indigenous Education Systems
- Comparative Historical Perspectives on Education
- Historiography of Education
- Contemporary Themes in Education
- Educational Research Methods
- Research Thesis
Certifications
- Historical Association of Kenya Membership
- ISCHE Professional Membership
Specializations
History of Education in Africa
Focuses on the historical development of education in Africa, pre-colonial education systems, colonial education policies, and post-independence educational development.
History of Education in Kenya
Examines the history of education in Kenya, from indigenous education through colonial era to post-independence educational development and reforms.
History of Educational Thought
Covers the history of educational philosophy and thought, key educational thinkers, evolution of educational ideas, and their influence on educational practice.
Colonial and Post-Colonial Education
Focuses on colonial education systems, decolonisation of education, post-colonial educational reforms, and the legacy of colonial education in Africa.
Indigenous Education Systems
Examines indigenous African education systems, traditional educational practices, indigenous knowledge systems, and their relevance to contemporary education.
Comparative Historical Education
Covers comparative historical analysis of education systems, comparing educational developments across countries and regions, and learning from historical experiences.
History of Educational Institutions
Focuses on the history of educational institutions, evolution of schools and universities, institutional development, and the history of educational organisations.
Historiography of Education
Examines historiography of education, historical methodology, sources in educational history, and approaches to writing educational history.
What you study
10 subjects- History of Education in Africa
- History of Education in Kenya
- History of Educational Thought
- Colonial and Post-Colonial Education
- Indigenous Education Systems
- Comparative Historical Perspectives on Education
- Historiography of Education
- Contemporary Themes in Education
- Educational Research Methods
- Research Thesis
Modules
10 in the programmeEducational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in history of education, including historical research methods.
Educational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for educational research, data analysis techniques, and quantitative approaches complementing historical research in education.
Contemporary Themes in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers contemporary themes and issues in education, connecting current educational challenges with their historical roots and contexts.
History of Education in Africa
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the history of education in Africa, including pre-colonial education, colonial education policies, and post-independence educational development.
History of Education in Kenya
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers the history of education in Kenya, from indigenous education through colonial era to post-independence educational development and reforms.
History of Educational Thought
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the history of educational philosophy and thought, key educational thinkers, evolution of educational ideas, and their influence on practice.
Colonial and Post-Colonial Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers colonial education systems, decolonisation of education, post-colonial educational reforms, and the legacy of colonial education in Africa.
Indigenous Education Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines indigenous African education systems, traditional educational practices, indigenous knowledge systems, and their relevance to contemporary education.
Historiography of Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers historiography of education, historical methodology, sources in educational history, and approaches to writing and interpreting educational history.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original historical research thesis on a history of education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and historical analysis, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
History of Education in Africa
Focuses on the historical development of education in Africa, pre-colonial education systems, colonial education policies, and post-independence educational development.
History of Education in Kenya
Examines the history of education in Kenya, from indigenous education through colonial era to post-independence educational development and reforms.
History of Educational Thought
Covers the history of educational philosophy and thought, key educational thinkers, evolution of educational ideas, and their influence on educational practice.
Colonial and Post-Colonial Education
Focuses on colonial education systems, decolonisation of education, post-colonial educational reforms, and the legacy of colonial education in Africa.
Indigenous Education Systems
Examines indigenous African education systems, traditional educational practices, indigenous knowledge systems, and their relevance to contemporary education.
Comparative Historical Education
Covers comparative historical analysis of education systems, comparing educational developments across countries and regions, and learning from historical experiences.
History of Educational Institutions
Focuses on the history of educational institutions, evolution of schools and universities, institutional development, and the history of educational organisations.
Historiography of Education
Examines historiography of education, historical methodology, sources in educational history, and approaches to writing educational history.
