Technology

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in information technology. It develops expertise in IT infrastructure, system administration, network management, and database administration while building technical skills for managing technology systems and supporting organisational IT needs.

Students administer systems, manage networks, develop database solutions, implement IT infrastructure, analyse system performance, evaluate technology solutions, troubleshoot IT issues, and optimise IT operations. They also strengthen IT management skills, problem-solving, technical support, systems administration, and IT project management.

Kenya's digital economy requires professionals who can manage IT infrastructure, support technology systems, and enable digital transformation across government agencies, financial institutions, technology companies, and business organisations.

The programme combines coursework, IT laboratories, system administration projects, industrial attachment, and technology projects to build comprehensive information technology expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as IT managers, network administrators, system administrators, database administrators, and IT consultants across government agencies, financial institutions, technology companies, and business organisations.

The programme is ideal for students interested in information technology, system administration, network management, database administration, and applying IT technology to support organisational and business operations. 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 306,000
Private, up to: Ksh 144,600
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

System Administration and IT Infrastructure
Network Management and Network Administration
Database Administration and Database Systems
Information Technology and IT Support
Web Technologies and Web Development
Cloud Computing and Cloud Services
Cybersecurity and Information Security
IT Project Management and IT Governance
Business Information Systems and Enterprise Systems
Research Methods and IT Research

Modules

10 in the programme

System Administration and IT Infrastructure
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
System administration, IT infrastructure, server administration, and supporting system administration.
Network Management and Network Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Network management, network administration, network operations, and supporting network management.
Database Administration and Database Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Database administration, database systems, database management, and supporting database administration.
Information Technology and IT Support
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Information technology, IT support, technical support, and supporting information technology.
Web Technologies and Web Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Web technologies, web development, web applications, and supporting web technologies.
Cloud Computing and Cloud Services
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Cloud computing, cloud services, cloud infrastructure, and supporting cloud computing.
Cybersecurity and Information Security
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cybersecurity, information security, security management, and supporting cybersecurity.
IT Project Management and IT Governance
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
IT project management, IT governance, IT strategy, and supporting IT project management.
Business Information Systems and Enterprise Systems
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Business information systems, enterprise systems, ERP, and supporting business information systems.
Research Methods and IT Research
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, IT research, data collection, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Network Management and Network Administration
Specialises in network management, network administration, network operations, and network infrastructure.
System Administration and IT Infrastructure
Focuses on system administration, IT infrastructure, server administration, and systems 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.
Cybersecurity and Information Security
Focuses on cybersecurity, information security, security management, and security operations. 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.
Database Administration and Data Management
Concentrates on database administration, data management, database systems, and data architecture. 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.
Cloud Computing and Cloud Services
Focuses on cloud computing, cloud services, cloud infrastructure, and cloud architecture. 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 starts with morning lectures on information technology, system administration, or network management, followed by IT laboratories, system projects, or industry visits. Students administer systems, manage networks, work with IT tools, configure servers, and work on their IT projects. Industrial attachments at government agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — digital transformation, IT infrastructure development, and cloud computing adoption create strong demand for information technology professionals.
Diverse applications — graduates work in government, finance, healthcare, education, technology, and various industries.
Practical skills — information technology focuses on practical skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace.

Against it

Continuous learning — information technology faces rapid technology changes, continuous learning requirements, and skills obsolescence.
On-call work — system administration and network management involve on-call duties, emergency support, and sometimes working outside normal hours.
Technical complexity — information technology requires strong technical skills in system administration, network management, and IT infrastructure.

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

Public265k to 306k

265k at University of Nairobi306k at Kenyatta University

Private84k to 145k

84k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu145k at Zetech 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

UoN CS 264K/yr, KU BIT 306K/yr. GLUK 84K/yr (eafinder), Zetech 145K/yr (official)

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

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
ICT Industry Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Technology companies, financial institutions, and ICT organisations may sponsor information technology students in exchange for service commitment.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.

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, ICT, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant IT or system administration 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 IT work, system administration work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent information technology research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
Information Technology Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of information technology competencies including system administration, network management, database administration, and IT support.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and IT projects throughout each semester.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering information technology, system administration, network management, and IT 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. The 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

IT Manager / Information Technology Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages IT infrastructure, IT operations, technology systems, and supports IT management at government agencies, financial institutions, or business organisations.
Network Administrator / Network Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages networks, network infrastructure, network operations, and supports network management at government agencies, financial institutions, or technology companies.
IT Consultant / Technology Consultant
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Provides IT consulting, technology consulting, infrastructure consulting, and supports IT consulting at consulting firms, technology companies, or as independent consultants.
Database Administrator / Database Manager
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Administers databases, database systems, data management, and supports database administration at government agencies, financial institutions, or technology companies.
System Administrator / Systems Administrator
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Administers systems, servers, IT infrastructure, and supports system administration at government agencies, financial institutions, or technology companies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as IT managers and network administrators. Information technology is in high demand driven by digital transformation. Salaries range from KES 60,000 to 150,000 per month. Ministry of ICT, CAK, financial institutions, and government agencies offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Python
ProgrammingPrimary
General-purpose programming for IT solutions
Java
ProgrammingPrimary
Object-oriented programming for enterprise applications
MySQL
Database
Relational database management system
Linux
Operating system
Server administration and networking
Git/GitHub
Version control
Version control and collaborative development
Cisco Packet Tracer
Network simulation
Network design and simulation tool

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Information technology is just about fixing computers.
Information technology includes system administration, network management, database administration, IT infrastructure, and technology support — computer repair is one component.
Information technology is only for technology companies.
Information technology applies to government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare, education, and many other industries beyond technology companies.
There are limited career opportunities for IT graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's digital transformation, IT infrastructure development, cloud computing adoption, and business digitisation create demand for information technology professionals at government agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.