Technology

Bachelor of Information Science

The Bachelor of Information Science is a four-year programme that prepares students for information management, library science, records management and knowledge management. Students study information science, library management, records management, digital libraries and knowledge organisation. The programme combines information technology with information management for the digital age.

Students develop competencies in information organisation, library management, records management, digital information systems, knowledge management and information retrieval. They learn to manage libraries, organise information, manage records and implement knowledge systems. The programme covers information science, library science, archives, digital libraries and information technology.

In Kenya, information science is critical for knowledge management, education and organisational efficiency. Libraries, universities, government agencies and corporations require information professionals. Kenya's digital transformation creates demand for digital information management. Graduates find roles in universities, libraries, government agencies, corporations, research institutions and NGOs.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical sessions, library practicum, industrial attachment and research projects. Students manage library systems, organise information, use digital platforms and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as librarians, information managers, records managers, knowledge managers and archivists. Some work for universities or libraries. Others join government agencies, corporations, research institutions or NGOs.

This programme is ideal for individuals with organisational skills, computing aptitude and interest in information management.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,400
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Information Science and Theory
Library Management and Services
Records Management and Archives
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Knowledge Management
Information Organisation and Retrieval
Database Management for Information Systems
Web Technologies for Information Services
Research Methods
Information Policy and Ethics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Information Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Information Science: Fundamentals of information science, theory and information society Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Information Sources and Services
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Information sources, reference services and user needs. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Information Organisation and Retrieval
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Information Organisation and Retrieval: Cataloguing, classification, indexing and information retrieval Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Library Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Library administration, management and service delivery. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Records Management and Archives
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Records Management and Archives: Records management principles, archival science and document management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Database Management for Information Systems
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Database design, SQL and information system databases. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Libraries and Information Systems: Digital libraries, electronic resources and digital information systems Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Knowledge Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Knowledge Management: Knowledge management principles, systems and organisational knowledge Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Web Technologies for Information Services
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Web Technologies for Information Services: Web technologies, content management systems and online information services Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant...
Information Policy and Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Information Policy and Ethics: Information policy, intellectual property, privacy and ethics Encourages critical thinking about moral dilemmas and professional responsibility.
Research Methods in Information Science
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods in Information Science: Research methods, evaluation and information science research Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on information science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework...

Specialisations

Records Management
Specialization in Records Management, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Library Management
Specialization in Library Management, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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 Libraries
Specialization in Digital Libraries, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Information Systems
Specialization in Information Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Knowledge Management
Specialization in Knowledge Management, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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.
Archival Studies
Specialization in Archival Studies, preparing graduates for careers such as librarian. 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 information science or library management with afternoon practical sessions, library practicum or project work. Students may manage library systems, organise information, use digital platforms or work on knowledge management projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines IT skills with information management
Diverse career paths in education, government and corporate
Relevant to digital transformation and knowledge economy
Growing demand for digital information management

Against it

Some may view information science as less technical than IT
Some positions may require additional certifications
Traditional library roles may have limited advancement
May require postgraduate study for advanced roles

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public204k to 204k

204k at Moi University204k at Kenyatta 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/yr, Moi 204K/yr (mawese, eafinder). Private: unverified — no private univ found offering this specific course.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some libraries and information organisations 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

3 recorded

Higher 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

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

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

Librarian
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages library services and information resources
Records Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages organisational records and archives
Information Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages information systems and resources in organisations
Knowledge Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages organisational knowledge and learning systems
Archivist
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages archival records and historical documents

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as librarians, information managers, records managers, knowledge managers and archivists in universities, libraries, government agencies, corporations, research institutions and NGOs.

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

Information science is just about libraries
Information science covers digital information, records, knowledge management and IT.
Librarianship is outdated
Modern librarianship involves digital libraries, information systems and technology.
There are no jobs in information science
Universities, government, corporations and research institutions require information professionals.
Information science is not tech-related
Information science combines IT with information management for digital environments.