Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology
The Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology is a four-year programme that prepares students for ICT careers including software development, network management, database administration and IT support. Students study programming, networking, databases, web technologies and IT management. The programme combines technical skills with business understanding for ICT roles.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 306,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,224,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 500,000 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 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in software development, network administration, database management, web development, cybersecurity and IT project management. They learn to develop software, manage networks, design databases and implement IT solutions. The programme covers programming, networking, databases, web technologies and IT management.
In Kenya, ICT is a rapidly growing sector with demand from fintech, mobile technology, e-commerce and digital transformation. Kenya's Silicon Savannah reputation and tech innovation create opportunities. The Communications Authority of Kenya regulates the sector. Graduates find roles in tech companies, banks, telecommunications, government and consulting firms.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, computer laboratory sessions, programming projects, industrial attachment and research projects. Students write code, configure networks, design databases and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year software or research project.
Graduates pursue careers as software developers, network administrators, database administrators, web developers and IT support officers. Some work for tech companies or banks. Others join telecommunications, government or start their own ventures.
This programme is ideal for individuals with computing aptitude, problem-solving skills and interest in technology.
What you study
10 subjects- Programming and Software Development
- Computer Networks and Security
- Database Systems and Management
- Web Technologies and Development
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Operating Systems
- Mobile Application Development
- Cloud Computing
- IT Project Management
- Research Methods
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Programming
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Programming fundamentals, algorithms and problem-solving. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Computer Systems and Architecture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer hardware, architecture and system fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Web Technologies
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
HTML, CSS, JavaScript and web development fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Database Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Database design, SQL, normalisation and database management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Computer Networks
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer Networks: Network protocols, routing, switching and network administration Includes practical programming exercises, algorithm design, and system implementation.
Object-Oriented Programming
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
OOP principles, Java, C# and software design patterns. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Systems Analysis and Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Systems Analysis and Design: System analysis, design methodologies and requirements engineering Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Operating Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
OS concepts, process management, memory and file systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Mobile Application Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Mobile app development for Android and iOS platforms. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...
Cloud Computing
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Cloud Computing: Cloud platforms, virtualisation, AWS, Azure and cloud services Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
IT Project Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
IT Project Management: Project management methodologies, agile and IT project delivery Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Final Year Software/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent software development project or research. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...
Specialisations
Web Development
Specialization in Web Development, preparing graduates for careers such as web-developer. 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.
Database Management
Specialization in Database Management, preparing graduates for careers such as database-administrator.
Cloud Computing
Specialization in Cloud Computing, preparing graduates for careers such as software-developer. 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.
Software Development
Specialization in Software Development, preparing graduates for careers such as software-developer. 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.
Network Administration
Specialization in Network Administration, preparing graduates for careers such as it-support-specialist.
Mobile Development
Specialization in Mobile Development, preparing graduates for careers such as software-developer. 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 programming or networking with afternoon computer laboratory sessions or project work. Students may write code, configure networks, design databases, develop web applications or work on software projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand in Kenya's growing tech sector | Rapidly evolving field requires continuous learning |
| Diverse career paths across all industries | Sitting for long periods can be health-impacting |
| Competitive salaries and career growth | Professional certifications may be expected |
| Opportunity to work in innovative tech ecosystem | Some positions require working outside regular hours |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 106 media & communication 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 204K, UoN 265K, JKUAT 306K/yr (mawese, jkuat.ac.ke). KCA 234K, Strathmore 500K/yr (tuko.co.ke, nyongesasande).
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some tech companies offer internship stipends and scholarships.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Media Council of Kenya Journalism Training Fund
BursaryKenyan
Journalism and communication students accredited by the Media Council of Kenya
Nation Media Group Journalism Graduate Trainee Programme
ScholarshipKenyan
Recent journalism, media and communication graduates with strong digital skills
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- 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
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
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 2 institutionsIncluding Scott Christian University, Lukenya University.
Including Scott Christian University, Lukenya University.
Including Scott Christian University, Lukenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Computer Practicals and Projects
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% 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 rolesDatabase Administrator
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages databases and data systems
Web Developer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Develops websites and web applications
Network Administrator
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages and maintains computer networks
Software Developer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Develops software applications and systems
IT Support Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides IT support and technical assistance
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as software developers, network administrators, database administrators, web developers and IT support officers in tech companies, banks, telecommunications, government and consulting firms.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Database Reliability EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Edge Computing EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Figma
DesignPrimary
Adobe Creative Suite
DesignPrimary
Unity
Game engine
Visual Studio Code
Ide
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for analytical data management, quality control charts and statistical analysis.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
ICT is just about fixing computers
ICT covers software development, networking, databases, cybersecurity and IT management.
You need to be a genius to study ICT
ICT skills are developed through structured learning and practice.
ICT jobs are saturated in Kenya
Kenya's digital transformation creates continuous demand for ICT professionals.
ICT is the same as computer science
ICT combines technical skills with business and communication focus.