Bachelor of Science in Purchase and Supplies Management
The Bachelor Of Science In Purchase And Supplies Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in purchase and supplies 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 183,600 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 188,700 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 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 Purchase and Supplies Management, Purchasing Management, Supplies Management, Procurement, Inventory Control, Supply Chain. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.
Throughout the programme, students study Procurement, Supplies Management, Purchase and Supplies Management Research Project, Supply Chain, Purchasing Management. 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 Purchasing Management, Supplies Management, Inventory Control. 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 Purchase And Supplies Management pursue careers as Inventory Manager, Supplies Manager, Purchasing Officer, Purchasing 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- Purchase and Supplies Management
- Purchasing Management
- Supplies Management
- Procurement
- Inventory Control
- Supply Chain
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Purchase and Supplies Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to purchase and supplies management, covering purchasing concepts, supplies principles, and approaches to inventory control.
Purchasing Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of purchasing management, covering purchasing planning, purchasing processes, purchasing policy, and purchasing operations.
Supplies Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of supplies management, covering supplies planning, supplies operations, materials management, and supplies coordination.
Procurement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of procurement, covering procurement processes, supplier selection, procurement negotiation, and procurement strategy.
Inventory Control
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of inventory control, covering inventory management, inventory planning, demand forecasting, and inventory optimization.
Supply Chain
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of supply chain skills, covering supply chain management, logistics coordination, supply chain planning, and supply chain strategy.
Purchasing Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of purchasing law, covering purchasing legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and legal frameworks for purchasing.
Purchasing Ethics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of purchasing ethics, covering ethical principles, anti-corruption, professional ethics, and ethical decision-making in purchasing practice.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in purchasing context.
Supplies Analytics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of supplies analytics, covering data analysis, supplies metrics, performance measurement, and data-driven supplies.
Purchase and Supplies Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical purchasing work where students apply learned skills in purchasing management, supplies management, and inventory control.
Purchase and Supplies Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on purchasing or supplies topic, demonstrating mastery of purchase and supplies management theory and practice.
Specialisations
Purchasing Management
Focus on purchasing planning, purchasing processes, and purchasing policy for purchasing 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.
Supplies Management
Specialization in supplies planning, supplies operations, and materials 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.
Inventory Control
Focus on inventory management, inventory planning, and demand forecasting. 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 purchasing management, participate in case studies, and engage in supplies management.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Diverse career opportunities in purchase and supplies across corporations, government, and supplies firms. | Purchase and supplies roles often involve high pressure and responsibility for cost and inventory management. |
| Strong foundation in both purchasing management and supplies management skills. | Supplies management requires continuous learning of new inventory technologies and purchasing regulations. |
| Purchasing management and supplies provide hands-on experience with inventory control and supplies analytics. | — |
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
TTU/Embu 183,600/yr; MKU 105K; Kabarak 188,700/yr (educationnewshub, Kabarak PDF).
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 Purchasing, Supplies Management, Business Administration, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Africa Nazarene University, Murang'a University of Technology, University of Embu.
Including Africa Nazarene University, Murang'a University of Technology, University of Embu.
Including Africa Nazarene University, Murang'a University of Technology, University of Embu.
How you are assessed
4 componentsResearch Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on purchasing or supplies topic, demonstrating mastery of purchase and supplies management theory and practice.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and purchasing exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of purchasing management, supplies management, and procurement.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of purchasing skills, supplies work, and practical applications through purchasing management and case studies.
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 rolesInventory Manager
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage inventory operations, develop inventory strategies, and coordinate inventory planning and demand forecasting.
Supplies Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage supplies operations, develop supplies strategies, and coordinate materials management and supplies coordination.
Purchasing Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage purchasing operations, develop purchasing strategies, and coordinate supplier selection and purchasing negotiation.
Purchasing Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide purchasing expertise, consult on supplies strategy, and support organizations in purchasing improvement.
Procurement Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support procurement operations, implement procurement processes, and work in supplier selection and procurement strategy.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in purchase and supplies management across Kenya's purchase and supplies 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.