Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Technical and Vocational Education

The Postgraduate Diploma in Technical and Vocational Education is a programme that equips technical professionals with pedagogical knowledge and skills for teaching in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Offered at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Technical University of Kenya and Great Lakes University of Kisumu, the programme prepares engineers, technologists and scientists to become effective trainers and educators.

The curriculum covers technical and vocational education principles, pedagogy for technical education, curriculum development for TVET, assessment and evaluation in technical education, educational psychology, instructional technology, competency-based education and training (CBET), workshop management, research methods and a teaching practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical teaching skills.

The programme responds to the growing demand for qualified trainers in TVET institutions across Kenya. It provides a comprehensive pedagogical foundation for technical professionals seeking to transition into teaching and training roles in polytechnics, technical training institutes and vocational training centres.

The programme is delivered through full-time, part-time and open, distance and e-learning modes, with lectures, teaching practice, workshop sessions, instructional design exercises and a supervised teaching practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through teaching practice in TVET institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as technical trainers, TVET instructors, polytechnic lecturers, vocational training officers, curriculum developers and training coordinators in TVET institutions, polytechnics, technical training institutes and corporate training departments. They can also progress to a Master of Education in Technical and Vocational Education.

Prospective students should have a bachelor's degree in engineering, technology, science or a related technical field. The programme is suitable for technical professionals seeking to acquire pedagogical skills for teaching careers.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 238,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Open and Distance Learning
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Postgraduate Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Technical and Vocational Education Principles and Pedagogy
Curriculum Development for TVET and Competency-Based Education and Training
Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology
Assessment and Evaluation in Technical Education
Workshop Management and Safety in Technical Education
Research Methods and Teaching Practicum

Modules

6 in the programme

Technical and Vocational Education Principles and Pedagogy
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers TVET principles, history of technical education, TVET policy in Kenya, pedagogy for technical education, teaching methods for technical subjects and adult learning.
Curriculum Development for TVET and Competency-Based Education and Training
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers curriculum development for TVET, CBET principles, competency-based curriculum design, curriculum implementation, TVET curriculum frameworks and occupational standards.
Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers educational psychology, learning theories, motivation, instructional technology, e-learning for TVET, digital tools for teaching and technology integration in technical education.
Assessment and Evaluation in Technical Education
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers assessment and evaluation in technical education, competency-based assessment, formative and summative assessment, practical assessment, portfolio assessment and assessment of practical skills.
Workshop Management and Safety in Technical Education
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers workshop management, workshop organisation, equipment management, safety in technical workshops, occupational health and safety and risk management in TVET workshops.
Research Methods and Teaching Practicum
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers research methods in education, educational research design and a supervised teaching practicum in a TVET institution, assessed through teaching observation and a practicum report.

Specialisations

Engineering Education
Focuses on pedagogy for engineering subjects for careers as engineering trainers.
CBET Assessment
Specialises in competency-based assessment for careers as CBET assessors and verifiers.
TVET Curriculum Development
Focuses on curriculum design for TVET for careers as curriculum developers.
Digital Learning for TVET
Specialises in instructional technology for TVET for careers as e-learning developers in technical education.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on pedagogy for technical education or curriculum development, followed by a workshop session on instructional technology or assessment design. Afternoon sessions may include a CBET methodology workshop, a teaching practice preparation session, or work on the teaching practicum. Students also develop lesson plans and teaching materials for technical subjects.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme bridges technical expertise with pedagogical skills, enabling technical professionals to become effective trainers.
The programme is offered at three universities, providing study options.
TVET training is a government priority, creating demand for qualified trainers.

Against it

The programme requires a technical background, limiting eligibility to engineering and technology graduates.
TVET teaching careers may have lower salaries compared to industry technical roles.

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

Public239k to 239k

239k at Technical University of Kenya239k at Technical 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

TU-K 238.5K/yr (tukenya.ac.ke portal). GLUK offers but fee unverified.

Students can access HELB loans for postgraduate study. TVET institutions may sponsor trainers pursuing pedagogical training. Government bursaries may be available for TVET capacity building.

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 in engineering, technology, science or a related technical field from a recognised university.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering TVET principles, pedagogy, curriculum development, assessment and educational psychology.
Practical Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of lesson plans, teaching materials, curriculum design projects, assessment instruments and group presentations.
Teaching Practicum
Practicum40% of the mark
A supervised teaching practicum in a TVET institution, assessed through teaching observation, practicum report and supervisor evaluation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Technical University of Kenya and Great Lakes University of Kisumu.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Technical University of Kenya and Great Lakes University of Kisumu.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Technical Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 220,000
Trains technical students in TVET institutions, delivers technical courses, develops training materials and assesses student competencies in polytechnics and technical training institutes.
TVET Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 200,000
Instructs students in technical and vocational subjects, facilitates practical training, manages workshops and supports competency-based assessment in TVET institutions.
Polytechnic Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 230,000
Lectures in polytechnics, delivers technical courses, supports curriculum implementation and contributes to technical education development in public and private polytechnics.
Training Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 240,000
Coordinates technical training programmes, designs training curricula, manages training delivery and supports workforce development in corporate training departments.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as technical trainers, TVET instructors, polytechnic lecturers and vocational training officers in TVET institutions and corporate training departments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Technical professionals don't need pedagogical training to teach.
Effective teaching requires pedagogical knowledge, instructional design skills, assessment expertise and understanding of learning psychology, beyond subject matter expertise.
TVET teaching is less prestigious than university teaching.
TVET is a critical sector for skills development and economic growth. TVET trainers play a vital role in producing skilled technicians and artisans for Kenya's industrialisation.
Technical and vocational education is for academic failures.
TVET is a deliberate educational pathway that produces skilled professionals. Trainers in TVET require both technical expertise and pedagogical competence.
CBET is just a new name for the old curriculum.
Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) is a fundamentally different approach that focuses on demonstrated competencies rather than time-based learning, requiring new pedagogical skills.