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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 189,004 a year at a public institution, Ksh 756,016 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 130,600 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 Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| 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. | 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. |
| Graduates possess versatile skills — data analysis, research methods, digital communication, and technology policy — applicable across multiple sectors including government, NGOs, tech companies, and media. | 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 programme is unique in Kenya, offered at only two universities — graduates have a distinctive qualification that differentiates them from general sociology or IT graduates. | The interdisciplinary nature means students cover less depth in both sociology and technology compared to single-subject degrees — some employers may prefer specialised 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. | — |
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 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
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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- 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
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Zetech University.
Including Zetech University.
Including Zetech University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesData 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- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
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.