Hospitality & Tourism

Bachelor of Science in Catering and Hotel Management

The Bachelor Of Science In Catering And Hotel Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in catering and hotel management. The programme falls under the Hospitality & Tourism category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Catering Principles and Food Production, Food and Beverage Management, Hotel Management and Hotel Operations, Front Office Management and Housekeeping, Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Menu Planning and Nutrition in Catering. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advertising, Business Process Modeling, Data Visualization, Entrepreneurship, Financial Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Hotel Marketing and Revenue Management, Hotel Finance and Cost Control, Front Office Management and Housekeeping, Menu Planning and Nutrition in Catering. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Hotel and Resort Management, Front Office and Guest Services, Event and Banquet Management. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Catering And Hotel Management pursue careers as Hotel Manager / Resort Manager, Front Office Manager, Executive Chef / Head Chef, Catering Manager / Food and Beverage Manager. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 153,000
Private, up to: Ksh 152,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Catering Principles and Food Production
Food and Beverage Management
Hotel Management and Hotel Operations
Front Office Management and Housekeeping
Food Safety and Food Hygiene
Menu Planning and Nutrition in Catering
Hotel Marketing and Revenue Management
Hotel Finance and Cost Control
Hotel Human Resources and Leadership
Research Methods and Hotel Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Catering Principles and Food Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Catering principles, food production, culinary arts, cooking techniques, food preparation, kitchen operations, and supporting catering principles.
Food and Beverage Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Food and beverage management, beverage service, bar management, wine service, banquet management, and supporting food and beverage management.
Hotel Management and Hotel Operations
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Hotel management, hotel operations, resort management, lodge management, room management, and supporting hotel management.
Front Office Management and Housekeeping
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Front office management, housekeeping management, guest services, reservation management, laundry management, and supporting front office and housekeeping.
Food Safety and Food Hygiene
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Food safety, food hygiene, HACCP, food quality, food standards, KEBS standards, and supporting food safety.
Menu Planning and Nutrition in Catering
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Menu planning, menu development, nutrition in catering, special dietary requirements, allergen management, and supporting menu planning.
Hotel Marketing and Revenue Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Hotel marketing, revenue management, yield management, hospitality sales, digital marketing, and supporting hotel marketing.
Hotel Finance and Cost Control
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Hotel finance, cost control, budgeting, financial management, food costing, and supporting hotel finance.
Hotel Human Resources and Leadership
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Hotel human resources, staff management, team leadership, training and development, employee relations, and supporting hotel human resources.
Research Methods, Hotel Research and Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, M and E, scientific writing, KEBS regulations, hotel research, research project, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Food and Beverage Management
Specialises in food and beverage management, beverage service, bar management, and banquet management.
Hotel and Resort Management
Focuses on hotel management, resort management, hotel operations, and guest services. 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.
Culinary Arts and Kitchen Management
Focuses on culinary arts, kitchen management, food production, and menu development. 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.
Front Office and Guest Services
Concentrates on front office management, guest services, reservation management, and customer relations.
Event and Banquet Management
Focuses on event catering, banquet management, wedding planning, and special event coordination. 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 starts with morning lectures on catering principles, hotel management, or food production, followed by kitchen practicals, hotel attachments, or catering attachments. Students prepare food, manage hotel operations, provide hospitality services, handle guest services, and work on their research project. Hotel attachments at hotels, resorts, and catering companies provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — tourism growth, hotel expansion, and resort development create strong demand for catering and hotel management professionals.
Diverse settings — graduates work at hotels, resorts, lodges, catering companies, event venues, and airlines.
Entrepreneurship opportunities — graduates can start hotels, restaurants, catering businesses, or hospitality ventures.

Against it

Long hours — hotel and catering work involves long hours, weekends, holidays, and shift work.
Physical demands — hotel and catering involve standing for long periods, lifting, and physical work.
Customer pressure — hospitality involves dealing with demanding guests, complaints, and high service expectations.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 91 hospitality & tourism courses

Public153k to 153k

153k at Kenyatta University153k at Kenyatta University

Private121k to 152k

121k at Zetech University152k at Kenya Methodist 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 ~153,000/yr (eafinder). Zetech 121,300/yr (mwafrikah), KeMU 152,000/yr (educationnewshub).

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, hospitality sponsorships, and international hospitality scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Kenya Utalii College Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Students admitted to tourism and hospitality programmes at Kenya Utalii College
Tourism Training Revolution Fund
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing tourism and hospitality training
Hospitality Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Hotels, resorts, and catering companies may sponsor catering and hotel management students in exchange for service commitment.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Catering, Hotel Management, Hospitality, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant catering or hotel experience is advantageous.

English or Kiswahili
C+
Biology or Home Science
C
Mathematics or Business Studies
C
Chemistry or Agriculture
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Industry Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachments including catering work, hotel work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
Catering and Hotel Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of catering and hotel competencies including food production, food and beverage service, hotel operations, and guest services.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and hotel reports throughout each semester.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent catering and hotel management research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering catering principles, hotel management, food and beverage management, food safety, and hotel finance.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Certified by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for food safety. The Public Health Act governs food handling. The Kenya Tourism Act supports hospitality development. KAHC represents hospitality professionals.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Hotel Manager / Resort Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages hotels, resorts, lodges, and hospitality operations at hotels, resorts, or hospitality companies.
Front Office Manager
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages front office operations, guest services, reservations, and check-in/check-out at hotels or resorts.
Executive Chef / Head Chef
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Leads kitchen operations, menu development, food production, and culinary innovation at hotels, resorts, or catering companies.
Catering Manager / Food and Beverage Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages catering operations, food and beverage services, banquet management, and food safety at hotels, resorts, or catering companies certified by KEBS.
Housekeeping Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages housekeeping operations, room management, laundry services, and cleanliness standards at hotels or resorts.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as hotel managers and catering managers. Catering and hotel management is in high demand driven by tourism growth. Salaries range from KES 60,000 to 150,000 per month. Hotels, resorts, catering companies, and event venues offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Catering and hotel management is just about cooking.
Catering and hotel management includes food production, food and beverage management, hotel operations, front office, housekeeping, guest services, and business management — cooking is one component.
Hotel management is only about front desk work.
Hotel management includes front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, catering, guest services, revenue management, and overall hotel operations — front desk is one department.
There are limited career opportunities for catering and hotel management graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's tourism growth, hotel expansion, resort development, and event industry growth create demand for catering and hotel management professionals at hotels, resorts, catering companies, and event venues.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.