List of 133 Useless Courses in Kenya | Universities and Why

useless courses in kenya

Have you ever considered whether university courses prepare students for real-world challenges? In Kenya, there’s been quite a stir around specific programs that some call “useless courses.”

It started when the Commission for University Education (CUE) looked into the courses offered by various universities and found a shocking number of programs that didn’t seem to hold any value in the job market.

In this article, we will give you a list of these 133 useless courses in Kenya or, if you may, the list of the unapproved courses in Kenya, the real reason why they are considered worthless, and the universities offering them in Kenya.

List of 133 Useless Courses in Kenya

Below is a list of the most useless courses in Kenya, according to CUE:

Science and Technology

  1. Bachelor of Science in Polymer Chemistry (4 universities)
  2. Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics (4 universities)
  3. Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Modeling (4 universities)
  4. Bachelor of Science in Medical Physics (4 universities)
  5. Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics with Computing (5 universities)
  6. Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (5 universities)
  7. Bachelor of Science in Botany (5 universities)
  8. Bachelor of Science in Informatics (5 universities)
  9. Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management (5 universities)
  10. Bachelor of Science in Zoology (5 universities)
  11. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies (5 universities)
  12. Bachelor of Science in Control and Instrumentation (21 universities)
  13. Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Biotechnology)
  14. Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Economics)
  15. Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Economics with IT)
  16. Bachelor of Science (Agriculture Education)
  17. Bachelor of Science (Agronomy with IT)
  18. Bachelor of Science (Animal Production & Health)
  19. Bachelor of Science (Animal Science)
  20. Bachelor of Science (Applied Statistics with Computing)
  21. Bachelor of Science (Applied Statistics with IT)
  22. Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry)
  23. Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
  24. Bachelor of Science (Botany)
  25. Bachelor of Science (Business Information Systems)
  26. Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
  27. Bachelor of Science (Control and Instrumentation)
  28. Bachelor of Science (Dry Land Agriculture)
  29. Bachelor of Science (Earth Science with IT)
  30. Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health)
  31. Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
  32. Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science with IT)
  33. Bachelor of Science (Environmental Studies)
  34. Bachelor of Science (Fashion Design and Textile)
  35. Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science)
  36. Bachelor of Science (Geography and Natural Resource Management)  
  37. Bachelor of Science (Health Records and Information)
  38. Bachelor of Science (Hospitality and Tourism Management)
  39. Bachelor of Science (Industrial Chemistry with IT)
  40. Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Sciences with IT)
  41. Bachelor of Science (Mathematics & Business Studies with IT)
  42. Bachelor of Science (Mathematics & Computer Science)  
  43. Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Science)
  44. Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Dietetics with IT)
  45. Bachelor of Science (Physics with IT)
  46. Bachelor of Science (Renewable Energy)
  47. Bachelor of Science (Soil Science)
  48. Bachelor of Science (Water Resources and Environment)
  49. Bachelor of Science (Wildlife Management)

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Business and Management

  1. Bachelor of Commerce (6 universities)
  2. Bachelor of Business Management and Information (8 universities)
  3. Bachelor of Business Information Technology
  4. Bachelor of Business Management
  5. Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management (8 universities)
  6. Bachelor of Business Information Technology (10 universities)
  7. Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies with IT (26 universities)
  8. Bachelor of Developmental Studies
  9. Bachelor of Human Resource Management
  10. Bachelor of Developmental Studies

Education

  1. Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (10 universities)
  2. Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
  3. Bachelor of Education (French with IT)
  4. Kiswahali
  5. Bachelor of Education (Arts) (18 universities)
  6. Bachelor of Education (Science) (18 universities)
  7. Bachelor of Education (Home Science with IT)
  8. Bachelor of Education in Special Needs Education (Secondary Education) (18 universities)

