Master of Education in Planning and Economics of Education
<p>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.
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 186,879 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, blended, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.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 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.
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 programmeResearch 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme combines planning methodologies with economic analysis, providing versatile expertise for education sector leadership, policy, and development roles. | With over 60 offering institutions, programme quality and content may vary significantly between universities. |
| Programme is widely offered at over 60 Kenyan universities with multiple study modes including full-time, part-time, and ODeL. | University of Nairobi fees of approximately KES 278,300 per year are relatively high compared to other public universities. |
| Kenya's education reforms, devolution, SDG 4 implementation, and demand for evidence-based planning create strong career opportunities. | The broad scope combining planning and economics may mean less depth in either area compared to specialised programmes. |
| Programme includes quantitative analysis and economic modelling, providing data-driven skills valued in evidence-based education policy. | 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 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 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 recordedHELB 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.
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, 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.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
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.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesEducation 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- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
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.