Business

Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain and Operations Management

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in supply chain and operations management. It develops expertise in supply chain management, operations management, logistics, procurement, and inventory management while building comprehensive skills for managing supply chain operations effectively.

Students analyse supply chain needs, design management strategies, implement supply chain techniques, evaluate operations performance, conduct research, apply ethical principles, manage supply chain projects, and develop sustainable supply chain practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, supply chain management skills, communication, teamwork, and operational abilities.

Kenya requires supply chain and operations management to support business operations, enhance logistics efficiency, and promote effective supply chain management, creating demand for professionals who can work in supply chain management, operations management, logistics, and support the business and industrial sectors.

The programme combines coursework, supply chain practice, case studies, research projects, and operations training. Students gain hands-on experience through supply chain management, operations management, and logistics.

Graduates pursue careers as supply chain managers, operations managers, logistics managers, procurement officers, and inventory managers across corporations, manufacturing companies, logistics firms, and government departments.

The programme is ideal for students interested in supply chain and operations management, supply chain management, operations management, logistics, and procurement.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 259,000
Private, up to: Ksh 188,700
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

Supply Chain and Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
Logistics
Procurement
Inventory Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Supply Chain and Operations Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to supply chain and operations management, covering supply chain concepts, operations principles, and approaches to logistics.
Supply Chain Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of supply chain management, covering supply chain strategy, supply chain planning, supply chain coordination, and supply chain optimization.
Operations Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of operations management, covering operations strategy, operations planning, process management, and quality management.
Logistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of logistics, covering transportation management, distribution management, logistics planning, and logistics coordination.
Procurement
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of procurement, covering procurement strategy, supplier management, purchasing, and procurement operations.
Inventory Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of inventory management skills, covering inventory control, inventory planning, warehouse management, and inventory optimization.
Supply Chain Analytics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of supply chain analytics, covering data analysis, performance measurement, supply chain analytics, and decision support.
Supply Chain Law
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of supply chain law, covering trade legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and legal frameworks for supply chain.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in supply chain context.
Supply Chain Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in supply chain and operations management, covering professional ethics, sustainability ethics, and ethical decision-making in supply chain practice.
Supply Chain and Operations Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical supply chain work where students apply learned skills in supply chain management, operations management, and logistics.
Supply Chain and Operations Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on supply chain topic, demonstrating mastery of supply chain and operations management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Logistics
Focus on transportation management, distribution management, and logistics planning. 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.
Operations Management
Specialization in operations strategy, operations planning, and process 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.
Supply Chain Management
Focus on supply chain strategy, supply chain planning, and supply chain optimization for supply chain 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 supply chain management, participate in case studies, and engage in operations management.

The trade offs

In its favour

Diverse career opportunities in supply chain and operations management across corporations, manufacturing, and logistics firms.
Strong foundation in both supply chain management and operations management skills.
Logistics and procurement provide hands-on experience with inventory management and supply chain analytics.

Against it

Supply chain roles often involve high pressure and responsibility for operational efficiency.
Supply chain and operations management requires continuous learning of new supply chain technologies and methodologies.

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

Public184k to 259k

184k at Kenyatta University259k at University of Nairobi

Private111k to 189k

111k at Mount Kenya University189k at Kabarak 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

KU B.Com 183.6K/yr (mawese), UoN ~259K/yr. MKU ~111K, Kabarak 188.7K/yr (kabarak.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 Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

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

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

Operations Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage operations, develop operations strategies, and coordinate operations planning and process management.
Supply Chain Manager
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage supply chain operations, develop supply chain strategies, and coordinate supply chain planning and supply chain optimization.
Inventory Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage inventory operations, develop inventory strategies, and coordinate inventory control and warehouse management.
Logistics Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage logistics operations, develop logistics strategies, and coordinate transportation management and distribution management.
Procurement Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support procurement, implement procurement programs, and work in supplier management and purchasing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in supply chain and operations management across Kenya's business and industrial sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Power BI
Analytics
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet

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.