Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Management

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Management is a four-year degree programme that combines public policy analysis with management principles. The programme prepares graduates for careers in government, county administrations, NGOs, and policy research institutions.

The curriculum covers public policy theory, policy analysis, public management, public finance, research methods, governance, project planning, human resource management, development economics, political science, and public administration.

Teaching combines lectures, seminars, case studies, and industrial attachment. Students develop competencies in policy analysis, management, research, financial management, and communication. The programme emphasises analytical thinking and practical application to real-world governance challenges.

Graduates pursue careers as policy analysts, public management officers, research officers, and project coordinators in county governments, national ministries, NGOs, and private sector organisations. The programme equips students with skills for leadership roles in public service.

The programme is offered at Mount Kenya University, a private university in Kiambu County. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a minimum of C in English or Kiswahili and Mathematics. The programme runs for eight semesters with January, May, and September intakes.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Annual tuition is approximately KES 105,000 at Mount Kenya University. HELB loans and university bursaries are available for eligible students.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 105,000
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Public Policy Theory
Policy Analysis
Public Management
Public Finance
Research Methods
Project Management
Governance
Development Administration
Political Economy
Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Public Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Public Policy: Foundational concepts of public policy, including policy cycles and frameworks. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of Management: Management principles and theories applied to public sector contexts. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Kenyan Government and Politics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Kenyan Government and Politics: Structure and functioning of Kenya's government and political system. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Public Finance Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Public Finance Management: Government budgeting, revenue mobilisation, and expenditure management. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Policy Analysis Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative methods for policy analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research Methods: Research methodology for public policy, including design and data collection. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Public Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Public Management: Managing public sector organisations, including strategy and operations. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Development Administration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing development programmes and projects in government. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Project Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, and evaluation in public sector. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Political Economy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Relationship between politics and economic policy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research Project: Final-year research project on public policy, including dissertation. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial Attachment: Supervised attachment with a policy or public sector organisation. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.

Specialisations

Policy Analysis
Focus on policy formulation, analysis, and evaluation techniques. 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 Management
Focus on managing public sector organisations and programmes. 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.
Development Policy
Focus on development policy frameworks and their implementation. 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 Finance
Focus on government budgeting and fiscal policy management. 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.
Project Management
Focus on planning and managing public sector projects. 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 combines lectures, seminars, and case study analysis. Morning sessions cover policy theory, public management, or public finance, while afternoons focus on policy analysis, research methods, and group discussions. Students analyse policy case studies, debate governance issues, and conduct research on public policy topics.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines policy analysis with management, providing versatile career options.
Policy reforms and devolution create demand for policy professionals.
Graduates develop analytical and management skills valued across sectors.
MKU's affordable tuition makes the programme accessible.

Against it

Programme offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
No KUCCPS cut-off data, suggesting low enrollment or recent introduction.
Career advancement may require postgraduate qualifications.
Programme may overlap with Public Administration degrees.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 105k

105k at Mount Kenya University105k at Mount Kenya 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

KU 153K, UoN 189K/yr; MKU 105K/yr (educationnewshub). Kabarak unverified.

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available. MKU offers internal bursaries for needy students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Scholarship
Students placed by KUCCPS in recognised universities
Mount Kenya University Bursaries
Bursary
Academically outstanding and financially needy students

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
MKU Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at MKU.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

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+ with appropriate cluster subjects; OR two principal passes and one subsidiary pass at A-Level; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, case study analyses, and presentations.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering policy and management topics.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on public policy, including dissertation.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised attachment performance and report.

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

Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Analyses and develops public policies for government and NGOs.
Public Management Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages public sector programmes and services.
Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Conducts policy research for research institutions and NGOs.
Project Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Plans and manages projects in government and development organisations.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages policy and development programmes in NGOs.
Government Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Works in government departments implementing public policies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in government, NGOs, and policy research. Demand is moderate, driven by policy reforms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Spreadsheet for policy data analysis and budget modelling.
SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for policy research.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for policy briefs and presentations.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for document sharing.
Microsoft Project
Project management
Project management software for public sector projects.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Public Policy is only for those who want to work in government.
Graduates work in NGOs, international organisations, research institutions, and private sector consulting.
Policy work is purely theoretical.
Policy professionals conduct field research, engage stakeholders, and implement practical solutions.
There are no jobs in public policy.
Policy reforms, devolution, and governance changes create demand for policy professionals.
The programme is the same as Public Administration.
This programme focuses specifically on policy analysis and management, providing specialised policy skills.