Business

Master of Business Management

The Master of Business Management is a postgraduate programme designed to develop advanced management competencies for professionals seeking leadership roles in business and organisations. The programme provides a comprehensive grounding in management theory and practice, with emphasis on strategic thinking, analytical skills, and research.

Core areas include management theory and practice, financial management, marketing management, human resource management, strategic management, management information systems, operations research, managerial economics, and research methodology. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications.

The programme is offered by multiple public universities in Kenya including Moi University through its School of Business and Economics, Egerton University through its Nairobi Campus, Laikipia University, Karatina University through its School of Business, and Maasai Mara University. The programme runs for two academic years with four semesters of full-time registration.

Students develop competencies in management practice, financial analysis, marketing strategy, human resource management, strategic planning, and research. At Moi University, the first year is devoted to coursework and research proposal development, while the second year focuses on fieldwork, coursework, and thesis writing, comprising a minimum of 53 units.

Moi University charges approximately KES 187,200 per year. Laikipia University charges KES 120,000 per year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant work experience.

Graduates pursue careers as business managers, management consultants, project managers, operations managers, human resource managers, and entrepreneurs across all sectors of the economy.

Skills Required

Management Theory and Practice
Strategic Management and Planning
Financial Management and Analysis
Marketing Management and Strategy
Human Resource Management
Operations Research and Management
Managerial Economics and Decision-Making
Management Information Systems
Business Research Methods and Analysis
Entrepreneurship and Business Development

Key Subjects

Theory and Practice of Management
Financial Management
Marketing Management
Human Resource Management
Strategic Management
Management Information Systems
Operations Research
Managerial Economics
Quantitative Methods of Management
Research Methodology

Certifications

KIM Management Certification
CMI Chartered Manager

Specializations

Strategic Management

Focuses on strategic management, strategy formulation, competitive strategy, business strategy, and understanding and developing organisational strategy.

Financial Management

Examines financial management, corporate finance, investment, financial analysis, and managing and developing financial strategy.

Marketing Management

Covers marketing management, marketing strategy, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and managing and developing marketing strategy.

Human Resource Management

Focuses on human resource management, talent management, leadership development, and managing and developing human resources.

Operations Management

Examines operations management, operations research, supply chain management, quality management, and managing and improving operations.

Entrepreneurship

Covers entrepreneurship, venture creation, corporate innovation, business development, and building and growing business ventures.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 119,100
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

Theory and Practice of Management
Financial Management
Marketing Management
Human Resource Management
Strategic Management
Management Information Systems
Operations Research
Managerial Economics
Quantitative Methods of Management
Research Methodology

Modules

12 in the programme

Theory and Practice of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines management theory, principles, organisational behaviour, leadership, and understanding and applying management theory and practice in organisations.
Financial Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers financial management, corporate finance, investment, financial analysis, and managing and developing financial strategy.
Marketing Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines marketing management, marketing strategy, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and managing and developing marketing strategy.
Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers human resource management, talent management, leadership development, performance management, and managing and developing human resources.
Quantitative Methods of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines quantitative methods, statistical analysis, decision-making, operations research, and using quantitative methods for management decisions.
Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting business research, preparing students for their thesis.
Strategic Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines strategic management, strategy formulation, competitive strategy, business strategy, and understanding and developing organisational strategy.
Management Information Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers management information systems, enterprise systems, business intelligence, and managing and developing information systems for organisations.
Operations Research
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines operations research, optimisation, linear programming, simulation, and applying operations research to management decisions.
Managerial Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers managerial economics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, market analysis, and applying economic principles to management decisions.
Research Proposal Seminar
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation for thesis development.
Thesis Writing
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a business management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Strategic Management
Focuses on strategic management, strategy formulation, competitive strategy, business strategy, and understanding and developing organisational strategy.
Financial Management
Examines financial management, corporate finance, investment, financial analysis, and managing and developing financial strategy.
Marketing Management
Covers marketing management, marketing strategy, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and managing and developing marketing strategy.
Human Resource Management
Focuses on human resource management, talent management, leadership development, and managing and developing human resources.
Operations Management
Examines operations management, operations research, supply chain management, quality management, and managing and improving operations.
Entrepreneurship
Covers entrepreneurship, venture creation, corporate innovation, business development, and building and growing business ventures.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Business Management programme at Moi University combines lectures, case studies, seminars, and research. The first year focuses on coursework and research proposal development. Sessions cover management theory and practice, financial management, marketing management, human resource management, and quantitative methods. Management theory sessions examine management principles, organisational behaviour, leadership, and understanding and applying management theory. Financial management sessions cover financial analysis, corporate finance, investment, and managing finances. Marketing management sessions examine marketing strategy, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and developing marketing strategy. Human resource management sessions cover talent management, leadership development, performance management, and managing human resources. Quantitative methods sessions examine statistical analysis, decision-making, operations research, and using quantitative methods for management. Strategic management sessions cover strategy formulation, competitive strategy, and developing organisational strategy. Management information systems sessions examine enterprise systems, business intelligence, and managing information systems. Managerial economics sessions cover microeconomics, macroeconomics, market analysis, and applying economics to management decisions. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. The second year focuses on fieldwork, additional coursework, and thesis writing. Case studies and group discussions provide practical application. Guest lectures from business leaders provide industry insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis defended orally.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides comprehensive management training applicable across all sectors, making graduates versatile and employable.
Offered by multiple public universities across Kenya, providing geographic accessibility and choice of institution.
Affordable tuition from KES 120,000/year at Laikipia to KES 187,200/year at Moi University, making it accessible.
Strong research component with thesis develops analytical and research skills valued by employers.

