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Bachelor of Science in Co-Operatives and Community Development

The Bachelor Of Science In Co-Operatives And Community Development is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in co-operatives and community development. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 153,000
Ksh 612,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 295,500
Ksh 1,182,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 153,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 612,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 295,500 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE 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 6 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers Co-operatives and Community Development, Co-operative Business, Community Development, Co-operative Governance, Social Enterprise, Community Mobilization. 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 Co-operative Law, Co-operatives and Community Development Practice, Co-operative Business, Co-operatives and Community Development Research Project, Community Development. 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 Development, Social Enterprise. 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-Operatives And Community Development pursue careers as Community Mobilizer, Co-operative Manager, Community Development Officer, Development Consultant. 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.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Co-operatives and Community Development
  • Co-operative Business
  • Community Development
  • Co-operative Governance
  • Social Enterprise
  • Community Mobilization

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Co-operatives and Community Development

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Comprehensive introduction to co-operatives and community development, covering co-operative concepts, development principles, and approaches to community empowerment.

  • Co-operative Business

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of co-operative business, covering co-operative principles, co-operative models, and approaches to member-owned enterprises.

  • Community Development

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Examination of community development, covering development theories, community assessment, development planning, and community participation.

  • Co-operative Governance

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of co-operative governance, covering co-operative law, governance structures, member participation, and co-operative administration.

  • Social Enterprise

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Analysis of social enterprise, covering social business models, social impact measurement, social innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

  • Community Mobilization

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Development of community mobilization skills, covering community organizing, community engagement, advocacy, and community leadership.

  • Co-operative Law

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of co-operative law, covering co-operative legislation, regulations, compliance, and legal frameworks for co-operative operations.

  • Project Management

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examination of project management, covering project planning, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and project sustainability.

  • Strategic Management

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in co-operative context.

  • Co-operative Ethics

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Analysis of ethical issues in co-operatives and community development, covering co-operative ethics, community ethics, and ethical decision-making in development practice.

  • Co-operatives and Community Development Practice

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Practical development work where students apply learned skills in co-operative practice, community mobilization, and social enterprise.

  • Co-operatives and Community Development Research Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Independent research project on co-operative or community topic, demonstrating mastery of co-operatives and community development theory and practice.

Specialisations

  • Co-operative Development

    Focus on co-operative formation, co-operative growth, and member-owned enterprises for co-operative careers.

  • Social Enterprise

    Focus on social business models, social impact measurement, and social innovation. 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.

  • Community Development

    Specialization in community assessment, development planning, and community participation. 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 case studies, and engage in community mobilization.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Growing co-operative and community development sector in Kenya with increasing demand for development professionals.Community development work requires strong community relations skills and ability to work with diverse community groups.
Co-operative and community development offers diverse career opportunities in co-operatives, NGOs, and social enterprises.Development work often involves working with limited resources and requires strong resource mobilization skills.
Co-operative practice and community mobilization provide hands-on experience with development work and social enterprise.—

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses
Public153k to 153k
153k at Kenyatta University153k at Kenyatta University
Private140k to 296k
140k at Zetech University296k at United States International University Africa

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.A.:153K. USIU:295.5K. Zetech:140K. UoN:unverified

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

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 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

  • NGAAF Bursary

    BursaryKenyan

    Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

Scholarships you could apply for

8 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma holders in Co-operative Management, Community Development, Social Work, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Subject requirements
English/KiswahiliC
MathematicsC
Business Studies/EconomicsC
Any Group II subjectC

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Tharaka University, Laikipia University, Chuka University.

May 20274 institutions

Including Tharaka University, Laikipia University, Chuka University.

September 20274 institutions

Including Tharaka University, Laikipia University, Chuka University.

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 business, community development, and social enterprise.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and co-operative exercises throughout the semester evaluating co-operative knowledge and practical skills.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on co-operative or community topic, demonstrating mastery of co-operatives and community development theory and practice.

  • Practice Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of co-operative skills, community work, and practical applications through co-operative practice and community mobilization.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    NationalRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Community Mobilizer

    High demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Mobilize communities, organize community activities, and support community engagement and participation.

  • Co-operative Manager

    High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Manage co-operative operations, develop co-operative strategies, and coordinate co-operative activities and member services.

  • Community Development Officer

    High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000

    Support community development, design development programs, and assist in community empowerment and mobilization.

  • Development Consultant

    Medium demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Provide development expertise, consult on community development, and support organizations in development improvement.

  • Social Enterprise Manager

    High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000

    Manage social enterprise operations, develop social business strategies, and oversee social impact and sustainability.

Graduate outcomes

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

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Google Workspace

    Cloud

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • Power BI

    AnalyticsPrimary

  • QuickBooks

    Accounting

  • SAP

    Enterprise

  • ChatGPT / Claude

    Ai

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • This programme has limited career opportunities.

    Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.

  • The programme is only for top-performing students.

    While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.

  • Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.

    Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.

  • The degree is not recognised internationally.

    The programme is accredited by CUE and is recognised under regional and international qualification frameworks.

Further reading

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