Education

Master of Science (Leisure and Recreation Management)

The Master of Science in Leisure and Recreation Management is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in recreation management, sports management, and leisure services. The programme combines recreation theory with management methodology and practical application.

Core areas include recreation management, sports management, leisure services, park management, event management, recreation programming, health and wellness, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both recreation theory and practical management application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through the School of Applied Human Sciences. KU is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and distance learning modes of study.

Students develop competencies in recreation management, sports management, leisure programming, park management, event management, health promotion, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 120,000/year for East Africans in arts and human sciences-based master's programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in recreation, sports management, physical education, exercise science, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as recreation managers, sports managers, leisure services coordinators, park managers, event managers, and lecturers in recreation management across government, sports organisations, hospitality, and educational institutions.

Skills Required

Recreation Programme Management and Planning
Sports Management and Administration
Leisure Services Coordination and Delivery
Park and Facility Management
Event Management and Planning
Health and Wellness Promotion
Community Recreation Development
Budgeting and Financial Management for Recreation
Research Methods in Recreation Management
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Recreation Management and Programming
Sports Management and Administration
Leisure Services and Programme Planning
Park and Facility Management
Event Management and Planning
Health and Wellness Promotion
Research Methods in Recreation Management
Community Recreation Development
Budgeting and Financial Management for Recreation
Thesis Research

Certifications

Sports Kenya Professional Certification
World Leisure Organization Certification

Specializations

Recreation Management

Focuses on recreation management, covering recreation programming, recreation facilities, community recreation, therapeutic recreation, and managing recreation programmes.

Sports Management

Examines sports management, covering sports administration, sports marketing, sports facility management, sports event management, and managing sports organisations.

Park Management

Covers park management, covering park planning, park operations, visitor management, conservation, and managing parks and protected areas.

Event Management

Focuses on event management, covering event planning, event marketing, event operations, event evaluation, and managing recreation and sports events.

Health and Wellness

Examines health and wellness promotion, covering physical activity promotion, wellness programming, health education, lifestyle management, and managing health and wellness programmes.

Community Recreation

Covers community recreation development, covering community recreation planning, community engagement, recreation for special populations, and managing community recreation.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Recreation Management and Programming
Sports Management and Administration
Leisure Services and Programme Planning
Park and Facility Management
Event Management and Planning
Health and Wellness Promotion
Research Methods in Recreation Management
Community Recreation Development
Budgeting and Financial Management for Recreation
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Recreation Management and Programming
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines recreation programming, recreation facilities, community recreation, therapeutic recreation, and managing recreation programmes.
Sports Management and Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sports administration, sports marketing, sports facility management, sports event management, and managing sports organisations.
Research Methods in Recreation Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting recreation research, preparing students for their thesis.
Leisure Services and Programme Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines leisure services, programme planning, leisure education, leisure counselling, and managing leisure services.
Park and Facility Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers park planning, park operations, visitor management, facility management, conservation, and managing parks and recreation facilities.
Event Management and Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines event planning, event marketing, event operations, event evaluation, risk management, and managing recreation and sports events.
Health and Wellness Promotion
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers physical activity promotion, wellness programming, health education, lifestyle management, and managing health and wellness programmes.
Community Recreation Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines community recreation planning, community engagement, recreation for special populations, community development, and managing community recreation.
Budgeting and Financial Management for Recreation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers budgeting, financial planning, revenue generation, cost management, grant writing, and managing recreation finances.
Recreation Policy and Legislation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines recreation policy, sports policy, legislative frameworks, regulatory compliance, and managing recreation policy.
Therapeutic Recreation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, special populations, inclusive recreation, and managing therapeutic recreation programmes.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a recreation management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and recreation knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Recreation Management
Focuses on recreation management, covering recreation programming, recreation facilities, community recreation, therapeutic recreation, and managing recreation programmes.
Sports Management
Examines sports management, covering sports administration, sports marketing, sports facility management, sports event management, and managing sports organisations.
Park Management
Covers park management, covering park planning, park operations, visitor management, conservation, and managing parks and protected areas.
Event Management
Focuses on event management, covering event planning, event marketing, event operations, event evaluation, and managing recreation and sports events.
Health and Wellness
Examines health and wellness promotion, covering physical activity promotion, wellness programming, health education, lifestyle management, and managing health and wellness programmes.
Community Recreation
Covers community recreation development, covering community recreation planning, community engagement, recreation for special populations, and managing community recreation.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Leisure and Recreation Management programme combines lectures, practical sessions, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover recreation management, sports management, park management, event management, and health promotion. Recreation management sessions examine recreation programming, recreation facilities, community recreation, therapeutic recreation, and managing recreation programmes. Sports management sessions cover sports administration, sports marketing, sports facility management, sports event management, and managing sports organisations. Park management sessions cover park planning, park operations, visitor management, conservation, and managing parks and protected areas. Event management sessions cover event planning, event marketing, event operations, event evaluation, and managing recreation and sports events. Health and wellness sessions cover physical activity promotion, wellness programming, health education, lifestyle management, and managing health and wellness programmes. Community recreation sessions cover community recreation planning, community engagement, recreation for special populations, and managing community recreation. Financial management sessions cover budgeting, financial planning, revenue generation, cost management, and managing recreation finances. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Practical sessions and field visits provide hands-on experience with recreation facilities, sports venues, parks, and event management. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in recreation and leisure management. Guest lectures from experienced recreation managers, sports administrators, and park managers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a recreation management topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme is unique and specialised, offered exclusively at Kenyatta University through the School of Applied Human Sciences.
Programme combines recreation theory with management skills, providing versatile skills for recreation, sports, and leisure sectors.
Programme is offered through full-time and distance learning modes, providing flexibility for working professionals.
Growing recognition of physical activity and wellness creates emerging opportunities for recreation professionals.

