Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
The Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management is a programme that combines business management with culinary arts and hospitality operations. Offered at USIU-Africa through the Chandaria School of Business, the programme equips graduates with skills in hotel operations, food and beverage management, hospitality marketing and financial management.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 204,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 817,600 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 316,900 a year at a private one.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, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 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
The curriculum covers food preparation and service, front office operations, housekeeping management, hospitality accounting, financial management, hospitality marketing, human resource management, food and beverage control, menu planning, nutrition, sanitation and safety, event management, hospitality law, strategic management, international hospitality trends, customer service excellence and hospitality information systems. Students develop both operational skills and management capabilities.
Kenya's hospitality industry is a major contributor to the national economy, driven by tourism, business travel and a growing domestic leisure market. The programme responds to the need for professionally trained hospitality managers who can deliver exceptional service, manage operations efficiently and drive business growth in hotels, restaurants and related establishments.
The programme is delivered through lectures, culinary laboratory sessions, industry simulations, case studies, internships and a research project. Students gain hands-on experience in food preparation, service operations, front office management and hospitality software through laboratory work and industrial attachment at hotels, restaurants and event venues.
Graduates pursue careers as hotel managers, restaurant managers, food and beverage directors, front office managers, event coordinators, catering managers, hospitality consultants, guest services managers and entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. They work in hotels, restaurants, resorts, conference centres, cruise ships, airlines and catering companies. They can also pursue postgraduate study in hospitality management or business administration.
Prospective students should have strong interpersonal skills, an interest in customer service and a passion for the hospitality industry. The programme is suitable for students who want to lead and manage hospitality operations in a dynamic and global industry.
What you study
10 subjects- Food Preparation and Culinary Arts
- Front Office Operations
- Food and Beverage Service
- Hospitality Accounting and Finance
- Hospitality Marketing
- Housekeeping Management
- Human Resource Management
- Event Management
- Hospitality Law and Regulations
- Strategic Management
Modules
11 in the programmeIntroduction to Hospitality Industry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces the hospitality industry structure, sectors, career paths, industry trends, customer service principles and the role of hospitality in the economy.
Food Preparation and Culinary Arts
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cooking principles, food preparation techniques, kitchen safety, hygiene, menu development and culinary skills for restaurant operations.
Front Office Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers reservation systems, check-in and check-out procedures, guest services, room rate management, front office accounting and hospitality software applications.
Food and Beverage Service
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers restaurant service styles, table service, beverage service, wine knowledge, service standards, guest relations and food and beverage operations management.
Hospitality Accounting and Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers financial accounting for hotels and restaurants, cost control, budgeting, revenue management, financial statement analysis and hospitality financial management.
Hospitality Marketing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers marketing principles for hospitality, market segmentation, digital marketing, brand management, customer relationship management and sales strategies.
Housekeeping Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers housekeeping operations, room maintenance, laundry management, cleanliness standards, inventory control and housekeeping staff supervision.
Event Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers event planning, conference management, banquet operations, catering coordination, event marketing and event logistics management.
Human Resource Management in Hospitality
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers recruitment, training, performance management, labour laws, staff scheduling, motivation and leadership in hospitality organisations.
Strategic Management in Hospitality
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers strategic planning, competitive analysis, business development, sustainability in hospitality and strategic decision-making for hospitality enterprises.
Research Project in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on a hospitality management topic, demonstrating the student's ability to investigate industry issues and present findings.
Specialisations
Food and Beverage Management
Focuses on restaurant operations, culinary management, beverage service and cost control for careers in restaurant and food service management.
Hotel Operations Management
Specialises in front office, housekeeping and guest services management for careers in hotel operations and general management.
Event and Conference Management
Focuses on event planning, conference coordination and banquet management for careers in event management companies and conference centres.
Hospitality Entrepreneurship
Specialises in business development, venture creation and small business management for graduates who want to start their own hospitality businesses.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on hospitality marketing or financial management, followed by a culinary laboratory session on food preparation and presentation. Afternoon sessions may include a front office operations workshop using hospitality management software, a menu planning practical, or group projects designing event management plans. Students also participate in industry site visits to hotels and restaurants.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's hospitality industry is growing with tourism and domestic leisure, creating strong demand for qualified hospitality managers. | The programme is expensive at USIU-Africa, with tuition significantly higher than public universities offering similar programmes. |
| The programme combines practical culinary skills with business management, providing a well-rounded hospitality education. | Hospitality work often involves irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, which can affect work-life balance. |
| Hospitality skills are globally transferable, with opportunities for international careers in hotels, cruise ships and resorts worldwide. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 91 hospitality & tourism 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
KU 204,400/yr (Hospitality Mgmt); USIU 316,900/yr; MKU 115,000/yr (57,500/sem×2)
Students can access HELB loans and USIU-Africa's internal financial aid for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities
Scholarships you could apply for
9 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
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- 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
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Varies by partner universityFullMastercard Foundation
Full university education
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KACE with two Principal passes, or equivalent qualifications recognised by USIU-Africa.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding United States International University Africa, University of Eldoret, Technical University of Kenya.
Including United States International University Africa, University of Eldoret, Technical University of Kenya.
Including United States International University Africa, University of Eldoret, Technical University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering hospitality industry fundamentals, food preparation and front office operations.
Culinary and Service Practical Reports
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of culinary laboratory sessions, food and beverage service practicals and front office operations workshops.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a hotel, restaurant, resort or event management company.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on a hospitality management topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at USIU-Africa's Chandaria School of Business.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHotel Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Oversees all hotel operations including guest services, housekeeping, food and beverage, front office and maintenance, ensuring profitability and guest satisfaction.
Restaurant Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages restaurant operations including staff supervision, food quality, customer service, financial performance and compliance with health regulations.
Food and Beverage Director
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Directs food and beverage operations in hotels or resorts, overseeing restaurants, bars, catering and banquet services, menu development and cost control.
Event Coordinator
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Plans and coordinates events including conferences, weddings and corporate functions, managing logistics, catering and client relationships.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as hotel managers, restaurant managers and food and beverage directors in hotels, restaurants, resorts and event venues across Kenya's thriving hospitality industry.
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
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Hotel and restaurant management is just about cooking and serving food.
The programme covers business management, finance, marketing, human resources, strategic planning and operations management, preparing graduates for leadership roles in the hospitality industry.
Hospitality graduates can only work in hotels.
Graduates work in diverse settings including restaurants, resorts, cruise ships, airlines, event management companies, conference centres, catering firms and can also start their own hospitality businesses.
A hospitality degree is not necessary to succeed in the industry.
While entry-level positions may not require a degree, management and leadership roles increasingly require formal hospitality education, with graduates having better advancement prospects and higher earning potential.
The hospitality industry in Kenya is struggling.
Kenya's hospitality industry is growing with increasing tourism, business travel and domestic leisure, creating strong demand for qualified hospitality management professionals.