How to Choose a Good College in Nairobi: 7 Questions Every Parent Should Ask

Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions you will make with your child. The right college can open doors to a stable career. The wrong one can cost you money and time. Nairobi has many colleges, so how do you tell a good one from a poor one?

Here are seven questions to ask before you pay any fees, and what a good answer looks like.

1. Is the college registered, and are its courses recognised?

This is the first and most important question. A college should be registered to operate, and the courses it offers should be recognised. Ask to see the registration certificate and the approval for the specific course your child wants.

In Kenya, technical and vocational colleges are registered and regulated by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), and many certificate and diploma courses are examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). You can check a college’s status with the relevant authority before you enrol, rather than relying only on what the college says.

2. Who awards the final certificate?

Ask which body examines the course and issues the certificate. Some courses are examined by a national body such as KNEC, some by professional bodies, and short courses are usually certified by the college itself. None of these is automatically wrong, but you should know what your child will receive at the end and what it is accepted for.

3. What will it cost, and when do I pay?

Ask for the full fee structure in writing. Find out:

• The fee for the whole course, and whether it is paid per term, per month or once at registration.
• What is included, such as registration, exams, materials and certificates.
• Any extra costs, such as uniforms, practicals or attachment.
• The refund policy if your child cannot continue.

Be careful with any college that cannot give you a clear written fee structure.

4. Does the course match my child’s KCSE grade and interests?

Every course has entry requirements. Certificates generally ask for a lower KCSE grade than diplomas, and short courses are often open entry. Check that your child qualifies, and that the course matches what they enjoy and what they want to do. A course that fits your child’s interests is far more likely to be completed.

5. How practical is the training?

Skills matter as much as certificates. Ask about computer labs, workshops, practical sessions and industry exposure. Visit the classrooms, and ask what share of the course is hands-on. For courses like computer repair, graphic design or programming, your child should be working on real equipment, not only taking notes.

6. Who will teach my child, and what is the schedule?

Ask about the qualifications and experience of the lecturers, the typical class size, and the class timetable. Find out whether there are day, evening or weekend options. This matters if your child plans to work or study at the same time.

7. What happens after graduation?

Ask how the college supports students after the course. Can they progress from a certificate to a diploma? Does the college help with CV writing, interview preparation or links to employers? Be careful with any college that promises a guaranteed job. No honest college can guarantee that. A good one will explain clearly what support it offers and what depends on your child.

Red flags to watch out for

• A promise of guaranteed graduation or guaranteed jobs.
• Pressure to pay a large amount immediately.
• No clear written fee structure.
• Unwillingness to show registration or accreditation documents.
• No campus visit, or a campus that does not match what was advertised.

Visit the campus before you decide

Photos and posts can only tell you so much. Visit the campus with your child, see the classrooms and ask your questions in person. Look at how staff treat you, because that is often a sign of how they will treat your child.

At The New Dimension College, we welcome parents and students to visit us in Nairobi CBD, opposite Nairobi Sports House, and ask any of these questions.

Frequently asked questions