This article highlights the TSC requirements for PGDE (post graduate diploma in Education)
Let’s first look at who should take a PGDE course.
Now, you should 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.
You can confirm this 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 teachers in Kenya after completing a PGDE.
Let’s leave that and now focus on the specific TSC requirements for PGDE.
TSC requirements for PGDE – what do the TSC guideline say?
According to the TSC, you should meet the following minimum qualifications before enrolling for a PGDE (If you’re taking it in the hope that it will help you secure a job as a high school teacher upon graduating).
- Hold a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized university in Kenya.
- Must have scored a mean grade of C+ in your O levels.
- You must have obtained a C+ grade (minimum) in the two teaching subjects you intend to specialize in.
According to the TSC requirements for secondary teachers, you can also register for the PGDE if you want to build a career as a technical teacher in a relevant area.
Here are the PGDE requirements for those with technical qualifications:
- Must have scored a mean grade of C+ in your O levels (or it’s equivalent). Also acceptable are 1 principle pass and 2 subsidiaries at the ‘A’ level.
- You must have obtained a C+ grade (minimum) or a credit pass in the two technical subjects you intend to specialize in.
- Have a Bed TECH (Bachelor of Education Technology) degree from a university approved by the CUE (commission of higher education) OR
- Hold a Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree in the applicable technical Subject(s)/Course.
This would be an ideal route for those who, for some reason, are unwilling to pursue a DTTE (Diploma in Technical Teacher Education) from KTTC (Kenya Technical Teachers College).
Note that for the employment of technical teachers as described above, TSC asks for either a PDGE or a DTTE/post graduate diploma in technical education from KTTC so you can do your math and see which of the two suits you best.
Something else before you invest in a PGDE qualification: All graduate teachers must have studied at least 8 course units at the undergraduate level in every teaching subject to be eligible. And this applies to all the degrees.
Of course, you don’t want to waste time and money pursuing a PGDE if you won’t be eligible for consideration for secondary school teaching vacancies afterward so it’s critical that you observe the above conditions.
There is another group of teachers who can gain from pursuing a PGDE…
These are teachers who are planning to pursue a Master of Education (MeD.) degree, maybe for promotion reasons but were employed with a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree.
For this lot, TSC requires that you undertake a PGDE then use it to apply for admission into the MeD program in any university offering the course in Kenya.
Lastly, teachers planning to pursue enhancement courses in certain subjects may be required to have a PGDE (please contact the TSC official in your sub county education office for specific advice depending on the enhancement subject).
Where to pursue a PGDE in Kenya
Now that we’re through with the TSC requirements for PGDE, the next question that comes to mind is where to take the course in Kenya.
In general, a good number of universities offering teacher education degrees in Kenya offer the programme.
These include:
- MMUST (Masinde Muliro University)
- UoN- University of Nairobi
- Machakos University College
- KU- Kenyatta University
- Moi University
- Kisii 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
- UoE- University of Eldoret
- KCA University (Thika Road)
- Egerton University
- Chuka University
- Maseno University
- Daystar University
Overall, you are supposed to adopt a subject methods course when studying.
And since you’re preparing to teach in two approved curriculum subjects at the secondary school level, you should take subject combinations like:
- Mathematics /Fine Arts
- Biological Sciences/biology and Geography
- Religious Education and Physics/Physical Sciences
- Economics/Commerce and Chemistry
- English /History
- French /Kiswahili
Post graduate diploma in education fees
Fees for the PGDE vary from one institution to the next.
To give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend, we compiled a fee guide from a couple of higher learning institutions offering the course.
Take a look:
Post graduate diploma in education fees guide
Institution | PGDE fees | Statutory /administrative charges |
Kenyatta University | Kshs. 130,000 | Kshs. 23,500 |
University of Eldoret | Kshs. 100, 000 (arts) and Kshs.120,000 (sciences) | Kshs. 60,650 (arts) and Kshs.65,650 (sciences) |
Maseno university | Kshs. 76,000 | About Kshs. 15,000 |
KCA university (distance learning) | Kshs. 85,345 | 0 |
Mt Kenya University (as per the MKU PGDE fee structure ) | Kshs. 49,550.00 per semester (count 2 semesters) | Kshs.120000 |
TSC requirements for PGDE – Frequently asked questions [FAQs[
How long does it take to complete a PGDE?
Answer: The PGDE extends for a period of just one calendar year (minimum).
There are two semesters of relevant course work, examinations, and a project.
You spend the last months in teaching practice in a secondary school/an equivalent educational institution.
Note that the teaching practice lasts for the duration of a single academic term (which is 3 months in secondary schools).
Is PGDE equivalent to Masters?
Answer: Nope. This is not a degree course like the Masters but rather an advanced diploma education course.
Can I teach abroad with a PGDE?
Answer: Well, it depends on the country. Some countries won’t consider a PGDE for fulltime teaching positions overseas without some additional teaching certificates.
Others are just fine and recognize PGDEs from Kenya.
