Technology

Master of Science in ICT Policy and Regulation

The Master of Science in ICT Policy and Regulation is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in ICT policy, telecommunications regulation, digital governance, and technology law. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in ICT policy formulation, telecommunications regulation, digital strategy, and technology governance.

Core areas include ICT policy, telecommunications regulation, digital governance, spectrum management, cyber security policy, data protection, e-government policy, universal access, competition policy, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical ICT policy and regulation applications.

The programme is offered by University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Moi University, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers MSc in ICT Policy and Regulation through its School of Computing and Information Technology at Main Campus Juja and Nairobi CBD Campus. UoN offers through its Faculty of Science and Technology, Computing and Informatics.

Students develop competencies in ICT policy analysis, regulatory framework design, telecommunications regulation, digital governance, spectrum management, cyber security policy, and research. The programme includes coursework, policy analysis projects, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time study mode at JKUAT. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 3 years experience. JKUAT fees are KES 126,000 per year. UoN postgraduate fees include application KES 4,000, registration KES 2,250 per semester, and thesis examination KES 30,000.

Graduates pursue careers as ICT policy analysts, telecommunications regulators, digital governance specialists, cyber security policy advisors, and lecturers in government, regulatory authorities, telecommunications companies, international organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

ICT Policy Analysis and Formulation
Telecommunications Regulation and Framework Design
Digital Governance and E-Government Policy
Spectrum Management and Radio Frequency Policy
Cyber Security Policy and Governance
Data Protection and Privacy Regulation
Universal Access and Digital Inclusion Policy
Competition Policy in Telecommunications
ICT Standards and Conformity Assessment
ICT Policy Research Methods

Key Subjects

ICT Policy
Telecommunications Regulation
Digital Governance
Spectrum Management
Cyber Security Policy
Data Protection and Privacy
E-Government Policy
Universal Access
Competition Policy
ICT Policy Research Methods

Certifications

CA Regulatory Certification
ITU ICT Policy Certification

Specializations

ICT Policy Formulation

Focuses on ICT policy formulation, policy analysis, policy development, national ICT strategies, and designing and developing ICT policies for governments and organisations.

Telecommunications Regulation

Examines telecommunications regulation, regulatory frameworks, licensing, interconnection, tariff regulation, and regulating telecommunications markets and operators.

Digital Governance

Covers digital governance, e-government, digital transformation, digital services, and designing and implementing digital governance strategies and e-government services.

Cyber Security Policy

Focuses on cyber security policy, cyber security governance, cyber security frameworks, cyber security regulation, and developing and implementing cyber security policies.

Data Protection and Privacy

Examines data protection, privacy regulation, data governance, data rights, and understanding and implementing data protection and privacy frameworks.

Spectrum Management

Covers spectrum management, radio frequency allocation, spectrum policy, spectrum licensing, and managing and regulating radio frequency spectrum.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

ICT Policy
Telecommunications Regulation
Digital Governance
Spectrum Management
Cyber Security Policy
Data Protection and Privacy
E-Government Policy
Universal Access
Competition Policy
ICT Policy Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

ICT Policy Principles and Formulation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ICT policy principles, policy formulation, national ICT strategies, ICT policy analysis, policy development processes, and designing and developing ICT policies.
Telecommunications Regulation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers telecommunications regulation, regulatory frameworks, licensing, interconnection, tariff regulation, universal access, and regulating telecommunications markets and operators.
Digital Governance and E-Government
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines digital governance, e-government, digital transformation, digital services, digital identity, and designing and implementing digital governance strategies.
Spectrum Management and Radio Frequency Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers spectrum management, radio frequency allocation, spectrum licensing, spectrum policy, spectrum monitoring, and managing and regulating radio frequency spectrum.
Cyber Security Policy and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines cyber security policy, cyber security frameworks, cyber security governance, cyber security regulation, critical infrastructure protection, and developing cyber security policies.
Data Protection and Privacy Regulation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers data protection, privacy regulation, data governance, data rights, data processing regulation, and understanding and implementing data protection and privacy frameworks.
Universal Access and Digital Inclusion
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines universal access, digital inclusion, broadband access, rural connectivity, universal service funds, and promoting universal access to ICT services.
Competition Policy in Telecommunications
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers competition in telecommunications, market dominance, anti-competitive practices, market regulation, and regulating competition in ICT and telecommunications markets.
ICT Standards and Conformity Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ICT standards, standardisation, conformity assessment, interoperability, technical standards, and understanding and applying ICT standards in policy and regulation.
ICT Policy Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for ICT policy, policy analysis methods, data collection, data analysis, and conducting ICT policy research, preparing students for their thesis.
Emerging Technologies Policy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines policy for emerging technologies, AI policy, IoT regulation, blockchain policy, digital economy policy, and understanding and regulating emerging technologies.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an ICT policy and regulation topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and ICT policy knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

