An introduction to Kenyatta University’s Digital School of Virtual (E-Learning) and Open Learning
Kenyatta University started its school of Open and E-Learning back in June 2014 as part of its strategic efforts to meet the ever-increasing demand for quality higher education among the working population, business people, and others who are unable to attend classes on a full-time basis due to various commitments.
Like other reputable online varsities, you access studies through myriad systems including mobile technologies (tablet, smartphone, iPad, etc.) from the comfort of your home, office, or the car (as you travel for business).
Perhaps the biggest advantage of online learning at KU School of distance learning and virtual studies is that the faculty teaches via the Blended Learning approach.
This simply means that you access online digital instructions together with arranged live tutorials (once in a while).
As a result, it’s easier to grasp difficult concepts as you can ask questions during the live lecture sessions.
The other huge benefit is the affordable fees- online courses in Kenyatta University are, in general, more affordable than other self-sponsored programs (we have included the complete fee structure towards the end of the article).
Lastly, KU runs a couple of dedicated regional learning centers to support e-learning learners in various regions.
There is a center in locations such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and a few other towns.
So, what Kenyatta university courses can you study online?
We answer this question next.
Online courses in Kenyatta University – available programs
This digital school offers a huge number of quality courses at the Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate levels.
Here is a complete KU digital school catalog highlighting the courses and minimum entry requirements:
Diploma & Certificate Programmes Offered via Online mode of study at Kenyatta University
School Of Education
- Diploma in Public Relations
- Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
- Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
- Diploma in Disaster Management
- Diploma in Security Management & Police Studies
- Diploma in Crime Management and Prevention
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Diploma (Tourism Management)
School Of Business
- Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation
- Diploma in Project Management
School of Engineering & Technology
- Diploma in Information Technology
School Of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences
- Certificate in Sports Administration.
Entry requirements for all Diploma and Certificate courses
| Certificate courses | Mean Grade of C- at KCSE or its equivalent. |
| Diploma courses | Mean grade of C plain at KCSE or a relevant Certificate qualification |
Undergraduate Online courses at Kenyatta University
School Of Education
- Bachelor of Library and Information Science
- Bachelor of Education (Library Science)
- Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) in Records Management/Information Technology
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
- Bachelor of Education (Special Needs Education)
- Bachelor of Education (Arts)
- Bachelor of Education (Science)
- Bachelor of Education in Home Economics
- Ed. Home Economics – Fashion Design/Marketing
- Bachelor of Education- Business Studies
- BED in Educational Communication Technology
- BED in Environmental Education
- Education Foundation
- BED in Educational Psychology
- BEd (Arts): Educational Management, Policy & Curriculum
- BEd (Science) Educational Management, policy & curriculum
- BEd(bachelor of education) in Kiswahili_/Geography/History_/Literature/Foreign languages_/English & Linguistics_/Philosophy/_religious studies
- BSc. (bachelor of science) in chemistry/Zoological Sciences/Physics/Plant sciences/ Mathematics
- BEd(bachelor of education) in Chemistry_/Physics_/zoological Sciences_/Plants Sciences
School Of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Security Management & Police Studies
- Bachelor of Public Policy and Administration (BPPA)
- Arts Economics
- BA in History, Geography, Literature, English and Linguistics, Gender and development studies, Philosophy and religious studies, Sociology, Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts -Security Management & Policing Studies
School Of Business
- Bachelor of Commerce.
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)-Accounting Option
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)-Finance Option
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) -Marketing Option
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)-Human Resource Management Option
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) -Management Science Option
- Bachelor of Commerce(B.Com)-Procurement & Supply Chain Management
School Of Economics
- Bachelor of Economics
School of Pure and Applied Sciences
- Bachelor of Science
School Of Engineering and Technology
- Bachelor of Information Technology
School of Agriculture & Enterprise Development
- Bachelor of Science (Agribusiness Management and Trade)
- Bachelor of Science (Crop Improvement & Protection)
- Bachelor of Science (Crop Science)
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Bachelor of Science (Tourism Management)
Entry Requirements for KU Digital Varsity Undergraduate Degree Courses
A minimum of KCSE Grade C+ or equivalent is required.
Besides, you must satisfy additional specific degree requirements where applicable.
For example, applicants for education degree programmes must have scored a minimum of grade C+ plain at the KCSE in their chosen subject combinations.
