Business

Diploma in Finance

The Diploma in Finance is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in financial management, investment analysis, corporate finance, financial markets and risk management. Offered at the Presbyterian University of East Africa, the programme prepares students for careers in finance, banking and financial services.

The curriculum covers financial accounting, corporate finance, investment analysis, financial markets and institutions, risk management, financial planning, international finance, banking operations, microfinance, financial modelling, taxation, auditing, business statistics, economics, entrepreneurship, communication skills and industrial attachment. Students develop both analytical and practical financial skills.

Kenya's financial services sector is a key pillar of the economy, with growing demand for finance professionals in banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, investment firms and corporate finance departments. The programme responds to the need for trained personnel who can manage financial resources, analyse investments and support financial decision-making.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, financial modelling exercises, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in financial analysis, budgeting, investment evaluation and financial reporting through practical exercises and attachment at banks, financial institutions or corporate finance departments.

Graduates pursue careers as finance officers, credit analysts, investment assistants, banking officers, financial analysts and microfinance officers in banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, investment firms and corporate organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have an aptitude for mathematics, interest in financial markets and analytical thinking. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in finance, banking and financial services.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 96,100
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

Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance
Investment Analysis and Financial Markets
Risk Management and Financial Planning
Banking Operations and Microfinance
Financial Modelling and Business Statistics
Taxation, Auditing and International Finance
Economics and Entrepreneurship
Communication Skills and Industrial Attachment

Modules

8 in the programme

Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers financial accounting principles, financial statements, corporate finance fundamentals, capital structure, cost of capital and financial decision-making.
Business Statistics and Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers business statistics, data analysis, probability, microeconomics, macroeconomics and economic indicators relevant to financial decision-making.
Investment Analysis and Financial Markets
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers investment analysis, portfolio management, financial markets, securities, stock exchange operations and investment valuation techniques.
Banking Operations and Microfinance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers banking operations, commercial banking, central banking, microfinance institutions, credit operations and financial inclusion in Kenya.
Risk Management and Financial Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers financial risk management, credit risk, market risk, operational risk, insurance principles, financial planning and personal finance management.
Financial Modelling and Taxation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers financial modelling using spreadsheets, forecasting, valuation models, taxation principles, tax planning and Kenyan tax system.
International Finance and Auditing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers international finance, foreign exchange, international trade finance, auditing principles, internal controls and financial regulation.
Entrepreneurship, Communication and Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Covers entrepreneurship, communication skills, professional ethics, plus a three-month industrial attachment at a bank, financial institution or corporate finance department.

Specialisations

Corporate Finance
Focuses on financial management in corporations for careers as finance officers.
Banking and Credit
Specialises in banking operations and credit analysis for careers as banking officers and credit analysts.
Investment Analysis
Focuses on investment valuation and portfolio management for careers as investment assistants.
Microfinance
Specialises in microfinance operations and financial inclusion for careers in microfinance institutions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on corporate finance or investment analysis, followed by a financial modelling workshop using spreadsheets. Afternoon sessions may include a case study on risk management, a group exercise on financial statement analysis, or a discussion on banking operations. Students also work on finance projects and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's financial services sector is a key economic pillar, providing diverse career opportunities.
The programme provides a strong foundation for professional qualifications like CPA and CFA.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance or related degree.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Entry-level finance positions can be competitive, with many employers preferring degree holders.

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

Public67k to 67k

67k at Public TVET colleges67k at Public TVET colleges

Private59k to 96k

59k at Presbyterian University of East Africa96k 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 67,189/yr. Zetech ~89-96K, PUEA ~58,500/yr (zetech.ac.ke, eafinder.com).

Students can access HELB loans. PUEA may offer internal bursaries and scholarships for deserving 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: Certificate in a relevant field from a recognised institution.

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 financial accounting, economics, investment and banking.
Coursework and Financial Modelling Exercises
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of financial modelling exercises, case studies, assignments and group projects.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A finance research project on a financial markets, investment or banking topic, assessed through a written report.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a bank, financial institution or corporate finance department.

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

Finance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages financial records, prepares budgets, monitors cash flows and supports financial decision-making in organisations.
Credit Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 150,000
Assesses creditworthiness of loan applicants, analyses financial data and makes lending recommendations in banks and microfinance institutions.
Banking Officer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 140,000
Handles banking operations, customer service, account management and loan processing in commercial banks and financial institutions.
Investment Assistant
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supports investment analysis, portfolio management and client services in investment firms and asset management companies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as finance officers, credit analysts, banking officers and investment assistants in banks, microfinance institutions and corporate organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Finance is the same as accounting.
Finance focuses on managing money, investments and financial planning, while accounting focuses on recording and reporting financial transactions.
You need to be good at advanced mathematics to study finance.
Finance requires basic mathematics and analytical skills, not advanced calculus. The programme builds the necessary quantitative skills from the foundation.
Finance graduates only work in banks.
Finance graduates work in banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, investment firms, corporate finance departments, NGOs and government agencies.
A diploma in finance is not enough for a career.
The diploma provides a solid foundation for entry-level finance roles, and graduates can progress to professional qualifications like CPA or a bachelor's degree in finance.