Business

Bachelor of Science in Strategic Management

The Bachelor of Science in Strategic Management is a degree programme that focuses on the formulation, implementation and evaluation of organisational strategies to achieve competitive advantage. The programme is offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, preparing graduates for careers in strategic planning, business consulting, corporate management and entrepreneurship.

The curriculum covers strategic management theory, competitive analysis, business policy, corporate governance, organisational behaviour, project management, financial management, marketing strategy, human resource management, operations management, business research methods, entrepreneurship and change management. Students develop competencies in strategic analysis, business planning and organisational leadership.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, case study analysis, business simulations, industrial attachment and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can formulate business strategies, conduct competitive analysis, manage organisational change and lead strategic planning initiatives.

The programme emphasises the importance of strategic thinking in navigating dynamic business environments, preparing students to address competitive challenges and growth opportunities in Kenyan and global markets. Students learn about strategic decision-making, risk management, innovation strategy and the alignment of business operations with organisational goals.

Graduates are equipped to work in corporate strategy departments, consulting firms, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, financial institutions and entrepreneurial ventures. They play a critical role in shaping organisational direction and driving business performance.

Career opportunities exist in corporate strategy departments, management consulting firms, banks, government agencies, NGOs and manufacturing companies. Graduates work as strategic management officers, business analysts, management consultants, project coordinators and corporate planning officers across multiple sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,150
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
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

Strategic Management Theory
Competitive Analysis
Business Policy
Corporate Governance
Organisational Behaviour
Project Management
Financial Management
Marketing Strategy
Operations Management
Business Research Methods

Modules

8 in the programme

Strategic Management Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of strategic management, strategy formulation and the evolution of strategic thinking.
Business Policy and Corporate Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Corporate governance principles, business policy formulation and board-level decision-making.
Organisational Behaviour and Change Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Organisational dynamics, change management and leading strategic transformation.
Competitive Analysis and Marketing Strategy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Competitive Analysis and Marketing Strategy: Industry analysis, competitive positioning and marketing strategy development. Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional str...
Financial Management and Strategic Planning
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial analysis for strategic decisions, budgeting and strategic financial planning.
Project Management and Operations Strategy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Project Management and Operations Strategy: Strategic project management, operations alignment and process optimisation. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakehol...
Business Research Methods and Strategic Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, strategic analysis project and application of strategic management principles.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Strategy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Strategy: Entrepreneurial strategy, innovation management and new venture creation. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

Specialisations

Corporate Strategy
Focus on corporate-level strategy formulation, diversification and portfolio 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.
Competitive Strategy
Specialisation in industry analysis, competitive positioning and market dynamics. 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.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Focus on startup strategy, innovation management and entrepreneurial venture development. 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.
Strategic Project Management
Specialisation in aligning project execution with organisational strategy and strategic initiative management.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending strategic management lectures, analysing business case studies, participating in business simulation exercises, developing strategic plans for hypothetical companies, and presenting competitive analysis findings to peers.

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 331 business courses

Public184k to 220k

184k at Kenyatta University220k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya University243k at Daystar 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 Commerce 183,600 & UoN B.Com 220,150 KUCCPS. MKU 105K, Daystar 242,800 KUCCPS.

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 JKUAT and aligns with Kenya Institute of Management standards.

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 strategic management officers, business analysts, management consultants and corporate planning officers in corporate strategy departments, consulting firms, banks and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for financial modelling, strategic analysis and business planning.
Microsoft PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation software for strategic proposals, business plans and stakeholder communication.
SWOT Analysis Tools
Software
Strategic planning framework for analysing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Microsoft Project
Software
Project management software for strategic project planning and execution.
Google Workspace
Software
Collaboration tools for strategic planning, document sharing and team coordination.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Strategic management is just common sense business knowledge.
The programme covers strategic theory, competitive analysis, corporate governance, financial management and research methods requiring rigorous analytical skills.
Graduates only work in large corporations.
Graduates work in organisations of all sizes, including startups, SMEs, government agencies, NGOs and consulting firms.
Strategic management is the same as business administration.
Strategic management focuses specifically on long-term strategy formulation, competitive positioning and organisational direction, complementing general business administration.
The programme has no practical value.
The programme includes case studies, business simulations, industrial attachment and research projects providing practical strategic management experience.