Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Technology)

The Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Technology) is a four-year degree that combines sociological analysis with technology studies, preparing graduates for careers at the intersection of social science and digital innovation. Students study sociological theory, social research methods, sociology of technology, digital sociology, social statistics, computer applications, data analysis, social informatics, internet and society, and technology policy.

Graduates find opportunities in technology companies, government ICT departments, research institutions, NGOs, data analytics firms, social media management, and digital advocacy organisations. The programme is delivered over eight semesters at Multimedia University of Kenya (public) and Zetech University (private), both CUE-accredited universities.

Graduates work as data analysts, research assistants, social media managers, technology policy analysts, digital content strategists, and NGO programme officers. This programme suits students with interest in both social dynamics and technology, analytical aptitude, and desire to work at the evolving intersection of digital innovation and social change.

The combination of sociology and technology provides versatile skills for Kenya's growing digital economy. Skills RequiredSociological Theory and AnalysisDigital Sociology and Technology StudiesSocial Research Methods and Data AnalysisComputer Applications and IT SkillsStatistical Analysis SoftwareSocial Media AnalyticsTechnology Policy and GovernanceDigital Communication StrategiesResearch Design and Survey MethodsData Visualisation and ReportingKey SubjectsSociological TheorySociology of TechnologyDigital SociologySocial Research MethodsSocia

l Statistics and Data AnalysisComputer Applications and Information SystemsInternet and SocietySocial InformaticsTechnology Policy and GovernanceResearch Methods in Social SciencesCertificationsKenya Society of Sociologists MembershipComputer Society of Kenya (CSK) MembershipInternational Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)SpecializationsDigital Sociology and Online CommunitiesFocus on studying online communities, social media dynamics, digital identity, and virtual interactions — for careers in social media management and digital research.

Technology Policy and GovernanceFocus on technology policy analysis, digital rights, data governance, and ICT for development — for careers in government and policy advocacy. Data Analytics and Social ResearchFocus on quantitative data analysis, social surveys, digital data collection, and statistical modelling — for careers in research institutions and data-driven organisations.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 130,600
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Sociological Theory
Sociology of Technology
Digital Sociology
Social Research Methods
Social Statistics and Data Analysis
Computer Applications and Information Systems
Internet and Society
Social Informatics
Technology Policy and Governance
Research Methods in Social Sciences

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Sociology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in sociology including social structures, institutions, social processes, classical sociological thinkers, and the sociological imagination.
Foundations of Information Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of computing including computer hardware, software, operating systems, networks, internet basics, and computer security for developing IT literacy.
Classical Sociological Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Classical sociological theories including functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and the works of Durkheim, Weber, Marx, and Parsons.
Sociology of Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Sociological analysis of technology including technological determinism, social shaping of technology, innovation diffusion, and the relationship between technology and social change.
Social Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Qualitative and quantitative research methods including survey design, interviewing, digital data collection, sampling techniques, and research ethics.
Social Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Statistical methods for social research including descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, and data analysis using statistical software.
Digital Sociology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of digital society including online communities, social media dynamics, digital identity, virtual interactions, and the social impact of digital technologies.
Social Informatics and ICT4D
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Information and communication technology for development, examining how ICT interventions impact communities, governance, education, and health in developing countries.
Internet and Society
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of how the internet shapes social relationships, communication patterns, information access, civic participation, and digital divides in African contexts.
Technology Policy and Governance
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Technology policy analysis, digital rights, data protection, ICT regulation, and e-government — examining Kenya's technology policy framework and digital transformation agenda.
Digital Communication and Social Media Analytics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital communication strategies, social media analytics, online advocacy, content strategy, and digital marketing — developing practical skills for digital communication roles.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project integrating sociology and technology, with digital data collection, data analysis, written dissertation, and oral defence.

Specialisations

Digital Sociology and Online Communities
Focus on studying online communities, social media dynamics, digital identity, and virtual interactions — for careers in social media management and digital research.
Technology Policy and Governance
Focus on technology policy analysis, digital rights, data governance, and ICT for development — for careers in government and policy advocacy.
Data Analytics and Social Research
Focus on quantitative data analysis, social surveys, digital data collection, and statistical modelling — for careers in research institutions and data-driven organisations.
Social Informatics and ICT4D
Focus on ICT for development, technology adoption in communities, and social impact of information systems — for careers in NGOs and development agencies.
Digital Communication and Social Media Strategy
Focus on digital communication strategies, social media analytics, online advocacy, and digital content creation — for careers in digital media and corporate communication.
Sociology of Innovation and Emerging Technologies
Focus on the social dimensions of emerging technologies including AI, blockchain, and IoT — examining how innovation shapes social structures and relationships.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on sociological theory, digital sociology, or technology and society with afternoon computer laboratory sessions, data analysis practicals, and seminar discussions. Students analyse social data, work with statistical software, examine digital trends, and design technology-focused social research. Evenings involve reading sociology and technology literature, writing research reports, and developing digital content projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

