Business

Master of Commerce

The Master of Commerce is a postgraduate programme offered at two Kenyan universities: Strathmore University and KCA University. The programme is designed for graduates seeking advanced knowledge and skills in commerce, with specialisations in finance, marketing, accounting, and related business disciplines.

At Strathmore University, the programme is offered through the Strathmore Business School with a comprehensive curriculum covering eight core units plus specialisation units. Students can choose between a coursework and project option or a coursework and thesis option, providing flexibility for both practice-oriented and research-oriented career paths.

KCA University offers the Master of Science in Commerce over six trimesters, with tuition charged per unit. The programme provides specialisation options and includes a dissertation component, developing both advanced commerce knowledge and research skills.

The curriculum covers advanced financial management, marketing strategy, forensic accounting, business analytics, and strategic management. Students develop competencies in commercial decision-making, financial analysis, market analysis, and business research, preparing them for senior roles in commerce, finance, and industry.

Admission requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant discipline. Strathmore requires a relevant bachelor's degree at upper division level, while KCA accepts bachelor's degrees in relevant fields with required work experience or equivalent qualifications approved by the university senate. The programme is offered on a part-time evening basis at Strathmore, with intakes in May and September, while KCA offers flexible scheduling across trimesters. Both institutions provide evening and weekend options to accommodate working professionals.

Graduates pursue senior management and specialist roles in accounting firms, financial institutions, marketing agencies, manufacturing companies, and consultancy firms. The programme also provides a foundation for doctoral studies in commerce and related business disciplines.

Skills Required

Advanced financial analysis and management
Strategic marketing planning
Forensic accounting techniques
Business research methods
Commercial law and regulation
Strategic business decision-making
Financial reporting and analysis
Market research and analysis
Corporate governance
Business analytics

Key Subjects

Advanced Financial Management
Strategic Marketing
Forensic Accounting
Business Research Methods
Strategic Management
Corporate Finance
International Business
Business Analytics
Commercial Law
Investment Analysis

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Certified Marketing Professional (CIM-UK)

Specializations

Finance

Focuses on advanced financial management, corporate finance, investment analysis, and financial risk management for commercial and financial institutions.

Marketing

Develops advanced marketing strategy, market research, consumer behaviour analysis, and digital marketing competencies for commercial organisations.

Forensic Accounting

Specialises in forensic accounting techniques, fraud detection, financial investigation, and expert witness testimony in commercial disputes.

General Accounting

Covers advanced accounting principles, financial reporting standards, corporate governance, and audit practices for commercial enterprises.

Business Analytics

Focuses on data-driven decision-making in commerce, covering business intelligence, data analysis, and quantitative methods for commercial applications.

International Business

Examines international trade, cross-border commerce, global supply chains, and multinational business strategy in the context of globalised markets.

Duration: 2 years
Private, up to: Ksh 326,323
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Financial Management
Strategic Marketing
Forensic Accounting
Business Research Methods
Strategic Management
Corporate Finance
International Business
Business Analytics
Commercial Law
Investment Analysis

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Financial Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced corporate finance, capital structure decisions, financial risk management, and valuation techniques for commercial enterprises.
Strategic Marketing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines marketing strategy development, competitive positioning, market analysis, and integrated marketing communications for commercial organisations.
Business Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces research methodologies for business and commerce research, covering study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and research ethics.
Strategic Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers strategic planning frameworks, competitive analysis, business model innovation, and strategy implementation in commercial enterprises.
Corporate Finance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines corporate financing decisions, dividend policy, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring in commercial contexts.
Forensic Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers forensic accounting techniques, fraud detection and investigation, financial crime analysis, and expert witness reporting.
Commercial Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines the legal framework governing commercial transactions in Kenya, including contract law, company law, and commercial regulation.
Business Analytics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers data-driven decision-making in commerce, including business intelligence tools, data visualisation, and quantitative analysis methods.
Investment Analysis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines investment valuation, portfolio management, securities analysis, and investment strategy for commercial and financial applications.
International Business
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers international trade theory, cross-border commerce, global supply chain management, and multinational business strategy.
Corporate Governance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines corporate governance principles, board structures, shareholder rights, and governance best practices for commercial organisations.
Research Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 48 creditsCore
An original research project or thesis in commerce, demonstrating mastery of research methods and contribution to commercial knowledge and practice.

Specialisations

Finance
Focuses on advanced financial management, corporate finance, investment analysis, and financial risk management for commercial and financial institutions.
Marketing
Develops advanced marketing strategy, market research, consumer behaviour analysis, and digital marketing competencies for commercial organisations.
Forensic Accounting
Specialises in forensic accounting techniques, fraud detection, financial investigation, and expert witness testimony in commercial disputes.
General Accounting
Covers advanced accounting principles, financial reporting standards, corporate governance, and audit practices for commercial enterprises.
Business Analytics
Focuses on data-driven decision-making in commerce, covering business intelligence, data analysis, and quantitative methods for commercial applications.
International Business
Examines international trade, cross-border commerce, global supply chains, and multinational business strategy in the context of globalised markets.

