Business

Bachelor of Science in Co-Operative Business

The Bachelor Of Science In Co-Operative Business is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in co-operative business. The programme falls under the Business & Commerce category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Co-operative Business, Co-operative Management, Co-operative Economics, Co-operative Law, Co-operative Finance, Co-operative Development. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Co-operative Finance, Co-operative Marketing, Co-operative Development, Co-operative Ethics, Co-operative Economics. 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 General Practice, Co-operative Finance, Co-operative Development. 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 Co-Operative Business pursue careers as Co-operative Manager, Co-operative Development Officer, Co-operative Auditor, Co-operative Finance Officer. 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 285,500
Private, up to: Ksh 140,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Co-operative Business
Co-operative Management
Co-operative Economics
Co-operative Law
Co-operative Finance
Co-operative Development

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Co-operative Business
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to co-operative business, covering co-operative principles, co-operative history, and the role of co-operatives in economic development.
Co-operative Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of co-operative management principles, covering co-operative governance, member management, and co-operative business operations.
Co-operative Economics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of co-operative economics, covering co-operative economic theory, co-operative business models, and economic analysis of co-operatives.
Co-operative Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of co-operative law, covering co-operative legislation, co-operative regulations, and legal frameworks for co-operative enterprises.
Co-operative Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of co-operative finance, covering co-operative banking, co-operative financial management, and co-operative capital formation.
Co-operative Accounting
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of co-operative accounting skills, covering co-operative financial reporting, co-operative auditing, and co-operative financial management.
Co-operative Marketing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of co-operative marketing, covering co-operative marketing strategies, member marketing, and co-operative product marketing.
Co-operative Development
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of co-operative development, covering co-operative formation, co-operative growth strategies, and co-operative capacity building.
Member Education
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of member education principles, covering member training, member engagement, and co-operative member development.
Co-operative Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in co-operative business, covering co-operative values, co-operative principles, and ethical co-operative practice.
Co-operative Business Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical co-operative work where students apply learned skills in co-operative management, member engagement, and co-operative enterprise development.
Co-operative Business Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on co-operative topic, demonstrating mastery of co-operative theory and practice.

Specialisations

Co-operative Finance
Specialization in co-operative banking, co-operative financial management, and co-operative capital formation.
Co-operative Development
Focus on co-operative formation, co-operative growth strategies, and co-operative capacity building.
Co-operative Management
Focus on co-operative governance, member management, and co-operative business operations. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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

Students attend lectures, conduct co-operative practice, participate in fieldwork, and engage in co-operative enterprise development.

The trade offs

In its favour

Opportunity to work in the growing co-operative sector which is important for Kenya's economic development.
Co-operative work combines business management with social impact through member-based enterprises.
Co-operative practice and fieldwork provide hands-on experience with co-operative management and member engagement.

Against it

Co-operative sector may have limited job opportunities compared to mainstream business sectors.
Co-operative work requires understanding of both business principles and co-operative values and governance.

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

Public184k to 286k

184k at Kenyatta University286k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 140k

105k at Mount Kenya University140k at Zetech 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:183.6K. UoN B.Com:285.5K. MKU:105K. Zetech:140K

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Co-operative Management, Business Administration, Commerce, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

English/Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C
Business Studies
C
Any Group II subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of co-operative theory, co-operative law, and co-operative finance.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on co-operative topic, demonstrating mastery of co-operative theory and practice.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of co-operative skills, member engagement work, and practical applications through co-operative practice and fieldwork.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and co-operative exercises throughout the semester evaluating co-operative knowledge and practical skills.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Co-operative Manager
Medium demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Manage co-operative societies, coordinate co-operative operations, and support co-operative member services and development.
Co-operative Development Officer
Medium demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 100,000
Support co-operative formation, provide co-operative development services, and work in government co-operative departments.
Co-operative Auditor
Low demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Audit co-operative societies, examine co-operative financial records, and provide assurance on co-operative financial management.
Co-operative Finance Officer
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage co-operative finance, handle co-operative banking operations, and support co-operative financial management.
Co-operative Consultant
Low demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Provide co-operative expertise, consult on co-operative development, and support co-operative enterprises in management and growth.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in co-operative business and co-operative development across Kenya's co-operative and business sectors.

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.