ICT Policy Formulation
Focuses on ICT policy formulation, policy analysis, policy development, national ICT strategies, and designing and developing ICT policies for governments and organisations.
Telecommunications Regulation
Examines telecommunications regulation, regulatory frameworks, licensing, interconnection, tariff regulation, and regulating telecommunications markets and operators.
Digital Governance
Covers digital governance, e-government, digital transformation, digital services, and designing and implementing digital governance strategies and e-government services.
Cyber Security Policy
Focuses on cyber security policy, cyber security governance, cyber security frameworks, cyber security regulation, and developing and implementing cyber security policies.
Data Protection and Privacy
Examines data protection, privacy regulation, data governance, data rights, and understanding and implementing data protection and privacy frameworks.
Spectrum Management
Covers spectrum management, radio frequency allocation, spectrum policy, spectrum licensing, and managing and regulating radio frequency spectrum.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc ICT Policy and Regulation programme begins with morning lectures on ICT policy, telecommunications regulation, or digital governance. Students engage in theoretical discussions on ICT policy frameworks, regulatory principles, and digital transformation. ICT policy sessions cover ICT policy principles, policy formulation, national ICT strategies, ICT policy analysis, and designing and developing ICT policies. Telecommunications regulation sessions examine regulatory frameworks, licensing, interconnection, tariff regulation, universal access, and regulating telecommunications markets. Digital governance sessions cover e-government, digital transformation, digital services, digital identity, and designing and implementing digital governance strategies. Spectrum management sessions examine radio frequency spectrum, spectrum allocation, spectrum licensing, spectrum policy, and managing and regulating spectrum. Cyber security policy sessions cover cyber security frameworks, cyber security governance, cyber security regulation, critical infrastructure protection, and developing cyber security policies. Data protection sessions examine data protection laws, data privacy, data governance, data rights, data processing regulation, and implementing data protection frameworks. E-government sessions cover e-government services, digital service delivery, government technology, e-participation, and designing and implementing e-government. Universal access sessions examine universal access, digital inclusion, broadband access, rural connectivity, and promoting universal access to ICT. Competition policy sessions cover competition in telecommunications, market dominance, anti-competitive practices, and regulating competition in ICT markets. Policy analysis projects provide hands-on experience in analysing ICT policies, developing policy briefs, and designing regulatory frameworks. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering ICT policy research methods, policy analysis, and data analysis. Guest lectures from CA commissioners, ICTA officials, ODPC staff, ITU experts, and telecommunications industry leaders provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's digital transformation, telecommunications growth, data protection requirements, cyber security needs, and digital economy create high demand for qualified ICT policy and regulation professionals.
JKUAT offers MSc ICT Policy and Regulation at KES 126,000 per year, making it relatively affordable for a postgraduate ICT programme.
Programme is interdisciplinary, accepting graduates from IT, law, economics, public administration, and communications, making it accessible to diverse backgrounds.
Career opportunities with CA, ICTA, ODPC, telecommunications companies, ITU, ATU, AU, and consulting firms.

Against it

JKUAT requires Lower Division applicants to have 3 years of relevant work experience, which may exclude recent graduates.
Programme combines technology, law, and policy, which may be challenging for students without background in one of these areas.
ICT policy is a rapidly evolving field, requiring continuous learning and updating of knowledge beyond the programme.
Specific fee structures for UoN and KU could not be independently verified from all official websites.

