Business

Bachelor of Commerce in Finance

The Bachelor of Commerce in Finance is a four-year degree programme offered at KCA University. The programme combines core commerce education with specialised training in finance, preparing graduates for careers in financial management, investment analysis, banking, and corporate finance.

The curriculum covers financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, financial markets, investment analysis, financial technology, international finance, financial statement analysis, banking, risk management, commercial law, company law, strategic management, project management, and computer application software.

Students develop skills in financial analysis, investment appraisal, financial modelling, risk management, banking operations, financial technology, corporate finance, portfolio management, and financial decision-making.

Graduates pursue careers as financial analysts, investment officers, banking officers, finance managers, risk managers, and fintech specialists. They find employment in banks, insurance companies, investment firms, corporate finance departments, government financial agencies, and fintech companies.

The programme is offered at KCA University (private, KSH 174,270 per year) at the main campus in Ruaraka, Nairobi, and other campuses. KCA University is renowned for its business, accounting, and finance programmes with strong industry linkages.

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 at least C Plain in Mathematics and English or Swahili.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 260,000
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Corporate Finance
Financial Markets
Investment Analysis
Financial Technology
International Finance
Financial Statement Analysis
Banking
Risk Management
Commercial Law
Strategic Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of management, planning, organising, leading, and controlling.
Financial Accounting I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial Accounting I: Introduction to accounting principles, financial statements, and bookkeeping. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Commercial Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Commercial Law: Legal framework for business operations including contracts and commercial law. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Business Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Business Finance: Financial management, capital budgeting, and corporate financial decisions. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Financial Markets
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial Markets: Structure and operations of financial markets, instruments, and institutions. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Company Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Company Law: Legal framework for company formation, governance, and regulation. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic Management: Strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation for competitive advantage. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Financial Technology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Fintech innovations, digital banking, blockchain, and financial technology applications.
International Finance
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
International financial markets, exchange rates, and cross-border financial management.
Financial Statement Analysis
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial Statement Analysis: Analysis of financial statements for investment and credit decisions. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Investment Analysis
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Investment Analysis: Securities analysis, portfolio management, and investment strategy. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Industrial Attachment and Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised 12-week industrial attachment at a financial institution and research project on a finance topic.

Specialisations

Corporate Finance
Focus on capital structure, dividend policy, and corporate financial decisions. 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.
Investment Analysis
Focus on securities analysis, portfolio management, and investment 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.
Financial Technology
Focus on fintech innovations, digital banking, and financial technology applications. 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.
Banking and Finance
Focus on banking operations, monetary systems, and financial institutions. 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 Finance
Focus on international financial markets, exchange rates, and cross-border finance. 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.
Risk Management
Focus on financial risk assessment, insurance, and risk mitigation strategies. 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 at KCA University's Ruaraka campus combines lectures, financial modelling exercises, and investment case studies. Morning sessions cover corporate finance, financial markets, and investment analysis, while afternoons focus on financial technology, international finance, and risk management through practical exercises. Students work on financial modelling projects, investment portfolio simulations, and data analysis using financial software.

The trade offs

In its favour

Specialised finance curriculum covering fintech, international finance, and investment analysis.
Strong industry linkages with banks, investment firms, and financial regulators.
Prepares graduates for professional qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, and CFA.
Available in full-time, part-time, and weekend modes at multiple campuses.

Against it

Private university fees may be higher than public university alternatives.
Only offered at KCA University under this specific CUE-registered title.
Finance roles often require additional professional certifications for career advancement.
Trimester system can be intensive with shorter breaks between terms.

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 260k

184k at Kenyatta University260k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya University243k 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 BCom 183.6K, UoN ~260K/yr (mawese/uonbi). MKU 105K, Daystar 242.8K (KUCCPS).

HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries and KCA University internal scholarships are also available. ICPAK and CFA Institute may offer student membership benefits.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
County Government Bursaries
KCA 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.
KCA University Scholarships
University scholarshipKenyan
Students with outstanding academic performance at KCA University.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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+ with at least C in Mathematics and English or Swahili; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification approved by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and financial problem-solving exercises throughout the trimester.
Financial Modelling Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Financial modelling, investment analysis, and portfolio management projects.
End of Trimester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the trimester.
Industrial Attachment Report
Project100% of the mark
Final-year 12-week industrial attachment at a financial institution including supervisor evaluation and research project.

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

Financial Analyst
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses financial data, supports investment decisions, and prepares financial models.
Investment Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages investment portfolios, analyses securities, and advises on investment strategy.
Banking Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages banking operations, credit assessment, and customer service.
Finance Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages financial operations, budgeting, and investment decisions in organisations.
Risk Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Assesses and manages financial risks in banks, insurance, and corporate finance.
Fintech Specialist
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops and manages financial technology solutions in digital banking and payments.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as financial analysts, investment officers, and banking officers in banks, investment firms, and corporate finance departments. Demand is high with growing fintech and financial services sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Spreadsheet tool for financial modelling, analysis, and data management.
Bloomberg Terminal
Financial platform
Financial data platform for market data, analysis, and trading.
QuickBooks
Accounting
Accounting software for small business financial management.
SAP
Erp
Enterprise resource planning system with finance modules.
Power BI
Analytics
Business analytics tool for financial data visualisation and reporting.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A finance specialisation is the same as accounting.
Finance focuses on financial management, investment analysis, and corporate finance, while accounting focuses on financial reporting, auditing, and taxation.
Finance graduates only work in banks.
Graduates work in investment firms, corporate finance departments, insurance companies, fintech companies, and government financial agencies.
This is a separate degree from the BCom.
It is a BCom with a specialisation in Finance, chosen from the third year after completing common core courses.
Finance is only about numbers and spreadsheets.
Finance also involves strategic decision-making, risk assessment, market analysis, and understanding regulatory frameworks.