Business

Bachelor of Arts (Business Studies, with IT)

The Bachelor of Arts (Business Studies, With IT) is a four-year degree that combines business education with information technology skills, preparing graduates for roles in accounting, marketing, human resources, procurement, and business administration. Students study business accounting, financial management, marketing principles, human resource management, business law, economics, entrepreneurship, procurement and supply chain management, alongside IT modules covering computer applications, database management, and information systems.

Graduates find opportunities in corporate organisations, government agencies, NGOs, banks, and SMEs across Kenya. The programme is delivered over eight semesters at Maseno University and Tom Mboya University.

Both are CUE-accredited public universities. Graduates work as business analysts, accounting assistants, marketing officers, human resources assistants, procurement officers, and administrative officers.

Many pursue professional certifications such as CPA, CPS, or CIPS to enhance their qualifications. This programme suits students with interest in business and technology, strong numerical abilities, and aptitude for analytical thinking.

The combination of business knowledge and IT skills makes graduates versatile in the job market, able to work across functional areas in modern organisations. Skills RequiredBusiness Accounting and Financial ManagementMarketing Principles and StrategyHuman Resource ManagementProcurement and Supply Chain ManagementBusiness Law and EthicsEntrepreneurship and InnovationComputer Applications and IT ProficiencyDatabase ManagementBusiness Data AnalysisProject ManagementKey SubjectsBusiness AccountingFinancial ManagementMarketing ManagementHuman Resource ManagementBusiness LawEconomicsEntrepreneurshipProcurement and Supply Chain ManagementComputer ApplicationsManagement Information SystemsCertificationsCertified Public Accountant (CPA) — KASNEBCertified Procurement and Supply Professional (CPSP) — KISMChartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) QualificationsSpecializationsAccounting and FinanceFocus on financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management, preparing graduates for CPA certification and accounting roles.

Marketing ManagementFocus on marketing principles, consumer behaviour, brand management, digital marketing, and marketing strategy for corporate and agency roles. Human Resource ManagementFocus on recruitment, training and development, compensation management, labour relations, and strategic HR management for organisational roles.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 225,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 45 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Business Accounting
Financial Management
Marketing Management
Human Resource Management
Business Law
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Computer Applications
Management Information Systems

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Business Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational accounting principles including double-entry bookkeeping, preparation of financial statements, and interpretation of accounting information for business decision-making.
Principles of Marketing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing fundamentals including market segmentation, consumer behaviour, marketing mix, and marketing strategy development for products and services.
Computer Applications in Business
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical IT skills for business including spreadsheet modelling, word processing, presentations, and the use of business software applications.
Microeconomics for Business
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to business including demand and supply analysis, market structures, pricing strategies, and the role of government in the economy.
Human Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of HR management including recruitment, selection, training, performance management, compensation, and labour relations in Kenyan organisations.
Management Information Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Role of information systems in business, database concepts, enterprise systems, e-business, and the strategic use of IT for competitive advantage.
Business Law
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Kenyan legal framework for business including contract law, company law, employment law, and commercial law relevant to business operations.
Financial Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial planning, capital budgeting, working capital management, risk analysis, and financial decision-making in corporate organisations.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsElective
Entrepreneurial process, business plan development, opportunity identification, innovation management, and small business management in the Kenyan context.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsElective
Procurement processes, supplier management, inventory control, logistics, and supply chain strategy for efficient organisational operations.
Business Data Analysis
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods for business analysis, data visualisation, business intelligence tools, and data-driven decision-making techniques.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent research project on a business topic, involving data collection, analysis, and a written dissertation with practical recommendations.

Specialisations

Accounting and Finance
Focus on financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management, preparing graduates for CPA certification and accounting roles.
Marketing Management
Focus on marketing principles, consumer behaviour, brand management, digital marketing, and marketing strategy for corporate and agency roles.
Human Resource Management
Focus on recruitment, training and development, compensation management, labour relations, and strategic HR management for organisational roles.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Focus on procurement processes, supply chain strategy, logistics management, and contract management, preparing graduates for CIPS certification.
Business Information Systems
Focus on the intersection of business and IT, covering database management, business intelligence, enterprise systems, and data-driven decision making.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Focus on venture creation, business planning, SME management, innovation, and enterprise development for graduates pursuing entrepreneurial careers.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures in business subjects — accounting, marketing, HR, or economics — with afternoon IT lab sessions covering computer applications, databases, or information systems. Students work on group projects, case studies, and business simulations. Evenings are spent on assignments, preparing presentations, and studying for professional certification exams alongside coursework.

