Arts & Humanities

Postgraduate Diploma in Gender, Poverty and Development

The Postgraduate Diploma in Gender, Poverty and Development is a programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in gender analysis, poverty studies and development practice. Offered at Egerton University through the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, the programme prepares professionals to address gender inequalities and poverty challenges in development contexts.

The curriculum covers gender theory, gender and development, poverty analysis, development theories, gender mainstreaming, gender policy analysis, women's rights, gender-based violence, livelihoods and poverty, gender and governance, research methods, project management and a research project. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in gender analysis and development practice.

The programme responds to the need for trained professionals who can integrate gender perspectives into development policy, programmes and practice. It provides a comprehensive foundation for those working in gender, poverty reduction, community development and social policy.

The programme is delivered through full-time and part-time modes, with lectures, seminars, case studies, field visits, gender analysis workshops and a supervised research project. Students gain practical experience through field research and community engagement.

Graduates pursue careers as gender officers, development officers, programme coordinators, policy analysts, social researchers and community development specialists in government agencies, NGOs, international organisations and development agencies. They can also progress to a Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies.

Prospective students should have a background in social sciences, development studies, gender studies or a related field. The programme is suitable for professionals seeking to strengthen their gender and development expertise.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 255,900
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Postgraduate Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Gender Theory and Gender and Development
Poverty Analysis and Development Theories
Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Policy Analysis
Women's Rights and Gender-Based Violence
Livelihoods and Poverty and Gender and Governance
Research Methods and Project Management and Research Project

Modules

6 in the programme

Gender Theory and Gender and Development
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers gender theory, feminist theories, gender concepts, gender and development paradigms, WID, WAD, GAD and gender analysis frameworks.
Poverty Analysis and Development Theories
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers poverty analysis, poverty measurements, poverty dynamics, development theories, modernisation, dependency theory, capability approach and sustainable development.
Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers gender mainstreaming, gender analysis tools, gender policy analysis, gender-responsive planning, gender budgeting and institutional gender mechanisms.
Women's Rights and Gender-Based Violence
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers women's rights, CEDAW, women's rights instruments, gender-based violence, GBV response, prevention strategies and legal frameworks for gender equality.
Livelihoods and Poverty and Gender and Governance
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers livelihoods analysis, poverty and livelihoods, gender and governance, women's political participation, gender and leadership and gender-responsive governance.
Research Methods and Research Project
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers research methods in gender studies, research design, data collection, gender-sensitive research and a supervised research project on a gender, poverty or development topic.

Specialisations

Gender Mainstreaming
Focuses on gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive planning for careers as gender officers.
Poverty and Livelihoods
Specialises in poverty analysis and livelihoods for careers in poverty reduction programmes.
Gender and Governance
Focuses on women's political participation and governance for careers in governance programmes.
Gender-Based Violence
Specialises in GBV prevention and response for careers in GBV programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on gender theory or poverty analysis, followed by a seminar on gender mainstreaming or a case study on gender-based violence. Afternoon sessions may include a policy analysis workshop, a community engagement exercise, or work on the research project. Students also participate in field visits to community development projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme is offered through the specialised Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
Graduates can progress to a Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies.
Gender and development expertise is in demand across NGOs, government, UN agencies and development organisations.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
Gender and development careers may require additional experience in community work and project management.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public256k to 256k

256k at Egerton University256k at Egerton 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

Egerton PGD 255.9K/yr (egerton.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans for postgraduate study. Egerton University may offer internal bursaries. Development agencies and gender-focused organisations may sponsor professionals pursuing gender studies training.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university, preferably in social sciences, development studies, gender studies or a related field.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering gender theory, poverty analysis, gender mainstreaming and women's rights.
Gender Analysis Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of gender analysis reports, policy briefs, case studies, community engagement reports and group presentations.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A supervised research project on a gender, poverty or development topic, assessed through a written report and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University, Institute of Gender and Development Studies.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University, Institute of Gender and Development Studies.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Gender Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 220,000
Coordinates gender mainstreaming, conducts gender analysis, supports gender-responsive programming and advises organisations on gender equality in NGOs and development agencies.
Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 210,000
Designs and implements development programmes, integrates gender perspectives, supports community development initiatives and manages poverty reduction projects.
Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 230,000
Coordinates gender and development programmes, manages project implementation, monitors outcomes and supports programme design in NGOs and international organisations.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 240,000
Analyses gender and development policy, supports policy development, conducts policy research and advises on gender-responsive policy in government and think tanks.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as gender officers, development officers, programme coordinators and policy analysts in government agencies, NGOs and international organisations.

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Gender studies is only about women.
Gender studies examines the roles, relations and identities of all genders, including masculinities, and how gender shapes development outcomes for everyone.
A postgraduate diploma in gender and development is only for women.
The programme is designed for all professionals regardless of gender, including men working in development, policy and community work.
Gender and development is just theory with no practical application.
The programme includes gender mainstreaming, project management, policy analysis and a supervised research project, providing practical skills for development work.
Poverty reduction is purely an economic issue.
Poverty has significant gender dimensions. Understanding how gender shapes access to resources, opportunities and decision-making is essential for effective poverty reduction.