Technology

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Data Science

The Bachelor Of Science In Economics And Data Science is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in economics and data science. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Economics and Data Science, Economic Analysis, Data Science, Statistical Modeling, Econometrics, Data-driven Decision-making. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Rust, Smart-contract security, Advanced Machine Learning, AI Ethics, AI Ethics and Governance. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Economics and Data Science, Economics and Data Science Research Project, Economic Analysis, Data-driven Decision-making, Programming for 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 Data Science, Econometrics, Policy Analysis. 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 Economics And Data Science pursue careers as Econometrician, Economic Analyst, Data Scientist, Policy Analyst. 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 200,000
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

Economics and Data Science
Economic Analysis
Data Science
Statistical Modeling
Econometrics
Data-driven Decision-making

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Economics and Data Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to economics and data science, covering economic concepts, data science principles, and approaches to data-driven economics.
Economic Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of economic analysis, covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic modeling, and economic forecasting.
Data Science
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of data science, covering data mining, machine learning, data visualization, and data analysis.
Statistical Modeling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of statistical modeling, covering regression analysis, time series analysis, probability theory, and statistical inference.
Econometrics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of econometrics, covering econometric methods, economic data analysis, hypothesis testing, and econometric modeling.
Data-driven Decision-making
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of decision-making skills, covering data-driven strategy, business intelligence, decision analysis, and predictive analytics.
Programming for Economics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of programming for economics, covering Python, R, statistical software, and data analysis tools.
Big Data Analytics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of big data analytics, covering big data technologies, data engineering, distributed computing, and big data applications.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in economic context.
Data Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in data science, covering data privacy, data ethics, and ethical decision-making in data practice.
Economics and Data Science Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical data work where students apply learned skills in data analysis, economic modeling, and statistical analysis.
Economics and Data Science Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on economic or data topic, demonstrating mastery of economics and data science theory and practice.

Specialisations

Data Science
Focus on machine learning, data mining, and data visualization for data science careers. 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.
Econometrics
Specialization in econometric methods, economic modeling, and economic forecasting. 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.
Policy Analysis
Focus on policy evaluation, policy research, and evidence-based policy. 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 data analysis, participate in case studies, and engage in economic modeling.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for data science and economic analysis professionals due to increasing data availability and evidence-based decision-making.
Economics and data science skills are highly transferable across various industries and sectors.
Data analysis and economic modeling provide hands-on experience with statistical analysis and machine learning.

Against it

Data science requires strong quantitative skills and comfort with statistical analysis and programming.
Data science requires continuous learning of new tools, techniques, and technologies.

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

Public150k to 200k

150k at Kenyatta University200k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 296k

109k 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 ~150K, UoN ~200K/yr. Zetech ~109K, USIU ~296K/yr. USIU/Zetech fee structures

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Huawei Seeds for the Future Kenya
Scholarship
Talented ICT/STEM university students with a GPA of 3.0+
Generation Google Scholarship
Scholarship
Women in computer science and related technical fields
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.

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 Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Mathematics
C+
English/Kiswahili
C
Economics/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 economic analysis, data science, and econometrics.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and data science exercises throughout the semester evaluating economic knowledge and practical skills.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on economic or data topic, demonstrating mastery of economics and data science theory and practice.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of data science skills, analytical work, and practical applications through data analysis and case studies.

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

Econometrician
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 130,000
Apply econometric methods, develop economic models, and support economic analysis and forecasting.
Economic Analyst
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse economic data, conduct economic research, and support economic policy and forecasting.
Data Scientist
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Analyse data, develop data models, and support data-driven decision-making and machine learning applications.
Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Analyse policy issues, develop policy recommendations, and support policy development and evaluation.
Data Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide data expertise, consult on data strategy, and support organizations in data improvement.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in economics and data science across Kenya's economic and data sectors.

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

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.