Technology

Bachelor of Computer Science and Information Technology

The Bachelor of Computer Science and Information Technology is a four-year degree programme offered at The East African University (TEAU) through its School of Computer Science and Engineering.

The curriculum integrates programming, software engineering, database systems, networking, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IT project management. Students develop practical skills in software development, system analysis, database design, network administration, and IT consultancy.

Students develop competencies in multiple programming languages, software development methodologies, database management systems, computer networking, web technologies, cybersecurity principles, cloud computing platforms, and IT project management.

Graduates pursue careers as software developers, IT consultants, system analysts, database administrators, network engineers, cybersecurity specialists, cloud computing engineers, and IT project managers. They find employment in technology companies, financial institutions, government departments, NGOs, consulting firms, and startups.

The programme is offered at The East African University (private, KES 120,000 per year for physical attendance) at the main campus in Kitengela, Kajiado County, approximately 40 kilometres south of Nairobi. TEAU was established in 2010 and occupies a 100-acre campus.

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+ (Plus) or C- (Minus) with a relevant diploma from a recognised institution.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 406,000
Private, up to: Ksh 441,500
Job market: Very 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

Programming
Software Engineering
Database Management Systems
Computer Networking
Cybersecurity
Cloud Computing
Artificial Intelligence
Web Technologies
IT Project Management
System Analysis

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Programming
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of programming using high-level languages, covering variables, control structures, functions, and data structures.
Computer Organisation and Architecture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of computer hardware, processor architecture, memory systems, and input/output organisation.
Database Management Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Database design, SQL, normalisation, transaction management, and database administration.
Object-Oriented Programming
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Object-oriented programming principles, classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and software design patterns.
Computer Networks
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Network protocols, OSI model, TCP/IP, network topologies, and network administration.
Software Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Software development lifecycle, requirements analysis, design, testing, and project management methodologies.
Web Technologies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Web development using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, server-side programming, and web application frameworks.
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Information security principles, threat analysis, cryptography, and security systems management.
Cloud Computing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cloud architecture, virtualisation, cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and cloud platform deployment.
Artificial Intelligence
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to AI concepts, machine learning algorithms, and intelligent systems.
IT Project Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Project management methodologies for IT projects, including Agile, Scrum, and project planning techniques.
Industrial Attachment and Final Year Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at an IT organisation and a final-year software or systems development project.

Specialisations

Software Development
Focus on programming, software engineering methodologies, and application development across platforms.
Database Systems
Focus on database design, management systems, data modelling, and database administration. 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.
Networking
Focus on computer networks, network administration, and network security. 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.
Cybersecurity
Focus on information security, threat analysis, and security systems 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.
Cloud Computing
Focus on cloud platforms, cloud architecture, and cloud-based service deployment. 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.
IT Project Management
Focus on managing IT projects, software development lifecycles, and technology implementation. 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 TEAU combines lectures, laboratory sessions, and practical coding assignments. Morning sessions cover programming concepts, database systems, and networking theory, while afternoons focus on hands-on lab work in software development, network configuration, and database management. Students work on programming projects, system design assignments, and IT case studies. The blended learning option allows flexibility for working students.

The trade offs

In its favour

Comprehensive curriculum covering both computer science theory and practical IT skills.
Affordable private university tuition at KES 120,000/year compared to other private institutions.
Blended learning option provides flexibility for working students.
Multiple intake periods (January, May, September) allow flexible enrolment timing.

Against it

Only offered at one private institution, limiting choice and geographic accessibility.
Not listed in KUCCPS under this exact programme name, limiting government placement opportunities.
TEAU is a relatively young university (established 2010) with less established industry reputation than older institutions.
Technology curriculum requires continuous self-learning to keep pace with rapid industry changes.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public306k to 406k

306k at Kenyatta University406k at University of Nairobi

Private111k to 442k

111k at Mount Kenya University442k at United States International University Africa

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

UoN CS ~406K, KU 306K/yr (uonbi/mawese). MKU 111K, USIU 441.5K (usiu.ac.ke).

HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students at private universities. County government bursaries and TEAU internal scholarships may also be available.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
County Government Bursaries
TEAU Internal Scholarships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities including private institutions. Must demonstrate financial need.
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
Huawei Seeds for the Future Kenya
Scholarship
Talented ICT/STEM university students with a GPA of 3.0+
Generation Google Scholarship
Scholarship
Women in computer science and related technical fields

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- (Minus) with a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR professional certificates from examining bodies such as KNEC, ACCA, or KASNEB; OR equivalent international qualifications with demonstrated English proficiency.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, programming assignments, and lab exercises throughout the semester.
Practical Laboratory Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Hands-on programming projects, database implementations, and network configurations in lab settings.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Industrial Attachment and Final Year Project
Project100% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment at an IT organisation and a final-year project demonstrating comprehensive technical competency.

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

Software Developer
Very high demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs, develops, and maintains software applications using programming languages and development frameworks.
IT Consultant
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides technology advisory services to organisations on IT strategy, systems, and digital transformation.
System Analyst
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Analyses organisational IT needs, designs system solutions, and oversees implementation of technology systems.
Database Administrator
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages and maintains database systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and performance.
Network Engineer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs, implements, and maintains computer networks and network infrastructure for organisations.
Cybersecurity Specialist
Very high demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 280,000
Protects organisational information systems from cyber threats through security analysis and implementation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as software developers, IT consultants, system analysts, and network engineers in technology companies, financial institutions, and government. Demand is very high with Kenya's growing tech sector and digital transformation initiatives.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Visual Studio Code
IdePrimary
Integrated development environment for writing and debugging code across multiple programming languages.
GitHub
Version controlPrimary
Version control and collaboration platform for software development projects.
MySQL Workbench
Database
Visual tool for database design, modelling, and administration.
Cisco Packet Tracer
Networking
Network simulation tool for designing and testing network configurations.
Amazon Web Services Console
Cloud computing
Cloud platform for deploying and managing cloud-based applications and services.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Computer Science and Information Technology is the same as Computer Science.
This programme combines computer science theory with practical IT skills including networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, providing a broader skill set than pure computer science.
Private university IT degrees are not valued by employers in Kenya.
TEAU is CUE-accredited and its IT graduates are recognised by employers, particularly when supplemented with industry certifications like CCNA, AWS, or CompTIA.
IT graduates can only work in technology companies.
IT graduates are in demand across all sectors including banking, healthcare, government, manufacturing, and NGOs for digital transformation and technology management roles.
Programming skills alone are sufficient for a successful IT career.
Modern IT careers require a combination of technical skills, soft skills, business understanding, and continuous learning as technology evolves rapidly.