Business

Master of Science in Operations Management

The Master of Science in Operations Management is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in operations management, supply chain management, production management, and quality management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in operations leadership, supply chain management, production planning, and quality assurance.

Core areas include operations management, supply chain management, production planning, quality management, project management, operations strategy, lean management, inventory management, process improvement, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical operations management applications.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Chuka University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, with Chuka University also listed as a college. Moi University offers MSc Operations Management at KES 50,000 per semester for 4 semesters. Chuka University offers MSc Operations Management with 2-year duration in full-time and work-based modes.

Students develop competencies in operations strategy, process design, supply chain optimisation, quality management, project management, and research. The programme includes coursework, case studies, industry projects, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. Moi University MSc Operations Management fees are KES 50,000 per semester for 4 semesters (~KES 100,000/year). Chuka University art-based master's fees are approximately KES 71,000 for semester 1 and KES 48,000 for semester 2. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in business, commerce, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as operations managers, supply chain managers, production managers, quality managers, and lecturers in manufacturing, logistics, services, government, and consulting.

Skills Required

Operations Management and Strategy
Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Production Planning and Control
Quality Management and Six Sigma
Project Management
Lean Management and Process Improvement
Inventory Management and Optimisation
Operations Analytics and Decision Making
Capacity Planning and Resource Management
Operations Management Research Methods

Key Subjects

Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Production Planning and Control
Quality Management
Project Management
Operations Strategy
Lean Management
Inventory Management
Process Improvement
Operations Management Research Methods

Certifications

APICS CSCP Supply Chain Certification
PMI PMP Project Management Certification

Specializations

Supply Chain Management

Focuses on supply chain management, logistics, procurement, distribution, supplier management, and managing supply chains for efficiency and effectiveness.

Production Management

Examines production management, production planning, manufacturing operations, capacity planning, scheduling, and managing production operations.

Quality Management

Covers quality management, TQM, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, quality assurance, statistical process control, and managing and improving quality.

Lean Management

Focuses on lean management, lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement, Kaizen, and applying lean in operations.

Project Management

Examines project management, project planning, project execution, project monitoring, PMBOK, PRINCE2, and managing projects in operations.

Operations Strategy

Covers operations strategy, competitive advantage, operations alignment, strategic operations, performance objectives, and developing and implementing operations strategy.

Duration: 2 years
Public, 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, Work-based
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Operations Management
Supply Chain Management
Production Planning and Control
Quality Management
Project Management
Operations Strategy
Lean Management
Inventory Management
Process Improvement
Operations Management Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Operations Management and Strategy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines operations strategy, operations design, process management, capacity planning, operations performance, competitive advantage, and understanding and managing operations.
Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers supply chain strategy, logistics, procurement, distribution, supplier management, inventory, supply chain optimisation, and managing supply chains for efficiency.
Production Planning and Control
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines production planning, master scheduling, MRP, ERP, capacity requirements, scheduling, shop floor control, and planning and controlling production.
Quality Management and Six Sigma
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers TQM, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, quality assurance, statistical process control, quality tools, DMAIC, and managing and improving quality.
Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines project planning, project execution, project monitoring, PMBOK, PRINCE2, risk management, project finance, and managing projects in operations.
Lean Management and Process Improvement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, continuous improvement, process mapping, bottleneck analysis, and applying lean in operations.
Inventory Management and Optimisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines inventory models, EOQ, safety stock, ABC analysis, JIT, VMI, inventory turnover, and managing inventory efficiently.
Operations Analytics and Decision Making
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers operations analytics, demand forecasting, decision analysis, simulation, optimisation, linear programming, and applying analytics in operations.
Capacity Planning and Resource Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines capacity planning, resource allocation, workforce planning, facility management, equipment management, and managing capacity and resources.
Operations Management Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for operations management, quantitative methods, survey research, case study research, data analysis, and conducting operations research, preparing students for their thesis.
Service Operations Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines service operations, service design, service quality, service delivery, service capacity, customer experience, and managing operations in service organisations.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an operations management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and operations management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Supply Chain Management
Focuses on supply chain management, logistics, procurement, distribution, supplier management, and managing supply chains for efficiency and effectiveness.
Production Management
Examines production management, production planning, manufacturing operations, capacity planning, scheduling, and managing production operations.
Quality Management
Covers quality management, TQM, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, quality assurance, statistical process control, and managing and improving quality.
Lean Management
Focuses on lean management, lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement, Kaizen, and applying lean in operations.
Project Management
Examines project management, project planning, project execution, project monitoring, PMBOK, PRINCE2, and managing projects in operations.
Operations Strategy
Covers operations strategy, competitive advantage, operations alignment, strategic operations, performance objectives, and developing and implementing operations strategy.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Operations Management programme begins with morning lectures on operations management, supply chain management, or quality management. Students engage in theoretical discussions on operations strategy, process design, and performance improvement. Operations management sessions cover operations strategy, operations design, process management, capacity planning, operations performance, and understanding and managing operations. Supply chain management sessions examine supply chain strategy, logistics, procurement, distribution, supplier management, inventory, and managing supply chains for efficiency. Production planning sessions cover production planning, master scheduling, MRP, ERP, capacity requirements, scheduling, and planning and controlling production. Quality management sessions examine TQM, Six Sigma, ISO 9001, quality assurance, statistical process control, quality tools, and managing and improving quality. Project management sessions cover project planning, project execution, project monitoring, PMBOK, PRINCE2, risk management, and managing projects in operations. Lean management sessions examine lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, continuous improvement, and applying lean in operations. Inventory management sessions cover inventory models, EOQ, safety stock, ABC analysis, JIT, VMI, and managing inventory efficiently. Operations analytics sessions examine operations analytics, demand forecasting, decision analysis, simulation, optimisation, and applying analytics in operations. Process improvement sessions cover process mapping, process analysis, bottleneck analysis, cycle time, throughput, and improving processes. Case studies provide hands-on experience with real-world operations problems, analysing operations challenges, and developing solutions. Industry projects provide hands-on experience with operations improvement projects in real organisations. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering operations management research methods, quantitative methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from industry operations managers, KIM experts, KEBS officials, supply chain professionals, and international operations experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing manufacturing sector, logistics industry, services sector, quality compliance needs, and supply chain complexity create high demand for qualified operations management professionals.
Moi University offers MSc Operations Management at KES 50,000 per semester, providing affordable and accessible training.
Chuka University offers flexible study modes including full-time, work-based, day, evening, and weekend options.
Career opportunities across manufacturing, logistics, services, retail, government, consulting, and international organisations like ASCM, PMI, and ISM.

