Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Conflict and Security Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Conflict and Security Studies is a four-year degree programme that examines the intersection of conflict, security, and governance, equipping graduates to analyse and address security challenges in contemporary society. Students study conflict theory, security studies, criminology, international relations, terrorism and counter-terrorism, intelligence analysis, border security, governance, human rights, research methods, and security policy.

The programme is offered at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), a CUE-accredited public university, through full-time and part-time study modes. Graduates pursue careers as security analysts, intelligence officers, conflict resolution specialists, policy analysts, security consultants, border management officers, and governance officers.

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, case studies, simulations, and fieldwork. Students engage in conflict analysis, threat assessments, intelligence analysis exercises, and security policy research.

Entry-level salaries for conflict and security studies graduates in Kenya range from KES 40,000–70,000/month depending on the role and organisation, with higher earnings in international security organisations and private security firms. The programme suits students interested in security, governance, and conflict analysis.

Skills RequiredConflict Analysis and Threat AssessmentSecurity Analysis and Risk ManagementIntelligence AnalysisCounter-Terrorism StudiesBorder Security and ManagementCriminology and Criminal JusticeSecurity Policy AnalysisResearch Methods in Security StudiesGovernance and Institutional ReformHuman Rights in Security ContextsKey SubjectsConflict TheorySecurity StudiesCriminologyInternational RelationsTerrorism and Counter-TerrorismIntelligence AnalysisBorder SecurityGovernanceHuman RightsResearch MethodsCertificationsKenya Security Professionals Society MembershipASIS International Certified Protection Professional (CPP)International Association of Crime Analysts MembershipSpecializationsIntelligence and Security AnalysisFocus on intelligence collection and analysis — covering intelligence theory, intelligence cycle, open-source intelligence, threat assessment, and the use of intelligence in security decision-making. Terrorism and Counter-TerrorismFocus on terrorism and responses — covering terrorism theory, radicalisation, counter-terrorism strategies, de-radicalisation programmes, and the analysis of terrorist threats and responses.

Border Security and ManagementFocus on border security challenges — covering border security theory, border management, transnational crime, migration and security, and the analysis of border security threats and responses.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Conflict Theory
Security Studies
Criminology
International Relations
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Intelligence Analysis
Border Security
Governance
Human Rights
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Conflict and Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational introduction to conflict and security studies — covering concepts of conflict, security, violence, and peace, theories of security, the evolution of security studies, and the relations...
Conflict Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical frameworks for understanding conflict — covering conflict theory, conflict analysis frameworks, conflict mapping, causes and dynamics of conflict, and the application of theory to speci...
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Crime and criminal justice — covering criminological theory, crime causation, criminal justice systems, crime prevention, and the relationship between crime, conflict, and security.
Security Studies and Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Security theory and practice — covering traditional and human security, security threats, security responses, the security architecture in Kenya and Africa, and the evolution of security studies as...
Intelligence Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Intelligence theory and practice — covering the intelligence cycle, intelligence collection methods, intelligence analysis, threat assessment, and the use of intelligence in security decision-making.
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Terrorism and responses — covering terrorism theory, types of terrorism, radicalisation, counter-terrorism strategies, de-radicalisation programmes, and the analysis of terrorist threats in Kenya a...
Border Security and Transnational Crime
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Border security challenges — covering border security theory, border management, transnational organised crime, human trafficking, smuggling, and the analysis of border security threats and responses.
Governance and Security Sector Reform
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Governance of security institutions — covering security sector reform, democratic governance of security, oversight of security agencies, civil-military relations, and the relationship between gove...
Research Methods in Security Studies
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methodology for security studies — covering quantitative and qualitative research, security assessment methods, threat assessment, and the application of research methods to security analy...
Human Rights and Security
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Human rights in security contexts — covering human rights theory, human rights in security operations, the balance between security and civil liberties, and human rights oversight of security agenc...
Security Policy and Strategy
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Security policy and strategy development — covering security policy analysis, national security strategy, security planning, and the development and implementation of security policies and strategies.
Research Project or Security Studies Internship
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project or security studies internship — demonstrating mastery of conflict and security studies theory and practice through original research or a structured security sector int...

Specialisations

Intelligence and Security Analysis
Focus on intelligence collection and analysis — covering intelligence theory, intelligence cycle, open-source intelligence, threat assessment, and the use of intelligence in security decision-making.
Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
Focus on terrorism and responses — covering terrorism theory, radicalisation, counter-terrorism strategies, de-radicalisation programmes, and the analysis of terrorist threats and responses.
Border Security and Management
Focus on border security challenges — covering border security theory, border management, transnational crime, migration and security, and the analysis of border security threats and responses.
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
Focus on resolving conflicts peacefully — covering mediation, negotiation, dialogue facilitation, community peacebuilding, and the integration of conflict resolution with security practice.
Governance and Security Sector Reform
Focus on governance of security institutions — covering security sector reform, democratic governance of security, oversight of security agencies, and the relationship between governance and security.
Human Security and Development
Focus on human security dimensions — covering human security theory, security and development, community security, environmental security, and the broader concept of security beyond the traditional state-centric model.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on conflict theory, security studies, or intelligence analysis with afternoon seminars, case studies, and simulations. Students engage in conflict analysis exercises, threat assessments, intelligence analysis simulations, and security policy research. Field attachments in security agencies, government departments, or security-focused NGOs provide hands-on experience, with students conducting security assessments, analysing conflict dynamics, and developing policy recommendations. Research papers and security briefs are regular assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme — the programme is one of the few in Kenya that specifically combines conflict and security studies, providing graduates with distinctive interdisciplinary expertise.
Growing security sector demand — Kenya faces multiple security challenges including terrorism, border insecurity, and communal conflict, creating demand for trained security analysts and conflict specialists.
Flexible study modes — the programme is offered through both full-time and part-time modes at TUM, accommodating working students.
Credit transfers for diploma holders — diploma holders with credit passes can join the programme in the second year, reducing study time.

