Education

Bachelor of Sports Science and Management

The Bachelor of Sports Science and Management is a programme that provides comprehensive training in sports science, coaching and sports management. Offered at Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Mount Kenya University, Masinde Muliro University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in sports science, coaching and sports administration.

The curriculum covers sports science, exercise physiology, sports psychology, sports biomechanics, sports nutrition, coaching theory, sports management, sports marketing, event management, sports medicine, sports injuries and rehabilitation, fitness training, sports law, sports sociology, research methods and a research project. Students develop scientific and management skills for the sports industry.

Kenya's sporting excellence in athletics, growing professional sports leagues and sports development initiatives create demand for sports science and management graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, practical sessions, sports field training, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as sports scientists, coaches, sports managers, fitness trainers, sports administrators, sports development officers, sports marketing officers, event managers, sports therapists and physical education teachers. They work in sports federations, clubs, schools, universities, fitness centres, Ministry of Sports, county governments, sports marketing firms and as consultants.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Sports Science
Exercise Physiology
Sports Psychology
Sports Biomechanics
Sports Nutrition
Coaching Theory
Sports Management
Sports Marketing
Event Management
Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation

Modules

10 in the programme

Sports Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Sports science fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Exercise Physiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Physiology of exercise. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Sports Psychology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Psychological aspects of sport. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Sports Biomechanics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Movement mechanics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Sports Nutrition
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Nutrition for athletes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Coaching Theory
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Coaching methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Sports Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Sports administration. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Sports Marketing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Sports marketing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Event Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Sports event planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Coaching
Sports coaching. 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.
Fitness Training
Fitness and conditioning. 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 Psychology
Mental performance. 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 Management
Sports administration. 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 science lectures, studying exercise physiology, working in sports laboratories, learning coaching techniques, studying sports psychology, practising fitness training, researching sports management, organising sports events, and working on sports science research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's sporting excellence creates opportunities
Combines science with management and coaching
Diverse career paths in sports, fitness and education

Against it

Job market is relatively small
Some roles require working evenings and weekends
Entry-level positions may have modest salaries

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

Public240k to 245k

240k at University of Nairobi245k 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

UoN Sports Sci 240K, KU 244.8K/yr (UoN Schedule II, KUCCPS). Private unverified.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Sports organisations may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in sports science, physical education or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Biology or Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+
Any other subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Practical Sessions
Practicum20% of the mark
Sports labs and field training

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at KU, UoN, MKU, MMUST and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Coach
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000
Sports coaching
Sports Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Sports science
Fitness Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Fitness training
Sports Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
Sports management
Sports Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Sports administration

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as sports scientists, coaches and sports managers in sports federations, clubs, schools and fitness centres.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for educational data management, extension planning and IT project tracking.
PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation tool for teaching, farmer training and extension education sessions.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for educational and extension research.
Google Classroom
Software
Learning management system for agricultural education and online teaching.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Sports science is just about playing sports.
The programme covers physiology, psychology, biomechanics, management, marketing and nutrition.
There are no sports jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's sporting excellence and growing leagues create demand for sports professionals.
Sports science is only for athletes.
The programme is open to all and covers management, coaching and administration.
This is an easy course.
The programme requires scientific knowledge in physiology, biomechanics and nutrition.