Technology

Master of Business Information Technology

The Master of Business Information Technology is a postgraduate programme that bridges business management and information technology, training graduates to leverage technology for business innovation, digital transformation, and competitive advantage. The programme prepares graduates for leadership roles at the intersection of business and IT.

Core areas include business analytics, enterprise systems, IT strategy, digital transformation, project management, information systems security, e-business, data management, and emerging technologies. Students engage with both business strategy and technology implementation.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Kabarak University. JKUAT offers MBIT through its School of Computing and Information Technology with total tuition of KES 505,000 over two years. Kabarak offers MSc IT at KES 65,000 per semester.

Students develop competencies in business-IT alignment, enterprise architecture, digital strategy, data analytics, project management, and technology innovation. The programme includes coursework, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

JKUAT charges KES 505,000 total for the programme (~KES 252,500/year) with full-time, evening, and weekend modes. Kabarak charges KES 65,000 per semester (~KES 130,000/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division, or Lower Division with three years work experience.

Graduates pursue careers as IT managers, business analysts, digital transformation leads, enterprise architects, project managers, and technology consultants in corporates, government, NGOs, and tech companies.

Skills Required

Business-IT Alignment and Strategy
Enterprise Systems and Architecture
Digital Transformation and Innovation
Business Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making
IT Project Management
Information Systems Security and Governance
E-Business and Digital Commerce
Data Management and Database Systems
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Technology Consulting and Advisory

Key Subjects

Business Analytics
Enterprise Systems
IT Strategy and Governance
Digital Transformation
Project Management
Information Systems Security
E-Business and Digital Commerce
Data Management
Emerging Technologies
Research Methods

Certifications

CSK ICT Professional Certification
PMI Project Management Certification

Specializations

Business Analytics

Focuses on business analytics, data analysis, BI, data visualisation, predictive analytics, and using data for business decision-making.

Enterprise Systems

Examines enterprise systems, ERP, CRM, SCM, enterprise architecture, integration, and managing enterprise IT systems.

Digital Transformation

Covers digital transformation, digital strategy, digital business models, innovation, and leading digital transformation in organisations.

IT Security and Governance

Focuses on IT security, information security, governance, risk, compliance, and managing IT security and governance in organisations.

E-Business

Examines e-business, e-commerce, digital platforms, online business models, payment systems, and managing e-business operations.

Project Management

Covers IT project management, project lifecycle, agile, scrum, PMO, and managing IT and business projects.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 252,500
Private, up to: Ksh 165,200
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Business Analytics
Enterprise Systems
IT Strategy and Governance
Digital Transformation
Project Management
Information Systems Security
E-Business and Digital Commerce
Data Management
Emerging Technologies
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Business Analytics and Intelligence
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines business analytics, BI, data analysis, visualisation, predictive analytics, and using data for business decision-making.
Enterprise Systems and Architecture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers enterprise systems, ERP, CRM, SCM, enterprise architecture, integration, and managing enterprise IT systems.
IT Strategy and Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines IT strategy, alignment, governance, investment, COBIT, ITIL, and aligning IT with business strategy.
Digital Transformation and Innovation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers digital transformation, digital strategy, digital business models, innovation, and leading digital transformation in organisations.
Information Systems Security
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines IT security, information security, governance, risk, compliance, ISO 27001, and managing IT security and governance.
E-Business and Digital Commerce
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers e-business, e-commerce, digital platforms, online business models, payment systems, and managing e-business operations.
Project Management for IT
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines IT project management, project lifecycle, agile, scrum, PMO, PMP, and managing IT and business projects.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in business IT, preparing students for their project.
Data Management and Database Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines data management, database systems, SQL, NoSQL, data warehousing, big data, and managing data in organisations.
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers emerging technologies, AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, cloud computing, and understanding and applying emerging technologies.
Strategic Information Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategic information management, knowledge management, IS strategy, digital leadership, and managing information strategically.
Research Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research project or thesis on a business IT topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Business Analytics
Focuses on business analytics, data analysis, BI, data visualisation, predictive analytics, and using data for business decision-making.
Enterprise Systems
Examines enterprise systems, ERP, CRM, SCM, enterprise architecture, integration, and managing enterprise IT systems.
Digital Transformation
Covers digital transformation, digital strategy, digital business models, innovation, and leading digital transformation in organisations.
IT Security and Governance
Focuses on IT security, information security, governance, risk, compliance, and managing IT security and governance in organisations.
E-Business
Examines e-business, e-commerce, digital platforms, online business models, payment systems, and managing e-business operations.
Project Management
Covers IT project management, project lifecycle, agile, scrum, PMO, and managing IT and business projects.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MBIT programme begins with morning lectures on business analytics, enterprise systems, or IT strategy. Students engage with both business strategy and technology implementation. Business analytics sessions cover data analysis, BI, visualisation, predictive analytics, and using data for business decisions. Enterprise systems sessions examine ERP, CRM, SCM, enterprise architecture, integration, and managing enterprise IT systems. IT strategy sessions cover IT strategy, alignment, governance, investment, and aligning IT with business strategy. Digital transformation sessions examine digital strategy, digital business models, innovation, and leading digital transformation. Project management sessions cover IT project management, agile, scrum, PMO, and managing IT projects. Information security sessions examine IT security, governance, risk, compliance, and managing IT security. E-business sessions cover e-commerce, digital platforms, online business models, payment systems, and managing e-business. Emerging technologies sessions examine AI, blockchain, IoT, cloud, and understanding and applying emerging technologies. Research methods sessions prepare students for their project or thesis. Guest lectures from industry leaders, ICTA officials, and technology experts provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a research project or thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's digital transformation, ICT growth, fintech expansion, and technology adoption create high demand for business IT professionals.
JKUAT offers the programme through its established School of Computing and IT with full-time, evening, and weekend modes.
Career opportunities across corporates, government, NGOs, tech companies, banks, and consulting firms.
Programme bridges business and technology, providing versatile skills for the digital economy.

