Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management and Development
This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in health systems management and development. It develops expertise in healthcare administration, health systems, health policy, healthcare development, and health service delivery while building comprehensive skills for managing and developing health systems effectively.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 324,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 367,100 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 7 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 health system needs, design management strategies, implement development techniques, evaluate health system performance, conduct research, apply ethical principles, manage health projects, and develop sustainable healthcare practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, health management skills, communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
Kenya requires health systems management and development to support healthcare development, enhance health systems, and promote quality healthcare, creating demand for professionals who can work in healthcare administration, health policy, health systems development, and support the healthcare and development sectors.
The programme combines coursework, healthcare practice, case studies, research projects, and development training. Students gain hands-on experience through healthcare administration, health systems, and development projects.
Graduates pursue careers as health systems managers, healthcare administrators, development officers, policy analysts, and health consultants across hospitals, health facilities, government departments, and development organizations.
The programme is ideal for students interested in health systems management, healthcare administration, health policy, healthcare development, and health service delivery.
What you study
6 subjects- Health Systems Management and Development
- Healthcare Administration
- Health Systems
- Health Policy
- Healthcare Development
- Health Service Delivery
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Health Systems Management and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to health systems management and development, covering healthcare concepts, management principles, and approaches to health systems.
Healthcare Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of healthcare administration, covering healthcare management, healthcare operations, healthcare finance, and healthcare leadership.
Health Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of health systems, covering healthcare delivery, health infrastructure, health networks, and system integration.
Health Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of health policy, covering policy development, policy analysis, health legislation, and policy implementation.
Healthcare Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of healthcare development, covering health programs, community health, health promotion, and development planning.
Health Service Delivery
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of health service delivery skills, covering service delivery, patient care, health promotion, and community health.
Health Economics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of health economics, covering healthcare financing, health insurance, cost analysis, and economic evaluation.
Health Law
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of health law, covering healthcare legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and legal frameworks for health services.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in healthcare context.
Healthcare Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in health systems management, covering healthcare ethics, professional ethics, and ethical decision-making in healthcare practice.
Health Systems Management and Development Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical healthcare work where students apply learned skills in healthcare administration, health systems, and development projects.
Health Systems Management and Development Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on health system topic, demonstrating mastery of health systems management and development theory and practice.
Specialisations
Health Policy
Focus on policy development, policy analysis, and health legislation. 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.
Healthcare Administration
Focus on healthcare management, healthcare operations, and healthcare finance for healthcare administration careers.
Healthcare Development
Specialization in health programs, community health, and development planning. 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 healthcare administration, participate in case studies, and engage in development projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for health systems managers due to healthcare sector development and system improvement needs. | Healthcare management involves complex stakeholder engagement and requires strong leadership skills. |
| Health systems management offers diverse career opportunities in hospitals, government, and development organizations. | Health system work requires continuous learning of new healthcare regulations and development frameworks. |
| Healthcare administration and development projects provide hands-on experience with system management and health programs. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences 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
Meru 324,000; Rongo 204,000/yr (educationnewshub). Uzima 367,100; MKU 115,000/yr.
HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
6 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
- 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
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Health Systems Management, Public Health, Nursing, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding Amref International University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Zetech University.
Including Amref International University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Zetech University.
Including Amref International University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Zetech University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsPractice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of health systems management skills, healthcare work, and practical applications through healthcare administration and case studies.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on health system topic, demonstrating mastery of health systems management and development theory and practice.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of healthcare administration, health systems, and health policy.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and health system exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
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 rolesDevelopment Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support healthcare development, design development programs, and work in health programs and community health.
Health Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide healthcare expertise, consult on health strategy, and support organizations in healthcare improvement.
Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Analyse health policy, develop policy recommendations, and support policy development and implementation.
Healthcare Administrator
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Support healthcare administration, implement healthcare operations, and work in healthcare management and health systems.
Health Systems Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage health systems, develop healthcare strategies, and coordinate healthcare delivery and system development.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in health systems management and development across Kenya's healthcare and development sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
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
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.