15 most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021 (List of top-ranked)

Kenya is one of the top-ranked economies in the easiness of doing business. Due to Kenya’s favourable ranking, the country has experienced one of the highest numbers of FDI (Foreign Direct Investments). Investors and companies moving to Kenya require skilled professionals. And to avoid missing out on these amazing opportunities, it's essential for Kenyan citizens to familiarize themselves with the most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021.

Many people who join institutions of higher learning often think that all courses are equal. That is not the case. Some fields that were once popular aren’t in demand in the job market nowadays due to technological advancements or the number of graduates being higher than the available positions. With Kenya creating a more favourable environment for doing business, there are many opportunities springing up that you should take into consideration.

List of the most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021

Which are the most marketable courses in Kenya today? The list of the most marketable courses in Kenya is endless. However, the following courses will give you a better chance of getting a job after leaving university or college in Kenya:

1. Intellectual Property Law

Kenyans are the most innovative people in the world. However, some of the innovations and artistic expressions are not registered with the relevant authorities. In case of disputes, most creators do not get the right legal representations. Intellectual property lawyers will, therefore, be in demand based on a couple of reasons.

The Kenyan government, through the relevant ministries, have adopted policies that will make it mandatory to patent work. Unfortunately, few legal minds have specialized in this important niche. Concentrating on this niche is, therefore, one of the best career decisions in 2021.

Another reason why intellectual property law is important from 2021 is the rising number of creatives on YouTube and digital streaming platforms. Kenyan musicians and entertainers have embraced these platforms for exposure and monetization. An intellectual property expert is needed for the easy settlement of copyright claims.

2. Digital Marketing

A list of the most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021 is incomplete without mentioning digital marketing. Kenyan companies have embraced the digital space, thanks to the high internet access in Kenya. According to marketing pundits, digital marketing is one of the best courses to study in 2021.

What makes digital marketing one of the top degree courses in Kenya? First, most companies have shown a huge interest in fully going digital as far as marketing is concerned. Second, digital marketing has democratized the marketing world and any business can venture into this form of marketing.

The scope of digital marketing can be different from one business to another. However, unlike most markets in the world, the Kenyan market is understaffed. Becoming part of the first generation of digital marketers will put you in a better possible for any future marketing tread.

Digital marketing as a course is relatively new in Kenya. It is, however, one of the most marketable certificate courses in progressive colleges and universities.

3. Cyber Security

In the last two years, major banking institutions in Kenya have registered fraud cases. Although there are some unique cases, most of the instances are technology-related. Currently, millions of Kenyans use mobile banking to transfer and receive funds. Banks and consumers are therefore potential victims of cyber-attacks.

Cybersecurity experts are therefore needed to safeguard this growing industry. Kenya also has one of the highest numbers of SACCOs, which also require cybersecurity experts for assessing and improving systems. In tech-related courses in Kenya, one of the most lucrative courses in cybersecurity.

However, cybersecurity is not limited only to the banking sector. Real estate, for example, is one of the key beneficiaries of technology. Most buildings in Nairobi rely on automatic locks and it comes with its share of challenges. One of these challenges is constant security threats and therefore, a cyber-security expert will be one of the most lucrative courses in 2021.

4. Engineering

Engineering is one of the oldest professions in the world and in 2021, it will be one of the most lucrative courses in Kenya. Kenya has numerous megaprojects and according to the government, the projects may take another two decades. The demand for engineers is, therefore, going up in the next two decades.

The county governments also have smaller construction projects. These projects need professionals in different stages. Although most of the construction companies are foreign, the government has put structures that limit the number of expertise a company can bring in Kenya. Indigenous experts are therefore going to be on-demand.

It is, however, important to note that not all engineers will be on-demand in this growth period. Some of the key engineering courses that will be on-demand include the following.

