Technology

Master of Business Information Systems

The Master of Business Information Systems is a postgraduate programme that bridges the gap between business management and information systems technology. The programme equips students with the technical and managerial skills needed to design, implement, and manage information systems that support business operations and strategy.

Core areas include information systems management, database management, network and communication systems, systems analysis and design, IT project management, business process modelling, information systems security, emerging technologies, and research methods. Students engage with both technical and managerial perspectives.

The programme is offered by multiple universities in Kenya. KCA University offers MSc in Information Systems Management through its School of Technology. Strathmore University offers MSc in Computing and Information Systems through its Faculty of Information Technology. JKUAT offers MSc in Business Information Technology. The Technical University of Kenya offers Master of Technology in Business Information Technology.

Students develop competencies in systems analysis, database management, network systems, IT project management, business process modelling, information security, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, dissertation, and oral defence over two years.

KCA University (private) charges approximately KES 539,820 total. Strathmore University (private) charges KES 952,500 total. JKUAT (public) charges KES 505,000 total. Technical University of Kenya (public) charges KES 383,300 total. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant field.

Graduates pursue careers as systems analysts, IT managers, information systems managers, business analysts, database administrators, and IT consultants in organisations requiring both business and technology expertise.

Skills Required

Information Systems Management and Strategy
Database Management and Administration
Systems Analysis and Design
Network and Communication Systems
IT Project Management
Business Process Modelling and Optimisation
Information Systems Security
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Business Research and Data Analytics
Technology Strategy and Digital Transformation

Key Subjects

Information Systems Management
Database Management Systems
Systems Analysis and Design
Network and Communication Systems
IT Project Management
Business Process Modelling
Information Systems Security
Emerging Technologies in ICT
Research Methodology
Data Communications

Certifications

PMI Project Management Certification
CSK IT Professional Certification

Specializations

Information Systems Management

Focuses on managing information systems in organisations, including IS strategy, governance, IT service management, and aligning IS with business objectives.

Database Management

Examines database design, administration, data warehousing, business intelligence, and managing and administering database systems.

Network and Communication Systems

Covers network design, network security, communication technologies, wireless networks, and managing and administering network systems.

Systems Analysis and Design

Focuses on systems analysis, design methodologies, requirements engineering, software development, and analysing and designing information systems.

Information Systems Security

Examines information security, cybersecurity, risk management, computer forensics, and securing and protecting information systems.

Business Process Management

Covers business process modelling, optimisation, automation, workflow management, and analysing and improving business processes using technology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 252,500
Private, up to: Ksh 476,250
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Information Systems Management
Database Management Systems
Systems Analysis and Design
Network and Communication Systems
IT Project Management
Business Process Modelling
Information Systems Security
Emerging Technologies in ICT
Research Methodology
Data Communications

Modules

12 in the programme

Information Systems Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines information systems management, IS strategy, governance, IT service management, and aligning information systems with business objectives.
Database Management Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers database design, SQL, data warehousing, business intelligence, and managing and administering database systems.
Systems Analysis and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines systems analysis, design methodologies, requirements engineering, UML, and analysing and designing information systems.
Computer Networks
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers computer networks, network design, network protocols, communication technologies, and managing and administering network systems.
Emerging Technologies in ICT
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines emerging technologies including cloud computing, AI, IoT, blockchain, and evaluating and adopting emerging technologies in organisations.
Information Systems Security
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers information security, cybersecurity, risk management, computer forensics, and securing and protecting information systems.
Business Process Modelling and Application
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines business process modelling, process analysis, optimisation, automation, and improving business processes using technology.
IT Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers IT project management, project planning, execution, agile methodologies, and managing and delivering IT projects.
Research Methodology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting business and IS research, preparing students for their dissertation.
Strategic Information Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers strategic information systems, IS strategy, digital transformation, competitive advantage through IS, and developing IS strategy in organisations.
Data Science and Analytics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines data science, data analytics, machine learning, data visualisation, and using data and analytics for business decisions.
Research Dissertation
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research dissertation on a business information systems topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Information Systems Management
Focuses on managing information systems in organisations, including IS strategy, governance, IT service management, and aligning IS with business objectives.
Database Management
Examines database design, administration, data warehousing, business intelligence, and managing and administering database systems.
Network and Communication Systems
Covers network design, network security, communication technologies, wireless networks, and managing and administering network systems.
Systems Analysis and Design
Focuses on systems analysis, design methodologies, requirements engineering, software development, and analysing and designing information systems.
Information Systems Security
Examines information security, cybersecurity, risk management, computer forensics, and securing and protecting information systems.
Business Process Management
Covers business process modelling, optimisation, automation, workflow management, and analysing and improving business processes using technology.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Business Information Systems programme combines lectures, practical lab sessions, case studies, and research. Sessions cover information systems management, database management, systems analysis and design, network systems, and IT project management. Information systems management sessions examine IS strategy, governance, IT service management, and aligning IS with business objectives. Database management sessions cover database design, SQL, data warehousing, business intelligence, and managing database systems. Systems analysis and design sessions examine requirements engineering, design methodologies, UML, and analysing and designing information systems. Network and communication sessions cover network design, network security, communication technologies, and managing network systems. IT project management sessions examine project planning, execution, agile methodologies, and managing and delivering IT projects. Business process modelling sessions cover process analysis, optimisation, automation, and improving business processes using technology. Information systems security sessions examine cybersecurity, risk management, computer forensics, and securing information systems. Emerging technologies sessions cover cloud computing, AI, IoT, blockchain, and evaluating and adopting emerging technologies. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their dissertation, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Practical lab sessions provide hands-on technology experience with databases, networks, and development tools. Case studies combine business and technology challenges. Guest lectures from IT executives provide industry insights. The programme culminates in a research dissertation on a business information systems topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme bridges business and technology, producing graduates who understand both IS and business strategy, making them highly versatile.
Offered by multiple universities including KCA, Strathmore, JKUAT, and Technical University of Kenya, providing choice of institution and fee range.
Wide fee range from KES 383,300 at TU-K to KES 952,500 at Strathmore, accommodating different budgets.
High demand for IS professionals as organisations undergo digital transformation and need technology-savvy business leaders.

