Technology

Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in computing and information systems. It develops expertise in software development, information systems management, database administration, and business technology while building practical skills for designing and implementing computing solutions.

Students develop software applications, manage information systems, administer databases, analyse computing requirements, implement technology solutions, evaluate system performance, support business processes, and integrate computing systems. They also strengthen programming skills, systems analysis, problem-solving, technical communication, and project management.

Kenya's digital economy requires professionals who can develop computing solutions, manage information systems, and support technology adoption across government agencies, private enterprises, financial institutions, and technology companies.

The programme combines coursework, computing laboratories, software projects, industrial attachment, and systems development projects to build comprehensive computing and information systems expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as software developers, information systems managers, database administrators, systems analysts, and IT consultants across government agencies, banks, insurance companies, and technology firms.

The programme is ideal for students interested in computing, software development, information systems, database management, and applying technology to solve business problems. The programme emphasises practical skills through laboratory sessions, industrial attachments, and project-based learning that prepare graduates for real-world technology challenges.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 345,100
Private, up to: Ksh 461,000
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

Programming and Software Development
Information Systems and Systems Analysis
Database Management and Database Administration
Computer Networks and Network Systems
Web Development and Application Development
Systems Administration and IT Infrastructure
Business Information Systems and Enterprise Systems
Data Management and Data Analytics
Information Security and Cybersecurity
Research Methods and Computing Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Programming and Software Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Programming, software development, programming languages, and supporting programming.
Information Systems and Systems Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Information systems, systems analysis, requirements analysis, and supporting information systems.
Database Management and Database Administration
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Database management, database administration, SQL, and supporting database management.
Computer Networks and Network Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer networks, network systems, network protocols, and supporting computer networks.
Web Development and Application Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Web development, application development, software development, and supporting web development.
Systems Administration and IT Infrastructure
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Systems administration, IT infrastructure, server administration, and supporting systems administration.
Business Information Systems and Enterprise Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Business information systems, enterprise systems, ERP systems, and supporting business information systems.
Data Management and Data Analytics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Data management, data analytics, data processing, and supporting data management.
Information Security and Cybersecurity
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Information security, cybersecurity, security administration, and supporting information security.
Research Methods, Computing Research and Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, M and E, computing research, research project, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Software Development and Application Development
Focuses on software development, application development, web development, and mobile 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.
Systems Analysis and Business Analysis
Focuses on systems analysis, business analysis, requirements analysis, and business process improvement.
Business Information Systems and Enterprise Systems
Focuses on business information systems, enterprise systems, ERP systems, and business process automation.
Database Administration and Data Management
Concentrates on database administration, data management, data governance, and database systems. 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.
Information Systems Management and IT Management
Specialises in information systems management, IT management, IT operations, and technology infrastructure.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with morning lectures on programming, information systems, or database management, followed by computing laboratories, software projects, or industry visits. Students develop software, manage databases, work with information systems, work with development tools, and work on their computing projects. Industrial attachments at banks, insurance companies, and government agencies provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — digital transformation, business automation, and technology growth create strong demand for computing professionals.
Diverse settings — graduates work at banks, insurance companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and various industries.
Business focus — computing and information systems combines technology with business, creating opportunities at the intersection of both fields.

Against it

Technology changes — computing faces rapid technology changes, continuous learning requirements, and skills obsolescence.
Work pressure — IT work involves tight deadlines, system downtime pressure, and high pressure during system implementations.
Skills gap — computing requires continuous learning, technology updates, and skills development.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public306k to 345k

306k at Kenyatta University345k at University of Nairobi

Private199k to 461k

199k at Kabarak University461k at Strathmore 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 306K/yr official. UoN 345.1K/yr KUCCPS. Kabarak 99.35K/sem=198.7K/yr. Strathmore ~461K/yr shika.co.ke

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

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.
ICT Industry Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Banks, insurance companies, and technology organisations may sponsor computing students in exchange for service commitment.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computing, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant IT or programming experience is advantageous.

Mathematics
C+
Physics or Computer Studies
C
English or Kiswahili
C
Chemistry or Biology
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Industry Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachments including computing work, software development work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and computing projects throughout each semester.
Computing and Information Systems Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of computing competencies including programming, database administration, systems analysis, and software development.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent computing research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering computing, information systems, database management, and computing research.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Certified by Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) for ICT professionals. The Kenya Information and Communications Act governs ICT. The National ICT Policy guides digital development. Data Protection Act governs data protection.

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

Information Systems Manager / IT Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages information systems, IT operations, technology infrastructure, and supports information systems management at banks, insurance companies, or government agencies.
Systems Analyst / Business Analyst
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 160,000
Analyzes systems, business processes, requirements analysis, and supports systems development at banks, insurance companies, or consulting firms.
Database Administrator / Data Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages databases, database administration, data management, and supports data systems at banks, insurance companies, or government agencies.
Software Developer / Application Developer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 170,000
Develops software, web applications, mobile applications, and supports software development at technology companies, fintech firms, or digital businesses.
IT Consultant / Technology Consultant
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Provides IT consulting, technology strategy, systems implementation, and supports technology consulting at consulting firms, IT companies, or government agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as software developers and information systems managers. Computing and information systems is in high demand driven by digital transformation. Salaries range from KES 65,000 to 170,000 per month. Ministry of ICT, CAK, banks, and insurance companies offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Docker
Cloud
Git
CodePrimary
GitHub Copilot
Ai
PostgreSQL
Database
Python
CodePrimary
VS Code
Code

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Computing and information systems is just about programming.
Computing and information systems includes software development, information systems management, database administration, systems analysis, and business technology — programming is one component.
Computing and information systems is only for IT companies.
Computing and information systems applies to banks, insurance companies, government agencies, healthcare, retail, and many other industries beyond IT companies.
There are limited career opportunities for computing graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's digital transformation, business automation needs, information systems adoption, and technology growth create demand for computing professionals at banks, insurance companies, and government agencies.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.