Unfortunately, not all of us get to qualify for degree courses. But that does not signal the end of formal education.
This is because there are also very many well-paying and marketable diploma courses that you can pursue in Kenya.
And, a good number of these courses will result in you still working in white-collar jobs and big offices.
In this post, I will tell you about these courses, their entry requirements, and possible career paths you can take.
Marketable diploma courses in Kenya
1. Software Engineering (coding/programming)
The demand for skilled software engineers is on the rise as we continue adopting technology into almost all sectors of our lives.
In most institutions, to qualify for a Diploma in Software Engineering, you need a KCSE mean grade of C-.
Possible career paths: Software developer, website developer, mobile apps developer, game developer, UI/UX designer, cloud engineer, embedded systems engineer, etc.
You can learn more about software engineering here.
2. Nursing
For a long time, nursing has been one of the most marketable courses globally, and Kenya is not an exception.
To qualify for a Diploma in Nursing, you need to meet these entry requirements:
- Mean grade of C plain in KCSE
- Have a C plain in either English or Kiswahili
- C plain in Biology
- Have at least a C- in Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics
Moving on…
There are more than two dozen specialization areas that you can choose from depending on your passion.
Some of these areas include orthopedic nursing, pediatric nursing, emergency room nursing, midwifery nursing, oncology nursing, pre-operative nursing, etc.
There are some good medical schools such as KMTC where you can undertake a Diploma in Nursing.
However, be sure to first confirm that the institution you’re applying to is approved by the Nursing Council of Kenya.
One more thing: If you hope to one day work abroad, then this is a good course for you considering how in-demand nurses are in developed countries.
3. Cybersecurity
Since data is the new oil, there has been an increase in the number of cybercrimes as hackers try to steal or encrypt user data for monetary gains.
This has given rise to a high demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals to keep the bad guys at bay.
As a cybersecurity professional, you can work in both the public and private sectors in a variety of roles based on your area of specialization.
Possible career paths: forensic analyst, network security engineer, cloud security specialist, security consultant, compliance analyst, cryptographer, penetration tester, etc.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to qualify for a Diploma in Cybersecurity:
- Basic IT skills
- At least a C- in KCSE or a Level 5 Cybersecurity certificate.
SEE: Diploma in Cybersecurity in Kenya
4. Sales & Marketing
If you go to any business or company, you will find that they have a dedicated sales and marketing department.
The main role of this department is to increase revenue through sales.
While some people might look down on salespeople, they are among the highest paid employees in their organizations.
However, there lies a catch – they must be good at their work.
And to be good, they need to be outgoing people who can persuade others to purchase their products/services.
So, if this feels like you, then I would highly recommend you take this course.
To qualify for a Diploma in Sales & Marketing, you only need to have a minimum grade of C- in KCSE.
5. Digital Marketing
With most people spending their time online, businesses are also transitioning their marketing to online platforms.
This has led to a very high demand for digital marketers to work side-by-side with the sales & marketing personnel.
Now, if you’re a bit tech-savvy, then this can be a good diploma course to do.
If you’re new to digital marketing, you can learn what it involves here.
To that end, you only need at least a C- in KCSE to qualify for a Diploma in Digital Marketing.
6. Graphic Design
As I have just mentioned, many companies are taking their marketing campaigns to the digital space.
And of course, most of these marketing campaigns will require good graphics that can capture the attention of readers.
This has led to many of these companies hiring full-time inhouse graphics designers.
Fortunately, there are many good institutions that offer a Diploma in Graphic Design in Kenya.
One more thing: This course can be a great option for you if you have a creative eye that can tell stories well in shapes and colors.
ALSO READ: Graphic design course in Kenya
7. Videography and Film Production
The rise in video content creation has led to this course being one of the most marketable diploma courses in Kenya overnight.
In addition to shooting and editing videos for content creators, there are many other opportunities that you can take advantage of.
These include freelance video editing gigs that you can get from job platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork.
Usually, these gigs can pay as much as $1,000 for big projects.
Possible career paths: Videographer, video editor, documentary filmmaker, visual effects artist, video marketing specialist, events videographer, sound engineer, etc.
Now, to qualify for a Diploma in Videography and Film Production course, you need to have:
- Basic computer skills
- At least a C- in KCSE
However, you can also do a good certificate in videography with at least a D- in KCSE.
8. Human Resource Management
For businesses and organizations to run smoothly, they need human resource personnel to deal with matters such as recruiting, employee compensation, employee relations, promotions, and so on.
Medium-sized and large organizations have dedicated human resource departments that can even have tens of employees.
Nonetheless, small businesses haven’t been left behind – they also have human resource personnel (one or more depending on the number of employees).
To be honest, with a Diploma in Human Resource Management, you can rarely go for long without work.
Below are the minimum entry requirements for a Diploma in Huma Resource Management in most colleges in Kenya:
- At least a C- in KCSE
- A D- in either English or Kiswahili
- A minimum of D- in mathematics
9. Caregiving/Healthcare Assistant (Certified Nursing Assistant)
This course trains on how to take care of people who are not fully dependent on themselves due to underlying conditions.
These people include the elderly, people living with disabilities, and those with terminal illnesses or serious injuries.
As a caregiver, you can get employed in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, or as a personal caregiver in well-off homes.
Furthermore, this course is quite marketable in developed countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
As such, if you wish to work abroad, then this might be something you should consider.
To learn more about the caregiving course, read our other guide: Caregiving course in Kenya.
Parting words on marketable diploma courses in Kenya
At this stage, let me mention that there is no 100% sure-bet course.
However, some courses have a higher demand than others.
And, the courses that we have mentioned above are the ones that have the highest market demand.
One more thing: When studying a technical course such as software engineering or digital marketing, you can increase your marketability by making sure you have a good portfolio.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Marketable short courses in Kenya
Most marketable courses in Kenya by 2025
Best paying technical courses in Kenya
Patrick is a digital marketer and web designer by profession but on the side, he talks about how to use skills to make money online. He studied Applied Statistics at the university. He’s also an avid reader and digital skills trainer. Have any questions? Connect with him on LinkedIn.