Business

Bachelor of Project Development and Management

The Bachelor of Project Development and Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for project design, planning, implementation and management across sectors. Students study project development, project management, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilisation, community development and organisational management. The programme equips graduates with skills to design, manage and evaluate development and business projects.

Students develop competencies in project identification, design, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and stakeholder management. They learn to develop project proposals, manage resources, assess impact, mobilise funds and ensure sustainability. The programme covers project management, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilisation and community development.

In Kenya, project development and management is essential for government, NGOs, development agencies, private sector and community organisations. Universities and colleges offer this programme to meet the demand for project managers. Graduates find roles in project management units, NGOs, government departments, development agencies, consulting firms and community organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, case studies, project simulations, field attachment and research projects. Students develop project proposals, conduct needs assessments, design logframes and undertake a final research project.

Graduates pursue careers as project managers, project officers, monitoring and evaluation officers, development consultants, programme coordinators and resource mobilisation officers. Some work in NGOs. Others join government, donor agencies or private sector project management.

This programme is ideal for individuals with organisational skills, interest in development and desire to manage projects that create impact.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 183,600
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Project Development and Design
Project Planning and Management
Monitoring and Evaluation
Resource Mobilisation and Fundraising
Community Development and Participation
Research Methods for Development
Financial Management for Projects
Stakeholder and Partnership Management
Project Risk and Quality Management
Sustainable Development

Modules

12 in the programme

Project Development and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Project Development and Design: Project identification, needs assessment, proposal development and design Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Project Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Project planning, scheduling, budgeting and implementation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Monitoring and Evaluation: M&E frameworks, indicators, data collection, impact assessment and reporting Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Resource Mobilisation and Fundraising
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Resource Mobilisation and Fundraising: Fundraising, grant writing, donor relations and resource mobilisation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Community Development and Participation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Community Development and Participation: Community mobilisation, participation, empowerment and development Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Research Methods for Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research Methods for Development: Research design, data collection, analysis and development research Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Financial Management for Projects
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial Management for Projects: Project budgeting, financial reporting, auditing and compliance Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Stakeholder and Partnership Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Stakeholder and Partnership Management: Stakeholder analysis, partnership building, communication and negotiation Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Project Risk and Quality Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Project Risk and Quality Management: Risk management, quality assurance, standards and project controls Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Sustainable Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Sustainable Development: Sustainability, SDGs, climate change and project sustainability Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Project Management Information Systems
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
PMIS, project software, dashboards and digital tools. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on project development and management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...

Specialisations

Monitoring and Evaluation
Specialization in Monitoring and Evaluation, preparing graduates for careers such as nonprofit-program-manager.
Project Management
Specialization in Project Management, preparing graduates for careers such as project-management. 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.
Resource Mobilisation
Specialization in Resource Mobilisation, preparing graduates for careers such as nonprofit-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.
Development Management
Specialization in Development Management, preparing graduates for careers such as nonprofit-manager.
Community Development
Specialization in Community Development, preparing graduates for careers such as nonprofit-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.
Sustainable Development
Specialization in Sustainable Development, preparing graduates for careers such as nonprofit-manager.

A day as a student

A typical day combines project management lectures with case studies or project simulations. Students may develop project proposals, create logframes, conduct needs assessments or work on monitoring and evaluation plans.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for project management professionals
Diverse application across sectors
Practical skills for development and business
Opportunities to create social impact

Against it

Project management roles can be demanding and deadline-driven
Some projects may require travel and field work
Certifications may be required for senior roles
Funding uncertainty in development sector

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

Public169k to 184k

169k at JKUAT184k at University of Nairobi

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

JKUAT B.Sc Proj Mgmt 168,967/yr, UoN/Bomet 183.6K/yr. Private: unverified. Src: jkuat.ac.ke

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some NGOs and development agencies offer internships and project assistant positions.

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
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised 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

Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Project Proposals and Case Studies
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

Project Manager
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Plans and manages projects across sectors
Project Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Supports project implementation and coordination
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Tracks project performance and impact
Resource Mobilisation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Raises funds and resources for projects
Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Advises organisations on development and project management

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as project managers, project officers, monitoring and evaluation officers, development consultants, programme coordinators and resource mobilisation officers in project management units, NGOs, government departments, development agencies, consulting firms and community organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SAP FICO
ErpPrimary
SAP financial and controlling module.
QuickBooks Enterprise
Accounting
Advanced accounting for SMEs.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Financial modelling and analysis.
SAP ERP
ErpPrimary
Oracle ERP
Erp

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Project management is only for construction projects
Project management is used in development, health, education, IT, business and government projects.
Project development is only about writing proposals
Project development includes needs assessment, planning, budgeting, stakeholder analysis and sustainability planning.
You don't need a degree to manage projects
Professional project management requires training in planning, finance, M&E and risk management.
Project management is not a professional career
Project management is a recognised profession with certifications like PMP and PRINCE2.