The combination of sociology and technology is highly relevant in Kenya's digital economy — mobile money, social media, e-government, and tech startups all need professionals who understand both social dynamics and technology.
Graduates possess versatile skills — data analysis, research methods, digital communication, and technology policy — applicable across multiple sectors including government, NGOs, tech companies, and media.
The programme is unique in Kenya, offered at only two universities — graduates have a distinctive qualification that differentiates them from general sociology or IT graduates.
Technology-related skills command higher starting salaries than traditional social science degrees — digital and data roles can start at KES 45,000–70,000/month.

Against it

The programme is relatively new and not widely known — some employers may not understand the value of the combination, requiring graduates to explain their unique skill set.
Offered at only two universities, limiting access and programme choice — MMU is public with lower fees but the programme may not always be in the KUCCPS cycle.
The interdisciplinary nature means students cover less depth in both sociology and technology compared to single-subject degrees — some employers may prefer specialised graduates.

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 131k

105k at Mount Kenya University131k at Zetech 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 189,004/yr. MKU 105K; Zetech 130,600/yr. Src: educationnewshub KUCCPS

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

5 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
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

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 KCSE C (plain) with a KNEC Diploma or equivalent from a recognised institution, or KCSE C- (minus) with a Certificate and KNEC Diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests covering sociological theory, technology studies, research methods, and social statistics, assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Computer Laboratory Practicals and Data Analysis
Coursework25% of the mark
Computer laboratory sessions, data analysis exercises, statistical software practicals, digital research assignments, and technology project submissions.
Research Papers and Digital Projects
Coursework15% of the mark
Research papers, digital content projects, technology analysis essays, and social media case studies assessed throughout each semester.
Final Examinations and Research Project
Examination30% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year research project integrating sociology and technology, with digital data collection, written dissertation, and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Multimedia University of Kenya (public) and Zetech University (private), both CUE-accredited universities. MMU offers it through the Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, combining sociology with technology in a unique interdisciplinary framework.

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

Data Analyst (Social Data)
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 70,000
Analyses social data using statistical software and digital tools — conducting surveys, analysing trends, creating data visualisations, and producing insights for organisations.
Social Media Manager
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages social media presence for organisations, develops digital content strategies, analyses engagement metrics, and implements online advocacy campaigns.
Research Assistant (Digital Research)
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supports research projects on technology and society, conducting digital surveys, online data collection, social media analysis, and contributing to research publications.
Technology Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 75,000
Analyses technology policy, digital rights, and ICT for development — working in government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations on technology governance issues.
NGO Programme Officer (ICT4D)
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Designs and implements ICT for development programmes in NGOs, applying sociological understanding to technology interventions in education, health, and governance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as data analysts, research assistants, social media managers, technology policy analysts, digital content strategists, and NGO programme officers in technology companies, government, research institutions, and digital media.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for social research including survey analysis, cross-tabulations, regression, and demographic data analysis.
Microsoft Office Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Productivity tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access for research documentation, data management, presentations, and professional communication.
R Programming Language
Software
Open-source statistical computing and graphics software for advanced data analysis, statistical modelling, and data visualisation in social research.
Google Analytics
Software
Web analytics platform for tracking website traffic, user behaviour, and digital engagement — useful for digital sociology and social media analytics roles.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for coding digital content, social media data, interview transcripts, and qualitative research data.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Sociology and Technology is just an IT degree with some sociology electives.
The programme is a sociology degree that integrates technology as a lens for understanding social phenomena — it examines how technology shapes society and how social factors influence technology adoption, rather than teaching programming or engineering.
This degree is less rigorous than a pure sociology or pure IT degree.
The programme covers both sociological theory and technology analysis, requiring students to master research methods, statistical analysis, and digital tools — it is a demanding interdisciplinary programme.
Technology-focused sociology has no career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing digital economy, mobile money revolution, social media expansion, and e-government services all require professionals who understand both social dynamics and technology — demand is increasing.
This is a new, untested programme.
The programme has been offered at Multimedia University for several years and is CUE-accredited — it builds on established sociology and technology curricula adapted for the digital age.
Graduates can only work in technology companies.
Graduates work in government, NGOs, research institutions, media, education, and private sector — any organisation that needs to understand the social impact of technology can employ them.