Bachelor of Science in Security Science and Management
The Bachelor Of Science In Security Science And Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in security science and 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 259,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,036,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 255,800 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 Security Science and Management, Security Management, Risk Assessment, Security Operations, Emergency Response, Security Technology. 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 Risk Assessment, Physical Security, Introduction to Security Science and Management, Security Management, Strategic 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 Emergency Response, Risk Assessment, Security Management. 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 Security Science And Management pursue careers as Risk Assessor, Security Officer, Security Manager, Security 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- Security Science and Management
- Security Management
- Risk Assessment
- Security Operations
- Emergency Response
- Security Technology
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Security Science and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to security science and management, covering security concepts, management principles, and approaches to security operations.
Security Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of security management, covering security planning, security strategy, security coordination, and security administration.
Risk Assessment
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of risk assessment, covering risk analysis, threat assessment, vulnerability assessment, and risk evaluation.
Security Operations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of security operations, covering security procedures, security monitoring, security enforcement, and security coordination.
Emergency Response
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of emergency response, covering emergency procedures, crisis management, incident response, and emergency coordination.
Security Technology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of security technology skills, covering security systems, surveillance technology, access control, and security analytics.
Physical Security
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of physical security, covering perimeter security, facility security, security design, and security infrastructure.
Security Law
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of security law, covering security legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and legal frameworks for security.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in security context.
Security Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in security science, covering professional ethics, security ethics, and ethical decision-making in security practice.
Security Science and Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical security work where students apply learned skills in security management, risk assessment, and security operations.
Security Science and Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on security topic, demonstrating mastery of security science and management theory and practice.
Specialisations
Emergency Response
Focus on emergency procedures, crisis management, and incident response. 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.
Risk Assessment
Specialization in risk analysis, threat assessment, and vulnerability assessment. 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.
Security Management
Focus on security planning, security strategy, and security coordination for security management careers.
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 security management, participate in case studies, and engage in risk assessment.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Diverse career opportunities in security science across government, security firms, and corporate security. | Security roles often involve high pressure and responsibility for safety and security. |
| Strong foundation in both security management and risk assessment skills. | Security management requires continuous learning of new security technologies and threat patterns. |
| Security operations and risk assessment provide hands-on experience with emergency response and security technology. | — |
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 (uonbi.ac.ke); KU BA 153K/yr (mawese); Daystar 255.8K/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
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 Security Management, Criminology, Disaster Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, University of Embu, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, University of Embu, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, University of Embu, Murang'a University of Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsResearch Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on security topic, demonstrating mastery of security science and management theory and practice.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of security management, risk assessment, and security operations.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of security science skills, security work, and practical applications through security management and case studies.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and security 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 rolesRisk Assessor
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Conduct risk assessments, develop risk strategies, and support threat assessment and vulnerability assessment.
Security Officer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Support security operations, implement security procedures, and work in security monitoring and security enforcement.
Security Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage security operations, develop security strategies, and coordinate security planning and security administration.
Security Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide security expertise, consult on security strategy, and support organizations in security improvement.
Emergency Response Coordinator
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support emergency response, implement emergency procedures, and work in crisis management and incident response.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in security science and management across Kenya's security and safety 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
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
Google Workspace
Cloud
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
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.