Social Sciences

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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 153,000
Private, up to: Ksh 295,500
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Growing co-operative and community development sector in Kenya with increasing demand for development professionals.
Co-operative and community development offers diverse career opportunities in co-operatives, NGOs, and social enterprises.
Co-operative practice and community mobilization provide hands-on experience with development work and social enterprise.

Against it

Community development work requires strong community relations skills and ability to work with diverse community groups.
Development work often involves working with limited resources and requires strong resource mobilization skills.

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

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, Community Development, Social Work, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

English/Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C
Business Studies/Economics
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 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

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

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

Industry links

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.