Secretarial Management training in Kenya equips students with administrative, digital communication, scheduling and office coordination skills. A related recognised qualification is Office Administration Level 6. Other programmes may be called Secretarial Studies, Executive Secretarial Studies, Office Management or Administrative Assistance. The exact diploma and awarding body should be checked before enrolling.
What is secretarial and office administration work?
Office administration involves maintaining accurate business records, preparing correspondence, coordinating meetings, managing schedules and supporting managers or teams. Modern administrative staff also use digital collaboration tools, handle confidential information and support communication across departments.
Colleges and recognised diploma pathways
The TVET Authority course catalogue lists Office Administration Level 6 at The Nairobi National Polytechnic, Rift Valley National Polytechnic, The Kabete National Polytechnic, The Kisii National Polytechnic and other accredited providers. These are examples of approved courses in a closely related discipline; confirm the actual campus and current intake.
TVETA also lists Secretarial Studies under KNEC craft-level qualifications and Office Administration at Level 5. Such routes can support progression in administrative careers, but a craft certificate or Level 5 award is not identical to a Level 6 diploma.
Subjects covered
- Office organisation, administration and professional practice.
- Business English, correspondence and document formatting.
- Typing, keyboarding and digital office productivity.
- Diary management, appointments, events and meetings.
- Minutes, records and document management.
- Office finance, purchasing and basic bookkeeping.
- Customer relations and telephone etiquette.
- Spreadsheet, presentation and communication software.
- Data protection, confidentiality and information security.
- Workplace communication, teamwork and supervision.
- Practical office projects and industrial attachment where required.
Entry requirements
For many Level 6 TVET diploma programmes, an accepted route is KCSE C− or a recognised relevant certificate, although particular institutions or examining bodies can require a different grade. Certificate and craft courses usually have their own criteria. Confirm the precise award and entry conditions before applying.
Secretarial diploma versus a short typing course
A full office administration diploma covers planning, documentation, digital administration, business communication and operational procedures. A short typing or office-software course generally focuses on one or a few skills. Both may be useful, but a short-course certificate should not be represented as equivalent to a recognised diploma.
Duration, fees and practical training
A diploma usually includes several terms or competency modules, with practical assessments and sometimes workplace attachment. Ask about fees for tuition, examinations, computer access, professional materials and attachment. Training is most useful when students prepare real business letters, meeting minutes, schedules and electronic filing systems.
Career opportunities
- Administrative assistant or office assistant.
- Secretary or personal assistant.
- Executive assistant with suitable experience.
- Reception and customer service officer.
- Records and document control assistant.
- Office coordinator or departmental administrator.
- School, clinic or business administration support.
- Freelance virtual assistant after developing digital skills.
Skills employers value
A good graduate should be able to prepare clear correspondence, organise schedules, maintain orderly records, protect sensitive data, use spreadsheets and respond professionally to clients. Additional skills in online meetings, cloud document sharing, basic budgeting and service delivery can improve job prospects.
How to choose a college and apply
- Confirm the institution’s current TVETA licence and the specific campus.
- Check whether the qualification is Level 6 Office Administration, KNEC Secretarial Studies or a different award.
- Ask about the examining body, course units and industrial attachment.
- Confirm KCSE grades, intake dates, duration and fees.
- Inspect computing facilities and practical administration training.
- Apply using the official institution admission process.
Official course and accreditation resources
- TVETA: Office Administration Level 6 and Secretarial Studies
- TVETA registered and licensed institutions
- TVET-CDACC competence-based assessment
- Kenya qualifications framework