5. Information Technology and Computer Science

Since 2008, Kenya has been one of the best internet-connected countries in the region. The availability of fibre optics has opened up Kenya to a lot of opportunities. Major companies such as Google have African headquarters in Nairobi. The availability of these opportunities makes tech-related studies the most marketable courses to study in 2021.

In the last ten years, most companies in Kenya, and particularly in Nairobi have been utilizing the digital space as a marketing and visibility avenue. The number of companies and businesses that are digitalizing is still small compared to other countries in the western world. This difference between the businesses in digital spaces and the total number of businesses means that there is a vacuum of tech professionals.

However, tech as an academic field is home to tens of courses. Some of the most marketable degree courses in this category include the following.

6. Natural Resource Management

In the past ten years, Kenya has discovered many minerals. Turkana County, for example, is home to the first oil mining well. Managed by Tullow Oil, the well has created many job opportunities for the locals. However, Turkana as a county does not have natural resource managers.

Tullow Oil is mandated by the Kenyan government to source a certain percentage of its human resources from Kenya. Pursuing a career in resource management in Kenya is, therefore, a great idea. Kenyan universities in the past five years have started developing curriculums, especially in natural resources niche.

In addition to management courses in natural resources, universities in Kenya also offer exchange programs with other countries. Germany, for example, is a partner to local universities such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

7. Performing Arts and Music Studies

Arts as an academic niche is one of the few niches that will not be replaced by AI and machine learning. Although technology has enabled arts to grow, the position of human input in this niche is irreplaceable. In Kenya, different universities and colleges have started art programs.

Scandinavian countries such as Norway have given Kenyan creatives a chance to showcase their talents in major European exhibitions. The British Council, which is in Upperhill Nairobi, has also given hundreds of creatives a chance to showcase their talents. Thanks to these investments, performing arts and music studies are the most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021.

The availability of these platforms and funding from different organizations make this niche a viable career option. Arts is, however, a broad niche and some of the top degree courses in this niche include the following.

8. Fashion Design

Fashion is one of the few courses that continue to be relevant over the years. Unlike most courses, fashion related courses are timeless. The growth of the African fashion industry has opened doors for international brands to work with fashion designers from Africa. This trend is an indication that fashion as an industry will be one of the key Kenyan exports from 2021.

Fashion studies are also one of the marketable certificate courses, thanks to government directives. The Kenyan government, for example, started the "Buy Kenya Build Kenya" campaign, which aims at empowering the Kenyan fashion industry.

Unlike most courses in this list that require one to spend years in university, fashion as an industry has some of the best short marketable courses in Kenya. Colleges and institutes, for example, have come up with ways of condensing course scopes for faster and better learning.

9. Hospitality courses

According to the global tourism index, Kenya is one of the most visited countries in Africa. Domestic tourism is also on the rise. The Kenyan coast, major towns, and national parks have a high number of visitors every month. These two trends create a huge market for Kenyan hoteliers.

Two decades ago, the profession was unexplored, due to stereotypes and perceptions from academicians. The perception of hospitality has now changed. The national government has invested in awareness campaigns in the past two years, encouraging people to take hospitality courses.

When selecting a course, you should do background research about the course credibility through the ministry of tourism. The credibility of a course is important when looking for attachment placement in different hotels and organizations in Kenya. If possible, consider government-sponsored institutions.

It is, however, important to appreciate some facts about hospitality courses in Kenya. It is a diverse niche with many different mini-courses. Some of the most profitable courses in this area include the following.

10. Pharmacy

Pharmacy is one of the most recognized courses in Kenya. The high number of private and public hospitals has created career opportunities in the country. A pharmacist bestows treatment medications to patients and offers knowledge in the safe use of medicines. Also, they conduct screening, vaccination and offer advice on healthy living.

Pharmacists in Kenya earn a good salary at a minimum of Ksh 92,000 and an average of Ksh 188,000. This salary includes housing, transport, and other benefits. However, wages are based on skills, experience, location, and gender.