Against it

Programme requires business, commerce, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Programme involves quantitative methods and analytics, which may be challenging for students without quantitative background.
Industry projects require access to organisations for operations improvement projects, which may be limited.
No private universities listed, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.

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

Public100k to 130k

100k at Moi University130k at Chuka 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

Chuka 130K/yr (Chuka MSc PDF). Moi, private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KIM supports management professional development. KEBS supports quality management training. ASCM and PMI support operations and project management certifications. The programme's operations management focus attracts industry and professional body funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KIM Professional Development Funding
KEBS Quality Management Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate operations management studies at recognised universities.
KIM Professional Development Funding
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KIM supports management professional development in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate training in operations management.
ASCM Certification Funding
GrantKsh 200,000
ASCM supports supply chain and operations management certification globally, providing funding for postgraduate study and APICS certification.

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 business, commerce, economics, engineering, and related fields. Moi University requires Bachelor of Business Management, Business Administration, or Commerce with Second Class Honours, or MBA Executive holders. Chuka University requires Bachelor's degree from related discipline with Upper Second or Lower with 2 years experience. Two-year programme with full-time, part-time, work-based, weekend, and evening modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, operations analysis projects, problem sets, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering operations management, supply chain, quality management, and project management, conducted at end of each semester.
Industry Project Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of industry projects, operations improvement projects, case analysis, presentations, and project reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an operations management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and operations management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University offers MSc Operations Management at KES 50,000 per semester. Chuka University offers MSc Operations Management with 2-year duration. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate operations management training. KIM supports management education, and KEBS regulates standards and quality in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University offers MSc Operations Management at KES 50,000 per semester. Chuka University offers MSc Operations Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate operations management training.
Kenya Institute of Management (KIM)
Professional accreditation
KIM supports management education and practice in Kenya. Graduates may benefit from KIM membership and professional management development programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Operations Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages operations in organisations, overseeing production, processes, capacity, quality, and supporting operations performance and improvement.
Supply Chain Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages supply chain operations, overseeing procurement, logistics, distribution, inventory, and supporting supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.
Production Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages production operations, overseeing production planning, scheduling, capacity, quality, and supporting production performance.
Quality Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages quality programmes, overseeing quality systems, ISO compliance, quality assurance, SPC, and supporting quality improvement.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages projects in organisations, overseeing project planning, execution, monitoring, and supporting project delivery and success.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches operations management in universities, conducting research and training future operations management professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as operations managers, supply chain managers, and production managers in manufacturing, logistics, services, and government.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for operations management research data analysis, quality data, forecasting, and statistical modelling in operations research.
Microsoft Project
SoftwarePrimary
Project management software for project planning, scheduling, resource management, Gantt charts, and managing operations projects.
SAP ERP
Software
Enterprise resource planning software for production planning, MRP, inventory management, procurement, and managing operations in organisations.
Minitab
Software
Statistical software for quality management, Six Sigma analysis, SPC, control charts, capability analysis, and quality data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Operations management is just about factory production.
The programme involves supply chain management, quality management, project management, lean management, service operations, and research, covering comprehensive operations management.
This programme is only for engineering graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from business, commerce, economics, engineering, and related fields, being interdisciplinary.
There is limited demand for operations managers in Kenya.
Kenya's growing manufacturing sector, logistics industry, services sector, quality compliance needs, and supply chain complexity create high demand for qualified operations management professionals.
Operations management is the same as general management.
Operations management specifically focuses on processes, production, supply chains, quality, and efficiency, while general management covers broader organisational leadership.
Lean and Six Sigma are just buzzwords.
Lean and Six Sigma are proven methodologies for waste reduction and quality improvement, widely adopted by leading organisations globally.
A master's in operations management is redundant after an MBA.
The MSc provides specialised operations management skills, quantitative analysis, research capability, and deeper technical knowledge than a general MBA.