Against it

JKUAT total tuition of KES 505,000 (~KES 252,500/year) is relatively expensive for a public university.
Programme requires both business and technology aptitude, which may challenge specialists in either area.
Rapidly evolving technology landscape requires continuous learning beyond the programme.
Some employers may prefer separate MBA and IT qualifications over a combined MBIT.

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

Private165k to 165k

165k at Kabarak University165k at Kabarak 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). Kabarak ~165K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. ICTA supports digital skills capacity building. PMI supports project management professional development. The programme's business-IT focus attracts ICT, digital transformation, and technology funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
ICTA Digital Skills Funding
PMI Kenya Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate business IT studies at recognised universities.
ICTA Digital Skills Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
ICTA supports digital skills capacity building in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate study in ICT and business IT.
PMI Kenya Funding
FellowshipKsh 250,000Kenyan
PMI Kenya Chapter supports project management professional development, providing fellowships for postgraduate study.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from IT, computer science, business, commerce, and related fields. JKUAT offers full-time, evening, and weekend modes. Two-year programme with research project or thesis option.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, technology analysis papers, project work, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering business analytics, enterprise systems, IT strategy, security, and project management, conducted at end of each semester.
Practical Project Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Assessment of practical projects, including system design, analytics projects, digital transformation plans, and technology implementations.
Research Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project or thesis on a business IT 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). JKUAT offers MBIT through its School of Computing and Information Technology. Kabarak University offers MSc IT. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate business information technology training. ICTA oversees ICT standards in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MBIT through its School of Computing and Information Technology. Kabarak University offers MSc IT. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate business information technology training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

IT Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages IT functions in organisations, overseeing systems, infrastructure, teams, and supporting technology operations and strategy.
Business Analyst
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses business processes and IT needs, overseeing requirements, solutions, and supporting business-IT alignment.
Digital Transformation Lead
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Leads digital transformation initiatives, overseeing digital strategy, innovation, and supporting organisational digital change.
Enterprise Architect
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Designs enterprise architecture, overseeing systems, integration, standards, and supporting enterprise IT alignment.
IT Project Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages IT projects, overseeing project lifecycle, agile, teams, delivery, and supporting successful project outcomes.
Technology Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 650,000
Provides technology consultancy, overseeing IT advisory, solutions, strategy, and supporting client technology decisions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as IT managers, business analysts, digital transformation leads, and project managers in corporates, government, and tech companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Power BI
SoftwarePrimary
Business analytics software for data visualisation, BI dashboards, reporting, and business data analysis.
Tableau
Software
Data visualisation software for business analytics, dashboards, and interactive data visualisation.
Microsoft Project
Software
Project management software for planning, tracking, and managing IT and business projects.
Jira
Software
Project management and issue tracking software for agile, scrum, and managing IT projects and development.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Business IT is just about using computers in business.
Business IT involves strategic alignment, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, analytics, and governance, far beyond basic computer use.
This programme is only for IT professionals.
The programme is designed for both business and IT professionals seeking to bridge the gap between technology and business strategy.
An MBA is more valuable than an MBIT.
MBIT and MBA are complementary; MBIT specifically addresses the technology-digital transformation gap that MBA programmes may not cover in depth.
Business IT is becoming obsolete with cloud computing.
Cloud computing has increased demand for business IT skills including cloud strategy, integration, security, and digital transformation.
This programme is too technical for business professionals.
The programme is designed to bridge business and technology, making it accessible to business professionals with technology interest.
A master's in business IT is redundant after an MBA.
The MBIT provides specialised technology, digital, and analytics skills that complement but are not covered in traditional MBA programmes.