A day as a student

A typical day for a Master of Commerce student combines evening lectures on advanced financial management, strategic marketing, or forensic accounting with group case study discussions and project work. Students engage with real-world business scenarios, analysing financial statements, developing marketing strategies, and conducting business research. The programme's evening delivery mode at both institutions accommodates working professionals, who bring practical experience into classroom discussions. Research methodology sessions and dissertation supervision prepare students for their final research project or thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme is offered at two reputable private universities, providing prospective students with institutional choice and different programme structures.
Both institutions offer evening and weekend options, accommodating working professionals seeking career advancement.
Multiple specialisation tracks including finance, marketing, forensic accounting, and general accounting allow students to tailor the programme to their career goals.

Against it

Strathmore's programme fee of KES 800,000 is significantly higher than KCA's KES 381,035, making it a substantial financial investment.
Both institutions are private universities, meaning no government-s subsidised tuition option is available for this programme.
The programme may overlap significantly with MBA content, potentially limiting its distinct value in the job market compared to the more widely recognised MBA.

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

Private191k to 326k

191k at KCA University326k 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

KCA 381K/2yr=190.5K/yr, Strathmore 652.6K/2yr=326.3K/yr (SBS, KCA PDF). No public MCom.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, Strathmore University financial aid, and KCA University internal scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Strathmore University Financial Aid
KCA University Scholarships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Strathmore University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Students demonstrating academic merit and financial need at Strathmore University, subject to availability.
KCA University Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Students demonstrating academic merit and financial need at KCA University, subject to availability.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KCA University accepts bachelor's degrees in relevant fields with required work experience or equivalent qualifications approved by the university senate. Lower class honours with relevant experience may be considered.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Case study analyses, research papers, financial analysis reports, and business plans submitted for each course unit.
Class Participation and Presentations
Coursework20% of the mark
Active participation in seminar discussions, group project presentations, and case study debates on commercial topics.
End-of-Semester Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations at the end of each semester or trimester, testing mastery of commercial theory, financial management, and strategic analysis.
Research Project or Thesis
Project20% of the mark
An original research project or thesis in commerce, demonstrating research competence and contribution to commercial knowledge and practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Both Strathmore University and KCA University are CUE-chartered private universities. The Master of Commerce at Strathmore was CUE-approved in 2006.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan university programmes. Both Strathmore University and KCA University are CUE-chartered private universities.
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)
Professional certification
Kenyan professional body for accountants. Graduates may pursue CPA-K certification through ICPAK for professional accounting practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Senior Accountant
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages accounting functions in commercial enterprises, overseeing financial reporting, compliance, and audit processes at senior level.
Financial Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses financial data, prepares investment recommendations, and supports financial decision-making in banks, investment firms, or corporate finance departments.
Marketing Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 270,000
Develops and implements marketing strategies, manages marketing teams, and oversees brand and product marketing for commercial organisations.
Forensic Accountant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Investigates financial fraud, conducts forensic audits, and provides expert testimony in commercial disputes and litigation.
Business Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Provides advisory services to commercial organisations on strategy, operations, financial management, and business improvement.
Commerce Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Teaches commerce and business subjects at universities and colleges, combining academic instruction with research and professional practice.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue senior management and specialist roles in accounting firms, financial institutions, marketing agencies, manufacturing companies, and consultancy firms across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for business research, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making in commerce.
QuickBooks
Software
Accounting software for managing commercial enterprise finances, including invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
SAP ERP
SoftwarePrimary
Enterprise resource planning software widely used in commercial organisations for financial management, supply chain, and business operations.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for financial analysis, data management, modelling, and reporting in commercial enterprises.
Tableau
Software
Data visualisation and business intelligence platform for analysing and presenting commercial data insights.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A Master of Commerce is the same as an MBA.
While both are business postgraduate degrees, the MCom focuses more on specialised commerce disciplines like accounting, finance, and marketing, while the MBA has a broader general management focus.
The programme is only for accounting graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from various business and related disciplines, with specialisations in finance, marketing, forensic accounting, and general accounting.
A master's in commerce has limited career benefits over a bachelor's degree.
The programme provides advanced analytical, strategic, and research skills that qualify graduates for senior management, specialist, and academic roles not accessible with a bachelor's degree alone.
The programme is only offered full-time and cannot accommodate working professionals.
Both Strathmore and KCA offer part-time evening and weekend options specifically designed for working professionals seeking career advancement.
All commerce master's programmes have the same curriculum.
Strathmore and KCA have different programme structures, with Strathmore using a semester system with project or thesis options, and KCA using a trimester system with per-unit tuition.