Business

Bachelor of International Logistics and Supply Chain

The Bachelor of International Logistics and Supply Chain is a four-year programme that prepares students for international logistics, global supply chain management and trade operations. Students study international logistics, supply chain management, trade, transport and customs. The programme focuses on managing goods movement across international borders.

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

In Kenya, international logistics is critical for trade through Mombasa Port, JKIA and regional corridors. Kenya's position as East Africa's transport hub and the Northern Corridor create demand. LAPSSET and SGR projects create opportunities. Graduates find roles in freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, logistics firms, ports, customs agencies 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 logistics managers, supply chain managers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and transport managers. Some work for logistics firms or shipping lines. Others join ports, manufacturing companies or consulting firms.

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

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 259,000
Private, up to: Ksh 195,000
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

International Logistics Management
Global Supply Chain Management
International Trade and Customs
Port and Maritime Operations
Transport and Distribution Management
Freight Forwarding and Operations
Warehousing and Inventory Management
Supply Chain Analytics
International Trade Law
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to International Logistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to International Logistics: Fundamentals of international logistics and global supply chains 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.
International Trade and Customs
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
International Trade and Customs: International trade procedures, customs regulations and documentation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Port and Maritime Operations
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Port operations, maritime transport and terminal management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Freight Forwarding and Operations
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Freight Forwarding and Operations: Freight forwarding, cargo handling, shipping and air freight operations Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Global Supply Chain Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Global supply chain strategy, integration and optimisation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Warehousing and Inventory Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Warehousing and Inventory Management: Warehouse operations, inventory control and distribution centres Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Supply Chain Analytics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Supply Chain Analytics: Data analytics for supply chain, forecasting and optimisation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
International Trade Law
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Trade law, international conventions and trade compliance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Strategic Logistics Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic Logistics Management: Strategic logistics planning, network design and logistics strategy Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Research Project: Independent research on international logistics and supply chain Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

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.
Transport Management
Specialization in Transport Management, 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.
Maritime Logistics
Specialization in Maritime Logistics, 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.
Customs and Trade
Specialization in Customs and 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.
Supply Chain Analytics
Specialization in Supply Chain Analytics, preparing graduates for careers such as logistics-manager.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on international logistics or supply chain with afternoon case studies, industry visits or project work. Students may analyse logistics cases, use supply chain software, visit ports or work on logistics projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand from Kenya's transport hub status
Diverse career paths in logistics and supply chain
Relevant to Kenya's LAPSSET and SGR 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

Public141k to 259k

141k at Kenyatta University259k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 195k

105k at Mount Kenya University195k 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

KU B.Com 141K, UoN 259K/yr (victormatara, topnews.ke). MKU 105K, KCA 195K/yr (mku.ac.ke, kenyaeducationguide).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some logistics and shipping 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 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
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

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

Transport Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages transport operations and fleet
Logistics Manager
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages international logistics operations
Customs Broker
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Handles customs clearance and trade compliance
Supply Chain Manager
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages global supply chain operations
Freight Forwarder
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages freight forwarding and cargo movement

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as logistics managers, supply chain managers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and transport managers in freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, logistics firms, ports, customs agencies 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

Logistics is just about moving boxes
International logistics involves strategy, customs, trade compliance, analytics and supply chain optimisation.
There are no professional jobs in logistics
Kenya's transport hub status creates high demand for logistics professionals.
Logistics is only for port cities
Logistics operations span the entire country including inland depots and airports.
Supply chain is the same as procurement
Supply chain covers the entire flow from raw materials to end consumer.