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Bachelor of Science in Commerce - Procurement and Supply Chain Management Option

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in commerce with procurement and supply chain management specialization. It develops expertise in procurement, supply chain management, logistics, inventory management, and purchasing while building comprehensive skills for managing supply chains effectively.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 259,000
Ksh 1,036,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 248,900
Ksh 995,600 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 259,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,036,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 248,900 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 21 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

Students analyse supply chain needs, design procurement strategies, implement management techniques, evaluate supply chain performance, conduct commerce research, apply ethical principles, manage procurement projects, and develop sustainable supply chain practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, procurement skills, communication, teamwork, and logistics abilities.

Kenya requires commerce with procurement and supply chain management to support trade development, enhance supply chain efficiency, and promote procurement best practices, creating demand for professionals who can work in procurement, supply chain management, logistics, and support the corporate and trade sectors.

The programme combines coursework, procurement practice, case studies, research projects, and supply chain training. Students gain hands-on experience through procurement practice, logistics, and supply chain management.

Graduates pursue careers as procurement officers, supply chain managers, logistics managers, purchasing officers, and supply chain consultants across corporate organizations, government agencies, logistics firms, and consulting firms.

The programme is ideal for students interested in commerce, procurement, supply chain management, logistics, and purchasing.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Commerce - Procurement and Supply Chain Management Option
  • Procurement
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Inventory Management
  • Purchasing

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Commerce

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Comprehensive introduction to commerce, covering business concepts, commercial principles, and approaches to business management.

  • Procurement

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of procurement, covering procurement processes, procurement strategy, supplier selection, and procurement regulations.

  • Supply Chain Management

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Examination of supply chain management, covering supply chain strategy, logistics, distribution, and supply chain optimization.

  • Logistics

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Analysis of logistics, covering transportation management, warehousing, freight management, and logistics operations.

  • Inventory Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of inventory management, covering inventory control, demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and stock management.

  • Purchasing

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Development of purchasing skills, covering purchasing processes, negotiation, supplier management, and purchasing strategy.

  • Business Law

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of business law, covering contract law, procurement law, and legal frameworks for commercial operations.

  • Business Statistics

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examination of business statistics, covering statistical analysis, probability, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.

  • Strategic Management

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in commerce context.

  • Procurement Ethics

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Analysis of ethical issues in procurement, covering procurement ethics, professional ethics, and ethical decision-making in procurement practice.

  • Commerce Practice

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Practical procurement work where students apply learned skills in procurement practice, logistics, and supply chain management.

  • Commerce Research Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Independent research project on commerce or procurement topic, demonstrating mastery of commerce theory and practice.

Specialisations

  • Procurement

    Focus on procurement processes, supplier selection, and procurement strategy for procurement careers.

  • Supply Chain Management

    Specialization in supply chain strategy, logistics, and distribution 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.

  • Logistics

    Focus on transportation management, warehousing, and freight 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.

  • 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 procurement practice, participate in case studies, and engage in logistics and supply chain management.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Growing demand for procurement and supply chain professionals due to increasing trade and logistics activities.Procurement work requires strong negotiation skills and ability to manage supplier relationships.
Procurement and supply chain skills are highly transferable across various industries and sectors.Supply chain work involves coordination across multiple stakeholders and requires strong organizational skills.
Procurement practice and case studies provide hands-on experience with logistics and supply chain management.—

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
Public204k to 259k
204k at Kenyatta University259k at University of Nairobi
Private111k to 249k
111k at Mount Kenya University249k at KCA 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

UoN B.Com ~259K (topnews.ke). KU ~204K. KCA ~249K (joweri), MKU ~111K (educationnewshub).

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

  • ICPAK Scholarship for Accounting and Finance Students

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Bright and needy students admitted to accounting or finance programmes

Scholarships you could apply for

13 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 Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, 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 21 institutions
January 202721 institutions

Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University, Daystar University.

May 202721 institutions

Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University, Daystar University.

September 202721 institutions

Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Chuka University, Daystar University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Practice Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of procurement skills, supply chain work, and practical applications through procurement practice and case studies.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and commerce exercises throughout the semester evaluating procurement knowledge and practical skills.

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Exam70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of procurement, supply chain management, and logistics.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on commerce or procurement topic, demonstrating mastery of commerce theory and practice.

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

  • Supply Chain Manager

    High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000

    Manage supply chain operations, develop supply chain strategies, and oversee logistics and distribution.

  • Procurement Officer

    High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Manage procurement processes, develop procurement strategies, and coordinate purchasing and supplier management.

  • Purchasing Officer

    High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000

    Manage purchasing processes, negotiate with suppliers, and support procurement and supply chain operations.

  • Logistics Manager

    High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Manage logistics operations, develop logistics strategies, and oversee transportation and warehousing.

  • Supply Chain Consultant

    Medium demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Provide supply chain expertise, consult on procurement optimization, and support organizations in supply chain improvement.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in commerce with procurement and supply chain management across Kenya's corporate and trade sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

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

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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