Business

Bachelor of Commerce

The Bachelor of Commerce is a four-year degree programme offered at over 30 universities across Kenya. The programme provides a comprehensive foundation in business and commerce, with specialisations in accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, procurement, and entrepreneurship.

The curriculum covers financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, marketing management, human resource management, business law, economics, auditing, taxation, financial management, business statistics, strategic management, and entrepreneurship.

Students develop skills in financial accounting, management accounting, marketing strategy, financial analysis, human resource management, auditing, taxation, business communication, and strategic management.

Graduates pursue careers as accountants, financial analysts, marketing executives, human resource officers, auditors, tax consultants, procurement officers, and entrepreneurs. They find employment in accounting firms, banks, corporations, government departments, NGOs, and SMEs across Kenya and the wider East African region.

The programme is offered at over 30 universities including public institutions such as the University of Nairobi (KSH 220,150/year), Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Egerton University, Masinde Muliro University, Technical University of Kenya (KSH 180,000/year), and Co-operative University of Kenya, as well as private institutions such as Strathmore University, Daystar University (KSH 242,800/year), Kabarak University, and Mount Kenya University.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with relevant cluster subjects in mathematics and humanities.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
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: 60 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Financial Accounting
Management Accounting
Corporate Finance
Marketing Management
Human Resource Management
Business Law
Economics
Auditing
Taxation
Strategic Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial Accounting: Introduction to accounting principles, financial statements, and bookkeeping. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Microeconomics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Microeconomics: Economic principles at the individual and firm level, supply and demand. Covers economic theory, market analysis, and policy evaluation.
Business Mathematics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Mathematical methods applied to business problems including calculus and matrices.
Business Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Business Law: Legal framework for business operations including contracts and company law. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Marketing Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing Management: Marketing principles, consumer behaviour, and marketing strategy. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Corporate Finance: Financial management, capital budgeting, and corporate financial decisions. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Management Accounting
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Management Accounting: Cost accounting, budgeting, and performance measurement for management. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Taxation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenyan tax law, income tax, VAT, and tax compliance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Auditing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Auditing: Auditing principles, internal controls, and audit procedures. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Management: Strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation for competitive advantage. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Business Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Business Research Methods: Research design, data collection, and analysis for business decision-making. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Industrial Attachment and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment and final-year research project on a business topic.

Specialisations

Accounting
Focus on financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and accounting standards. 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.
Finance
Focus on corporate finance, investment analysis, and financial 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.
Marketing
Focus on marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, and brand 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.
Human Resource Management
Focus on recruitment, training, compensation, and organisational behaviour. 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.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Focus on purchasing, logistics, and supply chain operations. 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.
Entrepreneurship
Focus on new venture creation and small business 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.
Insurance and Risk Management
Focus on insurance principles, risk assessment, and underwriting. 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.
International Business
Focus on cross-border trade, global markets, and international business strategy. 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, case studies, and group projects. Morning sessions cover accounting, finance, and economics, while afternoons focus on marketing, HR, and business strategy through case discussions and presentations. Students participate in business simulations, group assignments, and industrial visits to companies and financial institutions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at over 30 universities, providing the widest institutional choice in Kenya.
Versatile degree with multiple specialisation options and career paths across all sectors.
Strong pathway to professional qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, CFA, and CIPS.
High job market demand with opportunities in accounting, banking, corporate, government, and SME sectors.

Against it

Large number of graduates creates intense competition for entry-level positions.
Employers increasingly require professional qualifications (CPA, ACCA) in addition to the degree.
Quality varies significantly between institutions due to the large number offering the programme.
Curriculum overlaps significantly with BBA and BBM, making differentiation difficult.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public184k to 220k

184k at Kenyatta University220k at University of Nairobi

Private186k to 243k

186k at Management University of Africa243k at Daystar 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 183.6K, UoN ~220K/yr (KUCCPS). MUA 186K (eafinder), Daystar 242.8K/yr (KUCCPS).

HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries and university internal scholarships are also available. Professional bodies such as ICPAK may offer student membership benefits.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
County Government Bursaries
University Scholarships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
ICPAK Student Sponsorships
Corporate scholarshipKenyan
Some accounting firms offer sponsorships for commerce students pursuing CPA qualification.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
ICPAK Scholarship for Accounting and Finance Students
ScholarshipKenyan
Bright and needy students admitted to accounting or finance programmes

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+ or equivalent; OR KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary pass; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and case study analyses throughout the semester.
Group Projects and Presentations
Practical20% of the mark
Team-based business projects, simulations, and class presentations.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Industrial Attachment Report
Project100% of the mark
Final-year industrial attachment including supervisor evaluation, report, and oral presentation.

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

Accountant
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Prepares financial statements, manages accounts, and ensures tax compliance.
Financial Analyst
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses financial data and supports investment and budgeting decisions.
Marketing Executive
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Develops and implements marketing campaigns and strategies.
Human Resource Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages recruitment, training, and employee relations in organisations.
Auditor
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts internal and external audits to verify financial records and compliance.
Tax Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Advises organisations on tax planning, compliance, and optimisation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as accountants, financial analysts, marketing executives, and HR officers across all sectors. Demand is high with diverse career opportunities in accounting, banking, corporate, government, and SME sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Spreadsheet tool for financial analysis, accounting, and data management.
QuickBooks
AccountingPrimary
Accounting software for small business financial management.
SAP
Erp
Enterprise resource planning system used in large organisations.
Power BI
Analytics
Business analytics tool for data visualisation and reporting.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation
Presentation tool for business pitches and reports.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A commerce degree is the same as a business administration degree.
While similar, commerce places greater emphasis on accounting, finance, and quantitative business disciplines, while business administration focuses more on management practice.
A commerce degree guarantees employment after graduation.
While demand is high, graduates face competition and many employers require professional qualifications such as CPA or ACCA in addition to the degree.
Commerce is only for those who want to be accountants.
The programme offers specialisations in marketing, finance, HR, procurement, and entrepreneurship, leading to diverse career paths.
All commerce degrees are the same regardless of university.
Quality, specialisation options, and industry linkages vary significantly between institutions, with some universities offering stronger accounting or finance tracks.