Business

Bachelor of Economics and Policy

The Bachelor of Economics and Policy is a four-year degree programme offered at Mount Kenya University. The curriculum covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, public finance, policy analysis, development economics, econometrics, international trade, monetary economics, public policy theory, governance, research methods, and economic planning. Students develop skills in policy analysis, economic evaluation, research methodology, data analysis, public finance management, stakeholder engagement, report writing, strategic planning, and evidence-based decision-making.

Graduates pursue careers as policy analysts, economic planners, research analysts, government economists, development consultants, and programme officers. They find employment in government ministries, county governments, research institutes, international organisations, NGOs, and think tanks. The programme is offered at Mount Kenya University (private, KES 105,000 per year) at campuses in Thika, Nairobi, and through digital learning.

The KUCCPS code is 1279312. 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) with strong passes in Mathematics and English.

Skills RequiredPolicy analysisEconomic evaluationResearch methodologyData analysisPublic finance managementStakeholder engagementReport writingStrategic planningEvidence-based decision-makingEconomic modellingKey SubjectsMicroeconomicsMacroeconomicsPublic FinancePolicy AnalysisDevelopment EconomicsEconometricsInternational TradeMonetary EconomicsPublic Policy TheoryEconomic PlanningCertificationsMonitoring and Evaluation Certification - Kenya Evaluation AssociationProject Management Professional (PMP) - PMICertified Public Accountant (CPA) - ICPAKSpecializationsPublic PolicyFocus on policy design, implementation, and evaluation in government and public sector contexts.

Development EconomicsFocus on economic development, poverty reduction, and development policy in developing economies. Public FinanceFocus on government revenue, expenditure, taxation, and fiscal policy management.

Governance and Economic ManagementFocus on governance frameworks, institutional economics, and public sector reform. International Economic PolicyFocus on trade policy, international economic relations, and global economic governance.

Duration: 4 Years
Private, up to: Ksh 105,000
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

Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Public Finance
Policy Analysis
Development Economics
Econometrics
International Trade
Monetary Economics
Public Policy Theory
Economic Planning

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Microeconomics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to microeconomic theory, consumer behaviour, production theory, and market structures.
Principles of Macroeconomics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to macroeconomic theory, national income, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal policy.
Public Policy Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundations of public policy, policy cycle, policy instruments, and policy implementation.
Mathematics for Economists
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Mathematics for Economists: Mathematical tools for economic analysis including calculus and optimisation. Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.
Public Finance and Taxation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Government revenue and expenditure, taxation theory, fiscal policy, and public debt management.
Development Economics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of economic development, poverty, inequality, and development policy in developing countries.
Econometrics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Statistical methods for economic data, regression analysis, and policy evaluation.
Policy Analysis and Evaluation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods for policy analysis, cost-benefit analysis, impact evaluation, and policy brief writing.
International Trade and Policy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Trade theory, trade policy, regional integration, and international economic relations.
Governance and Economic Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Governance frameworks, institutional economics, public sector reform, and economic governance.
Economic Planning and Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic planning techniques, development planning, and project appraisal in developing economies.
Research Project and Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a policy or economics organisation and a final-year research project.

Specialisations

Public Policy
Focus on policy design, implementation, and evaluation in government and public sector contexts. 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.
Development Economics
Focus on economic development, poverty reduction, and development policy in developing economies. 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.
Public Finance
Focus on government revenue, expenditure, taxation, and fiscal policy 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.
Governance and Economic Management
Focus on governance frameworks, institutional economics, and public sector reform. 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 Economic Policy
Focus on trade policy, international economic relations, and global economic governance. 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.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Focus on evaluating policy and programme outcomes using economic and statistical methods. 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 MKU combines economics lectures, policy seminars, and case study discussions. Morning sessions cover microeconomics, macroeconomics, and public finance theory, while afternoons focus on policy analysis workshops, research methods tutorials, and group discussions on current policy issues. Students analyse real-world policy cases, participate in policy debates, and develop policy briefs. The programme emphasises connecting economic theory with practical policy applications.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme combining economics with public policy, ideal for aspiring policy professionals.
Affordable private university tuition at KES 105,000/year with flexible payment options.
Programme was revamped by MKU to align with current industry and policy needs.
MKU offers digital learning options, providing flexibility for working students.

Against it

Only offered at one private university, limiting choice of institution.
Policy-focused careers may require additional qualifications or experience for advancement.
As a specialised programme, it may have fewer broad career options than general economics.
Digital learning option may provide less face-to-face interaction for policy discussions.

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

Private105k to 105k

105k at Mount Kenya University105k at Mount Kenya 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

MKU 105,000/yr (KUCCPS 2025). No public univ offers Economics & Policy.

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. MKU also offers internal scholarships and financial aid for deserving students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
MKU Internal Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
MKU Internal Scholarships
Institutional scholarshipKenyan
Deserving students at Mount Kenya University based on academic merit and financial need.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes and one subsidiary pass; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification accepted by the MKU Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, policy briefs, research assignments, and economic reports throughout the semester.
Seminars and Case Study Presentations
Practical20% of the mark
Policy case study analyses, seminar presentations, and group policy debates.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Research Project and Industrial Attachment
Project100% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment at a policy or economics organisation plus a final-year 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

Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Researches and evaluates public policies, providing recommendations to government and NGOs.
Economic Planner
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 220,000
Develops economic plans and development strategies for government and development organisations.
Research Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts economic and policy research, collects and analyses data, and prepares research reports.
Government Economist
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Works in government ministries providing economic analysis and policy advice.
Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 300,000
Advises organisations on development projects, economic planning, and policy implementation.
Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages and evaluates development programmes in NGOs and international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as policy analysts, economic planners, and research analysts in government, research institutes, and international organisations. Demand is moderate with growing need for evidence-based policy skills.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
Data analysisPrimary
Spreadsheet tool for economic data analysis, policy modelling, and financial calculations.
Stata
Statistical softwarePrimary
Statistical software for econometric analysis and policy evaluation.
SPSS
Statistical software
Statistical analysis software for survey data and social science research.
R
Statistical programming
Open-source programming language for statistical computing and policy analysis.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation
Presentation tool for policy briefs, stakeholder presentations, and research dissemination.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This is just a standard economics degree with a different name.
The programme has a distinct focus on public policy, governance, and economic planning, setting it apart from general economics degrees.
Policy graduates can only work in government.
Graduates work in diverse sectors including NGOs, international organisations, research institutes, think tanks, and private consultancies.
The programme is only offered at one university, so it must be low quality.
MKU is a chartered private university with CUE accreditation and a revamped, market-driven curriculum.
Economics and Policy is less rigorous than pure economics.
The programme covers the same core economics modules with additional policy-focused content, making it equally rigorous.