Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) is a public technical college accredited by the Ministry of Education and TVET to offer a wide range of courses in Higher Diploma, Diploma, Certificate as well as Tailor-made courses and Consultancies.
RVIST offers over 42 different courses across its three campuses, Main Campus in Nakuru, Nakuru Town Campus, and Kericho Town Campus.
The institution gives you a choice of enrolling for either full-time or part-time options.
See also: NITA Kenya Courses, Course Duration, Requirements and Fee Structure
RVIST courses are organized in 9 academic departments;
- Agricultural Education and Extension
- Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering
- Building and Civil Engineering
- Health and Applied Sciences
- Electrical and Electronics
- Information Communication Technology
- Liberal Studies
- Hospitality and Tourism Studies
- Entrepreneurship and Business Studies.
Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology examination bodies include KNEC and TVET CDACC. RVIST intakes are normally in January, May and September every year.
RVIST Requirements for Courses
To enroll for training in the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology, you are required to take note of the following:
- Mean grade C-(Minus) and above for Diploma courses, ECDE Diploma C (Plain)
- Mean grade D (Plain) and above for Certificate Courses, ECDE Certificate D+ (Plus) and above.
- Mean grade D-(Minus) or KCPE for Artisan Courses.
- Individuals with work experience in appropriate fields may apply to be assessed for recognition of prior learning for courses examined by TVET – CDACC.
- Tailor-made courses are available on request.
- Courses are offered on full time, part time and school based (In-service).
Nakuru Town Campus is located at Dimu House adjacent to KRA offices, and Kericho Town Campus is located at Ndege Chai House- Kericho.
Courses in the Electrical and Electronics Department
Craft Certificate courses and Diploma courses in this department take a duration of 1 year per module. Higher Diploma takes 2 years while Artisan Courses take a year to complete.
- Artisan in Electrical Installation
- Higher Dip. In Electrical Engineering
- Craft Certificate in Electrical and Electronics –Power option
(Module I & II) - Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering-Power
(Module I, II & III) - Diploma in Electrical and Electronics EngineeringTelecommunication (Module I, II & III)
RVIST Courses in Hospitality and Tourism Studies Department
Courses in this category take 1 year per module apart from Diploma in Fashion & Design and Clothing Technology (2 terms per module), and the Higher National Diploma in Food and Beverage (2 years).
- Artisan in Housekeeping
- Artisan in Garment Making
- Artisan in Food and Beverages
- Craft Certificate in Fashion and Design Module I, II
- Craft Certificate in Food and Beverages Production and Service
& Sales (Module I & II) - Craft Certificate in Catering & Accommodation Module I&II
- Craft Certificate in Tour Guiding and Travel Operations
Module I & II - Diploma in Fashion & Design and Clothing Technology
Module I, II & III - Diploma in Food and Beverages Management Module I, II & III
- Diploma in Catering & Accommodation Module I, II & III
- Diploma in Tourism Management Module I, II &III
- Higher National Diploma in Food and Beverage
Agriculture Education and Extension Department Courses
Here are RVIST courses in this department and duration of study:
- National Vocational Certificate in Modern Methods in Agribusiness (Level 1, 1 year level 2, 6 months)
- Craft Certificate in General Agriculture (2 years)
- Diploma in Agriculture (Module I, II & III – 1 year per Module)
- Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (Module I, II & III – 1 year per Module)
- Diploma in Entrepreneurial Agriculture (Module I, II & III – 1 year per Module)
- Artisan in Welding and Fabrication (1 year)
- Artisan in Automotive Engineering (1 year)
- Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Module I & II – 1 year per Module)
- Craft Certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics (Automotive) (Module I & II – 1 year per Module )
- Craft Certificate in Agricultural Mechanics (2 years)
- Diploma in Automotive Engineering (Module I, II & III)
- Diploma in Agricultural Engineering (3 years)
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Production) (Module I, II & III).
RVIST ICT Department Courses
- International Computer Driving License (ICDL – 4 months)
- Craft Certificate in Information Studies Module 1 & 11 (Library – 1 yr per Mod)
- Diploma in Information Studies (Library – 2 yrs)
- Diploma in Computer Studies (2 yrs)
- Diploma in Information Communication Technology (ICT) Module 1, 11 & 111
- Craft Certificate in Information Communication Technology Module I & II
- Computer Packages (1 month)
- Computer Repair and Maintenance (1 month).
Building and Civil Engineering Department
Intake for the Craft courses is in May and that for diplomas is in September. Craft Certificate courses take a duration of 2 years to complete. Diploma courses take 3 years while modular courses take 1 year for each module.
- Craft Certificate in Building Technology Module I & II
- Craft Certificate Land Survey
- Craft Certificate in Carpentry and Joinery
- Craft Certificate in Masonry
- Craft Certificate in Plumbing & Building services
- Diploma in Water Technology
- Diploma in Building Technology (Module I, II & III)
- Diploma in Civil Engineering(Module I, II & III)
- Diploma in Quantity Surveying
- Diploma in Architecture (Module I, II & III)
- Diploma in Land Surveying
Liberal Studies Department Courses
- Craft Certificate in Social Work & Community Development (5 terms)
- Certificate in Counseling Psychology
- Diploma in Social Work and Community Development Module I, II & III (6 months per Module)
RVIST Business Studies Department Courses
Apart from a few cases, modular courses in this department go for a duration of 6 months.
