This article outlines the list of Most Marketable Degree courses in Kenya.
Due to the increasing rate of unemployment and graduates tarmacking for long before getting a job, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement(KUCCPS) has highlighted some of the courses that if taken can secure one job almost immediately after graduation.
Recently, there are some courses that were scraped out of universities due to a lack of reliability in the job market. Every year, over 800,000 graduates are dispatched into the job market, but due to lack of employment opportunities, many of them end up losing hope resulting in menial jobs to earn a living.
Read Most Marketable Medical Courses in Kenya, Salaries and Qualifications 2021.
Here are some of the marketable degree courses in Kenya;
1. Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
For one to pursue a bachelor of medicine and surgery in any university, one must have obtained a mean grade of C+ and passed principal subjects. The course takes a duration of six academic years each with three semesters. The courses comprise several units like; anatomy, Biochemistry, pharmacology, among others, and regular tests that are done to check the progress of the student.
The graduate will work in a hospital, clinic, or any other medical required field, The course is so much marketable because the health sector is a crucial institution and needs to be taken with caution and so does it require many experts.
2. Bachelor of Software Engineering and Web Design
This becomes the second marketable course because it entails mobile applications, programming, web design and development, and analytics among others. These activities are vital in our daily lives since we need to use phones, computers, and home appliances that have been well-programmed so that it does not bring harm to the user.
The course takes a period of full four academic years for a bachelors’ degree. There are not many specifications about the course only that one needs to have had a minimum mean grade of C+ and good knowledge in mathematics as the course entails a lot of calculations.
One can be employed or employ himself by creating applications and selling to sponsors and investors or building websites for businesses and corporates.
There are many website designers in Kenya with most of them based in Nairobi Kenya. Safaricom and Website Hosting Kenya are some of the most trusted and experienced web designers in Kenya.
The average salary of a software engineer is approximately Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000 depending on a number of factors.
3. Bachelor of Pharmacy
This is a medical course that deals with preparing and dispensing drugs to various users. It’s a marketable course because the health sector needs specialists to manufacture medicine for the upcoming diseases.
Only trained personnel are allowed to run pharmacies for the purpose of issuing various drugs to the sick as well as hospitals. A bachelor of pharmacy course takes approximately five academic years of training in a University or certified medical training center.
To take this course, one must have excelled in core subjects such as biology and chemistry. In addition to that, one must have attained the minimum university entry grade.
Pharmacists can work in both private and public hospitals, research institutions, schools, universities, and personal chemists or pharmacies provided they have a license to operate such business.
The average salary of a pharmacist in Kenya is approximately Ksh 100,000.
Read LIST OF ALL COURSES OFFERED AT KMTC
4. Piloting/Aviation Course
Many people when growing up dreamt of becoming pilots but only a few can make it into the shortlist of pilots due to the demanding requirements to pursue this course. It is particularly too expensive to train as a pilot such that most people with a passion for aviation end up ditching their aspirations due to financial challenges.
To pursue a course in aviation, one must have a mean grade of C+ at KCSE, having passed in Physics, Mathematics, and English. In addition to that, a pilot or a potential pilot trainee must have a valid Class 2 Medical Certificate.
To be allowed to fly an airplane day and night, one must be at least 17 years of age and have the Private Pilot License (PPL), which allows students to obtain the foundational knowledge and skills for all future aircraft pilot training.
The average salary of a pilot in Kenya ranges from Ksh 132, 000 to Ksh 420,000 per month.
5. Bachelor of Law
A Bachelor of laws degree is arguably one of the most marketable degree courses in Kenya. The course entails training for practice in both public and private law. One may also train as an international lawyer but this course is mostly offered in international universities.
To pursue the course, one must have a mean grade of C+ at KCSE, with a B in both English and Swahili languages.
The course takes four academic years and an additional two years of training at the Kenya School of Law in order to be registered as a lawyer in Kenya. Graduates from Kenya school of law are officially admitted to the bar by the president of the law society of Kenya.
Lawyers can work in both private and public law firms but most do work in private firms. They can also work as government lawyers representing the state in various court proceedings. Most lawyers however like working independently with private registered law firms.
The average salary of a lawyer in Kenya ranges from Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 200,000 per month depending on a number of factors.
6. Bachelor of Science Engineering
Engineering is considered one of the most prestigious courses in Kenya. The course entails the study of various concepts relating to the field of engineering under different disciplines. Some of the engineering disciplines mostly studied in Kenya include civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
To pursue a course in engineering, one must have attained the minimum university entry grade C+ and passed in principal subjects. An engineering program takes up to five years of study with three semesters in each academic year. However, this depends on the institution’s programs.
An average engineer in Kenya earns a basic salary of not less than Ksh 100,000.
7. Bachelor of Information Technology (ICT)
An ICT specialist is an individual who is trained to solve problems concerning information technology or computer systems in a organization or a business.
Information Technologists work in IT departments solving various technical issues affecting the companies information or computer systems.
To pursue a course in Information Technology, one must have scored a mean grade of C plus at KCSE and a pass in principle subjects including mathematics and English.
There are many career opportunities basing on ICT such as web developer, computer systems manager, Data recovery Manager, Information Technology Manager and other career opportunities.
The average salary of an Information Technology Specialist is not less than Ksh 60,000 but can go up to Ksh 200, 000.
8. Bachelor of Actuarial Sciences.
It involves dealing with risk assessment and the modelling of uncertainty which entails rigorous application of mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in industries including insurance and finance.
One must have very wide knowledge of mathematics in order to take the course. Graduates can seek employment or either become business analysts, budget analysts at intelligence insurance claims or agencies.
The average salary of an actuarial scientist in Kenya is Ksh 150,000 but can go up depending on a number of factors.
9. Bachelor of Architecture
This is a diverse course that involves training in designing and construction of different types of structures including residential houses, corporate estates, business premises as well as infrastructure.
An architect may work with real estate firms, the government, or private entities.
To pursue a course in architecture, one must have scored the minimum university entry grade C+ and passed in core subjects including mathematics.
The average salary of an architect in Kenya ranges from Ksh 500,000 to 1 Million. This can go high or low depending on a number of factors. However, most architects are paid on a commission basis, taking 6% of the total cost of construction.
Disclaimer!
This is just but an analysis of the most marketable degree courses in Kenya which has been conducted from existing information from various sources. While this information can be used in making career decisions, it cannot be fully relied on as the final decision lies with the bearer.