Kenyatta University Postgraduate courses Offered via E-Learning
School Of Education
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
- Master of Library &Information Sciences, Master of Science (Msc.) (Records Management & Archives Administration)
- Master of library & information science
- Sc. (Records management & archives (administration)
- Sc. (Knowledge Management)
- Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling
- Masters of Education (Administration)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
School of Agriculture & Enterprise Development
- Master of Science (Msc.) degree in ISFM (Integrated Soil Fertility Management)
- Master of Science (Msc.)- Animal Nutrition and Management
- Master of Science (Msc.)- Dryland Agriculture / Enterprise Development
- Master of Science (Msc.)- Land &Water Management
- Master of Science (Msc.)- Agronomy Plant Breeding
- Master of Science (Msc.)- Animal Nutrition /Management
- Master of Science (Msc.)- Dry land Agriculture
- M.Sc-Agronomy
- MSc -Plant Breeding
- MSc. -Crop Protection (Plant Pathology)
- MSc. -Crop Protection (Entomology)
- MSc. -Seed Technology/Trade
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
- Master of Arts in Kiswahili
- Masters in Kiswahili
- Master of Science Climatology
- Master of Arts Urban and Regional Planning
- Master of Arts. Population and Settlement
- Master of Science Biogeography
- Master of Science Geomorphology
- Master of Arts in Public Policy Administration
- Security Strategic Studies
School of Applied Human Sciences
- Master of Science (Physical and Health Education)
- Master of Science (Msc.) degree in (Exercise and Sports Science)
- Master of Science (Msc.) degree in (Recreation & Sport Management)
School of Business
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- MBA(Master of Business Administration)-Marketing
- MBA(Master of Business Administration)-Human Resource Management
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) –Entrepreneurship
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) -Strategic Management
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) –Finance
- MBA(Master of Business Administration)-Project Management
- MBA(Master of Business Administration)-Management Information systems
School of Hospitality & Tourism
- Master of Science in Hospitality Management
- Master of Science in Tourism Management
Entry requirements for masters and postgraduate online courses at Kenyatta University
Masters programmes
The common requirements for a master’s degree at Kenyatta University apply as follows.
- Be a holder of a relevant Bachelors's Degree from an accredited University in Kenya, with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) score (at least) or its equivalent.
- Applicants with a Second Class (Lower-Division) might be considered (in some cases) as long as they have a minimum of Grade C in the units relevant to their chosen areas of specialization.
Postgraduate Diploma in Education
You must have a Bachelors's degree in a relevant area, with 2nd Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent qualification from any recognized university.
KU online courses Fee structure
| School of Economics, School of Business | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| Bachelor of Economics/Bcom/ and BHRM (Bachelors in Human Resources Management) | Kshs.75000/- (East Africans) Kshs.93800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 54200/- Trimester 2: 49700/- Trimester 3: 51200/-
|
| Diploma in Monitoring & Evaluation/Human Resources/Project Management | Kshs.52000/- (East Africans) Kshs.65800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 42700/- Trimester 2: 38200/- Trimester 3: 39700/- |
| School of Engineering & Technology | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| BSC. in Information Technology | Kshs.75000/- (East Africans) Kshs.93800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 54200/- Trimester 2: 49700/- Trimester 3: 51200/-
|
| Diploma in Information Technology | Kshs.52000/- (East Africans) Kshs.65800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 42700/- Trimester 2: 38200/- Trimester 3: 36700/- |
| School of Agriculture & Enterprise development | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| BSC. in Agri-business management / Agricultural resource management/ Dry land agriculture & Enterprise development / Agricultural education & extension | Kshs.75000/- (East Africans) Kshs.93800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 54200/- Trimester 2: 49700/- Trimester 3: 51200/-
|
| School of Education | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| Bachelor of Education: 1. Arts 2. Special education 3. ECDE Bachelor of Education- Science Bachelor of Education-Library Science Bachelor of Library and Information Science Bachelor of Science- Records management & IT
| Kshs.70000/- (East Africans) Kshs.87500/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 51700/- Trimester 2: 47200/- Trimester 3: 48700/-
|
| Diploma in ECDE/Public Relations/ Information Science /Justice Information System/ Records management & IT/ Guidance & counselling
| Kshs.52000/- (East Africans) Kshs.65800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 42700/- Trimester 2: 38200/- Trimester 3: 39700/- |
| School of Humanities & Social sciences | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts- Psychology Bachelor of Arts- Gender and development studies Bachelor of Arts- Public policy & administration
| Kshs.70000/- (East Africans) Kshs.87500/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 51700/- Trimester 2: 47200/- Trimester 3: 48700/-
|
| Diploma in Disaster management
| Kshs.52000/- (East Africans) Kshs.65800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 42700/- Trimester 2: 38200/- Trimester 3: 36700/- Trimester 4: 35200/
|
| School of Applied sciences | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| Certificate in sports admin. and management
| Kshs.34400/- (East Africans) Kshs.43000/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 33900/- Trimester 2: 29400/-
|
| School of Hospitality & Tourism | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| BSC. in Hospitality & Tourism Management | Kshs.75000/- (East Africans) Kshs.93800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 54200/- Trimester 2: 49700/- Trimester 3: 51200/-
|
| Diploma in Hospitality Management | Kshs.52000/- (East Africans) Kshs.65800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 42700/- Trimester 2: 38200/- Trimester 3: 36700/- Trimester 4: 35200/
|
| School of Security, Diplomacy, & Peace studies | ||
| Programme | Fees per annum | Breakdown |
| BSC. in Security Management & Police studies | Kshs.70000/- (East Africans) Kshs.87500/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 51700/- Trimester 2: 47200/- Trimester 3: 48700/-
|
| Diploma in Security Management & Police studies | Kshs.52000/- (East Africans) Kshs.65800/- (Non-East Africans) Statutory fees:32900/- | Trimester 1: 42700/- Trimester 2: 38200/- Trimester 3: 36700/-
|
PS: The fees may change from time to time. contact the university using the contact details given at the end of the article for confirmation of current fees.