Today 25% of pharmacists earn Ksh 128,000, while 75% earn more than Ksh 128,000. One can obtain a pharmacy degree from UoN, JKUAT, and KU. Bachelor of Pharmacy is a full-time course and takes not less than five years to study.

11. Real estate

Real estate as a career involves the improvement, buying, and selling of property. You can get into real estate as a property developer, online marketer, quantity surveyor, interior designer, real estate agent, or architect.

Either way, real estate can earn you an average salary of Ksh 166,000. The minimum amount one can get from the career is Ksh 61,000. As a real estate agent, achieving depends on your hard work. You can make as much as you want just by closing sales.

Real estate course is best offered in MKU, UoN, and Gretsa University School of business in Thika. It takes four years to study the course.

12. Survey

This course includes determining the legal property boundaries. This is done by collecting data and compiling legal documents for real estate and mapmaking. Companies that may employ surveyors are real estate companies, quantity surveying companies, civil engineering specialists and consultancies, and local authorities.

A surveyor earns an average salary of Ksh 86,500. 75% of such graduates make more than Ksh 58,800. The pay is based on the level of skills, experience, and location. The Survey course is best obtained in UoN and JKUAT. This course is only offered to full-time students and takes three years to complete.

13. Teaching

Teaching is one of the most stress-free marketable diploma courses in Kenya. In primary school, teaching involves basic stuff such as multiplications, additions, reading, name it. However, for a secondary school teacher, it is all about directing students in science practicals, telling history students what happened in the past, marking exams, and so forth.

Teaching as a career earns you a minimum of Ksh 25,000 per month. Some of the high-ranking teachers earn up to Ksh 70,000, depending on the level of education. This is a good salary considering you are not working long hours.

Institutions that offer teaching courses in Kenya are endless. Some of the best in the country include Laikipia University College, Presbyterian Teachers College, and Embu College. This course takes up to 4 or 5 years in Kenya.

14. Medicine

Although medicine is labelled as one of the most challenging courses, it is a highly marketable course. As long as the country has sick patients, pregnant mothers, and finite people, you can never lack job opportunities.

Medicine involves performing physical tests, running diagnostic checks creating patient care strategies, and treating patients. Doctors in Kenya earn an average salary of Ksh 345,000 per month. However, 50% of medical graduates in Kenya earn less than Ksh 331,000, while 50% earn more than Ksh 331,000.

Alternatively, you can start a private hospital and earn from it. Many Kenyans have made fortunes from it. Today, medicine course is best offered in KU, MKU, UoN, Maseno university medical school, Kenya Methodist University School of Medicine, JKUAT, Egerton University, and Kisii University School of Health Sciences.

15. Statistics

If you love mathematics, this is the course for you. Statistics is one of the fastest-growing careers in Kenya.It involves gathering arithmetic data to help corporations make numerical data logic, spot developments, and make predictions.

A Statistician earns an average salary of Ksh 229,000 per month. This is Ksh 2.75 million per year. However, the fact is only 25% of statisticians in Kenya earn less than Ksh 159,000.

The best universities offering the course include Strathmore University, Moi University, Maseno University, JKUAT, UON, and Kabianga University. A Bachelor’s degree in Kenya takes four years.

The above are the most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021, based on the growing economies and the availability of professionals. This is not to suggest that these are the only courses you can undertake. In addition, the choice of an institution may vary from one person to another, but doing a background check is vital. In most cases, different schools may take different approaches to the teaching of a course. Different approaches, however, do not necessarily translate to one program being inferior to another.

Tuko.co.ke shared the best TVET courses in Kenya in 2021, TVET institutions, and requirements. The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) is a corporate body that regulates Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The authority is mandated to oversee the licensing and accreditation of learning institutions, trainers and programs.

As a learner who wishes to join a TVET Authority institution, it is important to find a licensed institution for your certification to be recognized. Besides, you have to go through the list of the best TVET courses in Kenya to find out what will suit you best.

Source: TUKO.co.ke