Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered

Are you looking to know what the best colleges in Kenya are and what courses are offered in these colleges?

If yes, then this post is for you.

In this post, I will tell you about the best public and private colleges in Kenya and the courses that they offer.

Best colleges in Kenya and courses offered

When choosing a college to enroll at, there are several factors that we normally take into consideration.

Some of these factors include the college’s location, reputation, teaching faculty, and facilities among others.

However, one often overlooked point is what area the college excels at.

You see, some colleges are best known for offering good engineering courses, others for good beauty courses, others for great IT courses, and so on.

For this reason, I will categorize these colleges depending on what areas of specialization they are best at.

Best for marketable Information Communication Technology (ICT) courses

Kenya Online College – private

Kenya Online College is located at Gatkim Complex, 2nd Floor, along Temple Road, Behind Ronald Ngala Post Office.

The college offers a variety of diploma and certificate courses tailored for form-four leavers, career changers, and those looking to upskill.

The courses offered at Kenya Online College are among the most in-demand courses in the country.

Here’s a list of their diploma courses:

• Diploma in Software Engineering
• Diploma in Cybersecurity
• Diploma in ICT
• Diploma in Digital Marketing

The institute also offers marketable short-term certificate courses such as:

• Digital Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Social Media Marketing & Management
• Photography
• Film Production and Videography
• Cyber Security
• Online jobs courses such as virtual assistance, blogging & transcription

If you’re hearing some of these courses for the first time, it’s natural to be a bit skeptical.

However, these courses are very in demand both locally and internationally as they open doors to some well-paying full-time and online jobs such as graphic design, video editing, social media management, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and content creation among others.

Why should you choose Kenya Online College?

1. Experienced trainers: Their trainers are well-known industry professionals with years of experience in the IT field. In other words, you’ll be learning from industry giants.
2. Hands-on training: Being industry professionals themselves, the team at Kenya Online College understands the need for practical skills in the industry.

That’s why, they normally teach their programs using a full hands-on approach with students getting to work on real-world projects and internships.

3. In-depth and industry-relevant curriculum: This ensures that students get quality industry skills that are relevant to the job market.
4. Industry partnerships: The institute has partnered with some established local businesses and companies to offer students guest training and internship opportunities.

Through these partnerships, students get to network with possible employers where they can showcase their skills.

Furthermore, Kenya Online College also links some of its students with employers who are looking for fresh talent.

5. Multiple learning modes: They have both physical and online classes. Just so you know, their online classes have both instructor-led and self-paced classes.

This way, you do not have to worry about missing a class even if you’re a busy professional.

For more information, you can check their courses page.

Alternatively, you can call/WhatsApp them on 0797 532 345.

 

Other good options for learning IT courses in Kenya are:

1. Sigalagala National Polytechnic – public
2. Laikipia East Technical and Vocational College – public
3. Dangote Institute of Technology – private

Best colleges for engineering courses

Nyeri National Polytechnic (NNP) – public

Having been established in 1977, the Nyeri National Polytechnic is one of the grandfathers of Kenyan colleges.

The college offers a variety of courses at various levels namely:

• Higher Diploma level
• Diploma level
• Certificate level
• Artisan certificate
• Competency based skills level

Now, the most popular engineering courses at Nyeri National Polytechnic are:

• Automotive Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Building & Civil Engineering

Remember, that these courses are offered at all 5 levels above.

Contact them via 0724 477 942 or info@thenyeripoly.ac.ke.

Kitale National Polytechnic – public

We also recommend Kitale National Polytechnic for engineering courses such as:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical & Electronics Engineering
• Automotive Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering

For further information, you can get in touch with them via 0721 379 304, 0780 379 304, or email them at info@kitalenationalpolytechnic.ac.ke.

Kenya Coast Polytechnic – public

This is another well-established college that has some good engineering courses offering them at certificate and engineering levels.

Their engineering courses are:

• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical & Automotive Engineering
• Building & Civil Engineering

You can contact them via 0712 725 554 or 0710 389 727.

Best in hospitality, catering, and tourism studies

Boma International Hospitality College (BIHC) – private

BIHC is one of the few colleges in Kenya offering internationally accepted hospitality management courses.

If you dream of working in 5-star hotels internationally, then studying at Boma is one of the surest ways to achieve this.

As a student at BIHC, you have the opportunity to undertake a paid internship internationally in places such as the US, the Middle East, or the Caribbean.

Some of their courses are:

• Swiss Diploma in Culinary Arts
• Certificate in Culinary Operations
• Swiss Diploma in International Hospitality Management
• Certificate in Hospitality Operations
• Diploma in Baking & Patisserie
• Certificate in Baking & Patisserie
• Professional Hospitality Development Program
• The Art of Mixology
• Executive Certificate in Events Management
• Barista short course

For more information, contact them via 0719 050 540 or study@bihc.ac.ke.

Amboseli Institute of Hospitality and Technology – private

This institute is based in Thika and it has been in operation for quite a long time and it’s also another excellent college for hospitality courses.

Courses offered at Amboseli Institute of Hospitality and Technology

• Diploma/Certificate in Hospitality Management
• Diploma/Certificate in Pastry & Bakery
• Diploma/Certificate in Food Production
• Diploma in Front Office Operations
• Diploma in Tour Guiding Administration
• Certificate in Tour & Travel Management
• Certificate in Housekeeping Operations Techniques

Call 0720 663 860 or 0732 539 762 to learn more about their courses.

