Last updated on February 28th, 2024 at 03:59 pm
If you are really passionate about numbers, perhaps you should consider going for one of the Statistics courses in Kenya.
You see, careers that involve numbers rarely lack good job opportunities (and there are so many sectors of the economy where you can get employment in both private organizations and government agencies/departments).
In this article, we shall share important information about statistics courses in Kenya to help select a good statistics course in Kenya..
Let’s get started:
Statistics courses in Kenya (All you need to know)
When it comes to Statistics courses in Kenya, you can go up to the PhD level (the University of Nairobi offers a PhD.in in mathematical statistics).
The lowest you can start is a Diploma in Statistics though having an undergraduate degree is the minimum requirement for many statistics jobs in Kenya.
Let us look at what you need to be admitted into the various Statistical courses in Kenya and where you can study for your chosen statistics course.
We shall be looking at your career prospects (and what statisticians really do) after this.
Diploma in Statistics in Kenya
As mentioned above, this is simply a basic qualification and you can get entry-level jobs with a Diploma in Statistics in Kenya.
Here are the Diploma programs you can pursue in statistics in local institutions:
DipTech in Applied Statistics
Entry requirements
KCSE Mean Grade: C-
Additional qualifications
- Mathematics – C
- Biology or Biological Sciences/ Chemistry/ Physical Science or Physics- C-
- English- C-
Plus, you must have an average of C- in these Cluster Subjects:
- Mathematics
- English
- Any group II/ any group III subject
- A group II subject or any group III subject or any group IV/any group V subject
College/University offering it: TUK (Technical University of Kenya)
More information: Go here.
READ: High school subjects in Kenya [Full list and groups]
Diploma in economics and statistics in Kenya
This is your other option if you must start at the diploma level because of your grades (I will tell you the grades you need to take a Degree shortly).
Entry requirements
KCSE Mean Grade: C-
College/University offering it: KSE (Kenya School of Economics)
More information: Go here.
Now, just like most diploma in applied statistics jobs in Kenya are junior positions, a diploma in economics and statistics mostly qualifies you for lower positions such as junior statistician.
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Now proceed reading below..
Bachelor of Science(Bsc.) In Economics & Statistics
A degree in statistics is one of the best statistics courses in Kenya- it is the minimum a majority of employers ask for.
Here are the minimum entry grades:
Entry requirements
KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (at least)
Additional qualifications
- Mathematics – B plain
- English- B plain
Other acceptable qualifications: Diploma in Actuarial Science/Mathematics/ Statistics/Insurance with a Credit pass (at least)from any accredited Institution
College/University offering it: KCA University, KU
More information: Go here(KCA) or here (KU)
BSc. in Applied Statistics and Data Science
When combined with data science, statistics can be an even better course in terms of marketability (more organizations are hiring data scientists now more than ever).
Here are the basic entry requirements for a BSc. in Applied Statistics and Data Science course:
Entry requirements
KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (at least)
Additional qualifications
- Mathematics – C+
- English- C+ (or a C+ Kiswahili)
Other acceptable qualifications: Relevant Diploma with a Credit pass (at least)from any accredited Institution
College/University offering it: Co-operative University of Kenya
More information: Go here
Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Statistics
This is a pure statistics degree course.
Entry requirements
KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (at least)
Additional qualifications
- Mathematics – B-
Other acceptable qualifications: Diploma in either Computer Studies/Statistics but with a Credit pass (at least)from any accredited Institution plus a C plain KCSE mean grade.
College/University offering it: University of Nairobi
More information: Go here
Bsc. in Applied Statistics with computing
The objectives of the Applied Statistics with Computing Bsc. degree program (which has an element of computing) are to produce a graduate who is able to:
- Design appropriate methods for gathering and interpreting data.
- Apply relevant statistical techniques/tactics to model the relationships between variables being considered and make predictions.
- Design research systems and effectively analyze resulting data.
Entry requirements
KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (at least)
Additional qualifications
Pass (C+ is often required) in the following cluster subjects:
- Mathematics
- Any group II /Physical Science
- Any group III /Biological Science
- Any subject from Group II/III /IV/V or Geography/Accounts/Commerce
College/University offering it: Moi University
More information: Go here
Quick Note: This course is very similar to the Bsc. in Applied Statistics (with IT) offered by Maseno University.
Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) in Operations Research
This is another statistical degree in Kenya you can consider.
Just so you know, operations research involves using analytical techniques as well as experimental and simulation models in fields such as mathematical modeling and optimization to help decision makers arrive at the most optimal solution to complicated decision making problems.
KCSE Mean Grade: C+ (at least)
Additional qualifications
- Mathematics – C+
- English- C+
Other acceptable qualifications: Relevant Diploma (in Applied Sciences)with a Credit pass (at least)from any accredited Institution
College/University offering it: JKUAT
More information: Go here
Keep in mind that degree programs take 4 years.
Post graduate diploma in statistics in Kenya
If you have taken a slightly different undergraduate course and you want to shift to statistics, you should go the Post graduate diploma in statistics way.
Here are its details:
Entry requirements
Bachelor’s degree from any related discipline (with a 2nd class honors upper- those with anything lower must have at least 2 years experience in a related job / research to be admitted)
Universities offering Post graduate diploma in statistics in Kenya
Chuka University– See details
JKUAT– See details
Don’t forget that the post-graduate degree takes 2 years and you can study online nowadays.
Masters in statistics in Kenya
You can advance to a master of statistics degree after completing your first degree (preferably after gaining some job experience).
Here are the details:
Entry requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (with a 2nd class honors upper- or a GPA of 3.00 (out of 4.00) OR
- Bachelor degree with 2nd Class Honors (Lower Division) or a cumulative GPA of 2.50 (out of 4.00) from a recognized Institution + 3 years work experience in a relevant field (or evidence of ability to perform research either through published research (in peer reviewed publications) or paper presentations OR
- Post graduate diploma in statistics in Kenya
Universities offering statistics in Kenya (Masters level)
- Strathmore University- see more information
- Multimedia University of Kenya- see more information
The programme takes about 2 years.
PhD in Statistics
If you desire to work in academia, go up to the PhD level.
You need at least a Masters in Statistics and you can take your PhD. In Statistics at universities like the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, Egerton University, Strathmore University, Masinde Muliro University, KU, and more.
Overall, the course takes 3 years.
Career prospects for students with a statistical course in Kenya
- Market researcher
- Cost estimator
- Financial analyst
- Business analyst
- Statistician
- Economist
- Database administrator
- Software engineer
- Actuary
- Data scientist
Who can you work for?
- Government and Not-for-profit institutions.
- Banking sector.
- Research firms.
- Consultancy firms and think tanks.
- Health sector
Key skills and interests required to pursue a career in this field
- Persistence and resilience
- Immeasurable passion for numbers
- Logical + critical thinking
- Creativity + analytical thinking
- Curiosity
- Numerical reasoning
- Organizational + time management skills
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to synthesize/dissect complex ideas
- Effective communication skills
Statistics courses in Kenya (Frequently asked questions)
Is statistics marketable in Kenya?
So, is applied statistics marketable in Kenya?
Yeah, it is especially if you take a data science certification along with it.
That’s because as mentioned earlier, there are many organizations hiring graduates with statistics and data science qualifications as AI (artificial intelligence) and Machine Learning takes over the economy.
ALSO READ: Data science course in Kenya [All you need to know]
Final words
Don’t even think of taking a certificate in statistics in Kenya unless you have another mathematical course to back it up because there are hardly any jobs for people with a certificate only.
Good luck.