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Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership

The Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (PGDL) is a programme that equips professionals with knowledge and skills in organisational leadership, team management and strategic decision-making. Offered at Pan Africa Christian University through the School of Leadership, Business and Technology, the programme prepares CEOs, managers, team leaders and professionals for leadership roles.

Duration
9 months
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 110,000
Ksh 82,500 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 110,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 82,500 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 9 months, full-time, part-time, with 3 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 Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers leadership theory, organisational behaviour, strategic leadership, team leadership, change management, leadership communication, project management, financial management for leaders, ethical leadership and leadership research. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in leadership and organisational management.

The programme responds to the need for trained leaders who can effectively guide organisations, manage teams and drive organisational success. It provides a comprehensive foundation for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities.

The programme is delivered through coursework over 9 months, with lectures, case studies, group discussions, leadership simulations and practical exercises. Students complete 10 courses of 3 credit hours each, totalling 30 credit hours.

Graduates pursue careers as organisational leaders, team leaders, project coordinators, departmental heads, programme managers and executive officers in corporate, non-profit and public sector organisations. They can also progress to a Master of Arts in Leadership.

Prospective students should have a first degree in any field and leadership experience or aspiration. The programme is suitable for professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership skills for career advancement.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Leadership Theory and Organisational Behaviour
  • Strategic Leadership and Change Management
  • Team Leadership and Leadership Communication
  • Project Management and Financial Management for Leaders
  • Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance
  • Leadership Research and Capstone Project

Modules

6 in the programme

  • Leadership Theory and Organisational Behaviour

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers leadership theory, leadership styles, organisational behaviour, motivation, organisational culture and leadership paradigms.

  • Strategic Leadership and Change Management

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers strategic leadership, strategic planning, vision and mission, change management, organisational change and leading transformation.

  • Team Leadership and Leadership Communication

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers team leadership, team dynamics, building effective teams, leadership communication, persuasive communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Project Management and Financial Management for Leaders

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers project management, project planning, project monitoring, financial management for leaders, budgeting and financial decision-making.

  • Ethical Leadership and Corporate Governance

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers ethical leadership, business ethics, corporate governance, accountability, transparency and responsible leadership.

  • Leadership Research and Capstone Project

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers leadership research methods, research design and a capstone leadership project applying leadership concepts to a real organisational challenge.

Specialisations

  • Strategic Leadership

    Focuses on strategic planning and organisational strategy for careers as organisational leaders.

  • Team Leadership

    Specialises in team management and development for careers as team leaders.

  • Change Management

    Focuses on leading organisational change for careers as change management specialists.

  • Ethical Leadership

    Specialises in ethics and governance for careers in corporate governance.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on leadership theory or strategic leadership, followed by a case study on organisational behaviour or a team leadership exercise. Afternoon sessions may include a change management simulation, a leadership communication workshop, or group discussions on ethical leadership. Students also work on leadership projects and presentations.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
The programme is designed for working professionals with intakes in January, May and September.The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
Graduates can progress to a Master of Arts in Leadership at PAC University.The programme is relatively short at 9 months, which may limit depth of coverage.
The programme is practical and applied, focusing on real-world leadership challenges.—

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses
Public110k to 110k
110k at Open University of Kenya110k at Open University of Kenya

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

OUK PGD 110K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). PAC offers PGD Leadership but fee unverified.

Students can access HELB loans for postgraduate study. PAC University may offer internal bursaries and scholarships for outstanding students.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

A first degree in any field from a recognised university.

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Pan Africa Christian University.

May 20271 institution

Including Pan Africa Christian University.

September 20271 institution

Including Pan Africa Christian University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Continuous Assessment

    Written examination40% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering leadership theory, strategic leadership, team leadership and ethical leadership.

  • Leadership Assignments

    Assignment30% of the mark

    Assessment of leadership case studies, strategic plans, project proposals, leadership reflection papers and group presentations.

  • Capstone Project

    Project30% of the mark

    A capstone leadership project applying leadership concepts to a real organisational challenge, assessed through a written report and presentation.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pan Africa Christian University, School of Leadership, Business and Technology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Organisational Leader

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Leads organisations, sets strategic direction, manages organisational performance and drives organisational success in corporate and non-profit sectors.

  • Team Leader

    Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Leads teams, coordinates team activities, supports team development and manages team performance in various organisational settings.

  • Project Coordinator

    Moderate demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 230,000

    Coordinates projects, manages project implementation, oversees project teams and ensures project delivery in organisations.

  • Departmental Head

    Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Manages departments, oversees departmental operations, leads staff and implements organisational strategy at departmental level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as organisational leaders, team leaders, project coordinators and departmental heads in corporate, non-profit and public sector organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Leadership is an innate skill that cannot be taught.

    Leadership involves learnable skills including strategic thinking, communication, team management, change management and ethical decision-making that can be developed through study and practice.

  • A postgraduate diploma in leadership is only for senior executives.

    The programme is designed for professionals at various levels including team leaders, project coordinators and supervisors, not just senior executives.

  • Leadership studies are just common sense.

    Leadership studies draw on organisational psychology, management theory, strategic planning and ethics, providing a rigorous academic foundation for leadership practice.

  • A PGD in Leadership is inferior to an MBA.

    A PGD in Leadership focuses specifically on leadership capabilities, complementing an MBA. It can also serve as a pathway to a Master of Arts in Leadership.

Further reading

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