 

Some other good colleges that you can enroll in for hospitality and tourism courses are:

1. Mathenge Polytechnic
2. Kenya Utalii College
3. Eldoret Technical Training Institute

Best beauty colleges in Kenya

If you’re looking to pursue a beauty-related course such as cosmetology or hairdressing, we recommend you first check the colleges below as they offer the best beauty-related courses.

Vera Beauty & Fashion College

This perhaps the best beauty and fashion college in Kenya.

It’s situated in Nairobi and its main examiner is KNEC hence you’re assured of a recognized certificate upon graduation.

The college offers a variety of diploma and certificate courses such as:

• Diploma in Cosmetology and Creative Arts
• Diploma/certificate in Beauty Therapy
• Diploma/Certificate in Hairdressing
• Diploma in Fashion Design and Creative Arts
• Diploma/Certificate in Interior Design in Soft Furnishing

It also has specialty short courses such as:

• Hair Treatments, Setting, and Styling
• Barbering
• Beauty and Modelling
• Make-up and Eyebrows
• Aromatherapy
• Manicure & Pedicure
• General Massage
• Shiatsu and Thai Massage

For more information, you can call them on 0704 577 577 or check their website.

Apart from Vera Beauty College, there are some other good beauty colleges such as:

1. Ashleys Hair and Beauty Academy
2. Beauty Point College
3. Kenya Institute of Professional Studies

Best colleges to study business and marketing courses in Kenya

If your dream is to pursue a business-related course, then here are some good colleges that you can enroll at.

Kenya Institute of Professional Studies (KIPS)

Their main campus is next to Epren Academy, Donholm Road.

Nonetheless, they have three other campuses in Nairobi CBD, one along Thika Road not to mention they have virtual classes too.

You can enroll at KIPS for these business courses:

• Diploma/Certificate in Banking & Finance
• Diploma/Certificate in Human Resource Management
• Diploma/Certificate in Business Management
• Diploma in Sales and Marketing
• Diploma/Certificate in Accountancy
• Diploma/Certificate in Supply Chain Management
• Diploma/Certificate in Customer Service

For more information on their courses, you can visit their website or call them on 0720 813 113.

Nairobi Technical Training Institute (NTTI)

NTTI could be a good option when it comes to business courses in Kenya.

Consider them if you are looking to pursue any of these courses:

• Diploma/Certificate in Sales and Marketing
• Diploma/Certificate in Human Resource Management
• Diploma/Certificate in Supply Chain Management
• Diploma/Certificate in Business Management

The institute is located along Mogira Road, Off Park Road and Ring Road Ngara between Kariokor and Pangani Police Station.

You can also reach them via 07121 233 394.

Best colleges for CPA, ATD, and other accounting courses

If you are looking to do CPA/ATD courses in Kenya, here are some great colleges you can study at:

1. Summit Institute of Professionals (Nairobi)
2. Rware College of Accounts (Nyeri)
3. Oshwal College (Nairobi)
4. Kenya College of Accountancy (Kisumu)

Nevertheless, there are also some other great CPA colleges across Kenya that you can consider depending on your location.

Best colleges for medical studies in Kenya

Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) – public

KMTC is inarguably the best college when it comes to medical courses in Kenya.

It offers a variety of courses in the certificate, diploma, and higher diploma levels.

Some of the courses it offers are:

Higher Diploma Courses at KMTC

• Higher Diploma in Nursing
• Higher Diploma in Public Health
• Higher Diploma in Medical Education
• Higher Diploma in Addictive Sciences
• Higher Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Higher Diploma in Radiography & Imaging
• Higher Diploma in Health Systems Management (distance learning)

Diploma Courses at KMTC

• Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics
• Diploma in Clinical Medicine & Surgery
• Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Diploma in Dental Technology
• Diploma in Community Health Nursing
• Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing & Midwifery
• Diploma in Health Records
• Diploma in Mortuary Science

  Certificate courses at KMTC

• Certificate in Health Records and Information Technology
• Certificate in Nutrition & Dietetics
• Certificate in Medical Engineering
• Certificate in Community Health Assistant
• Certificate in Medical Emergency Technician
• Certificate in Orthopedic Trauma Medicine

Outspan Medical College – private

If you do not get a sit in KMTC, you can try Outspan Medical College.

It is located in Nyeri and it offers a variety of accredited medical diploma and certificate courses in:

• Critical Care Nursing
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Psychology
• Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Health Records and Information Technology
• Perioperative Theatre Technology

For assistance, you can reach them on 0702 303 777 or write to them at info@omc.ac.ke.

Best film and media studies colleges in Kenya

Below are our top recommendations if you want to pursue Film & Media Studies-related courses in Kenya:

1. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC)
2. Kenya Institute of Media and Technology
3. African Institute of Research and Development Studies (AIRADS College)
4. Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI)

Best colleges in Kenya for agriculture-related courses

Here are our top picks for students looking to pursue agriculture courses in Kenya:

1. Kenya School of Agriculture (has several campuses throughout Kenya) – public
2. Baraka Agriculture College (Nakuru) – private
3. Bukura Agriculture College (Mumias Central) – public
4. AHITI Kabete

Final words on best colleges in Kenya and courses offered

So there goes our list of some of the best public and private colleges in Kenya and their courses.

Remember, there are a significant number of new TVET colleges that have been built across the country.

And, most of these TVETs are quickly catching up with these well-established colleges.

So, don’t take that small TVET in your locality for granted as it might also be a gem in the making.

ALSO READ:

Cheapest colleges in Nairobi

Colleges in Thika and courses offered 

Colleges in Nairobi offering certificate courses

TVETS in Nairobi (and the courses they offer)

TVET courses and qualifications