Business

Bachelor of Arts in Leadership

The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership is a four-year degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in strategic leadership, organisational management, and change management.

The curriculum covers leadership theory, organisational behaviour, strategic management, change management, human resource management, project management, public administration, financial management, ethics, governance, research methods, and entrepreneurship.

Students develop competencies in strategic thinking, decision-making, team leadership, conflict resolution, communication, project management, and organisational development. The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, class discussions, case studies, field trips, and practical exercises.

Graduates pursue careers as leadership consultants, project managers, human resource officers, programme managers, organisational development specialists, public administrators, and entrepreneurs. They find employment in corporations, NGOs, faith-based organisations, government departments, county governments, and international organisations.

The programme is offered at International Leadership University, St. Paul's University, and Tangaza University, all private universities. Annual tuition fees range from KSH 136,350 at International Leadership University to KSH 200,950 at Tangaza University.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ or equivalent, or a diploma from an accredited institution, or KACE with two principal passes. The programme also accepts candidates with relevant professional training and work experience.

Duration: 4 Years
Private, up to: Ksh 200,950
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Blended
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Leadership Theory
Organisational Behaviour
Strategic Management
Change Management
Human Resource Management
Project Management
Public Administration
Financial Management
Governance and Ethics
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Leadership Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of leadership theory, including classical and contemporary leadership models and their application.
Organisational Behaviour
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of individual and group behaviour in organisations, including motivation, team dynamics, and organisational culture.
Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamental management principles, including planning, organising, leading, and controlling in organisations.
Financial Management for Leaders
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial management principles and accounting skills for effective resource allocation in leadership positions.
Strategic Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic planning and management processes, including environmental analysis, strategy formulation, and implementation.
Change Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and practices of organisational change, including change models, resistance management, and transformation leadership.
Human Resource Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of human resource management, including recruitment, training, performance management, and labour relations.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques for effective project leadership.
Governance and Ethics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of good governance, ethical leadership, corporate social responsibility, and accountability in organisations.
Public Administration
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of public administration, including public policy, governance structures, and public sector management.
Research Methods in Leadership
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for studying leadership and organisational phenomena.
Leadership Project and Attachment
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Industry attachment in an organisation, plus a final research project on a leadership and management topic.

Specialisations

Human Resource Management
Focus on managing personnel, including legal and human issues in organisational leadership. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Public Administration
Focus on leadership in the public sector, including governance, policy implementation, and public management.
International Relations
Focus on understanding international law and global issues impacting organisations operating across borders.
Public Relations
Focus on managing stakeholder relationships, media interactions, and public communication in leadership roles.
Financial Management
Focus on financial management and accounting skills for effective resource allocation in leadership positions.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, seminars, and case study discussions. Morning sessions cover leadership theory, organisational behaviour, or strategic management, while afternoons focus on project management workshops, change management simulations, or research methods. Students engage in group discussions on contemporary leadership challenges, analyse case studies of organisational transformation, and participate in field visits to organisations. Research assignments involve analysing leadership practices in real organisations and developing strategic plans. Students participate in leadership forums and community engagement projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme develops versatile leadership skills applicable across public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Multiple specialisation areas allow students to focus on HR, public administration, finance, or international relations.
Blended and e-learning modes accommodate working professionals seeking to upgrade their qualifications.
Kenya's devolved governance structure and growing NGO sector create demand for trained leadership professionals.

Against it

Programme is offered only at private universities, limiting options for government-sponsored students.
Tuition fees at private universities are relatively high, with the most expensive exceeding KSH 200,000 per year.
Leadership degrees may be perceived as less specialised than functional degrees in business or public administration.
Career advancement often depends on accumulating practical experience in addition to academic qualifications.

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

Private136k to 201k

136k at International Leadership University201k at Tangaza 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

Tangaza BA Leadership&Mgmt 200,950/yr, ILU 136,350/yr (educationnewshub/Tuko). No public standalone Leadership BA.

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities offer internal financial aid for needy students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Financial Aid

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS requirements for participating private universities.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at their respective universities.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent; OR KACE with a minimum of two principal passes; OR a diploma from an accredited institution; OR at least two years of professional training with two years of relevant certified work experience for cases of lower grades.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, case study analyses, group presentations, and practical assignments during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering leadership theory, management principles, and specialised modules.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original research on a leadership and management topic.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachment in an organisation, including supervisor evaluation and written reports.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Leadership Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides advisory services to organisations on leadership development, organisational change, and strategic planning.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Plans, implements, and monitors projects in organisations, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
Human Resource Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages human resource functions including recruitment, training, performance management, and employee relations.
Programme Manager
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages programmes in NGOs, faith-based organisations, or government agencies, including planning and evaluation.
Public Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages public sector operations at county or national level, including policy implementation and service delivery.
Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 200,000
Establishes and runs business ventures applying leadership and management skills acquired in the programme.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as leadership consultants, project managers, human resource officers, and programme managers. Demand is moderate with Kenya's devolved governance and growing NGO sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for strategic plans, project reports, and presentations.
Microsoft Project
Project management
Project management software for planning, scheduling, and tracking projects.
SPSS
Data analysis
Statistical analysis software for leadership research and organisational data analysis.
Slack
Communication
Team communication platform for collaborative leadership and project management.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Cloud-based collaboration tools for document sharing, communication, and project coordination.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Leadership can only be learned through experience, not in a classroom.
While experience is valuable, formal leadership education provides theoretical frameworks, analytical tools, and evidence-based practices that enhance practical leadership effectiveness.
A leadership degree is not as valuable as a business degree.
Leadership degrees focus on strategic thinking and people management, which are critical skills that complement technical business knowledge.
Leadership graduates can only work in management positions.
Graduates work in diverse roles including consulting, project management, public administration, programme management, and entrepreneurship.
The programme is only for those already in leadership positions.
The programme is designed for both working professionals and school leavers aspiring to leadership roles in various sectors.