Engineering

Bachelor of Business Management (Civil Aviation Management)

The Bachelor of Business Management in Civil Aviation Management is a four-year specialised programme that combines business management principles with aviation industry knowledge. Students study management, finance, marketing and human resources alongside air transport management, aviation law, airport management, airline operations and aviation safety. The programme prepares graduates for management careers in Kenya's growing aviation sector.

Students develop competencies in aviation management, airline operations, airport administration, aviation law and regulation, aviation safety, air transport economics and business management. They learn to manage aviation businesses, oversee airport operations, understand aviation regulatory frameworks and apply business principles to aviation contexts. The programme covers both national and international aviation industry practices.

In Kenya, aviation is a strategic sector with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serving as East Africa's aviation hub. Kenya Airways, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and numerous private airlines and charter companies create diverse career opportunities. The expansion of airport infrastructure, growth of low-cost carriers and Kenya's position as a regional aviation hub drive demand for aviation management professionals.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, aviation industry case studies, airport visits, simulations, research projects and industrial attachment. Students analyse aviation industry cases, study airport operations, understand aviation regulations and undertake internships at airlines, airports or aviation authorities. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as airport managers, airline operations managers, aviation safety officers, aviation regulatory officers, cargo managers and aviation business development officers. Some work at Kenya Airways, Kenya Airports Authority or the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Others join private airlines, charter companies or aviation service providers.

This programme is ideal for individuals with interest in aviation, management skills and attention to detail. Students who enjoy the aviation industry, regulatory frameworks and business management will find this programme particularly engaging.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,000
Private, up to: Ksh 161,600
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Air Transport and Airport Management
Civil Aviation Management and Policy
Aviation Law and Regulations
Airline Operations and Management
Aviation Safety and Security
Business Finance and Accounting
Marketing for Aviation Industry
Human Resource Management in Aviation
Aviation Economics and Finance
Research Methods in Aviation Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Business Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamental concepts of business management, including planning, organising, leading and controlling
Introduction to Aviation Industry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Overview of the aviation industry, including history, structure, stakeholders and current trends
Business Statistics and Quantitative Methods
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Statistical methods for business and aviation data analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Air Transport and Airport Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of air transport operations and airport facilities, including terminal operations and ground services
Aviation Law and Regulations
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
International and Kenyan aviation law, including ICAO conventions, KCAA regulations and air service agreements
Airline Operations and Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Management of airline operations, including route planning, fleet management, scheduling and revenue management
Aviation Safety and Security
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Aviation safety management systems, security protocols and regulatory compliance
Aviation Economics and Finance
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to aviation, including airline economics, airport finance and aviation taxation
Civil Aviation Management and Policy
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Aviation policy development, regulatory frameworks and government's role in civil aviation
Marketing for Aviation Industry
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing strategies for airlines, airports and aviation services, including customer experience and loyalty
Research Project
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on a selected aviation management topic producing a scholarly dissertation
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised placement at an airline, airport, aviation authority or aviation service provider

Specialisations

Aviation Finance
Specialization in Aviation Finance, preparing graduates for careers such as financial-controller. 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.
Aviation Marketing
Specialization in Aviation Marketing, preparing graduates for careers such as marketing-manager-general.
Aviation Safety
Specialization in Aviation Safety, preparing graduates for careers such as operations-manager. 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.
Airport Management
Specialization in Airport Management, preparing graduates for careers such as operations-manager. 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.
Airline Operations
Specialization in Airline Operations, preparing graduates for careers such as operations-manager. 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.
Aviation Cargo
Specialization in Aviation Cargo, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. 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 morning lectures on aviation management or aviation law with afternoon case studies or industry visits. Students may analyse airline operations, study airport management scenarios, review aviation regulations or work on aviation business projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya is a regional aviation hub with diverse career opportunities
Specialised qualification with less competition than general business degrees
Dynamic and exciting industry with global connections
Aviation sector in Kenya is growing with infrastructure expansion

Against it

Aviation industry is sensitive to economic downturns and global events
Limited number of institutions offer this specialisation
Some roles may require additional aviation certifications
Industry regulations require continuous learning and compliance

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public184k to 220k

184k at Kenyatta University220k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 162k

105k at Mount Kenya University162k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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 183.6K, UoN ~220K/yr. MKU 105K/yr, UEA Baraton 161.6K/yr (eafinder).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some aviation companies offer internship stipends during attachment periods.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Student Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Student members of IEK pursuing accredited engineering programmes
KCDF More Girls for Engineering Opportunities
ScholarshipKenyan
Young women from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing engineering

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Mathematics A/B
C+
English/Kiswahili
C+
Any Group II subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Case Studies and Aviation Projects
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Aviation industry certifications from KCAA or IATA enhance career prospects.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Airport Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages airport operations, facilities, staff and services ensuring safe and efficient passenger handling
Cargo Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages air cargo operations, logistics and freight services at airports or airlines
Airline Operations Manager
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages airline operations including flight scheduling, crew coordination and operational performance
Aviation Regulatory Officer
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 140,000
Works with KCAA to enforce aviation regulations and ensure industry compliance
Aviation Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 160,000
Implements and monitors aviation safety management systems and compliance

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as airport managers, airline operations managers, aviation safety officers, aviation regulatory officers and cargo managers at Kenya Airways, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and private airlines.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

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

Aviation management is only about flying
The programme focuses on the business and management side of aviation, including operations, finance, law and safety.
You need to be a pilot to work in aviation management
Aviation management is a business degree specialisation, requiring no piloting qualifications.
There are limited jobs in Kenya's aviation sector
Kenya is a regional aviation hub with JKIA, numerous airlines, airports and aviation service providers creating diverse opportunities.
Aviation is a declining industry
Aviation in Kenya and East Africa is growing, with expanding airport infrastructure and increasing air travel demand.