Business

Bachelor of International Business

The Bachelor of International Business is a four-year programme that prepares students for international trade, global business management and cross-border commerce. Students study international business, trade, finance, marketing and cross-cultural management. The programme focuses on business operations in the global marketplace.

Students develop competencies in international trade, global marketing, cross-cultural management, international finance, trade logistics and international business strategy. They learn to manage international trade, develop global market strategies, manage cross-cultural teams and navigate international business regulations. The programme covers international business, trade, finance, marketing and management.

In Kenya, international business is critical for trade through Mombasa Port, JKIA and regional integration. Kenya's EAC membership, AfCFTA and global trade partnerships create opportunities. Kenya's position as a regional hub creates demand. Graduates find roles in export-import companies, multinational corporations, trade organisations, banks and consulting firms.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, case studies, industry visits, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse international business cases, develop trade strategies and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as international trade officers, export managers, global marketing managers, international business consultants and trade analysts. Some work for multinational companies or export-import firms. Others join banks, trade organisations or consulting firms.

This programme is ideal for individuals with global perspective, business acumen and interest in international trade.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 259,000
Private, up to: Ksh 226,000
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: 45 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

International Business and Trade
International Marketing
International Finance and Trade Finance
Cross-Cultural Management
International Trade Law
Global Supply Chain Management
Export and Import Management
International Business Strategy
International Economics
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to International Business
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to International Business: Fundamentals of international business, globalisation and trade 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...
International Economics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
International Economics: International trade theory, balance of payments and economic integration Covers economic theory, market analysis, and policy evaluation.
International Marketing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
International Marketing: Global marketing strategies, market entry and international marketing mix Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
International Finance and Trade Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
International Finance and Trade Finance: International finance, exchange rates, trade finance and payment methods Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
International Trade Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
International Trade Law: Trade law, WTO, trade agreements and international commercial law Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Cross-Cultural Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cross-Cultural Management: Cultural dimensions, cross-cultural communication and managing diversity Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Export and Import Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Export and Import Management: Export-import procedures, documentation, logistics and compliance Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Global Supply Chain Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Global Supply Chain Management: Global supply chains, international logistics and trade corridors Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
International Business Strategy
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
International Business Strategy: Global strategy, market entry modes and competitive advantage Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Regional Trade and Integration
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
EAC, AfCFTA, regional trade blocs and integration. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on international business. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursew...

Specialisations

Export Management
Specialization in Export Management, preparing graduates for careers such as business-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.
Regional Integration
Specialization in Regional Integration, preparing graduates for careers such as business-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.
Cross-Cultural Management
Specialization in Cross-Cultural Management, preparing graduates for careers such as business-manager.
Trade Finance
Specialization in Trade Finance, preparing graduates for careers such as financial-analyst. 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.
Global Marketing
Specialization in Global Marketing, preparing graduates for careers such as marketing-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 business-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 international business or trade with afternoon case studies, industry visits or project work. Students may analyse international business cases, develop export strategies, study trade regulations or work on global market projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Relevant to Kenya's position as a regional trade hub
Diverse career paths in trade, marketing and consulting
Opportunity to work with multinational companies
Competitive salaries in international business

Against it

International trade can be affected by policy changes
Some roles may require foreign language skills
Understanding trade regulations requires continuous learning
Some positions may require international travel

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

Public141k to 259k

141k at Kenyatta University259k at University of Nairobi

Private186k to 226k

186k at Management University of Africa226k at Daystar 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 B.Com 141K, UoN 259K/yr (victormatara, topnews.ke). MUA 186K, Daystar 226K/yr (eafinder, daystar.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some trade organisations and multinational 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

3 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
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

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

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

Export Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages export operations and market development
Trade Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Analyses trade data and market trends
Global Marketing Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Develops and implements global marketing strategies
International Business Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides consulting on international business and trade
International Trade Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages international trade operations and compliance

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as international trade officers, export managers, global marketing managers, international business consultants and trade analysts in export-import companies, multinational corporations, trade organisations, banks and consulting firms.

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

International business is just about import-export
International business covers global strategy, finance, marketing, law and cross-cultural management.
You need to travel to work in international business
Many international business roles can be managed from Kenya's trade hub position.
International business has limited jobs in Kenya
Kenya's regional hub status and trade agreements create demand.
International business is the same as general business
International business focuses on cross-border operations, trade regulations and global markets.