The trade offs

In its favour

IT integration provides a competitive advantage in the modern digital business environment, making graduates more versatile than traditional business degree holders.
Broad business curriculum covering accounting, marketing, HR, and procurement allows graduates to pursue diverse career paths across business functions.
Programme provides a foundation for professional certifications like CPA, CIPS, and CIM, which significantly enhance employability and earning potential.
Strong demand for business graduates with IT skills across corporate, government, and NGO sectors in Kenya.

Against it

Generalist nature means graduates may need professional certifications to compete with specialised degree holders for senior roles.
Entry-level salaries are moderate (KES 35,000–55,000/month) and career progression requires additional qualifications and experience.
Offered at only two universities, limiting geographic access compared to more widely available business programmes.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public184k to 184k

184k at Tom Mboya University184k at Tom Mboya University

Private105k to 226k

105k at Mount Kenya University226k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Tom Mboya BA Business Studies IT 183,600/yr; MKU 105,000/yr; Daystar ~225,800/yr. Src: newsblaze, mku.ac.ke

Students can access HELB loans, county government bursaries, and university-specific scholarships and bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
County Government Bursaries
University Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students placed through KUCCPS in public universities.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Students from the respective county, applied through county education offices.
University Internal Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students enrolled at the respective university, applied through the financial aid office.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C plain with a Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution. C plain with CPA Part II. KACE with two principal passes. A degree from a recognised university. Relevant diploma qualifications from KNEC-accredited institutions.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering business theory, accounting problems, and IT concepts.
Coursework Assignments and Projects
Coursework30% of the mark
Business case studies, IT lab assignments, group projects, and research papers assessed throughout each semester.
Practical IT Assessments
Coursework15% of the mark
Practical assessments in computer labs covering spreadsheet modelling, database queries, and business software applications.
Final Examinations and Research Project
Examination30% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year research project dissertation on a business topic.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Maseno University and Tom Mboya University, both CUE-accredited public universities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Business Analyst
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Analyses business processes, identifies improvement opportunities, and implements IT solutions to enhance organisational efficiency in corporate and consulting firms.
Accounting Assistant
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supports financial accounting operations including bookkeeping, accounts preparation, reconciliation, and financial reporting in corporate and SME organisations.
Marketing Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Executes marketing campaigns, manages social media presence, conducts market research, and supports brand development for companies and agencies.
Procurement Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages procurement processes, supplier relationships, and inventory control in government, corporate, and NGO organisations.
Human Resources Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supports HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, payroll administration, and employee relations in corporate and institutional settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in accounting, marketing, human resources, procurement, and business administration across corporate, government, and NGO sectors, with many pursuing professional certifications.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet software for financial modelling, data analysis, accounting worksheets, and business reporting — essential for business graduates.
QuickBooks
SoftwarePrimary
Accounting software widely used by SMEs in Kenya for bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
SAP ERP
Software
Enterprise resource planning software used by large organisations for integrated business management including finance, procurement, and HR modules.
Power BI
Software
Business analytics tool for data visualisation, dashboard creation, and business intelligence reporting.
Microsoft Office Suite
Software
Word processing, presentations, and communication tools essential for business documentation and reporting.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

BA Business Studies is inferior to a BBA or BCom degree.
The programme covers similar business disciplines — accounting, marketing, HR, procurement — with the added advantage of IT integration. Employers focus on skills and professional certifications rather than the exact degree title.
The IT component is just basic computer literacy.
The IT modules cover database management, information systems, business data analysis, and computer applications relevant to modern business operations, providing genuine technical competency.
Business Studies graduates cannot compete with specialised degree holders.
The broad business foundation plus IT skills makes graduates versatile. Professional certifications like CPA or CIPS can further specialise their expertise.
You need to attend a top-tier university to get a good business education.
Maseno and Tom Mboya universities are CUE-accredited public institutions with established business schools. The quality of education meets national standards.
Business degrees have saturated the job market.
While competition exists, graduates with IT skills and professional certifications remain in demand across corporate, government, and NGO sectors.