Against it

Programme names vary across universities, which may cause confusion for prospective students comparing options.
Strathmore's programme is significantly more expensive at KES 952,500 compared to other institutions.
Rapidly evolving technology landscape requires continuous self-learning beyond the curriculum.
Some programmes require an IT or engineering background, limiting access for graduates from other disciplines.

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

Public236k to 253k

236k at Technical University of Kenya253k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private335k to 476k

335k at KCA University476k at Strathmore 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

JKUAT ~253K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). TUK ~236K/yr (eafinder). Strathmore ~476K, KCA ~335K.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KCA University and Strathmore University offer financial aid and scholarships for qualifying students. PMI supports project management professionals globally. The programme's IT focus attracts technology company sponsorships and professional body funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KCA University Financial Aid
Strathmore University Scholarships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate information systems studies at recognised universities.
KCA University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
KCA University offers financial aid for qualifying postgraduate students demonstrating academic merit or financial need.
Strathmore University Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Strathmore University offers scholarships for qualifying postgraduate students demonstrating academic merit.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Entry requirements vary by university. KCA University requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with work experience, suitable for engineering and science graduates. Strathmore University accepts any first degree with Upper Second Class Honours or Lower Second with postgraduate diploma or two years' experience, and requires a Graduate Entrance Exam. JKUAT requires Upper Second Class Honours or Lower Second with three years' experience. Technical University of Kenya requires Upper Second or Lower Second with two years' experience. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical lab exercises, case studies, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering information systems management, database management, systems analysis, and network systems.
Practical Projects and Case Studies
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through IS development projects, system design exercises, case study analysis, and producing IS reports and presentations.
Research Dissertation
Research100% of the mark
Original research dissertation on a business information systems topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KCA University offers MSc in Information Systems Management, Strathmore University offers MSc in Computing and Information Systems, JKUAT offers MSc in Business Information Technology, and Technical University of Kenya offers Master of Technology in Business Information Technology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate information systems and technology education.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. KCA University offers MSc in Information Systems Management, Strathmore University offers MSc in Computing and Information Systems, JKUAT offers MSc in Business Information Technology, and Technical University of Kenya offers Master of Technology in Business Information Technology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate information systems and technology education.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Systems Analyst
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses business requirements and designs information systems, overseeing analysis, design, requirements, and providing IS solutions.
IT Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages IT operations, overseeing systems, infrastructure, teams, and ensuring effective and secure IT service delivery.
Information Systems Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages information systems, overseeing IS strategy, systems, applications, and ensuring effective IS alignment with business objectives.
Business Analyst
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses business operations and IT needs, overseeing analysis, requirements, process improvement, and providing business and IT insights.
Database Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Administers database systems, overseeing database design, performance, security, and ensuring effective and secure database operations.
IT Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consults on IT and IS matters, overseeing advisory, analysis, strategy, and providing technology expertise and solutions to clients.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as systems analysts, IT managers, information systems managers, business analysts, database administrators, and IT consultants across all sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SQL Database Tools
SoftwarePrimary
Database management tools for database design, queries, administration, and managing and analysing database systems.
Microsoft Visio
Software
Diagramming software for business process modelling, systems design, flowcharts, and visualising processes and systems.
Microsoft Project
Software
Project management software for IT project planning, scheduling, tracking, and managing and delivering IT projects.
Tableau
Software
Data visualisation software for business intelligence, dashboards, data analytics, and analysing and visualising business data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme is purely technical with no business content.
The programme deliberately combines technical IT skills with business management, producing graduates who understand both technology and its business applications.
You need an IT background to enrol.
Strathmore's MSc CIS is designed as a conversion course open to graduates from any discipline, while KCA's programme accepts engineering and science graduates. Some programmes welcome diverse backgrounds.
This is the same as a general MBA.
While including some business content, this programme focuses specifically on information systems, database management, networks, and technology — far more technical than a general MBA.
Business information systems is just about computers.
The programme covers the intersection of business processes, organisational strategy, and technology, focusing on how information systems enable business objectives.
The programme is only for aspiring IT managers.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including business analysis, consulting, project management, entrepreneurship, and data analytics, not just IT management roles.
IS skills become outdated quickly.
The programme teaches fundamental IS principles, frameworks, and management approaches that remain relevant, alongside current technologies providing immediate workplace value.