ALSO READ:
Qualifications for secondary school teacher in Kenya
Hi I have a concern, I have a degree in B.COM (Accounting) i have an interest in teaching, can I be considered for PGDE???
Yes
Good morning,
I hereby enquire about whether a degree holder in Business Administration (Procurement & supply chain Option) can qualify to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in education and other necessities to fulfill the requirements of the Teachers Service Commission.
Kindly advice.
Yes you can
This is very helpful, thank you. Just to confirm, can I do a PGDE course when I have bachelor of business administration degree?
Yes
Hello, this is a news guideline for 2020. I pursued my pgde in 2015 in maths/ later did enhancement. Now that this is a new guidelines, is it going to affect my desire to be employed by TSC??
ROTICH
Thairu DEDAN .KINDLY GUIDE .CAN I DO P.G.D.E WHEN I HAS BSC IN ACTUARIAL SCIENCE .OR ANY ADVISE AS I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE COURSE.
hallo..i did asked whether i can enroll for P.G.D.E when i have done bsc in actuarial science ,kindly confirm.
Yes
I have a diploma in agriculture and biotechnology can i enroll for a P.G.D.E?
Post graduate means you need to have a degree
Hello, what if I have a degree in Bachelor of science (bsc) and I have not taken 8units in a teaching subject. Can i take it in my PGDE?
Yes
I have a degree in BSc. Environmental Science, do qualify to take PGDE? And if I qualify which subjects combination can choose and which University can I study from
Hi I have done a diploma in pharmacy can I pursue a PGDE
Degree required
Hi i have done degree in IT do i qualify ?
I would like to teach computer studies and myb other subject how is this possible
hi i have done bsc IT can i take a pgde in computer studies
It sounds tricky but I really need a genuine answer I have a BSc IT but didn’t do computer as a subject when I was in high school. Can I qualify for PGDE in maths and computer?
Hello, I have abachelor of science in animal science,can I be considered for a PGDE
All bachelors are allowed
Hello? I hold a ‘Bachelor of Economics’ degree which is neither classified as a BA or BSC degree but has many units for math/business studies combination. Can I be employed by TSC after doing a PGDE?
Is mathematics/computer studies recommended PGDE course?
In my BA I did literature, Linguistics and religious studies but when I was a third year I dropped religious studies and majored in literature and Linguistics. In my PGDE can I be allowed to complete religious studies units as well?
Ask from the institution you have in mind
Dear Sir/Madam,
Good afternoon, I have gone through the requirements and i noted that i did seven units of a teaching subject. My request is, is their any enhancement so that i met the set requirements.
Regards
Dear sir/madam,
Good afternoon, I have Bsc Analytical chemistry. Am I eligible for a PGDE course ?
Yes
Hi,ni Chirchir,am inquiring if its possible to take a PGDE(Chem $Bio) I pursued Bsc Chemistry and graduated with second class honours upper division
Yes
Hello I did BSC agriculture (crop science) i passed well in bio and chem And I was placed in the course.Agriculture I got a D+ .can i do a pgde in teaching bio and agriculture since TSC stipulate you can teach agriculture if you had above C+ in biology?
Kindly contact TSC/A relevant teaching college directly for advise
Iam requesting to know compulsory mathematics unit courses to be registered with tsc
Talk to the guys at TSC for guidance
Hello,I have bachelor of science in wildlife enterprise and management,can I qualify to do PGDE please?
Contact any of the institutions we have mentioned for guidance
Hello. I a dregree with a padd on BSc. zoology. Several Biological courses and 7 Chemistry courses. Can i persue a PGDE in Bio/ Chem?
Visit the institutions we have mentioned here for guidance
i did bsc. in agribusiness management from university of nairobi. Iam i eligible to pursue pgde and considered by tsc
You can pursue PGDE and teach in TVETs. For TSC you need 2 subjects
Dear admin am a Bsc Chemistry graduate and intend to join teaching profession specially Chen/Bio teaching subjects but my worry is I don’t have enough units for Bio guide on the way foward as by the requirements at least 8 units are required in order to be employed by tsc
Hae,I did applied Statistics with computing as a degree,I didn’t take computer in secondary but have A plain in mathematics,Can I do a pgde and be registered and employed as a maths/computer teacher?I have five units of computer,what can i do to make them eight?
Your question is not clear. Please rephrase it
Hi admin l did bachelor of social work can l qualify to do PGDE
The minimum qualification for PGDE is any undergraduate degree
i pursued degree in microbiology, can i do pgde?
The minimum qualification for PGDE is any undergraduate degree.
Dear admin, I did Bachelor of science in Applied statistics with computing. Am I eligible to enroll for PGDE as a teacher in Maths/computer considering I didn’t do computer in secondary school. Thanks
The requirements are a bachelors degree
Thanks adm for this piece ,majority of disturbing questions on PGDE have been answered correctly. with the change in technology and rising numbers if covid 19 cases ,majority of university have now turned to online teaching.
Thanks