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending lectures on the history of education in Africa, colonial education policies, or indigenous education systems. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing historical documents, debating interpretations of educational history, and examining the relevance of historical analysis to contemporary educational issues. Group projects involve historical research using archival materials, oral history collection, or comparative analysis of educational developments across countries. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in historical research methods, archival research, and historiography. The programme includes analysis of primary sources, historical documents, and educational policy archives. Guest lectures from historians, archivists, and visiting scholars provide diverse perspectives on educational history. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent historical research on education topics, working under faculty supervision in archives and with historical sources.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme provides deep historical understanding of educational development, essential for informed policy-making and educational reform. | Programme is offered at only three public universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students. |
| Programme develops critical research skills including archival research, oral history, and historiography, valuable for academic and research careers. | Job market demand is relatively low compared to more practically oriented MEd specialisations like educational management or technology. |
| Programme addresses indigenous education systems and decolonisation, contributing to culturally responsive education in Kenya and Africa. | No private university offers this programme, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments. |
| Graduates can pursue academic careers, research positions, and policy analysis roles requiring historical perspective on education. | Specialised nature of the programme may limit career flexibility compared to broader MEd specialisations. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education 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
KU M.Ed 246K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~187K/yr. Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K/yr.
HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may grant study leave with sponsorship for teachers pursuing postgraduate education. Research grants may be available from Kenya National Archives or historical associations for historical research in education.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
Research Grants for Historical Research
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 246,000Kenyan
TSC-employed teachers may be granted study leave with sponsorship for postgraduate education in history of education.
Historical Research Grants
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Research grants may be available from Kenya National Archives, Historical Association of Kenya, or international historical associations for historical research in education.
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
The programme is available in full-time, part-time, DSVOL, and institution-based modes. Students can choose between thesis (minimum 10 units) or project (minimum 14 units) options. Designed for teachers, education officers, curriculum developers, and education researchers seeking historical perspective.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding Karatina University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University.
Including Karatina University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University.
Including Karatina University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, historical analysis essays, document analysis exercises, historiographical reviews, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Research Papers
Practical20% of the mark
Historical research papers involving archival research, document analysis, oral history projects, and comparative historical analysis of educational developments.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering history of education theory, African and Kenyan educational history, and historiography, including essay questions and document analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original historical research thesis or project on a history of education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and historical analysis, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Accreditation
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.
International Standing Conference for the History of Education (ISCHE)
Professional standards
ISCHE provides global standards and networking for history of education scholars. Graduates may pursue ISCHE professional membership for recognition in the field.
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 contributes to the scholarly understanding of educational development in Kenya and Africa.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesEducation Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts research on educational history, policy, and development for research institutions, universities, or international organisations, producing evidence-based insights.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Develops educational curricula incorporating historical perspectives, indigenous knowledge, and contextual understanding for KICD, schools, or educational publishers.
History Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches history and history of education in schools, colleges, or universities, applying advanced historical knowledge to educational practice.
Education Policy Analyst
Low demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Analyses education policy using historical perspectives for government, think tanks, or international organisations, providing historically informed policy recommendations.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches and conducts research in history of education or educational foundations at universities, contributing to teacher education and educational scholarship.
Education Consultant
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides consulting services on educational policy, curriculum development, and institutional development, bringing historical perspective to educational improvement.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as education researchers, curriculum developers, history teachers, education policy analysts, and university lecturers in schools, universities, and research institutions.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing historical documents, interview data, and qualitative research in history of education studies.
Zotero
SoftwarePrimary
Reference management software for historical research, managing archival sources, citations, and bibliographies in history of education scholarship.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative aspects of educational research, including historical statistics and demographic data analysis.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing software for academic writing, historical scholarship, and producing research papers and thesis in history of education.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
History of education is just about memorising dates and events.
The programme covers critical historical analysis, historiography, comparative perspectives, and using historical understanding to inform contemporary educational policy and practice.
This programme has no practical career application.
Graduates work as researchers, curriculum developers, policy analysts, and university lecturers, applying historical understanding to education development and policy.
History of education is irrelevant in the digital age.
Understanding historical patterns of educational development, reform successes and failures, and policy evolution is crucial for informed contemporary educational decision-making.
This programme is only for history teachers.
Graduates include education researchers, policy analysts, curriculum developers, and administrators, applying historical perspective across diverse education roles.
African indigenous education has no place in modern universities.
The programme examines indigenous education systems as valuable educational heritage, informing culturally responsive education and decolonisation of educational practice.
Historical research in education is purely theoretical.
Historical research involves archival research, oral history, document analysis, and field research, producing evidence-based insights relevant to current educational challenges.