People and students who want to become realtors are looking for courses to pursue as a baseline for their careers. There are several courses that make up great entry points into the real estate game including; quantity survey, property management, interior design, sales and marketing, and architecture.
These courses are the foundation of knowledge and skills that will inevitably assist future real estate agents to become experts in the field. The are some important programmes that are a must in the real estate field like; creating and understanding contracts, some government policies and regulations, as well as courtesy and broker responsibilities.
While most parts of real estate can be learned in the field, some knowledge is required. Here is a list of courses that will serve as a baseline, the learning institutions that offer them and the requirements to study the course.
1. Real estate
Real estate covers various topics including; finance and investment of real estate, analysis of the trends in the real estate market, and many more. The course concludes with the licensing of real estate agents that permits them to practice and operate real estate agencies. There are several universities in Kenya that offer the course.
- University of Nairobi
The Degree course takes 4 years with the following admission requirements;
Mean Grade C+ with a minimum of grade C+ in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, Physics or Chemistry /Biology /Accounts/ Commerce /Economics, Geography or Agriculture /History /Building Construction /Drawing and Design or Woodwork. Diploma Holders and Degree Holders with credits and distinctions are also eligible to apply.
- Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology
The Degree program takes 4 academic years to complete, each year comprising 2 semesters. The admission requirements are;
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) with a minimum aggregate of B- and C+ as the minimum grade in the following subjects; English or Kiswahili, Mathematics, Physics, Geography or Building, Construction or Drawing, Design or Economics or Commerce or Accounting.
Diploma and Degree holders in a relevant discipline, with credit or distinction, are also considered eligible.
- Kenyatta University
With a 4 year academic period, the admission requirements for a Degree in Real Estate are; an average of C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and at least a grade of C+ in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, Physics or Chemistry or Biology or Accounts or Commerce or Economics, Geography or Agriculture or History or Building Construction or Drawing and Design or Woodwork.
Diploma and degree holders in Building Construction, Architectural Studies, Land Surveying and Civil Engineering or Estate Agency and Property Management are eligible to apply for the course.
- Mount Kenya University
The course is a Degree that takes 8 Semesters to complete with admission requirements of a
KCSE C+ and C+ in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, Physics/ Chemistry/ Biology/ Accounts/ Commerce/ Economics, Geography/ Agriculture/ History/ Building Construction/ Drawing & Design/Woodwork
Relevant Degree and Diploma holders from recognized universities are also eligible to apply.
- Kirinyaga University (KYU)
The duration of the course is 8 semesters and admission requirement qualifications are; KCSE Mean Grade C+, with a C+ in Mathematics, C+ in Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Geography.
Diplomas and Degrees from recognised institutions are also accepted.
- Pioneer International University (PIU)
A Certificate in Real Estate and Property Management has a duration of 1 year and admission qualifications are a KCSE mean grade of D+ or its equivalent.
2. Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering is a very desirable course in Kenya that equips learners with technical knowledge in the construction field. In real estate, the course provides knowledge on various aspects like design, construction, and maintenance of properties. Here are some of the institutions that offer the course and the requirements to apply.
- Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST)
The institute offers a Degree program that has a duration of 4 years. The course requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ and above, a C+ in Mathematics, Physics/Physical Science and Chemistry.
Relevant Degree and Diploma holders are also eligible.
- Moi University
Moi University has a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering course that has a duration of 5 years. To apply, the course has the following minimum requirements;
A minimum mean grade of C+ at KCSE and C+ in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences.
Diploma and Degree holders in relevant fields may also be considered.
- University of Eldoret (UoE)
The institute offers a Degree program that has a duration of 5 years with the following requirements;
Applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C+ at KCSE and a minimum grade of C+ in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography, English /Kiswahili.
Diploma, Higher Diploma or Degree holders in a relevant discipline from a recognized institution are also considered.
- Kirinyaga University (KYU)
A Diploma in Civil Engineering is offered at the institution with a duration of 6 semesters. The course has the following requirements;
A KCSE certificate with a minimum aggregate of C- with at least a D+ in Mathematics and Physics/Chemistry.
- Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)
The technical university offers a Diploma in Civil Engineering. The minimum qualifications are;
A KCSE Mean Grade of C- which has a duration of 6 semesters (3 years) or a Certificate in Building and Civil Engineering with adoration of 4 semesters (2 years).
3. Architecture
Offering learners with the knowledge and skills to plan, design, and engineer buildings, architecture fits perfectly with a real estate agent. The course also improves the ability of realtors to keep up with modern architectural designs. These are some of the institutes that offer the course;
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
JKUAT offers a Bachelor of Architectural Technology course that has a duration of 4 years. Qualifications of the course include;
A certificate of KCSE with a minimum aggregate of B- and a C+ as the minimum grade in Mathematics, Physics or Biology.
- Technical University of Kenya (TUK)
The institution offers a Degree program that has the following minimum qualifications;
A KCSE Mean Grade of C+, with a C+ in Mathematics, C+ in Physics, and C+ in English/Kiswahili.
The duration of the Study is 4 years.
- University of Nairobi (UoN)
UoN has a Bachelor of Architecture program that has a duration of 6 Years and requires the following qualifications;
KCSE mean grade of C+ or its equivalent with a minimum of C+ in Architectural Studies, English or Kiswahili, Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry or Biology or and Art and Design or Building Construction or Music or Economics or Geography or Social Education and Ethics or History.
Diploma Holders must have a mean grade of C in KCSE, a credit pass or equivalent of the KNEC Diploma or its equivalent in Building Construction, Architectural Studies, Civil Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Degree Holders must be from a recognized university in Architecture, Engineering, Design, Economics, Commerce, Land Economics, Planning or any other relevant disciplines.