- Craft Certificate in Secretarial Studies (Modules 1& 11 – 1 yr per Module)
- Craft Certificate in Sales and Marketing (Module 1& 11)
- Craft Certificate in Supply Chain Management (Module I & II)
- Craft Certificate in Cooperative Management Module I & II
- Craft Certificate in Business Management (Module I & II)
- Craft Certificate in Human Resource Management (Module 1 & 11)
- Diploma in Supply Chain Management (Module I, II & III)
- Diploma in Accountancy (3 years)
- Diploma in Banking and Finance (3 years)
- Diploma in Business Management (Module I, II & III)
- Diploma in Cooperative Management Module I, II & III (2 terms per Module)
- Diploma in Human Resource Module 1, 11, 111
- Diploma in Secretarial Studies Module I, II & III
- Diploma in Road Transport Management Module I,II & III
- Diploma in Project Management Module I,II & III
- Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management (2 years – April/Dec)
- Higher Diploma in Entrepreneurship Development (4 Holidays – April/Dec)
- Higher Diploma in Secretarial Studies (2 years – April/Dec)
- CPA/CPS Section II – VI – (KCSE C+ (Plus) with C+ in English & Maths or Pass ATC Level II)
- Certified Credit Professionals (CCP) (Pass in relevant sections)
- Certified Investment Financial Analyst (CIFA) (KCSE C+ (Plus) with c+ in English and Maths)
- Diploma in Credit Management (DCM) Level I (KCSE C- (Minus)
- Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) Level I (KCSE C- (Minus)
- Diploma in French (DELF AI & 2) (Open to all)
- Diploma in German (Level 1, 2, & 3) (Open to all)
RVIST Health and Applied Sciences Department Courses
Diploma courses in this category take 3 years while modular courses take 1 year per module.
Here are the courses offered in this department and their minimum entry requirements:
- Diploma in Medical Engineering (KCSE C- with D+ in English/Kisw,Bio, Chem, Maths/Physics)
- Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology ( Module I & II) KCSE D+ (PLUS) with D in Math/Physics, D in Bio & D in Chem. For module II, pass in module I.
- Craft Certificate in Petroleum Geo-science ( Module I & II) For Module I, KCSE D+ (PLUS) with D in math/Physics & D+ in Eng/Kisw. For Module II Pass in Module I.
- Diploma in Analytical Chemistry Module I,II & III, KCSE C-(MINUS) with C- in Chem, D+ in Math and D+ in Eng/Kisw. For Module II pass in Module I and for Module III pass in Module II.
- Diploma in Applied Biology Module I, II & III – KCSE C-(MINUS) with C- in Bio, D+ in Chem, D+ in Math/Agr. & D+ in Eng/Kisw. For Module II pass in Module I and for Module III pass in Module II.
- Diploma in Petroleum Geo-science (Module I, II & III) KCSE C-(MINUS) with D+ in Maths/ Physics, D+ in Chem & D+ in Eng/Kisw. For Module II Pass Module Iand for Module III pass in Module II.
- Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics (Module I, II & III) – KCSE C- (MINUS) with D+ in Eng/Kisw, Bio, Chem and D in Math/Physics/Home Science/Agr. For Module II pass in Module I and for Module III pass in Module II.
- Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology – KCSE C (PLAIN) with C in Math/Physics, C in Eng/Kisw, C in Bio & C in Chem.
- Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology – KCSE C (PLAIN) with C in Math/Physics, C in Eng/Kisw, C in Bio & C in Chem.
Competency Based Education and Training Courses (CBET)
CBET courses cut across several departments and are examined by TVET CDACC. The table shows CBET courses in RVIST Kenya, duration and minimum requirements:
| COURSE | DURATION | MIN. REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| ICT Technician level 5 | 1 Year | KCSE D+(Plus) |
| Records and Archives level 5 | 1 Year | KCSE D+(Plus) |
| Dairy Farm Management level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Horticultural Production level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Poultry Layers Production Operation level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Front Office Operations level 3 | 3 Months | KCSE Certificate |
| Office Assistance level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Masonry level 3 | 3 Months | KCSE Certificate |
| Plumbing level 3 | 3 Months | KCSE Certificate |
| Agriculture Machinery and Equipment level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Motor Vehicle Mechanics level 5 | 1 Year | KCSE D+ (Plus) |
| Mechanical Engineering Technician level 3 | 3 Months | KCSE Certificate |
| Electrical Installation level 3 | 3 Months | KCPE with 2 years’ experience |
| Electrical Installation level 5 | 1 Year | KCSE D+ (Plus) |
| Solar PV Installation level 3 | 3 Months | KCSE Certificate |
| Baking Technology level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Housekeeping and Accommodation level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D (Plain) |
| Food and Beverage Production level 6 | 2 Years | KCSE C-(Minus) |
| Fashion Design Technology level 4 | 6 Months | KCSE D(Plain) |
| Fashion Design (Dress Making) level 3 | 3 Months | KCSE Certificate |
How to Apply for RVIST Courses
You can apply to;
THE PRINCIPAL RVIST
P O BOX 7182 NAKURU
Enclose copies of ID card, Birth Certificate, academic certificates. Deposit a non-refundable fee of Kshs.500/- in RVIST A/C Nakuru Branch at either:
- Kenya Commercial Bank A/C 1101786221 or
- Co-operative Bank of Kenya A/C 01129087643400.
Deposits may be made at any branch country wide. Remember to include your mobile number in your application letter.
Take note that accommodation is limited and is only available at the Main Campus.
For more details visit RVIST website www.rvist.ac.ke
You can also contact the institution on:
- TEL: 0720 668 238 (the principal)
- Tel: 0742 442 161 (enquiries)
- Email: enquiries@rvist.ac.ke
- Email: principal@rvist.ac.ke
Follow this link to create a student account or log into the students portal here: RVIST Students Portal.
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