Humanities and Social Sciences

  1. Bachelor of Arts (Geography) (5 universities)
  2. Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Public Administration) (5 universities)
  3. Bachelor of Arts in Community Development (5 universities)
  4. Bachelor of Arts (Developmental and Policy Studies) (7 universities)
  5. Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Psychology (9 universities)
  6. Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Governance (10 universities)
  7. Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology (22 universities)
  8. Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (27 universities)
  9. Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies (27 universities)
  10. Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (27 universities)
  11. Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Development Studies (27 universities)
  12. Bachelor of Arts (Applied Linguistics)
  13. Bachelor of Arts (Business Studies with IT)
  14. Bachelor of Arts (Development Studies with IT)
  15. Bachelor of Arts (Developmental and Policy Studies)
  16. Bachelor of Arts (Geography)
  17. Bachelor of Arts (Peace Education)
  18. Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Public Administration)  
  19. Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Anthropology with IT)
  20. Bachelor of Arts (Translation and Interpretation)
  21. Bachelor of Arts (with IT)
  22. Bachelor of Arts Community Development
  23. Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
  24. Bachelor of Arts in Community Development
  25. Bachelor of Arts in Counselling Psychology
  26. Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
  27. Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Governance

Read Also: Top 15+ Criminology Courses in Kenya| Institution, Fees and Requirements

Health and Medicine

  1. Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine (11 universities)
  2. Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management
  3. Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
  4. Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture and Fisheries
  5. Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (9 universities)
  6. Bachelor of Science in Public Health (9 universities)
  7. Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (20 universities)
  8. Bachelor of Pharmacy (24 universities)
  9. Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics
  10. Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Modelling
  11. Bachelor of Science in Medical Physics
  12. Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management
  13. Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
  14. Bachelor of Science in Health Records and Information Management (29 universities)
  15. Bachelor of Science in Oral Health (29 universities)
  16. Bachelor of Science in Polymer Chemistry

Agriculture and Environment

  1. Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (7 universities)
  2. Bachelor of Science in Soil Science (7 universities)
  3. Bachelor of Science in Water Resources and Environment (7 universities)
  4. Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (7 universities)
  5. Bachelor of Science in Dry Land Agriculture (18 universities)
  6. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology (20 universities)
  7. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics (20 universities)
  8. Bachelor of Science in Animal Production & Health (30 universities)
  9. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (30 universities)
  10. Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management (30 universities)

Law

  1. Bachelor of Law (LL.B.)

Others

  1. Bachelor of Science
  2. Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy)

Also, read: Official List Medical Courses in Kenya and their Requirements | 2024 Fees

Why are there 133 useless courses in Kenya?

The 133 courses are considered useless because it was found that they are not relevant or approved.

The idea started with an audit by the Commission for University Education (CUE). They found that many universities were offering programs that were just not up to par in terms of quality and relevance. Some courses were not approved or even properly recognized.

Education is supposed to prepare students for the job market and life, but with some of these courses, students are basically paying for something that won’t help them get jobs or build skills. It’s a bit like ordering a fancy meal that turns out to be mostly just garnish!

These universities sometimes want to attract more students, so they offer a wide range of courses, even if they lack the right resources or qualified teachers to support them.

They might change course titles midstream or even offer way too many spots without enough teaching staff. This creates a situation where students feel like they’ve been sold a promise the universities can’t deliver.

Ultimately, it leads graduates who find it hard to get jobs in their fields because their education hasn’t equipped them with the right skills. It’s frustrating, right? Students often feel desperate to enrol, thinking any degree will do, but they end up with something that isn’t valued in the real world.

The CUE is trying to crack down on this and ensure that the courses offered provide value. They want to protect students from getting stuck in a situation where they’ve invested time and money into something that won’t help them in their careers. It’s about ensuring education serves its purpose: to empower and prepare individuals for a successful future.

