Exploring Courses That Do Not Require Math in Kenya and Are Just as Marketable in Local Universities

Introduction

Back in high school, I remember how some of us struggled with Mathematics subjects, it wasn’t meant for us but for some reason it was compulsory for everyone to do it. And that was just high school, in primary school things were a bit different, I remember seeing most of my classmates disappear from classrooms whenever it was a math lesson time. The teacher was also a no-nonsense kind and after every lesson it was almost impossible to escape a few cane strokes here and there, might also been the reason why the class was so lean during that time.

Fast forward into the future, there’s all kinds of jokes going around here in Kenya, and one of the most popular jokes is seeing guys who seem to have made it in life pausing for photos with things like their vehicles or houses or just travelling and asking whether their math’s teacher was still around. But what I would highly consider as impactful is when you’ve just completed high school and based on your scores or cluster points want to know the type of courses you can outrightly qualify, of course you can utilize our cluster points calculator, and get some decent academic discipline suggestions here.

But it’s not just me, we do acknowledge that there are many students out there who struggle with mathematics, making it a barrier to pursuing various academic and career paths, and let’s face it, you might need to have an above average grade in mathematics to qualify for a prestigious course in our local universities. However, the absence of a good grade in mathematics or lacking mathematical skills does not mean that students are limited in their educational and professional aspirations. There are quite a number of courses and fields that do not necessarily require you to have an impressive math background. This blog post explores various academic courses available in Kenya that do not require mathematics, providing a range of alternatives as well as institutions offering them for students.

Quick Summary

• Creative Arts and Design: Programs like graphic design, fashion design, and fine arts do not require math.
• Social Sciences and Humanities: Courses such as psychology, sociology, and literature are open to students without strong math skills.
• Media and Communication: Fields like journalism, public relations, and digital communication focus more on creativity and communication skills.

Creative Arts and Design

For students with a passion for creativity and an eye for design, there are several courses in the arts that do not necessitate mathematical proficiency.

1. Graphic Design:
   • Overview: Focuses on visual communication through the use of typography, photography, and illustration.
   • Institutions: Nairobi Institute of Technology, Kenyatta University, and several other art colleges offer diploma and degree programs.
   • Career Prospects: Graduates can work as graphic designers, visual artists, and digital content creators.
2. Fashion Design:
   • Overview: Covers fashion creation, from concept to production, including textile knowledge and trend analysis.
   • Institutions: Mcensal School of Fashion Design, University of Nairobi, and other specialized fashion schools.
   • Career Prospects: Opportunities include roles as fashion designers, stylists, and fashion consultants.
3. Fine Arts:
   • Overview: Encompasses various forms of art such as painting, sculpture, and installation art.
   • Institutions: Kenyatta University, Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts.
   • Career Prospects: Careers in fine arts include becoming an artist, art curator, or art teacher.

Social Sciences and Humanities

In this category, the main focus is on understanding the human behavior, society, and culture, often without the need for advanced math skills.

1. Psychology:
   • Overview: Studies the human mind and behavior, exploring cognitive processes, emotional responses, and social interactions.
   • Institutions: University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University.
   • Career Prospects: Psychologists, counselors, human resource specialists.
2. Sociology:
   • Overview: Examines the development, structure, and functioning of human society.
   • Institutions: University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Kenyatta University.
   • Career Prospects: Social researchers, community workers, policy analysts.
3. Literature and Linguistics:
   • Overview: Focuses on the study of language, literature, and written communication.
   • Institutions: Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Maseno University.
   • Career Prospects: Writers, editors, educators, translators.

Media and Communication

If you feel compelled to venture into a career that entails storytelling, media production, and public engagement, without a heavy reliance on math, then perhaps this should be your category.

1. Journalism and Mass Communication:
   • Overview: Covers the principles of reporting, writing, and media production.
   • Institutions: Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, University of Nairobi, Daystar University.
   • Career Prospects: Journalists, news anchors, media producers.
2. Public Relations:
   • Overview: Focuses on managing the public image of individuals, organizations, and companies.
   • Institutions: University of Nairobi, United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa).
   • Career Prospects: Public relations officers, communications managers, event coordinators.
3. Digital Communication:
   • Overview: Emphasizes digital media strategies, online content creation, and social media management.
   • Institutions: Multimedia University of Kenya, Strathmore University.
   • Career Prospects: Social media managers, digital marketers, content creators.

Additional Courses

Several other fields also offer opportunities for students without requiring strong math skills:

1. Law:
   • Overview: Studies the legal system, laws, and their applications.
   • Institutions: University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University.
   • Career Prospects: Lawyers, legal advisors, judges.
2. Education:
   • Overview: Prepares students to become educators in various subjects.
   • Institutions: Kenyatta University, Moi University, Mount Kenya University.
   • Career Prospects: Teachers, education consultants, curriculum developers.
3. International Relations:
   • Overview: Focuses on global politics, diplomacy, and international affairs.
   • Institutions: United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), University of Nairobi.
   • Career Prospects: Diplomats, international organization staff, policy advisors.

Conclusion

Since we have proved that there’s still decent career paths for those of us without an impressive mathematics background here in Kenya, students who face some difficulties in the mathematics subjects have a number of alternative courses to consider. We have a number of opportunities in other fields such as creative arts and social sciences to media and communication. They are just as fulfilling as career options.