Business

Bachelor of Science in Public Management

The Bachelor of Science in Public Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in public management. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Public Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Governance, Public Finance, Organizational Management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advertising, Business Process Modeling, Data Visualization, Entrepreneurship, Financial Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Public Ethics, Public Law, Public Sector Economics, Strategic Management, Public Finance. 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 Public Policy, Public Finance, Governance. 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 Public Management pursue careers as Public Administrator, Public Finance Manager, Governance Officer, Public Management Consultant. 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 175,950
Private, up to: Ksh 174,270
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

Public Management
Public Administration
Public Policy
Governance
Public Finance
Organizational Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Public Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to public management, covering public concepts, management principles, and approaches to public administration.
Public Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of public administration, covering administrative theory, public bureaucracy, administrative processes, and public service delivery.
Public Policy
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of public policy, covering policy analysis, policy development, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.
Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of governance, covering democratic governance, institutional frameworks, accountability, and transparency.
Public Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of public finance, covering budgeting, fiscal policy, public revenue, and financial management.
Organizational Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of organizational management skills, covering organizational behavior, human resource management, organizational change, and organizational development.
Public Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of public law, covering constitutional law, administrative law, regulatory frameworks, and legal frameworks for public management.
Public Ethics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of public ethics, covering ethical principles, public service ethics, anti-corruption, and ethical decision-making in public practice.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in public context.
Public Sector Economics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of public sector economics, covering public goods, market failure, public expenditure, and economic policy.
Public Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical public work where students apply learned skills in public administration, public policy, and public finance.
Public Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on public management topic, demonstrating mastery of public management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Public Policy
Focus on policy analysis, policy development, and policy evaluation for public policy 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.
Public Finance
Focus on budgeting, fiscal policy, and financial 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.
Governance
Specialization in democratic governance, institutional frameworks, and accountability. 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 public administration, participate in case studies, and engage in public policy.

The trade offs

In its favour

Diverse career opportunities in public management across government, public agencies, and international organizations.
Strong foundation in both public administration and public policy skills.
Public administration and public policy provide hands-on experience with governance and public finance.

Against it

Public management roles often involve bureaucratic processes and complex stakeholder engagement.
Public management requires understanding of complex regulatory frameworks and political dynamics.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public153k to 176k

153k at Kenyatta University176k at JKUAT

Private174k to 174k

174k at KCA University174k at KCA 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

Pub: KU 153K, JKUAT 175.95K/yr (ku.ac.ke, KUCCPS). Priv: KCA 174,270/yr (kcau.ac.ke).

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

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.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

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 Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

English/Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C
Business Studies/Economics/History
C
Any Group II subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on public management topic, demonstrating mastery of public management theory and practice.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of public administration, public policy, and governance.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of public management skills, public work, and practical applications through public administration and case studies.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and public management exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.

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

Public Administrator
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage public operations, develop public strategies, and coordinate public administration and public service delivery.
Public Finance Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage public finances, develop financial strategies, and coordinate budgeting and fiscal policy.
Governance Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support governance initiatives, implement governance frameworks, and work in accountability and transparency.
Public Management Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide public management expertise, consult on public strategy, and support organizations in public sector improvement.
Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse public policy, develop policy recommendations, and support policy development and policy evaluation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in public management across Kenya's public sector and government sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Workspace
Cloud
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary

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.