Diploma in Business Administration
The Diploma in Business Administration is a comprehensive programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in business management, office administration and entrepreneurship. Examined by KNEC under course code 2806, the programme is offered at multiple Kenyan universities including JKUAT, Maseno University, KCA University, Zetech University and others.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 108,634 a year at a public institution, Ksh 217,268 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 112,650 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 197 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 financial accounting, business law, economics, communication skills, ICT, entrepreneurship, human and public relations, sales and marketing, business finance, office administration and management, marketing management, supply and transport management, quantitative techniques, commercial and administrative law, cost accounting, organisation theory and behaviour, labour and industrial relations, principles and practice of management, human resource management, managerial accounting, financial management and research methods. Students develop both theoretical business knowledge and practical administrative skills.
Kenya's business sector requires qualified administrators who can manage office operations, support business processes and contribute to organisational effectiveness. The programme responds to the need for skilled business professionals who can handle administrative functions, manage teams and support business growth across various sectors.
The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, group discussions, practical exercises, business simulations and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in business operations, office management and project work through practical sessions and attachment at business organisations.
Graduates pursue careers as business administrators, office managers, administrative assistants, business development officers, marketing assistants, human resource assistants, supply chain assistants and project officers in private companies, government departments, NGOs, banks, manufacturing firms and service providers. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Administration or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have strong communication skills, interest in business operations and aptitude for management. The programme is suitable for students seeking a practical business foundation for employment or entrepreneurship.
What you study
8 subjects- Financial Accounting and Business Law
- Economics and Quantitative Techniques
- Office Administration and Management
- Marketing Management and Sales
- Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
- Supply and Transport Management
- Financial Management and Managerial Accounting
- Entrepreneurship and Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeFinancial Accounting and Business Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers financial accounting principles, bookkeeping, financial statements, business law, contracts, commercial law and legal frameworks for business operations.
Economics and Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic systems, communication skills, business correspondence, report writing and presentation skills.
ICT and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers information communication technology, computer applications, business software, entrepreneurship principles, business plan development and life skills.
Sales, Marketing and Human Relations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sales and marketing principles, marketing strategies, human and public relations, customer service, business finance and occupational safety.
Office Administration and Cost Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers office administration and management, cost accounting, quantitative techniques, supply and transport management and commercial law.
Marketing Management and Business Plan
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers marketing management, marketing research, business planning, quantitative techniques and supply chain management principles.
Principles and Practice of Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers management principles, planning, organising, directing, controlling, organisation theory and behaviour and management practice.
Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers human resource management, recruitment, training, performance management, labour law, industrial relations and employee welfare.
Managerial Accounting and Financial Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers managerial accounting, cost analysis, budgeting, financial management, investment decisions, working capital management and financial planning.
Research Methods and Trade Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Covers research methodology, data collection, data analysis, report writing and a trade project applying business administration knowledge to a real business scenario.
Specialisations
Office Administration
Focuses on office management, administrative operations and records management for careers as office managers.
Marketing Management
Specialises in marketing, sales and customer relationship management for careers in marketing.
Human Resource Management
Focuses on HR functions, industrial relations and personnel management for careers in human resources.
Financial Management
Specialises in accounting, financial management and managerial accounting for careers in finance.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on financial accounting or business law, followed by a group discussion on a case study. Afternoon sessions may include a practical exercise on office administration, a marketing management tutorial, or a computer laboratory session using business software. Students also work on business plan projects, quantitative techniques assignments and research method exercises.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Business administration skills are in demand across all sectors, providing diverse career opportunities. | The programme is common, meaning graduates face competition for entry-level positions. |
| The programme is offered at many universities, providing flexibility in institution choice and fee structure. | Career advancement may require additional professional certifications or a degree. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Commerce or Business Administration with credit transfers. | — |
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
JKUAT 108.6K, TVET 67K/yr pub. Zetech 61.3K, KCA 112.7K/yr pvt (jkuat.ac.ke, kenyaeducationguide.com).
Students can access HELB loans. Some universities offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
16 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
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCE Division II with credit in Mathematics and English, or Credit Pass in relevant Certificate course with at least KCSE C-, or KCE Division III with at least C- in Mathematics and English.
When it next starts
Taught at 197 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, Maasai Mara University, KCA University.
Including Kenyatta University, Maasai Mara University, KCA University.
Including Kenyatta University, Maasai Mara University, KCA University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering accounting, economics, business law and management.
Practical Assignments
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of ICT practicals, business plan development, communication exercises and group projects.
KNEC Module Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
KNEC examinations for each module covering all subjects through written papers and practical assessments.
Trade Project and Industrial Attachment
Project100% of the mark
A trade project applying business administration knowledge and a three-month industrial attachment assessed through a report.
Accreditation
Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
Examined by KNEC (Course Code: 2806) and accredited by TVETA. The programme is offered at multiple universities including JKUAT, Maseno University, KCA University and Zetech University.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesBusiness Administrator
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages business operations, coordinates administrative functions, supports decision-making and ensures efficient organisational processes.
Office Manager
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages office operations, supervises administrative staff, coordinates schedules, manages records and ensures smooth office functioning.
Business Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Identifies business opportunities, develops growth strategies, builds client relationships and supports business expansion initiatives.
Administrative Assistant
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Provides administrative support, manages correspondence, coordinates meetings, maintains records and assists with office management.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as business administrators, office managers, administrative assistants and business development officers across private companies, government, NGOs and banks in Kenya.
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
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Business administration is just about office work.
The programme covers diverse business functions including finance, marketing, human resources, supply chain, law and entrepreneurship, providing a comprehensive business education.
A diploma in business administration has limited career prospects.
Business administration skills are needed across all sectors, with graduates working in banking, manufacturing, government, NGOs, healthcare and service industries.
Business administration and business management are completely different.
The two programmes share significant overlap in curriculum and career outcomes, with both preparing graduates for business operations and management roles.
You cannot progress to a degree after a diploma in business administration.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Administration or related degree programmes with credit transfers.