Media & Communication

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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 306,000
Private, up to: Ksh 500,000
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: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

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 programme

Introduction 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

High demand in Kenya's growing tech sector
Diverse career paths across all industries
Competitive salaries and career growth
Opportunity to work in innovative tech ecosystem

Against it

Rapidly evolving field requires continuous learning
Sitting for long periods can be health-impacting
Professional certifications may be expected
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 courses

Public204k to 306k

204k at Kenyatta University306k at JKUAT

Private234k to 500k

234k at KCA University500k at Strathmore 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

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 recorded

Higher 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

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

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous 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

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

Database 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

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.