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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 175,950 a year at a public institution, Ksh 703,800 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 174,270 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 1 institution.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 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.
What you study
6 subjects- Public Management
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Governance
- Public Finance
- Organizational Management
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Diverse career opportunities in public management across government, public agencies, and international organizations. | Public management roles often involve bureaucratic processes and complex stakeholder engagement. |
| Strong foundation in both public administration and public policy skills. | Public management requires understanding of complex regulatory frameworks and political dynamics. |
| Public administration and public policy provide hands-on experience with governance and public finance. | — |
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
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 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
3 usable where it is taught- 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 Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding KCA University.
Including KCA University.
Including KCA University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsResearch 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
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 rolesPublic 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- 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
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.