See Also: Top 10+ Data Analysis Courses in Kenya | 2024 Requirements

Universities with the 133 useless courses in Kenya

Here’s the list of universities in Kenya that offer unapproved courses, along with the number of such courses for each institution:

  1. Tom Mboya University College – 25 unapproved courses
  2. Garissa University – 10 unapproved courses
  3. Alupe University College – 10 unapproved courses
  4. Great Lakes University of Kisumu – 8 unapproved courses
  5. Kenya Highlands Evangelical University – 7 unapproved courses
  6. University of Embu – 6 unapproved courses
  7. Lukenya University – 6 unapproved courses
  8. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology – 6 unapproved courses
  9. Kisii University – 5 unapproved courses
  10. Turkana University College – 5 unapproved courses
  11. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology – 4 unapproved courses
  12. Kenyatta University – 4 unapproved courses
  13. The East African University – 4 unapproved courses
  14. Karatina University – 4 unapproved courses
  15. Moi University – 3 unapproved courses
  16. African University – 3 unapproved courses
  17. Co-operative University of Kenya – 3 unapproved courses
  18. University of East African Baraton – 2 unapproved courses
  19. Kabarak University – 2 unapproved courses
  20. Kenya Methodist University – 2 unapproved courses
  21. Catholic University of East Africa – 2 unapproved courses
  22. Technical University of Mombasa – 2 unapproved courses
  23. Bomet University College – 1 unapproved course
  24. Gretsa University – 1 unapproved course

Worst Diploma Courses in Kenya

Diploma courses in Kenya are considered the worst if they have low market absorption, low job possibilities, or are vague and make the candidate look irrelevant. Here are some of the worst diploma courses in Kenya:

  1. Diploma in Political Science
  2. Diploma in Front Office
  3. Diploma in Environmental Technology
  4. Diploma in Fisheries
  5. Diploma in Forestry
  6. Diploma in Analytical Chemistry
  7. Diploma in Applied Biology
  8. Diploma in Risk Management and Insurance
  9. Diploma in Farm Resource Management
  10. Diploma in Sports Management
  11. Diploma in Gender, Women and Development Studies
  12. Diploma in Library and Information Science
  13. Diploma in Modern Chemistry Laboratory Technology
  14. Diploma in Agriculture
  15. Diploma in Counseling Psychology
  16. Diploma in Sociology
  17. Diploma in Entrepreneurship
  18. Diploma in Community Development
  19. Diploma in Environmental Health
  20. Diploma in NGO Management
  21. Diploma in Micro Finance
  22. Diploma in Business Management (Unless you do CPA)
  23. Diploma in Banking and Finance (Unless you do CFA)
  24. Diploma in Procurement and Supply
  25. Diploma in IT
  26. Diploma in Social Work
  27. Diploma in Journalism/Mass Communication
  28. Diploma in HR Management
  29. Diploma in Business Administration
  30. Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
  31. Diploma in Biochemistry Technology
  32. Diploma in Music
  33. Diploma in Secretarial Studies

FAQs

Which course is not marketable in Kenya?

One course considered not marketable in Kenya is “Fine Arts.” The main reason is limited job opportunities; many graduates struggle to find roles that pay well or offer stability. The art market is often competitive, with fewer avenues for sustainable careers. You can check out resources like the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics for further details on market trends.

Which course is not in demand in Kenya?

One course currently not in high demand in Kenya is “Library and Information Science.” The decline is due mainly to the rise of digital resources and technology, reducing the need for traditional librarians. As organizations move towards digital management, many graduates in this field struggle to find relevant employment opportunities. For more insights, you can check out reports on job market trends in Kenya.

How do I choose a course in Kenya?

Choosing a course in Kenya involves several steps. First, assess your interests and career goals, considering job market demands. Then, research various universities and their programs, ensuring they are accredited. Lastly, consult with professionals or mentors in your field for guidance. This thoughtful approach will help you make a well-informed decision. For more detailed advice, check out resources like the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).

Conclusion

To wrap things up, we’ve shared the information you were looking for about the 133 useless courses in Kenyan universities and the institutions offering them.

Understanding these courses can help you make informed choices about education and career paths.

References

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