Education

Master of Education in Planning and Economics of Education

The Master of Education in Planning and Economics of Education is a postgraduate programme that combines educational planning expertise with economic analysis skills, equipping graduates for leadership roles in education sector planning, policy development, and economic analysis of education. The programme prepares professionals to design education plans, analyse education economics, and contribute to evidence-based education policy.

Core areas of study include methodology of educational planning, quantitative analysis in education planning, economics of education, education and economic growth, human capital theory, equity and efficiency in education, financing of education, cost-benefit analysis in education, micro-project planning in education, current issues in education, research methods, and thesis research. Students engage with both planning methodologies and economic analysis of education.

The programme is offered by numerous Kenyan universities including the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, and many others. The University of Nairobi offers educational planning and economics through its Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies. Maseno University offers MEd in Educational Planning and Economics with a detailed curriculum.

Students develop competencies in educational planning, economic analysis, quantitative methods, education finance, cost-benefit analysis, human capital analysis, policy analysis, research methodology, and strategic planning. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a thesis or project, with 18 course units over two years at UoN.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time, part-time, and ODeL modes available. Coursework includes common mandatory courses in the first year and specialised courses in the second year. The programme is designed for education planners, economists, policy practitioners, and education officers seeking combined planning and economic expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as education planners, education economists, policy analysts, education officers, financial planners, educational consultants, and development specialists in government education departments, ministries of finance, NGOs, international organisations, and development agencies.

Skills Required

Educational Planning Methodology
Economic Analysis of Education
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Education Finance and Budgeting
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Education
Human Capital Theory and Analysis
Equity and Efficiency Analysis in Education
Education Policy Analysis
Micro-Project Planning in Education
Research Methods in Education

Key Subjects

Methodology of Educational Planning
Economics of Education
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Financing of Education
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Education
Education and Economic Growth
Human Capital in Economics of Education
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Micro-Project Planning in Education
Research Methods in Education

Certifications

UNESCO IIEP Training Certification
KEMI Educational Planning Certification

Specializations

Educational Planning

Focuses on educational planning methodologies, education sector planning, strategic planning, enrolment projections, and designing education development plans.

Economics of Education

Examines economics of education, education and economic growth, human capital theory, returns to education, and the economic dimensions of education policy.

Education Finance

Covers financing of education, education budgeting, resource allocation, education funding sources, and financial planning in the education sector.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Focuses on cost-benefit analysis methods applied to education, returns to investment in education, cost-effectiveness analysis, and economic evaluation of education programmes.

Equity and Efficiency in Education

Examines equity and efficiency in education, distributional analysis of education spending, education access economics, and optimising education resource allocation.

Education Policy Analysis

Covers education policy analysis, policy development processes, economic analysis of education policies, and evaluating policy impact using economic methods.

Human Capital Development

Focuses on human capital theory, education and labour market outcomes, skills development economics, and the role of education in economic development.

Education Project Planning

Examines micro-project planning in education, education project design, project economic analysis, and monitoring and evaluation of education projects.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
Private, up to: Ksh 186,879
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, School-based, Blended, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Methodology of Educational Planning
Economics of Education
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Financing of Education
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Education
Education and Economic Growth
Human Capital in Economics of Education
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Micro-Project Planning in Education
Research Methods in Education

Modules

10 in the programme

Research Methods in Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in planning and economics of education, including research design and data analysis.
Methodologies in Educational Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers educational planning methodologies, planning frameworks, education sector planning processes, and approaches to designing education development plans.
Quantitative Analysis in Education Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines quantitative analysis methods for education planning, including enrolment projections, resource modelling, and statistical tools for planning decisions.
Education and Economic Growth
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the relationship between education and economic growth, education as an economic investment, and the role of education in economic development.
Human Capital in Economics of Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines human capital theory, education and labour market outcomes, returns to investment in education, and human capital development strategies.
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers equity and efficiency in education, distributional analysis of education spending, education access economics, and optimising education resource allocation.
Financing of Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines financing of education, education budgeting, resource allocation, education funding sources, and financial planning in the education sector.
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers cost-benefit analysis methods applied to education, including returns to education, cost-effectiveness analysis, and economic evaluation of education programmes.
Micro-Project Planning in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines micro-project planning in education, education project design, project economic analysis, and implementation planning for education development projects.
Research Proposal and Thesis Writing
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a planning and economics of education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and economic analysis, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Educational Planning
Focuses on educational planning methodologies, education sector planning, strategic planning, enrolment projections, and designing education development plans.
Economics of Education
Examines economics of education, education and economic growth, human capital theory, returns to education, and the economic dimensions of education policy.
Education Finance
Covers financing of education, education budgeting, resource allocation, education funding sources, and financial planning in the education sector.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Focuses on cost-benefit analysis methods applied to education, returns to investment in education, cost-effectiveness analysis, and economic evaluation of education programmes.
Equity and Efficiency in Education
Examines equity and efficiency in education, distributional analysis of education spending, education access economics, and optimising education resource allocation.
Education Policy Analysis
Covers education policy analysis, policy development processes, economic analysis of education policies, and evaluating policy impact using economic methods.
Human Capital Development
Focuses on human capital theory, education and labour market outcomes, skills development economics, and the role of education in economic development.
Education Project Planning
Examines micro-project planning in education, education project design, project economic analysis, and monitoring and evaluation of education projects.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on educational planning methodology, economics of education, or cost-benefit analysis. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing education sector plans, economic data, and policy case studies. Group projects involve developing education plans, conducting economic analyses of education programmes, or designing education projects with cost-benefit considerations. Research methodology and statistics sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in quantitative analysis and economic modelling. The programme includes 18 course units at UoN, with common mandatory courses in the first year and specialised courses in the second year. Guest lectures from Ministry of Education planners, Ministry of Treasury economists, World Bank education specialists, and UNESCO IIEP trainers provide real-world insights. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent research on planning and economics of education topics, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines planning methodologies with economic analysis, providing versatile expertise for education sector leadership, policy, and development roles.
Programme is widely offered at over 60 Kenyan universities with multiple study modes including full-time, part-time, and ODeL.
Kenya's education reforms, devolution, SDG 4 implementation, and demand for evidence-based planning create strong career opportunities.
Programme includes quantitative analysis and economic modelling, providing data-driven skills valued in evidence-based education policy.

