Top 30+ Marketable Courses in Kenya & Qualifications 2024

Nowadays, only those who undertake the most marketable courses in Kenya find a job quickly or can create one for themselves and others. With so many colleges and universities in the country offering numerous programs, some fake or just unmarketable, it’s not easy choosing a course that will land you on the job market and make you hirable.

Overall, some of the most marketable courses in Kenya include motor vehicle mechanics, automotive engineering, storekeeping, food & beverage, electrical installation, catering & accommodation, civil engineering, information technology, mechanical engineering, and land surveying.  

Note that the above courses will allow you to earn at least a recognized certificate. They are, however, not the only ones. We have an array of other certificate courses and diploma and degree programs you can pursue. I’ll share them and the respective institutions that offer them.

But first, let’s discuss the tips you can use to find a marketable course and one that is acknowledged in Kenya. At least, that’ll save you from wasting months or years pursuing a course that no one will ever recognize, especially employers.

In a rush? Below is a quick guide to the top 30 highly demanding courses in Kenya:

Best Marketable Courses in Kenya and Their Qualifications

–	Course	Minimum Qualification
Certificate Courses
1	Motor Vehicle Mechanics (MVM)	D Minus
2	Automotive Engineering	D Minus
3	Storekeeping	D Minus
4	Food & Beverages	D Plain
5	Electrical Installation	D Plain
6	Catering & Accommodation	D Plain
7	Civil Engineering	D Plus
8	Information Technology	D Plus
9	Mechanical Engineering	D Plus
10	Land Surveying	D Plus
Diploma Courses
11	Community Health & Development	C Minus
12	Mortuary Science & Practice	C Minus
13	Counseling Psychology	C Minus
14	Health Records & IT	C Minus
15	Web & Graphic Design	C Minus
16	Clinical Medicine	C Plain
17	Nursing	C Plain
18	Animal Health & Production	C Plain
19	Film Production	C Plain
20	Special Needs Education	C Plain
Degree Courses
21	Clinical Medicine	C Plus
22	Mechanical Engineering	C Plus
23	Physical Therapy	C Plus
24	Microbiology	C Plus
25	Nutrition and Dietetics	C Plus
26	Bachelor of Education	C Plus
27	Nursing	C Plus
28	Arts & Film Production	C Plus
29	Civil Engineering	C Plus
30	Software Engineering	C Plus

How to Find the Best Courses in Kenya

Generally, your academic qualifications or grades, especially those of KCSE, determine the course you can take in Kenya. For example, you can only take a degree course with a C Plus and above. Anything below that will require you to sit for a certificate or diploma program and work your way up.

It’s also worth noting that some fields and institutions have higher qualification standards than others. For instance, you may have a C Plus or even a B Plain and still fail to qualify for a degree program in medicine or law. However, such grades are enough to warrant a spot in a business, IT, education, agriculture, science, engineering, and marketing field.

Having said that, ‘it’s vital to ensure your certificate, diploma, or degree is recognized, and that takes the following tips:

• Check if the college/institute is accredited by a recognized exam body such as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), or Kenya Accountants & Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB)
• Check if the institution collaborates with a certified external quality assurance agency such as the Technical & Vocational Education Training Authority (TVETA) for TVETs and the Commission for University Education (CUE)
• Consider other recognized professional bodies such as the Curriculum Development Assessment & Certification Council (CDACC), the National AIDS and STIs Control Program (NASCOP), the Nursing Council of Kenya, the Marketing Society of Kenya (MS), Kenya Institute of Bankers, and Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), to name a few.
• Check if the course is recognized by the Kenya Universities & Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS). You can check the KUCCPS website.
• Check the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) website to see if the institution is accredited and registered.
• Visit Education.go.ke to verify the existence of the program
• Check out medical courses on the Pharmacy & Poisons Board website

Guide to the Best Course to Study in Kenya

Now that you know how to find a recognized and accredited course in Kenya, below are the most marketable certificate, diploma, and degree programs:

Best Marketable Certificate Courses in Kenya

In Kenya, certificate courses take between 1 month and two years, depending on the field and qualification, and you can take one with a D Minus and above.

Best Courses in Kenya with D Minus and Below

While a D Minus isn’t the prettiest grade, it’s not entirely a lost course. You can do something with a D Minus in Kenya and still become a key player in society and, more importantly, earn a living.

