Business

Bachelor of Freight and Logistics Management

The Bachelor of Freight and Logistics Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for freight management, logistics operations and supply chain management. Students study freight operations, logistics management, supply chain, transport and warehousing. The programme focuses on the movement and storage of goods in domestic and international trade.

Students develop competencies in freight management, logistics operations, supply chain management, transport planning, warehousing and customs procedures. They learn to manage freight operations, plan logistics, optimise supply chains and handle international trade. The programme covers logistics, transport, supply chain management, international trade and customs.

In Kenya, logistics and freight are critical for trade through Mombasa Port, JKIA and regional corridors. Kenya's position as a regional transport hub and the Northern Corridor create demand. Kenya's LAPSSET project and standard gauge railway expansion create opportunities. Graduates find roles in freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, logistics firms, ports, airlines and manufacturing companies.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, case studies, industry visits, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse logistics cases, visit ports and terminals, use logistics software and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as freight managers, logistics managers, supply chain coordinators, customs officers and transport planners. Some work for freight forwarding companies or shipping lines. Others join logistics firms, ports, airlines or manufacturing companies.

This programme is ideal for individuals with organisational skills, interest in trade and logistics and business acumen.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
Private, up to: Ksh 223,890
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

Freight Operations and Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Transport and Distribution Management
International Trade and Customs
Warehousing and Inventory Management
Port and Terminal Operations
Multimodal Transport
Logistics Information Systems
Procurement and Sourcing
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Freight and Logistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Freight and Logistics: Fundamentals of freight, logistics and supply chain management Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Management theory and business fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework...
Transport and Distribution Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Transport and Distribution Management: Transport modes, distribution systems and transport planning Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Freight Operations and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Freight Operations and Management: Freight forwarding, cargo handling, shipping and air freight Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Warehousing and Inventory Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Warehousing and Inventory Management: Warehouse operations, inventory control and storage management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
International Trade and Customs
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
International Trade and Customs: International trade procedures, customs regulations and documentation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Port and Terminal Operations
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Port operations, terminal management and cargo handling. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Supply Chain Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Supply chain strategy, optimisation and integration. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Multimodal Transport
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Multimodal Transport: Multimodal transport systems, intermodal operations and corridor management Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Logistics Information Systems
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Logistics Information Systems: IT systems in logistics, tracking, EDI and logistics technology Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Procurement and Sourcing
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Procurement and Sourcing: Procurement principles, supplier management and strategic sourcing Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on freight and logistics management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...

Specialisations

Transport Planning
Specialization in Transport Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. 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.
Port Operations
Specialization in Port Operations, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. 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.
Warehousing
Specialization in Warehousing, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. 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.
Supply Chain Management
Specialization in Supply Chain Management, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager.
Freight Forwarding
Specialization in Freight Forwarding, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. 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 Trade
Specialization in International Trade, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager. 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 freight operations or supply chain with afternoon case studies, industry visits or project work. Students may analyse logistics cases, use logistics software, visit ports or work on supply chain projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand from Kenya's transport hub status
Diverse career paths in freight, logistics and supply chain
Relevant to Kenya's regional trade and LAPSSET projects
Competitive salaries in logistics industry

Against it

Some positions require working in port areas or border crossings
Industry can be affected by trade policy changes
May require long hours during peak shipping seasons
Professional certifications may be expected for advancement

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 184k

184k at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University184k at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University

Private105k to 224k

105k at Mount Kenya University224k at KCA 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

JOOUST 183.6K (educationnewshub). KCA ~224K/yr (kcau.ac.ke), MKU 105K/yr (mku.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some logistics and freight companies offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English or Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Project Work and Case Studies
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Logistics Manager
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages logistics operations and supply chain
Transport Planner
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Plans and optimises transport operations and routes
Supply Chain Coordinator
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Coordinates supply chain activities and operations
Customs Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages customs procedures and compliance
Freight Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages freight operations and cargo movement

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as freight managers, logistics managers, supply chain coordinators, customs officers and transport planners in freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, logistics firms, ports, airlines and manufacturing companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

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

Freight and logistics is just about moving goods
Logistics involves planning, optimisation, customs, warehousing and supply chain strategy.
There are no professional jobs in logistics
Kenya's transport hub status creates demand for logistics professionals.
Logistics is only for port cities
Logistics operations span the entire country including inland container depots and airports.
Freight management requires no education
Modern freight management involves complex regulations, technology and strategic planning.