Technology

Master of Science in Information Technology

The Master of Science in Information Technology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in information technology, systems development, network management, and IT innovation. The programme combines technical understanding with business application, moving technology from the laboratory to business development.

Core areas include information systems, database management, network systems, software engineering, web technologies, IT project management, emerging technologies, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, projects, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology as MSc in Information Technology through the School of Computing and Information Technology. JKUAT is a public university offering the programme over two academic years for full-time students and three years for part-time, evening, weekend, and school-based modes.

Students develop competencies in system design, database management, network administration, IT project management, and technology innovation. The programme emphasises moving technology from the laboratory to business development, meeting special needs in society through its core courses.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 252,500/year (KES 505,000 total) for MSc in Information Technology. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in Computing, Computer Science, IT, Computer Engineering, or related fields from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as IT managers, systems developers, network administrators, database administrators, IT consultants, and lecturers in information technology across technology companies, financial institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Information Systems Design and Development
Database Management and Administration
Network Systems and Administration
Software Engineering and Development
Web Technologies and Application Development
IT Project Management
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
Research Methods in Information Technology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Information Systems Design and Development
Database Management and Administration
Network Systems and Administration
Software Engineering and Development
Web Technologies and Application Development
IT Project Management
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
Research Methods in Information Technology
Thesis Research

Certifications

CSK Professional Certification
IEEE Computer Society Certification

Specializations

Information Systems

Focuses on information systems, covering design, development, management, integration, and managing information systems.

Database Management

Examines database management, covering design, administration, optimisation, big data, and managing databases.

Network Systems

Covers network systems, covering design, administration, security, protocols, and managing network systems.

Software Engineering

Focuses on software engineering, covering development, testing, architecture, DevOps, and managing software engineering.

Web Technologies

Examines web technologies, covering development, frameworks, APIs, applications, and managing web technologies.

Cloud Computing

Covers cloud computing, covering architecture, services, deployment, virtualisation, and managing cloud systems.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 252,500
Private, up to: Ksh 130,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening, Weekend, School-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Information Systems Design and Development
Database Management and Administration
Network Systems and Administration
Software Engineering and Development
Web Technologies and Application Development
IT Project Management
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
Research Methods in Information Technology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Information Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines design, development, management, integration, architecture, and managing information systems.
Database Systems and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers design, administration, optimisation, big data, NoSQL, and managing databases.
Research Methods in Information Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, IT research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Network Systems and Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines design, administration, security, protocols, management, and managing network systems.
Software Engineering and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers development, testing, architecture, DevOps, methodologies, and managing software engineering.
Web Technologies and Application Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines development, frameworks, APIs, applications, microservices, and managing web technologies.
Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers architecture, services, deployment, virtualisation, containers, and managing cloud systems.
IT Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines planning, scheduling, risk, execution, monitoring, and managing IT projects.
Emerging Technologies and Innovation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers AI, IoT, blockchain, 5G, ethics, innovation, and managing emerging technologies.
Enterprise Architecture and Integration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines architecture, integration, SOA, middleware, governance, and managing enterprise systems.
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers analytics, BI, visualisation, dashboards, reporting, and managing data analytics.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an information technology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and IT knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Information Systems
Focuses on information systems, covering design, development, management, integration, and managing information systems.
Database Management
Examines database management, covering design, administration, optimisation, big data, and managing databases.
Network Systems
Covers network systems, covering design, administration, security, protocols, and managing network systems.
Software Engineering
Focuses on software engineering, covering development, testing, architecture, DevOps, and managing software engineering.
Web Technologies
Examines web technologies, covering development, frameworks, APIs, applications, and managing web technologies.
Cloud Computing
Covers cloud computing, covering architecture, services, deployment, virtualisation, and managing cloud systems.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Information Technology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, project work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover information systems, database management, network systems, software engineering, and emerging technologies. Information systems sessions examine design, development, management, integration, and managing information systems. Database management sessions cover design, administration, optimisation, big data, and managing databases. Network systems sessions cover design, administration, security, protocols, and managing networks. Software engineering sessions cover development, testing, architecture, DevOps, and managing software engineering. Web technology sessions cover development, frameworks, APIs, applications, and managing web technologies. IT project management sessions cover planning, scheduling, risk, execution, and managing IT projects. Cloud computing sessions cover architecture, services, deployment, virtualisation, and managing cloud systems. Emerging technology sessions cover AI, IoT, blockchain, 5G, ethics, and managing emerging technologies. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with programming, database development, network configuration, and cloud deployment. Project work provides hands-on experience with system design, development, and deployment. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in IT. Guest lectures from experienced IT professionals, system architects, and industry leaders provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an information technology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for IT professionals with Kenya's growing digital economy and technology adoption.
JKUAT offers flexible study modes including full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and school-based.
Programme provides broad technical understanding of current and evolving technologies.
Graduates are eligible for CSK and IEEE certifications, enhancing professional recognition.

