Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
The Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for starting and managing small and medium enterprises. Students study entrepreneurship, small business management, finance, marketing, operations and enterprise development. The programme focuses specifically on SME challenges and growth strategies.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 216,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 864,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 105,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in small business planning, SME finance, marketing for small businesses, operations management, business law and enterprise growth. They learn to start small businesses, manage SME operations, access finance and scale enterprises. The programme covers entrepreneurship, SME management, accounting, marketing and business planning.
In Kenya, SMEs account for a significant portion of employment and economic activity. The government's SME support initiatives including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and Women Enterprise Fund create opportunities. Kenya's informal sector formalisation and SME growth create demand. Graduates find roles as entrepreneurs, SME managers, business development officers and enterprise consultants.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, case studies, business plan development, industrial attachment and research projects. Students develop business plans, analyse SME case studies, work with small businesses and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research or business plan project.
Graduates pursue careers as entrepreneurs, small business managers, SME development officers, business consultants and enterprise trainers. Some start their own businesses. Others join SME support organisations, NGOs or government agencies.
This programme is ideal for individuals with entrepreneurial aspirations, interest in small business and passion for enterprise development.
What you study
10 subjects- Entrepreneurship and Venture Creation
- Small Business Management
- SME Finance and Funding
- Marketing for Small Businesses
- Operations Management for SMEs
- Business Planning and Strategy
- Business Law and Compliance
- Innovation and Product Development
- Digital Marketing and E-commerce
- Research Methods in Business
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of entrepreneurship, venture creation and entrepreneurial characteristics
Small Business Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
SME fundamentals, business types, ownership structures and management challenges
Financial Accounting for SMEs
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Financial Accounting for SMEs: Accounting principles and financial management for small businesses Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Business Planning and Venture Creation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Business Planning and Venture Creation: Business plan development, market analysis and startup strategies Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Marketing for Small Businesses
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Marketing for Small Businesses: Marketing strategies, customer acquisition and brand building for SMEs Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
SME Finance and Funding
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
SME Finance and Funding: Funding sources, working capital, financial planning and access to finance Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Operations Management for SMEs
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Operations Management for SMEs: Production, inventory, quality and supply chain management for small businesses Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Business Law and Compliance
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Business Law and Compliance: Business registration, taxation, labour law and regulatory compliance for SMEs Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Innovation and Product Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Innovation and Product Development: Innovation processes, product development and market adaptation Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.
Digital Marketing and E-commerce
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Marketing and E-commerce: Digital marketing, social media, e-commerce and online business strategies Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Strategic Management for SMEs
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic planning, growth strategies and competitive advantage for small businesses
Final Year Business Plan/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Business Plan/Research Project: Independent business plan or research on small business management Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Specialisations
SME Management
Specialization in SME Management, preparing graduates for careers such as entrepreneur. 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.
Digital Business
Specialization in Digital Business, preparing graduates for careers such as entrepreneur. 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.
Family Business
Specialization in Family Business, preparing graduates for careers such as entrepreneur. 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.
Venture Creation
Specialization in Venture Creation, preparing graduates for careers such as entrepreneur. 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.
Social Entrepreneurship
Specialization in Social Entrepreneurship, preparing graduates for careers such as entrepreneur. 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.
SME Development
Specialization in SME Development, preparing graduates for careers such as business-consultant. 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 small business management or entrepreneurship with afternoon case studies, business plan development or project work. Students may develop business plans, analyse SME case studies, work on marketing projects or visit small businesses.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Focused on SME sector which is Kenya's largest employer | Some may view SME management as less prestigious than corporate management |
| Practical skills for starting and managing businesses | Entrepreneurship income can be unpredictable |
| Access to government SME support funds and programmes | Requires resilience and risk-taking mindset |
| Diverse career paths in entrepreneurship and SME support | May require additional certifications for specialised roles |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 331 business coursesAnnual 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 B.Com 183.6K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN B.Com 216K/yr (Schedule II). MKU BBM 105K/yr.
Students may access HELB loans, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and county bursaries.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
Youth Enterprise Development Fund
Loan
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Murang'a University of Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Business Plan and Project Work
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesSME Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Supports SME development in government agencies or NGOs
Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 500,000
Starts and manages their own small or medium enterprise
Business Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides consulting services to small businesses on growth and strategy
Small Business Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages operations of small and medium enterprises
Enterprise Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Trains entrepreneurs and SME owners on business skills
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as entrepreneurs, small business managers, SME development officers, business consultants and enterprise trainers in their own businesses, SME support organisations, NGOs and government agencies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet software for financial modelling, data analysis, accounting worksheets, and business reporting — essential for business graduates.
QuickBooks
SoftwarePrimary
Accounting software widely used by SMEs in Kenya for bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
SAP ERP
Software
Enterprise resource planning software used by large organisations for integrated business management including finance, procurement, and HR modules.
Power BI
Software
Business analytics tool for data visualisation, dashboard creation, and business intelligence reporting.
Microsoft Office Suite
Software
Word processing, presentations, and communication tools essential for business documentation and reporting.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Small business management is just about running a shop
SME management involves strategy, finance, marketing, operations and growth planning.
You don't need a degree to start a small business
A degree provides structured knowledge in finance, marketing and management that improves business success rates.
SMEs don't create real jobs
SMEs are the largest employers in Kenya and drive economic growth.
This programme is only for those who can't get other jobs
Entrepreneurship is a deliberate career choice that requires skills, knowledge and resilience.