Technology

Diploma in Business Information Systems

The Diploma in Business Information Systems is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills at the intersection of business and information technology. Offered at the Presbyterian University of East Africa, the programme combines business administration concepts with information systems competencies.

The curriculum covers business fundamentals, financial accounting, management principles, information systems, database management, programming basics, web technologies, business data analysis, e-commerce, systems analysis and design, ICT project management, network fundamentals, business communication, entrepreneurship and research methods. Students develop both business acumen and technical IT skills.

Kenya's business sector increasingly relies on information systems for operations, decision-making and competitive advantage. The programme responds to the need for professionals who understand both business processes and the technology that supports them, bridging the gap between business requirements and IT solutions.

The programme is delivered through lectures, computer laboratory sessions, case studies, group projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in business software, database management, systems analysis and web technologies through practical sessions and attachment at business organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as business systems analysts, IT support officers, database assistants, systems administrators, business intelligence assistants, e-commerce coordinators and IT project assistants in banks, companies, government departments, NGOs and technology firms. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Business Information Technology or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have analytical skills, interest in both business and technology, and basic mathematical aptitude. The programme is suitable for students seeking a hybrid business-IT qualification for employment or further study.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 73,700
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, ODeL
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Business Fundamentals and Financial Accounting
Information Systems and Database Management
Programming Basics and Web Technologies
Systems Analysis and Design
Business Data Analysis and E-commerce
ICT Project Management and Network Fundamentals
Business Communication and Entrepreneurship
Research Methods and Industrial Attachment

Modules

8 in the programme

Business Fundamentals and Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers business organisation, management principles, financial accounting, bookkeeping, financial statements and business law basics.
Information Systems and Database Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers information systems concepts, database design, SQL, data models, database administration and information management.
Programming and Web Technologies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers programming fundamentals, web development, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, server-side scripting and web application basics.
Systems Analysis and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers systems development life cycle, requirements analysis, system design, UML, prototyping and systems implementation.
Business Data Analysis and E-commerce
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers business data analysis, data visualisation, spreadsheets, e-commerce models, online payment systems and digital business strategies.
ICT Project Management and Networks
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ICT project management, network fundamentals, network protocols, network security, cloud computing and IT service management.
Business Communication and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers business communication, report writing, presentation skills, entrepreneurship, business planning and research methods.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a business or IT organisation, assessed through an attachment report and a systems development project.

Specialisations

Systems Analysis
Focuses on business requirements analysis, systems design and implementation for careers as business systems analysts.
Database Management
Specialises in database design, administration and data management for careers as database administrators.
E-commerce
Focuses on e-commerce platforms, digital business and online payment systems for careers in digital business.
IT Project Management
Specialises in ICT project planning, execution and management for careers as IT project assistants.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on business fundamentals or financial accounting, followed by a computer laboratory session on database management or programming. Afternoon sessions may include a systems analysis and design workshop, a group project on e-commerce, or a tutorial on business data analysis. Students also work on ICT project assignments and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme combines business and IT skills, making graduates versatile in the job market.
PUEA offers both full-time and ODeL study modes, providing flexibility for students.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Business Information Technology or related degree.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
The technology field evolves rapidly, requiring continuous skill updates beyond the diploma.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kabete National Polytechnic67k at Eldoret Polytechnic

Private59k to 74k

59k at Presbyterian University of East Africa74k at Zetech 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

TVET 67K/yr pub. PUEA ~58.5K(117K total/2yr), Zetech 73.7K/yr pvt (tuko.co.ke, kenyaeducationguide.com).

Students can access HELB loans. PUEA may offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: KNEC Certificate in Business Information Technology or related field from a recognised institution, or KNEC Diploma in a related area.

Mathematics
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering business and IT concepts.
Laboratory Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of computer laboratory sessions including programming, database management and web development.
Systems Development Project
Project50% of the mark
A practical project developing a business information system, assessed through a presentation and documentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a business or IT organisation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the Presbyterian University of East Africa.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the Presbyterian University of East Africa.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Business Systems Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Analyses business processes, gathers requirements, designs information systems solutions and supports system implementation in organisations.
IT Support Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides technical support, maintains IT systems, troubleshoots hardware and software issues and supports users in organisations.
Database Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 110,000
Maintains databases, writes SQL queries, supports data entry, manages data backups and assists with database administration.
E-commerce Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages online store operations, coordinates digital marketing, processes online orders and maintains e-commerce platforms.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as business systems analysts, IT support officers and database assistants in banks, companies, government departments and technology firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MySQL
ToolPrimary
Python
Code

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Business information systems is just IT.
The programme combines business administration with information systems, preparing graduates who understand both business processes and the technology that supports them.
There are no jobs for BIS graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's growing digital economy creates demand for professionals who can bridge business and IT, with opportunities in banking, telecom, government, healthcare and technology sectors.
BIS is the same as computer science.
BIS focuses on applying information systems to solve business problems, while computer science focuses on programming, algorithms and software engineering.
You need to be a programmer to study BIS.
The programme teaches programming basics but emphasises business analysis, systems design and data management, requiring analytical rather than pure programming skills.