Against it

Single university offering — the programme is only offered at the Technical University of Mombasa, limiting choice for students who prefer other locations.
Niche career field — while demand is growing, the security studies field is specialised, with many positions requiring additional training or experience.
Security sector sensitivity — some security sector positions require security clearance and background checks, which may limit employment opportunities for some graduates.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Technical University of Mombasa189k at University of Nairobi

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

TUM 153K, UoN conflicts&peace 189K/yr (educationnewshub; UoN arts). Private unverified.

Students can access HELB loans, university internal scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some security agencies and international organisations offer sponsorships for security studies students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
University Scholarships and Bursaries
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

University Internal Bursaries
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Merit-based and need-based scholarships offered by the Technical University of Mombasa, applied through the financial aid office.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Huawei Seeds for the Future Kenya
Scholarship
Talented ICT/STEM university students with a GPA of 3.0+
Generation Google Scholarship
Scholarship
Women in computer science and related technical fields

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent, or KACE with two principal passes, or Diploma in a related field from a recognised institution. Diploma holders with credit passes may join in the second year.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Written tests covering conflict theory, security studies, criminology, and intelligence analysis — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Case Studies and Security Simulations
Coursework30% of the mark
Conflict analysis case studies, threat assessment exercises, intelligence analysis simulations, and security policy briefs — assessed through portfolio review and practical evaluation.
Field Attachment Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Reports from field attachments in security agencies, government departments, or security-focused NGOs — documenting practical experience and professional reflection.
Final Examinations and Research Project
Examination25% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year research project or security studies internship demonstrating mastery of conflict and security studies theory and practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) at the Technical University of Mombasa. The programme is offered through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences with full-time and part-time study modes.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes. The Bachelor of Arts in Conflict and Security Studies is CUE-accredited at the Technical University of Mombasa.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Security Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 75,000
Analyses security threats and risks — covering threat assessment, risk analysis, security intelligence, and security advisory for government agencies, private security firms, and international organisations.
Intelligence Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 70,000
Collects and analyses intelligence — covering intelligence collection, analysis, threat assessment, and intelligence reporting for government security agencies and intelligence services.
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Facilitates conflict resolution — covering mediation, negotiation, dialogue facilitation, and community peacebuilding for NGOs, government agencies, and community organisations.
Policy Analyst (Security and Governance)
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 70,000
Analyses security and governance policy — covering policy research, policy briefs, governance assessment, and security policy advisory for government, research institutions, and NGOs.
Security Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 80,000
Provides security consultancy services — covering security risk assessment, security planning, security advisory, and security training for private firms, NGOs, and international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as security analysts, intelligence officers, conflict resolution specialists, policy analysts, and security consultants — in government security agencies, NGOs, international organisations, and private security firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Productivity tools including Word for intelligence reports and policy briefs, Excel for security data analysis, and PowerPoint for security briefings and threat assessment presentations.
SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for security research — covering crime data analysis, threat assessment data, and research statistics for conflict and security studies projects.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
Software
Mapping software for security analysis — covering spatial analysis of conflict and crime, threat mapping, border security mapping, and the use of GIS for visualising security patterns.
OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) Tools
Software
Open-source intelligence tools — covering social media analysis, online research, public information analysis, and the use of OSINT tools for security research and threat assessment.
University Library and Research Resources
Resource
University library resources — providing access to security studies journals, conflict research databases, intelligence studies references, and case study materials for security research.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Conflict and Security Studies is just about military security.
The programme covers human security, governance, conflict resolution, criminology, terrorism, border security, and intelligence — it addresses both traditional and non-traditional security threats comprehensively.
Security Studies graduates can only work in the military or police.
Graduates work in government security agencies, county governments, NGOs, international organisations, private security firms, research institutions, and as independent security consultants.
Conflict and Security Studies is the same as Criminology.
While both cover crime-related topics, Conflict and Security Studies is broader — covering international conflict, terrorism, border security, governance, and intelligence, while Criminology focuses specifically on crime causes, prevention, and criminal justice.
There are no jobs in security studies in Kenya.
Kenya faces multiple security challenges including terrorism, border insecurity, and communal conflict, creating demand for security analysts and conflict specialists in government, NGOs, and the private sector.
Security Studies is not academically rigorous.
The programme involves security theory, intelligence analysis, research methods, policy analysis, and international relations — it is a demanding interdisciplinary degree requiring analytical and practical skills.