Bachelor of Science in Events and Leisure Management
The Bachelor of Science in Events and Leisure Management is a programme that provides comprehensive training in event planning, leisure management and hospitality operations. Offered at Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, Technical University of Kenya and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in the events, leisure and hospitality industry.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 102,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 408,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Pastry Chef, at 5 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers event planning and management, leisure management, hospitality management, event marketing, event logistics, venue management, festival management, sports event management, conference management, catering management, entertainment management, customer service, financial management, project management, research methods and a research project. Students develop planning and management skills for the events and leisure sector.
Kenya's tourism industry, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector and growing leisure industry create demand for events and leisure management graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, practical events, field visits, industrial attachment and research projects.
Graduates are prepared for careers as event managers, wedding planners, conference managers, festival coordinators, leisure centre managers, sports event managers, venue managers, catering managers, entertainment managers and hospitality consultants. They work in hotels, event companies, conference centres, sports organisations, tourism boards, leisure facilities and as entrepreneurs.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili and C in Mathematics. KUCCPS Cluster 1.
Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.
What you study
10 subjects- Event Planning and Management
- Leisure Management
- Hospitality Management
- Event Marketing
- Event Logistics
- Venue Management
- Festival Management
- Sports Event Management
- Conference Management
- Catering Management
Modules
10 in the programmeEvent Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Event planning principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Leisure Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Leisure industry management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Hospitality Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Hospitality operations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Event Marketing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing events. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Event Logistics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Logistics planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Venue Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Venue operations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Festival Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Festival planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Conference Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
MICE management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Catering Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Catering operations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Specialisations
Festival and Entertainment
Festival 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.
Leisure and Recreation
Leisure 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.
Conference and Exhibition
MICE 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.
Sports Events
Sports event 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.
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending events management lectures, planning mock events, studying hospitality operations, researching event trends, learning event marketing, working on event logistics, visiting venues, and organising student events.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's MICE sector is growing rapidly | Events work involves irregular hours and weekends |
| Creative and dynamic profession | Industry vulnerable to economic downturns |
| Entrepreneurial opportunities | Entry-level salaries can be modest |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 331 business coursesAnnual 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
MUT 102K/yr (MUT fee structure PDF). KU/UoN don't offer this. Private: unverified.
HELB loans are available for eligible students. County bursaries and NGAAF provide additional support.
Funding options
HELB Loan
County Bursaries
NGAAF Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Scholarships you could apply for
8 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili and C in Mathematics. Diploma in events management, hospitality, tourism or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 1.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, Technical University of Kenya, Mount Kenya University.
Including Kenyatta University, Technical University of Kenya, Mount Kenya University.
Including Kenyatta University, Technical University of Kenya, Mount Kenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments and event plans
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Practical Events
Practicum10% of the mark
Organising actual events
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at KU, MKU, TUK and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili and C in Mathematics. KUCCPS Cluster 1.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesEvent Manager
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000
Event management
Leisure Centre Manager
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Leisure management
Conference Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Conference management
Wedding Planner
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Wedding planning
Venue Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Venue management
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as event managers, conference managers and leisure centre managers in hotels, event companies and conference centres.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Pastry ChefHospitality & Tourism5Low exposure
- Group Tour OperatorHospitality & Tourism10Low exposure
- SommelierHospitality & Tourism10Low exposure
- Culinary Tourism DesignerHospitality & Tourism11Low exposure
- Safari Tech GuideHospitality & Tourism11Low exposure
- Housekeeping ManagerHospitality & Tourism13Low exposure
- Professional MixologistHospitality & Tourism13Low exposure
- Safari GuideHospitality & Tourism13Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Opera PMS
Hotel managementPrimary
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
QuickBooks
Accounting
Micros POS
Point of sale
HACCP Systems
Safety
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point food safety management systems
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Events management is just about party planning.
The programme covers logistics, marketing, finance, venue management and project management.
There are no careers in events management.
Kenya's MICE sector and tourism industry create demand for professionals.
Events management is easy.
The profession requires strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
This is only for hospitality.
Graduates work in sports, festivals, corporate events, entertainment and leisure.