Education

Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in recreation and sports management. The programme falls under the Education & Training category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Sports Management, Recreation Programming, Sports Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Sports Marketing, Facility Management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Event Management, Exercise Physiology, Facility Management, Human Resource Management, Recreation Programming. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Sports Management Principles, Recreation Programming, Exercise Physiology and Sports Psychology, Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, Facility and Event 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 Sports Facility Management, Sports Event Management, Recreation Programme 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 Recreation and Sports Management pursue careers as Graduate Trainee, Research Assistant, Project Officer, Analyst. 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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Sports Management
Recreation Programming
Sports Psychology
Exercise Physiology
Sports Marketing
Facility Management
Event Management
Sports Law
Research Methods
Leisure Studies

Modules

8 in the programme

Sports Management Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of sports management, sports organisations and management theory applied to sports.
Recreation Programming
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Design, implementation and evaluation of recreation programmes for diverse populations.
Exercise Physiology and Sports Psychology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Physiological responses to exercise and psychological aspects of sports performance.
Facility and Event Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Sports facility operations, event planning and management of sports competitions.
Sports Marketing and Sponsorship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Marketing principles applied to sports, sponsorship acquisition and sports branding.
Sports Law and Governance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal frameworks in sports, sports governance structures and regulatory compliance.
Leisure Studies and Sports Sociology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Sociological aspects of sport, leisure theory and the role of recreation in society.
Research Methods and Project Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, project management and evaluation of sports and recreation programmes.

Specialisations

Sports Facility Management
Focus on managing sports stadiums, fitness centres and recreation facilities. 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.
Sports Event Management
Specialisation in organising sports tournaments, competitions and sporting events. 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.
Recreation Programme Management
Focus on designing and managing community recreation and leisure programmes. 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.
Sports Marketing and Sponsorship
Specialisation in sports branding, sponsorship management and sports commercial operations. 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

A typical day involves attending sports management lectures, participating in exercise physiology practicals, organising inter-faculty sports events, planning recreation programmes in the community, and studying sports marketing case studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public204k to 204k

204k at Kenyatta University204k at Kenyatta 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 204,000/yr (KU website & KUCCPS). Private unverified.

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. Equity Bank Wings to Fly supports academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Equity Bank Wings to Fly
Scholarship
Academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds

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
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

2 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kenyatta University under the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as sports managers, recreation officers, fitness centre managers and sports event coordinators in government sports departments, federations, fitness centres and event management companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for sports event budgeting, facility management data and recreation programme tracking.
Microsoft Project
Software
Project management software for organising sports events and recreation programmes.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for sports research and recreation programme evaluation.
Teamer
Software
Sports team management platform for scheduling, communication and player coordination.
Google Workspace
Software
Collaboration tools for sports event planning, document sharing and team communication.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Recreation and sports management is just about playing sports.
The programme covers sports management, marketing, facility management, event management, sports law and business principles applied to the sports industry.
Graduates only become PE teachers.
Graduates work as sports managers, recreation officers, fitness centre managers, event coordinators and sports development officers in diverse organisations.
There are no career opportunities in sports management in Kenya.
Kenya's growing sports industry, sports tourism and county-level sports programmes create demand for qualified sports and recreation management professionals.
The programme is not a real degree.
The programme is accredited by CUE and combines sports science with management principles, preparing graduates for professional roles in the sports and leisure industry.