Here are some marketable courses for D Minus and below and the institutions offering them:

–	Certificate	Institution
1	Motor Vehicle Mechanics (MVM)	Embu College, Railway Training Institute, and Kenya Institute of Professional Studies (KIPS)
2	Automotive Engineering	Nyandarua Polytechnic, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Kisumu Polytechnic, Meru National Polytechnic, and Wote Technical Training Institute
3	Storekeeping	Zetech University, Richstar College, and Uasin Gishu Technical Training Institute
4	Front Office Operation	Rift Valley Institute of Science & Technology (RVIST)
5	Carpentry & Joinery	PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute
6	Electrical Engineering (Power)	Nyandarua Polytechnic, Kaiboi Technical Training Institute, Kiirua Technical Training Institute, Mukurweini Technical Training Institute, and Kapsinende Technical and Vocational College
7	Plumbing Artisan	RVIST, Kabete Polytechnic, Ziwa Technical Training Institute, Kenya Water Institute, Mathenge Technical Training Institute, Ugenya Technical and Vocational College, and Murang’a Technical and Vocational College.
8	Masonry & Bricklaying	Kisumu Polytechnic and Uwezo College
9	Solar PV Installation	RVIST, Nuu Technical and Vocational College, and Northeastern National Polytechnic
10	Refrigeration & Air Conditioning	Kabete Polytechnic, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, and Jodan College
11	Fashion Design (Dress Making)	RVIST, Mumbuni Technical Training College, Cambridge Universal College Nakuru, and Nakuru College of Commerce and Hospitality
12	Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy	Kisii Polytechnic, Rwika Technical Training Institute, Jodan College, Uzuri Institute, and Meru Polytechnic
13	Welding & Fabrication	Kisii Polytechnic, Kabete Polytechnic, and Railway Training Institute

Best Marketable Courses in Kenya with A D Plain and Above

Mote technical institutes and vocational colleges will likely accept you with a D Plain and above than a D Minus. Here are some of these institutions and their respective certificate programs:

–	Certificate	Institution
1	Food & Beverages	Kisumu Polytechnic, Beam Technical Training Centre, Mawego Technical Training Institute, NIBS College, Kitale National Polytechnic, and Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
2	Electrical Wiring & Installation	Kisii Polytechnic, Kabete Polytechnic, and Railway Training Institute
3	Catering & Accommodation	Mathenge Technical Training Institute, NIBS College, Nyeri Polytechnic, Maasai Mara Technical Vocational College, and ICS College
4	Plant Mechanics	North Eastern National Polytechnic, Kenya Institute of Highways & Building Technology, Kisii National Polytechnic, and Nyeri National Polytechnic
5	Sales and Marketing	Kenya Institute of Management, Siaya Institute of Technology, NIBS College, and Skynet Business College
6	Building & Construction Technology	Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology, Chuka Technical Training Institute, Eldoret Polytechnic, PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute, Kisumu Polytechnic, and KIST
7	Science Laboratory	Kisumu Polytechnic, Kisiwa Technical Training Institute, and KIST

Marketable Courses in Kenya with A D+ and Above

Most public universities and colleges in Kenya will accept you for their certificate programs with a D Plus or higher. Here are some of the most marketable courses to consider with a D Plus and above:

–	Certificate	Institution
1	Civil Engineering	Kenya Coast Polytechnic, Nyandarua Institute of Technology, Mawego Technical Training Institute, and Sigalagala National Polytechnic
2	Information Technology	RVIST,  Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kisumu Polytechnic, and Tseikuru Technical Training Institute
3	Mechanical Engineering	Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic, Keroka Technical Training Institute, and Kaiboi Technical Training Institute
4	Land Surveying	Kaiboi Technical Training Institute, Eldoret Polytechnic, Sigalagala National Polytechnic, Kitale National Polytechnic, and Kenya Institute of Surveying & Mapping
5	Social Work & Development	Greenwich College, Kenya Institute of Professional Studies (KIPS), Uwezo College, and Bondo Technical Training Institute
6	TV & Film Production	Petann Institute of Business Studies and Institute of Media & Technology Thika
7	Nutrition & Dietetics	KIPS and Imperial Institute of Management
8	ICT Technician	Thika Technical Training Institute, RVIST, Eldoret Technical Training Institute, and African Institute of Research & Development

Best Diploma Marketable Courses in Kenya

Diploma courses are more marketable than certificate courses in Kenya, especially in the same niche. For instance, a Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics is more marketable than a certificate in the same field.

