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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 183,600 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeProject 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand for project management professionals | Project management roles can be demanding and deadline-driven |
| Diverse application across sectors | Some projects may require travel and field work |
| Practical skills for development and business | Certifications may be required for senior roles |
| Opportunities to create social impact | 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 coursesAnnual 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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
12 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Tom Mboya University, University of Eldoret, Kabarnet University College.
Including Tom Mboya University, University of Eldoret, Kabarnet University College.
Including Tom Mboya University, University of Eldoret, Kabarnet University College.
How you are assessed
4 componentsAttachment 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
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesProject 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- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
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.