Note: Trimester means a period of 3 months.
How to apply for online courses at Kenyatta University
You can submit your application online by following this Kenyatta university online application link.
Create an account first and ensure that you have entered all the requested details before clicking the submit button.
Note: You need to pay the usual application fee of Shs.2000 (certificates and diplomas), Shs.2000 (undergraduate and postgraduate courses).
You can pay via MPESA (strictly for online applications) -KU’s MPESA PAYBILL NUMBER is 892101. Enter your ID number as the Account No.
The other alternative is to through the following Kenyatta University bank accounts (for physical applications):
- Co-operative Bank(Kenya)– A/c Number. 011-2906-246-1400
- National Bank of Kenya- A/c No. 010-0305-915-0801
- Equity Bank Limited – A/c No. 018-0290-518859
- Family Bank – A/c No. 045-0000-2331
You’ll attach the payment slip to the application form together with:
- Academic Transcripts/Certificates.
- 2 Passport photos (1′ X1′).
- Identification documents, for example, a National ID Card/Passport.
Those paying through MPESA must indicate the MPESA reference number on the online form.
We recommend that you present the filled forms to the admissions department to your nearest center or main campus for further assistance.
It’s also important to make a follow-up with any KU office even if you made an online application.
When to apply
Admissions to the online courses in Kenyatta university are normally open in January, May, and September every year.
We advise that you apply a few months in advance in order to beat the application deadlines (keep checking the media for the intake dates).
Online courses at Kenyatta University – what else to know
· Orientation
Upon registering, you’ll be taken through an orientation exercise to help you understand how to navigate KU’s kusoma e-learning system (DSVOL).
This may be held at the respective regional campuses or the main campus along Thika superhighway.
· E-learning gadgets
To facilitate easy learning, KU online learning center issues tablets for free to new students.
You are notified through their Facebook page and other communication channels about the dates of collection from the satellite offices or respective Directors/coordinators.
Usually, you should have the gadget by the time you attend the orientation session.
· E-learning exams
You are expected to write your trimester exams physically at the campus closest to you or the main campus.
As such, it’s important to make travel and accommodation arrangements in advance if you’re coming from far.
The exact dates are typically published on the main website.
However, you don’t need to physically visit KU for the CATs and course assignments (unless when writing your final year project)- these are sent online.
Credit waivers
Diploma holders joining a degree program may be awarded a credit waiver, upon application, by their respective Schools.
You should apply for the applicable credit waiver using the prescribed form (request it from your school or download from Kenyatta University’s website at www.ku.ac.ke)
Kenyatta university digital school contacts
You can get in touch with the school using the following channels for all inquiries about online courses at Kenyatta University:
Facebook: Click here to go to their official page.
Official telephone numbers: 0719 739 438 /0719 739 445/0716 208 832/0736 244 464
Office of the dean: Email dean-dsvol@ku.ac.ke or call 0719 739 438 / 020 870 3288
Official website: http://www.ku.ac.ke/dsvol/
For admissions questions: Email info@ku.ac.ke or call +254 870 3200
Shortcut to all admission resources: Click here
Wrapping it up
Kenyatta University offers a significant number of their popular programs via e-Learning.
You have just learned about the available KU online classes, how to apply, the applicable fees, and other important details.
We hope that this will help you make an informed decision as far as pursuing your preferred course online at Kenyatta University’s digital varsity is concerned.