Against it

Programme fees at KES 252,500/year may be significant for some students.
Only one university (JKUAT, public) confirmed offering this specific programme with verified fees.
No private university confirmed offering this programme with verified fees.
Programme requires computing or related background, limiting access for non-related graduates.

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

Public253k to 253k

253k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology253k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private130k to 130k

130k at Mount Kenya University130k 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 MSc IT 252.5K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). MKU 130K (kenyaeducationguide), Kabarak 130K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. ACM may offer research grants for computing research. Some technology companies, financial institutions, and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Scholarship
ACM Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
ACM Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
ACM provides research grants for computing and IT research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in Computing, Computer Science, IT, Computer Technology, Computer Engineering, or related fields, or Lower Second with at least three years of experience. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, project reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Written examinations covering information systems, database management, network systems, and software engineering.
Practical and Project Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through project work, programming, database development, network configuration, and demonstrating IT skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an information technology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and IT knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Information Technology through the School of Computing and Information Technology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in information technology. Graduates are eligible for CSK professional certification and IEEE Computer Society certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Information Technology through the School of Computing and Information Technology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in information technology. Graduates are eligible for CSK professional certification and IEEE Computer Society certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

IT Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages IT operations, overseeing systems, projects, teams, and managing IT departments.
Systems Developer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Develops systems, overseeing design, development, testing, and managing system development.
Network Administrator
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Administers networks, overseeing design, configuration, security, and managing network systems.
Database Administrator
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Administers databases, overseeing design, management, optimisation, and managing databases.
IT Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides IT consulting, overseeing advisory, assessment, strategy, and managing IT consulting.
IT Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches IT at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Oracle Database
Software
Oracle for database management, covering administration, design, optimisation, and managing databases.
AWS Console
Software
AWS for cloud computing, covering services, deployment, management, and managing cloud systems.
Cisco Packet Tracer
Software
Cisco Packet Tracer for network simulation, covering design, configuration, testing, and managing networks.
Visual Studio
SoftwarePrimary
Visual Studio for software development, covering coding, debugging, testing, and managing software development.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

IT is just about fixing computers.
IT covers comprehensive systems, databases, networks, software, cloud, and innovation beyond just fixing computers.
This programme is only for programmers.
IT skills are valuable for managers, analysts, consultants, administrators, and entrepreneurs beyond just programmers.
Database management is just about data entry.
Database management covers comprehensive design, administration, optimisation, big data, and analytics beyond just data entry.
Network administration is just about connecting cables.
Network administration covers comprehensive design, security, protocols, monitoring, and optimisation beyond just connecting cables.
Cloud computing is just about online storage.
Cloud computing covers comprehensive architecture, services, deployment, virtualisation, and management beyond just online storage.
IT has limited career prospects in Kenya.
IT graduates are in high demand across all sectors as Kenya undergoes digital transformation.