You can qualify for most diploma programs with a grade of C- and above;

Marketable Courses in Kenya with C- and Above

With a C Minus and above, you can settle for any of these top marketable diploma courses:

–	Diploma	Institution
1	Community Health & Development	Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Uzima University, and Thika School of Medical & Health Science (TSMHS)
2	Mortuary Science & Practice	Uzima University
3	Counseling Psychology	Uzima University, TSMHS, East Africa Institute of Professional Counselling, and Tropical College of Management Eldoret
4	Health Records & IT	Uzima University, Imperial College of Medical & Health Science, Jodan College, TSMHS, Mount Kenya University, and Eldoret Technical Training Institute
5	Web & Graphic Design	Kenya College of Interior Design, Africa Digital Media Institute, and Cornerstone Training Institute
6	Tourism Management	Eldoret Technical Training Institute, NIBS College, and East Africa Institute of Certified Studies
7	Nutrition & Dietetics	TSMHS, Jodan College, Eldoret Technical Training Institute, Nima College, and East Africa Institute of Certified Studies
8	Sales and Marketing	NIBS College, Kisii University, Barton College, and Beam International Training Center

Marketable Courses in Kenya with C Plain and Above

A C Plain is often considered the average grade, which is enough to warrant you a spot for any diploma course at any college or university in the country. Here are some of the most marketable diploma courses for grade C plain and above.

–	Diploma	Institution
1	Clinical Medicine	KMTC and Uzima College
2	Nursing	KMTC and Uzima College
3	Animal Health & Production	Masinde Muliro University, Mount Kenya University, Jomo Kenyatta University (JKUAT), and Chuka University
4	Film Production	Kisumu Polytechnic, Kitale National Polytechnic, and Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
5	Special Needs Education	Mount Kenya University and Kenyatta University
6	Journalism and Mass Communication	Kenya Institute of Mass Communication
7	Mechanical Engineering	Taita Taveta University College, Meru University, Kirinyaga University, and Masinde Muliro University

Marketable Degree Courses in Kenya Today

Once you score a C Plus and above, you are likely to be shortlisted by KUCCPS for a degree program at a local university or polytechnic. And even if they don’t, you can always apply directly as a self-sponsored student and here are the most marketable courses in Kenya with C Plus and above:

–	Degree	Institution
1	Clinical Medicine	Uzima University, Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), Egerton University, and Great Lakes University of Kisumu
2	Mechanical Engineering	University of Nairobi (UoN), Riara University, Strathmore University, Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Mount Kenya University, JKUAT, and Moi University
3	Physical Therapy	Amref International University, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, and Moi University
4	Microbiology	Uzima University, UoN, Maseno University, Egerton University, and Moi University
5	Nutrition and Dietetics	UoN, JKUAT, Maseno University, Masinde Muliro University, and Mount Kenya University
6	Bachelor of Education	UoN, Laikipia University, KeMU, African Nazarene, University of Eldoret, Daystar University, and Riara University
7	Nursing	Kenyatta University and UoN
8	Arts & Film Production	UoN, Multimedia University, Daystar University, Maseno University, Egerton University, Riara University, and Kenyatta University
9	Civil Engineering	Dedan Kimathi University, Maseno University, Egerton University, JKUAT, UoN, Moi University, Eldoret University, and TUK
10	Software Engineering	UoN, Kenyatta University, Moi University, Maseno University, African Nazarene, Multimedia University, Strathmore University, and JKUAT
11	Bachelor of Commerce (B-Com)	UoN, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, TUK, Maseno University, Eldoret University, and Strathmore University
12	Mathematics & Statistics	UoN, JKUAT, Mount Kenya University, Daystar University, KeMU, TUK, Strathmore University, and Kabarak University

Concluding Thought:

The above certificate, diploma, and degree programs are undeniably the most Marketable courses in Kenya today. They will probably stay that for a long time. If your goal is to get a well-paying and sustainable job or create one for yourself and others (which you should do), those are the courses to pursue – depending on your academic qualifications, interests, and career aspirations.

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