Bachelor of Arts in Social Business Innovation
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Business Innovation is a programme that combines business innovation with social impact. The programme prepares graduates for careers in social entrepreneurship, impact business and sustainable development.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 140,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers social entrepreneurship, business innovation, business model design, social impact measurement, sustainable business, impact investing, corporate social responsibility, business strategy, project management, financial management, marketing for social business, innovation management, design thinking, social enterprise management, development studies, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both business and social innovation skills.
The programme is designed to produce graduates who can create and manage businesses that address social challenges. The programme combines business acumen with social purpose, preparing graduates for the growing social enterprise sector.
Graduates are prepared for careers as social entrepreneurs, social enterprise managers, innovation officers, CSR managers, impact investment analysts, programme officers, project managers, business consultants, development officers, researchers and social business owners. They work in social enterprises, NGOs, corporate CSR departments, impact investment firms, development agencies, government and consulting firms.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in Mathematics or English.
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.
What you study
10 subjects- Social Entrepreneurship
- Business Innovation
- Social Impact Measurement
- Sustainable Business
- Impact Investing
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Business Strategy
- Design Thinking
- Project Management
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeSocial Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship for social impact. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-...
Business Innovation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Innovation in business. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Social Impact Measurement
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Measuring social impact. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Sustainable Business
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Sustainable business models. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Impact Investing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Investing for impact. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Corporate Social Responsibility
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
CSR in business. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Business Strategy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Design Thinking
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Design thinking for innovation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Project Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Managing projects. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
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
Impact Investing
Focus on impact investment. 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.
Innovation Management
Focus on driving innovation. 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.
Social Entrepreneurship
Focus on creating social enterprises. 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.
CSR
Focus on corporate responsibility. 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 social business and innovation, studying business models, researching social impact, studying entrepreneurship, analysing case studies, studying design thinking, researching sustainable business, participating in innovation workshops, studying financial management, and engaging with current social business and innovation trends. Students undertake internships and projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines business skills with social impact | Niche field that may require explanation to employers |
| Growing social enterprise sector in Kenya | Private institution fees may be higher |
| Meaningful work addressing social challenges | Social enterprises may have limited funding |
| — | May require entrepreneurial mindset and risk tolerance |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 331 business coursesAnnual 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 Univ (private) Ksh 70K/sem self-sponsored per tangaza.ac.ke. No public univ offers this.
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
3 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Mathematics or English. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in business, entrepreneurship or related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
How you are assessed
3 componentsInternship and Research Project
Practical30% of the mark
Internship and social business research project
End of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written examinations covering all semester content
Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular business plans, case studies, presentations and class participation
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in Mathematics or English.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesImpact Investment Analyst
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses impact investments
CSR Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages corporate social responsibility
Social Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 400,000
Creates and runs social enterprises
Innovation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Drives innovation in organisations
Social Enterprise Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages social enterprises
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as social entrepreneurs, social enterprise managers, innovation officers and CSR managers in social enterprises, NGOs and corporate CSR.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
Tools you will learn
SAP FICO
ErpPrimary
SAP financial and controlling module.
QuickBooks Enterprise
Accounting
Advanced accounting for SMEs.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Financial modelling and analysis.
SAP ERP
ErpPrimary
Oracle ERP
Erp
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Social business is just charity.
Social businesses are revenue-generating enterprises that address social challenges sustainably.
This is not a real business degree.
The programme covers business strategy, financial management, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Social business cannot be profitable.
Social businesses can be financially sustainable while creating social impact.
There are no jobs in social business.
The social enterprise sector is growing, with demand for trained professionals.