Against it

With over 60 offering institutions, programme quality and content may vary significantly between universities.
University of Nairobi fees of approximately KES 278,300 per year are relatively high compared to other public universities.
The broad scope combining planning and economics may mean less depth in either area compared to specialised programmes.
Quantitative and economic analysis components may be challenging for students without strong mathematics or economics backgrounds.

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

Public156k to 246k

156k at University of Nairobi246k at Kenyatta University

Private187k to 187k

187k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa187k at KCA 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 246K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN ~155K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). CUEA 186.8K, KCA ~187K/yr (kcau.ac.ke).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may grant study leave with sponsorship for teachers. World Bank, UNESCO IIEP, and other development organisations may sponsor education planners for specialised training. The programme's economic focus attracts development sector funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
World Bank/UNESCO Education Planning Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 278,300Kenyan
TSC-employed teachers may be granted study leave with sponsorship for postgraduate education in planning and economics of education.
World Bank/UNESCO Education Planning Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 350,000
World Bank, UNESCO IIEP, and other development organisations may sponsor education planners for specialised training in educational planning and economics.

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, ODeL, blended, and institution-based modes. Applicants specialising in economics of education and educational planning should have prior exposure to economics and mathematics at undergraduate level. Designed for education planners, economists, policy practitioners, and education officers.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, planning analysis essays, economic analysis exercises, cost-benefit analysis assignments, policy brief writing, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Practical Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving education plan development, economic analysis projects, cost-benefit analysis exercises, and quantitative analysis of education data.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering educational planning, economics of education, quantitative methods, and finance, including essay questions and quantitative analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on a planning and economics of education topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and economic analysis, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, Egerton University, and all other offering institutions are CUE-accredited. The programme aligns with Ministry of Education planning frameworks and UNESCO IIEP professional standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, Egerton University, and all other offering institutions are CUE-accredited.
UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
Professional standards
UNESCO IIEP provides global standards for educational planning. The programme aligns with IIEP standards, and graduates may pursue IIEP training certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Education Planner
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Develops education plans and strategies for government education departments, NGOs, or international organisations, overseeing education sector planning and development.
Education Economist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts economic analysis of education for government, development organisations, or research institutions, analysing returns to education, education financing, and resource allocation.
Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Analyses education policy using economic and planning perspectives for government agencies, think tanks, or international organisations, providing evidence-based recommendations.
Education Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Works in county or national education offices, overseeing education policy implementation, planning activities, and resource allocation.
Education Project Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages education development projects for NGOs, international organisations, or government, overseeing project design, economic analysis, implementation, and evaluation.
Educational Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 95,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides consulting services on educational planning, economics, and policy for schools, NGOs, government agencies, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as education planners, education economists, policy analysts, and education officers in government, ministries of finance, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for educational planning and economics research, including enrolment projections, survey data analysis, and education indicator computation.
Stata
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for econometric analysis in education, including cost-benefit analysis, returns to education modelling, and education data analysis.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for education planning, budgeting, economic modelling, and financial analysis in educational administration.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, policy documents, and qualitative research in educational planning and economics studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Planning and economics of education is just about budgeting for schools.
The programme covers comprehensive educational planning, economic analysis, human capital theory, cost-benefit analysis, equity analysis, and policy development at local, national, and international levels.
This programme is only for government education planners.
Graduates work in schools, universities, NGOs, international development organisations, ministries of finance, and private sector, applying planning and economic expertise across diverse settings.
You need an economics degree to study this programme.
While economics background is helpful, the programme accepts education professionals from diverse backgrounds, developing economic analysis skills from foundational levels.
Economics of education has limited relevance in Kenya.
Kenya's education financing challenges, resource allocation decisions, returns to education analysis, and SDG 4 implementation create strong demand for education economics expertise.
Planning and economics are separate fields that should not be combined.
The combination provides a comprehensive skill set connecting strategic planning with economic analysis, essential for evidence-based education policy and resource allocation.
This programme duplicates other MEd specialisations.
The combined focus on planning methodologies and economic analysis provides unique expertise at the intersection of education planning and economics, distinct from either field alone.