TSC PGDE Requirements in Kenya

In this article, we provide details on the TSC requirements for PGDE (post graduate diploma in Education).

Who should take a PGDE course?

You can only enroll for a PGDE if you pursued a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree and dream of becoming a secondary school teacher in Kenya.

This can be confirmed by looking at the latest TSC registration qualifications where TSC expressly states that holders of relevant Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees shall only be considered for employment as secondary school teachers in Kenya after completing their PGDE course.

Requirements for PGDE as per TSC Guidelines

As per TSC, you meet the following minimum qualifications before you enroll for a PGDE i.e. if you are taking it in the hope that it will help you to secure a job as a high school teacher after graduating.

Must have scored a mean grade of C+ in your O levels.
Hold a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized university in Kenya.
You must have obtained a C+ grade (minimum) in the two teaching subjects you want to specialize in.

According to TSC requirements for secondary teachers, you can also register for the PGDE if you want to have a career as a technical teacher in a relevant area.

PGDE Requirements for those with technical qualifications

Must have scored a mean grade of C+ in you O levels (or it’s equivalent). Also acceptable are 1 principle pass and 2 subsidiaries at the ‘A’ level.
Have a Bed TECH (Bachelor of Education Technology) degree from a university approved by the CUE (commission of higher education)
Must have obtained a C+ grade (minimum) or a credit pass in the two technical subjects you intend to specialize in OR
Hold a Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree in the applicable technical subject(s)/Course.

This is suitable for individuals who do not prefer to do a Diploma in Technical Teacher Education) from KTTC (Kenya Technical Teachers College).

N/B: For the employment of technical teachers as described above, TSC asks for either a PGDE or a DTTE/post graduate diploma in technical education from KTTC so that you can decide what suits you best.

All graduate teachers MUST have studied at least 8 course units in every teaching subject to be eligible. This applies to all degrees.

You will not be eligible to pursue a PGDE if you will not be eligible for consideration for secondary school teaching vacancies afterward. Therefore, it is important to observe the above conditions.

Another group of teachers who can puruse a PGDE are those planning to pursue a Master of Educaton (MeD) degree, maybe if they are targeting promotion but were employed with a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree.

For this group, TSC requires that you go for a PGDE then use it to apply for admission into the MeD program in any university that offers the course in Kenya.

Teachers who are planning to pursue enhancement courses in certain subjects may be needed to have a PGDE. However, you are advised to contact the TSC official in your sub-county education office for advice depending on the subject you want to advance.

Institutions that offer PGDE

There are many universities that offer teacher education degrees in Kenya that offer the programme. These include:

UoE- University of Eldoret
KCA University (Thika Road)
Egerton University
Chuka University
CUEA – The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Baraton University (officially referred to as the University of Eastern Africa Baraton)
MKU- Mount Kenya University (they also offer an online postgraduate diploma in education)
PUEA- The Presbyterian University of East Africa
Maseno University
Daystar University
MMUST (Masinde Muliro University)
UoN – University of Nairobi
Machakos University College
KU – Kenyatta University
Moi University
Kisii University

As you are studying for your PGDE, you are advised to pursue a subject methods course while you are studying.

Some of the subject combinations you could take include:

Economics/Commerce and Chemistry
English/History
French/Kiswahili
Mathematics/Fine Arts
Biological Sciences/Biology and Geography
Religious Education and Physics/Physical Sciences

PDGE fees

Fees for the PGDE will vary depending on the university you enroll with. We have provided you a fees trend in some of the universities below.

Institution	PGDE fees in KES	Statutory/Administrative charges in KES
Kenyatta University	130,000	23,500
University of Eldoret	100,000	60,650 for Arts and Sciences
KCA university (distance learning)	85,345	0
Maseno university	76,000	15,000
MKU	49,550	120,000

Frequently asked questions

1. How long can I take to complete a PGDE?

Your PGDE will take one calendar year at the minimum to complete. That is two semesters of relevant course work, examinations, and a project.

You spend the last three months of teaching practice in a secondary school or an equivalent educational institution.

Teaching practice lasts for a period of a single academic term i.e. three months for secondary schools.

2. Am I eligible to teach abroad with a PGDE?

This depends on the country because some will not consider a PGDE for full-time teaching positions overseas without additional teaching certificates. However, some will recognize your PGDE from Kenya.

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