Hospitality & Tourism

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in Hospitality

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in Hospitality is a programme that combines philosophical studies with hospitality management. The programme prepares graduates for careers that require both ethical reasoning and hospitality industry knowledge.

The curriculum covers logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, African philosophy, philosophy of service, hospitality management, hotel management, food and beverage management, hospitality marketing, hospitality law, customer service, event management, tourism studies, hospitality operations, business communication, financial management for hospitality, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both philosophical and hospitality management skills.

The programme is designed to produce graduates who can apply philosophical principles to hospitality management, emphasising ethical service, human dignity and quality care in the hospitality industry.

Graduates are prepared for careers as hospitality managers, hotel managers, event coordinators, customer service managers, hospitality consultants, ethics officers in hospitality, tourism officers, restaurant managers, guest relations managers and hospitality trainers. They work in hotels, restaurants, event management companies, tourism boards, hospitality consultancies and educational institutions.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ or equivalent.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 295,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Logic
Ethics
Philosophy of Service
Hospitality Management
Hotel Management
Food and Beverage Management
Hospitality Marketing
Customer Service
Event Management
Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Logic
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of reasoning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Moral philosophy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Philosophy of Service
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Philosophy of service and care. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Hospitality Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing hospitality operations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...
Hotel Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Hotel operations management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Food and Beverage Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
F&B operations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinat...
Hospitality Marketing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing in hospitality. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Customer Service
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Customer service principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Event Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Managing events. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Research Methods
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

Specialisations

Customer Service
Focus on customer service. 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.
Event Management
Focus on events. 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.
Ethics in Hospitality
Focus on ethical hospitality. 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.
Hotel Management
Focus on hotel operations. 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on philosophy and hospitality, studying ethical principles, learning hospitality management, studying food and beverage operations, researching customer service, studying event management, analysing hospitality marketing, participating in practical sessions, researching tourism, and engaging with current hospitality and philosophical issues. Students undertake industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's tourism sector creates hospitality demand
Combines ethical reasoning with practical hospitality skills
Diverse career options in hospitality and tourism

Against it

Unusual combination may require explanation to employers
Private institution fees may be higher
Hospitality work may involve irregular hours
May require additional hospitality certifications

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 91 hospitality & tourism courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private121k to 296k

121k at Zetech University296k at United States International University-Africa

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

KU BA 153K, UoN BA 189K/yr. Zetech 121.3K, USIU 295.5K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites

HELB provides loans up to KSh 60,000 per year. Private institutions may offer scholarships for needy students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Institutional Scholarships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Kenya Utalii College Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Students admitted to tourism and hospitality programmes at Kenya Utalii College
Tourism Training Revolution Fund
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing tourism and hospitality training

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in hospitality, philosophy or related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

End of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written and practical examinations
Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular tests, practical assignments, presentations and class participation
Industrial Attachment and Research Project
Practical30% of the mark
Industrial attachment and research project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE C+ or equivalent.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Hospitality Consultant
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides hospitality consultancy
Customer Service Manager
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages customer service
Event Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Coordinates events
Hotel Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages hotel operations
Hospitality Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages hospitality operations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as hospitality managers, event coordinators and customer service managers in hotels, restaurants and tourism.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
Data analysis
Google Workspace
Collaboration
KOBO Toolbox
Data collection
SPSS/Stata
Statistical software
Gender research data analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Philosophy in hospitality is an unusual combination.
The programme applies ethical reasoning and service philosophy to hospitality management.
This is just a hospitality degree.
The programme includes substantial philosophical study alongside hospitality management.
Philosophy is not relevant to hospitality.
Ethical service, human dignity and quality care are philosophical principles central to hospitality.
There are no jobs in hospitality.
Kenya's tourism sector is a major contributor to the economy, creating demand for hospitality professionals.