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

Public187k to 187k

187k at Moi University187k at Moi 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.com). JKUAT unverified. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. ITU supports ICT policy capacity building. AU supports digital transformation initiatives. ATU supports telecommunications development in Africa. The programme's ICT policy and regulation focus attracts international organisation and donor funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
ITU Capacity Building Funding
AU Digital Transformation Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate ICT policy and regulation studies at recognised universities.
ITU Capacity Building Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
ITU supports ICT policy capacity building, providing funding for training and research in ICT policy and regulation globally.
AU Digital Transformation Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
African Union supports digital transformation, providing funding for ICT policy training and capacity building across Africa.

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 ICT, computer science, law, economics, public administration, communications, and related fields. Two-year full-time programme at JKUAT. JKUAT requires Second Class Upper or Lower with 3 years experience. JKUAT fees KES 126,000 per year. Also offered at JKUAT Nairobi CBD Campus. UoN postgraduate application fee KES 4,000.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, policy analysis papers, regulatory analysis projects, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering ICT policy, telecommunications regulation, digital governance, and cyber security policy, conducted at end of each semester.
Policy Projects and Presentations
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of policy analysis projects, policy briefs, regulatory framework designs, presentations, and policy recommendations.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an ICT policy and regulation topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and ICT policy knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers MSc in ICT Policy and Regulation through its School of Computing and Information Technology. UoN offers through its Faculty of Science and Technology, Computing and Informatics. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate ICT policy and regulation training. CA regulates telecommunications and ICT in Kenya and ICTA oversees national ICT policy.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MSc in ICT Policy and Regulation through its School of Computing and Information Technology. UoN offers through its Faculty of Science and Technology, Computing and Informatics. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate ICT policy and regulation training.
Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)
Professional accreditation
CA regulates telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, and spectrum management in Kenya. Graduates working in ICT regulation may benefit from understanding CA regulatory frameworks and processes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

ICT Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses ICT policies, conducting policy research, policy evaluation, policy briefs, and supporting ICT policy development and decision-making in government and organisations.
Telecommunications Regulator
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Regulates telecommunications, overseeing licensing, interconnection, tariff regulation, compliance, and ensuring fair and competitive telecommunications markets.
Digital Governance Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops and implements digital governance strategies, overseeing e-government, digital services, digital transformation, and supporting digital governance in government.
Cyber Security Policy Advisor
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Advises on cyber security policy, overseeing cyber security frameworks, cyber security governance, and supporting cyber security policy development and implementation.
Data Protection Officer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Ensures data protection compliance, overseeing data governance, data privacy, data processing regulation, and supporting data protection in organisations.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches ICT policy and regulation in universities, conducting research and training future ICT policy and regulation professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as ICT policy analysts, telecommunications regulators, and digital governance specialists in government, regulatory authorities, and telecommunications companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for ICT policy research data analysis, survey analysis, regulatory data analysis, and statistical modelling in ICT policy studies.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for ICT policy research, policy document analysis, interview analysis, and qualitative research in ICT policy studies.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for ICT policy data analysis, regulatory data management, telecommunications data, and policy data management.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing for ICT policy data analysis, regulatory economics analysis, and research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

ICT policy and regulation is just about technology.
The programme involves policy analysis, law, economics, governance, regulation, and research, combining technology understanding with policy and regulatory expertise.
This programme is only for IT graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from IT, law, economics, public administration, communications, and related fields, making it interdisciplinary.
There is limited demand for ICT policy professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's digital transformation, telecommunications growth, data protection requirements, cyber security needs, and digital economy create high demand for qualified ICT policy and regulation professionals.
ICT policy is not a real academic discipline.
The programme involves rigorous coursework in policy theory, regulatory economics, law, governance, and a research thesis, making it a well-established interdisciplinary field.
ICT policy and regulation is only about government work.
Graduates work with telecommunications companies, regulatory authorities, international organisations like ITU, consulting firms, and academia, not just government.
A master's in ICT policy is redundant after a bachelor's in IT.
The master's provides specialised policy and regulatory skills, research capability, and career progression to senior ICT policy, regulatory, and governance positions.