Business

Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship

The Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship is a programme that equips students with knowledge and skills to design and implement sustainable social business models that address pressing social problems. Offered at Tangaza University College through the Institute for Social Transformation, the programme combines philosophical, ethical and practical learning in social entrepreneurship with a contemporary business curriculum.

The curriculum covers social entrepreneurship fundamentals, business model design, social innovation, business planning, financial management for social enterprises, impact measurement, green economy, agribusiness, ICT for social impact, leadership, ethics, project management, research methods and practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical entrepreneurial skills.

Kenya faces persistent social challenges in healthcare, education, agriculture, energy and technology, creating demand for social entrepreneurs who can build sustainable businesses with positive social impact. The programme responds to the need for trained social entrepreneurs who can design innovative solutions to social problems while maintaining financial sustainability.

The programme is delivered through blended online and face-to-face learning, boot camps, business coaching, mentorship, lectures, project workshops and practicum. Students gain hands-on experience through business model testing, action research, business plan development and linking with the business community.

Graduates pursue careers as social entrepreneurs, social enterprise managers, programme coordinators, community development entrepreneurs and social innovation consultants in social enterprises, NGOs, community organisations and development agencies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in social innovation, business and community development. The programme is suitable for students seeking to create social impact through entrepreneurial ventures.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 56,400
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Blended
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Social Entrepreneurship Fundamentals and Social Innovation
Business Model Design and Business Planning
Financial Management for Social Enterprises and Impact Measurement
Green Economy and Agribusiness for Social Impact
ICT and Mobile Technology for Social Entrepreneurship
Leadership, Ethics and Project Management
Research Methods and Social Enterprise Project
Practicum and Social Entrepreneurship Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

Social Entrepreneurship Fundamentals and Social Innovation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers social entrepreneurship fundamentals, social innovation, social enterprise models, social problem identification, social impact theories and the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Business Model Design and Business Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers business model design, social business model canvas, business planning, market analysis, value proposition design, revenue models and business plan development.
Financial Management for Social Enterprises and Impact Measurement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers financial management, social enterprise finance, budgeting, financial sustainability, impact measurement, social return on investment and impact reporting.
Green Economy and Agribusiness for Social Impact
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers green economy, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, agribusiness models, environmental sustainability and social impact in agribusiness and green sectors.
ICT and Mobile Technology for Social Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers ICT for social impact, mobile technology for development, digital social innovation, tech-enabled social enterprises and leveraging technology for social problem-solving.
Leadership, Ethics and Project Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers leadership for social change, ethical leadership, social enterprise governance, project management, project cycle and managing social impact projects.
Research Methods and Social Enterprise Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, action research and a social enterprise project, assessed through a business plan, pitch presentation and written report.
Practicum and Social Entrepreneurship Practice
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A supervised practicum in a social enterprise, NGO or development agency, assessed through a practicum report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Green Economy and Renewable Energy
Focuses on sustainable energy and green business models for social impact.
Agribusiness for Social Impact
Specialises in agricultural entrepreneurship and food security ventures.
ICT for Social Impact
Focuses on technology-enabled social enterprises and digital social innovation.
Healthcare and Education Social Enterprises
Specialises in social enterprises addressing healthcare and education challenges.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on social entrepreneurship fundamentals or business model design, followed by a boot camp session or business coaching workshop. Afternoon sessions may include mentorship meetings, action research, business plan development or preparation for practicum. Students also work on social enterprise projects and pitch presentations.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme combines business skills with social impact, preparing graduates for meaningful careers.
Boot camps, business coaching and mentorship provide practical entrepreneurial experience.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting study options.
Social entrepreneurship careers may require self-employment, which carries financial risk.

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

Private56k to 56k

56k at Tangaza University56k at Tangaza 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

Tangaza 28,200/sem=56,400/yr (tangaza.ac.ke). No public univ offers Social Entrepreneurship diploma.

Students can access HELB loans. Tangaza University College may offer internal bursaries and partner-sponsored scholarships for social entrepreneurship 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: KCSE C- with a relevant certificate in a related field, or a diploma with a relevant certificate from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering social entrepreneurship, business models, financial management and green economy.
Business Plan and Pitch
Project40% of the mark
Assessment of a social enterprise business plan, pitch presentation and business model canvas.
Social Enterprise Project
Project30% of the mark
A social enterprise project, assessed through a business plan, pitch presentation and written report.
Practicum Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during supervised practicum in a social enterprise, NGO or development agency.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Tangaza University College, Institute for Social Transformation.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Tangaza University College, Institute for Social Transformation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Social Entrepreneur
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and launches social enterprises, develops sustainable business models and creates social impact through entrepreneurial ventures.
Social Enterprise Manager
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages social enterprise operations, oversees impact programmes, manages finances and leads teams in social enterprises and NGOs.
Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 170,000
Coordinates social entrepreneurship programmes, supports enterprise development activities and manages community engagement in NGOs and development organisations.
Social Innovation Consultant
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 190,000
Advises organisations on social innovation strategies, supports business model design for social impact and facilitates social entrepreneurship training.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as social entrepreneurs, social enterprise managers, programme coordinators and social innovation consultants in social enterprises, NGOs and community organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Social entrepreneurship is just charity work.
Social entrepreneurship involves building sustainable business models that generate revenue while creating social impact, combining business principles with social mission.
Social entrepreneurs cannot make money.
Social enterprises can be financially sustainable and profitable while creating social impact. The programme teaches financial management and business planning for sustainability.
A diploma in social entrepreneurship has limited career prospects.
Graduates can start their own social enterprises, work in NGOs, or join development agencies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development.
Social entrepreneurship is only for business students.
Social entrepreneurship is interdisciplinary, combining business, social sciences, ethics and community development. Students from diverse backgrounds can succeed in the programme.