Against it

Programme is only offered by public universities, with no private institution options for those preferring private education.
MBM may be less widely recognised than MBA by some employers who are more familiar with the MBA designation.
Programme focuses heavily on management theory, which may feel less practical than case-study-heavy MBA programmes.
Limited specialisation options compared to MBA programmes that typically offer more concentration tracks.

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

Public187k to 187k

187k at Moi University187k at Moi University

Private119k to 119k

119k at Mount Kenya University119k at Mount Kenya 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

Moi 187,200/yr (worldscholarshipforum). MKU 59,550/sem (victormatara). Laikipia fee unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Moi University offers bursaries for qualifying students. KIM supports professional development for management professionals. The programme's broad management focus attracts employer sponsorships and professional body funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Moi University Bursary
KIM Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate business management studies at recognised universities.
Moi University Bursary
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Moi University offers bursaries for qualifying postgraduate students demonstrating financial need.
KIM Professional Development
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenya Institute of Management supports professional development for management professionals pursuing postgraduate study.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Moi University requires a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree in Business, Economics, Administration, or Commerce, or a Lower Second with two years' work experience, a diploma in business studies, or three years' managerial experience. Laikipia University requires a relevant degree with Second Class Honours Lower or Upper Division. Karatina University and Maasai Mara University require 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, case studies, seminar presentations, group projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering management theory, financial management, marketing management, strategic management, and operations research.
Research Proposal and Fieldwork
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through research proposal development, fieldwork, data collection, and presenting research findings and proposals.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a business management 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). Moi University offers MBM through its School of Business and Economics, Egerton University through its Nairobi Campus, Laikipia University, Karatina University through its School of Business, and Maasai Mara University. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate business management education.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University offers MBM through its School of Business and Economics, Egerton University through its Nairobi Campus, Laikipia University, Karatina University through its School of Business, and Maasai Mara University. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate business management education.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Business Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages business operations, overseeing strategy, operations, teams, and ensuring efficient and effective organisational performance.
Management Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consults on business and management, overseeing advisory, analysis, strategy, and providing management expertise and solutions to clients.
Operations Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages operations, overseeing production, processes, quality, supply chain, and ensuring efficient and effective operations.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages projects, overseeing planning, execution, monitoring, teams, and ensuring successful project delivery.
Human Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages human resources, overseeing talent, recruitment, performance, development, and ensuring effective human resource management.
Business Owner
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 2,000,000
Owns and runs businesses, overseeing strategy, operations, growth, and building and growing business ventures.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as business managers, management consultants, project managers, operations managers, human resource managers, and entrepreneurs across all sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet software for financial modelling, business analysis, data analysis, and managing business data and calculations.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Software
Presentation software for business presentations, strategic plans, reports, and communicating business information and proposals.
Microsoft Project
Software
Project management software for project planning, scheduling, tracking, and managing and delivering projects.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for research, data analysis, quantitative methods, and analysing and interpreting research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

MBM is the same as an MBA.
While both are management degrees, MBM focuses more on management theory and practice, while MBA typically emphasises business administration with more case-study-based learning and broader business functions.
MBM is only for those with business undergraduate degrees.
The programme accepts graduates from various disciplines, recognising that management skills are applicable across all sectors and professions.
MBM is less valuable than an MBA.
MBM is a recognised postgraduate qualification that provides equivalent management competencies. The value depends on the institution, graduate outcomes, and career application.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application.
MBM includes case studies, fieldwork, research projects, and practical assignments that apply management theory to real-world business challenges.
MBM graduates can only work in business roles.
Management skills are transferable across all sectors including government, NGOs, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
The programme is only offered at Moi University.
MBM is offered by multiple public universities in Kenya including Egerton, Laikipia, Karatina, and Maasai Mara universities.