- Kisumu National Polytechnic
A Certificate in Architecture with a duration of 6 months to 1 year is offered. The qualification to apply is a KCSE)l Mean Grade of D.
4. Building and Construction Technology
The course focuses on the process of establishing a building project including the knowledge and skills of materials used and the methods of construction. The course offers knowledge of building materials, building codes, quantity surveys, and procedures in construction. Here are some of the institutions that offer the course.
- Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
The Dedan Kimathi University of Technology offers a Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction course that has a duration of 4 years.
To apply, the programme has the following requirements;
A KCSE Aggregate Grade of C+ with C+ in Mathematics, Physics and C (plain) in English/Kiswahili.
Diploma Holders in Building Technology are also considered.
The institute also offers a Certificate in Building Technology that has a duration of 1 year with the requirement of a KCSE Aggregate Grade of D+.
- Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)
The institute has a programme in Bachelor of Technology in Building Construction that has a duration of 4 years and applicants have to meet the following requirements to apply;
A Mean Grade of C+ at KCSE with a C- in each of the following: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Physical Science.
- Technical University of Kenya (TUK)
The Technical University of Kenya offers a Diploma in Quantity Construction Management course that has a duration of 3 academic years. Applicants have to have a KCSE Mean Grade of C with a C in Mathematics, Physics, English /Kiswahili or any other subject.
- Kirinyaga University (KYU)
The institution offers a Bachelor of Technical Education programme that has a duration of 8 semesters. The programme has the following requirements;
The applicant must be a holder of a KCSE certificate with a minimum aggregate of C+ with at least C+ in the required cluster subjects for areas of specialization.
Holders of a Diploma in Engineering or Technical Education with a minimum of a credit pass are also considered.
5. Land Surveying
Offering the technical knowledge of engineering, geography, and architecture, Land surveying is a desirable course in real estate. The learners are equipped with various skills like; land development skills and land boundary skills. Several institutes offer the course including;
- Kenyatta University (KU)
Kenyatta University offers a Diploma in Land Surveying programme that requires a KCSE Mean Grade of C and has a duration of 12 months to 2 years.
- Maseno University
Offering a Bachelor of Geospatial Information Science programme of a duration of 4 years, the institution has the requirements of a KCSE Mean Grade of C+.
- Taita Taveta University (TTU)
Taita Taveta University offers a Bachelor’s Degree course of Science in Geo-informatics that has a duration of 4 years.
Applicants must be holders of a KCSE certificate with a minimum aggregate of C+ and a minimum of C in both Mathematics and English.
Diploma Holders in a relevant discipline from a recognised institution are also considered.
- Karatina University (KARU)
A Bachelor of Science in Earth Science and Geo-informatics programme is offered in the institution that has a duration of 4 years. Applicants must meet the following qualifications;
A KCSE Mean grade of C+ and at least a C+ in any of the following two subjects; Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics or Agriculture.
Diploma holders in a related field from a recognized institution are also considered.
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT)
JKUAT offers a Bachelor of Science in Geomatic Engineering and Geospatial Information Systems programme that has a duration of 5 years. The course has the following minimum requirements;
For direct 1st-year entry, applicants must have a KCSE certificate with a Mean grade of C+, with at least a C+ in Maths, Physics and Chemistry, plus at least a C+ in Biology, Physics Chemistry and General Science, OR
History and Government, Geography, Christian Religious Education (CRE), Islamic Religious Education (IRE) and Hindu Religious Education (HRE). OR
Home Science, Art and Design, Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building, Construction, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing and Design, Aviation Technology and Computer Studies. OR
French, German, Arabic, Kenya Sign Language, Music and Business Studies
Holder of a Diploma examined by Kenya National Examinations Council in a relevant field, with a pass, is also considered.
6. Interior design
Interior design is considered to go hand in hand with real estate since it provides knowledge on designing the interior of a building. This helps the real estate agent keep up with the market trend and provide effective layouts of the structures. The programme is offered in various institutions, including;
- Egerton University
The institution offers a Bachelor of Science in Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design course that has a duration of 4 years with the applicant required to have a KCSE Mean grade of C+ or its equivalent.
- Kirinyaga University (KYU)
Kirinyaga University offers a Bachelor in Interior Design (BID) programme that requires applicants to have;
A Mean grade of C+ at KCSE and a C in art design/home science or one science subject i.e. Chemistry, Biology and Physics /one art subject i.e. Geography, History. OR
A Pass in Diploma in a related discipline from a recognised institution.
The programme has a duration of 8 Semesters.
- Maseno University
A Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design course is offered at Maseno University with a duration of 4 years. The course requires a KCSE Mean Grade of C+.
- The University of Nairobi (UoN)
The University of Nairobi offers a Bachelor in Interior Design (BID) programme that runs for 4 Years and requires the following;
A KCSE Mean grade of C+ with a minimum of C+ in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, Biology or Physics or Chemistry and any subject from;
Cluster III; History, Geography or CRE Islamic or Hindu or Group IV i.e. Home Science, Art and Design, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building and Construction, Drawing and Design, Agriculture.
Cluster IV; History and Government, Geography, CRE, Social Education and Ethics, French, German, Arabic, Music.
Certificate and Diploma holders in a relevant discipline with a KCSE mean grade of C- or equivalent from a recognized institution are also considered.
Conclusion
While most of the salary of a realtor is commission based after selling a property, in some cases, the fees they get are flat; in others, it is a percentage. The amount may vary from 1.5% to 10%, however, the most common is 3% of the total value of the property sold.
With the trend of opening new businesses and more individuals looking for office spaces in prime locations, the real estate market is projected to keep growing with no signs of decline. Major cities are also experiencing a rise in demand in the residential market. It is evident that the real estate market is still marketable and is wide enough to accommodate new recruits.
