Bachelor of Science in Science Finance
This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in finance. It develops expertise in financial management, investment analysis, financial markets, corporate finance, and risk management while building comprehensive skills for managing financial operations effectively.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 259,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,036,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 295,500 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
Students analyse financial needs, design financial strategies, implement investment techniques, evaluate financial performance, conduct research, apply ethical principles, manage financial projects, and develop sustainable financial practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, financial management skills, communication, teamwork, and investment abilities.
Kenya requires finance to support economic development, enhance financial services, and promote effective financial management, creating demand for professionals who can work in financial management, investment analysis, financial markets, and support the finance and banking sectors.
The programme combines coursework, finance practice, case studies, research projects, and investment training. Students gain hands-on experience through financial management, investment analysis, and financial markets.
Graduates pursue careers as financial analysts, investment bankers, financial managers, risk managers, and finance consultants across corporations, government departments, banks, and financial institutions.
The programme is ideal for students interested in finance, financial management, investment analysis, financial markets, and risk management. The programme emphasises practical skills through case studies, industrial attachments, and research projects that prepare graduates for real-world business challenges.
What you study
6 subjects- Finance
- Financial Management
- Investment Analysis
- Financial Markets
- Corporate Finance
- Risk Management
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Finance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to finance, covering financial concepts, financial principles, and approaches to financial management.
Financial Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of financial management, covering financial planning, financial analysis, capital budgeting, and working capital management.
Investment Analysis
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of investment analysis, covering portfolio management, securities analysis, investment strategies, and risk-return analysis.
Financial Markets
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of financial markets, covering market operations, market instruments, market regulation, and market efficiency.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of corporate finance, covering capital structure, dividend policy, corporate valuation, and mergers and acquisitions.
Risk Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of risk management skills, covering financial risk, risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk control.
Financial Accounting
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of financial accounting, covering financial statements, accounting standards, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
Financial Law
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of financial law, covering financial legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and legal frameworks for finance.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in finance context.
Finance Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in finance, covering professional ethics, investment ethics, and ethical decision-making in financial practice.
Finance Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical finance work where students apply learned skills in financial management, investment analysis, and financial markets.
Finance Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on finance topic, demonstrating mastery of finance theory and practice.
Specialisations
Investment Analysis
Focus on portfolio management, securities analysis, and investment strategies for investment analysis careers.
Risk Management
Focus on financial risk, risk assessment, and risk mitigation. 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.
Corporate Finance
Specialization in capital structure, dividend policy, and corporate valuation. 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 financial management, participate in case studies, and engage in investment analysis.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Diverse career opportunities in finance across corporations, government, banks, and financial institutions. | Finance roles often involve high pressure and responsibility for financial performance. |
| Strong foundation in both financial management and investment analysis skills. | Finance requires continuous learning of new financial technologies and market regulations. |
| Financial management and investment analysis provide hands-on experience with financial markets and risk management. | — |
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
UoN BSc Finance 259K/yr Y1 (uonbi.ac.ke); KU Econ&Fin 183.6K/yr (educationnewshub); USIU 295.5K/yr; MKU 105K/yr.
HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Scholarships
4 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
ICPAK Scholarship for Accounting and Finance Students
ScholarshipKenyan
Bright and needy students admitted to accounting or finance programmes
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 Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and finance 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 financial management, investment analysis, and financial markets.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on finance topic, demonstrating mastery of finance theory and practice.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of finance skills, financial work, and practical applications through financial 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 rolesFinancial Analyst
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse financial data, develop financial strategies, and support financial planning and financial analysis.
Risk Manager
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage financial risk, develop risk strategies, and coordinate risk assessment and risk mitigation.
Investment Banker
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Support investment banking, develop investment strategies, and work in portfolio management and securities analysis.
Finance Consultant
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provide financial expertise, consult on financial strategy, and support organizations in financial improvement.
Financial Manager
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage financial operations, develop financial strategies, and coordinate capital budgeting and working capital management.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in finance across Kenya's finance and banking 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
SAP
Enterprise
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
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.