Against it

Only one university (KU) confirmed offering this programme, limiting institutional choice.
Job market demand is relatively low compared to other fields, with limited positions in Kenya.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Career prospects may be concentrated in government and sports organisations, limiting private sector opportunities.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public278k to 296k

278k at University of Nairobi296k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International 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

KU MSc Recreation 296K/yr (joweri.com). UoN MEd 278K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. The Ministry of Sports may provide bursaries for sports and recreation professionals. Some sports organisations and recreation facilities may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
Ministry of Sports Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
Ministry of Sports Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Ministry of Sports may provide bursaries for sports and recreation professionals in Kenya.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Kenyatta University requires Upper Second Class Honours in recreation, sports management, physical education, or related field. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience or a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Administration and Management are considered. Contact KU for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, programme development projects, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering recreation management, sports management, park management, event management, and health promotion.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Practical assessment through field projects, recreation programme development, facility management exercises, and demonstrating recreation management skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a recreation management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and recreation knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University (public) offers MSc in Leisure and Recreation Management (also referred to as Recreation and Sports Management) through the School of Applied Human Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in recreation management. Graduates are eligible for Sports Kenya professional certification and World Leisure Organization certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University (public) offers MSc in Leisure and Recreation Management (also referred to as Recreation and Sports Management) through the School of Applied Human Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in recreation management. Graduates are eligible for Sports Kenya professional certification and World Leisure Organization certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Recreation Manager
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages recreation programmes, overseeing recreation programming, facility management, community recreation, and managing recreation operations.
Sports Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages sports programmes, overseeing sports administration, sports marketing, facility management, and managing sports operations.
Leisure Services Coordinator
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Coordinates leisure services, overseeing programme planning, leisure education, service delivery, and managing leisure services.
Park Manager
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages parks and protected areas, overseeing park planning, visitor management, conservation, and managing park operations.
Event Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages recreation and sports events, overseeing event planning, event marketing, event operations, and managing events.
Recreation Lecturer
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches recreation management at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, practical supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS statistical software for recreation research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
Excel
Software
Excel for recreation management, covering budgeting, programme planning, facility scheduling, and managing recreation data.
Event Management Software
Software
Event management software for recreation events, covering event planning, registration, scheduling, and managing event operations.
Facility Management Software
Software
Facility management software for recreation facilities, covering scheduling, bookings, membership management, and managing facility operations.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Leisure and recreation management is just about playing games.
Leisure and recreation management covers comprehensive management including programming, facility management, policy, health promotion, and community development.
This programme is only for those who like sports.
Recreation management covers diverse areas including parks, community recreation, therapeutic recreation, events, and wellness beyond just sports.
Recreation management has limited career prospects in Kenya.
While niche, there are opportunities in government sports departments, national parks, hospitality, event management, and community development.
Recreation management is not a serious profession.
Recreation management requires professional skills in programme planning, facility management, budgeting, health promotion, and community engagement.
Park management is just about guarding parks.
Park management covers comprehensive planning, visitor management, conservation, education, and sustainable tourism.
Event management is just about organising parties.
Event management covers comprehensive planning, marketing, operations, risk management, and evaluation for recreation and sports events.