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Bachelor of Arts in Conflicts and Security Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Conflicts and Security Studies is a four-year degree programme that examines the causes, dynamics and resolution of conflicts alongside contemporary security challenges. Offered at the Technical University of Mombasa, the programme prepares students for careers in conflict management, security analysis, peacebuilding and related fields. The curriculum draws on political science, international relations, sociology and law to provide a multidisciplinary understanding of conflict and security.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 189,004
Ksh 756,016 total
Private tuition
Ksh 242,800
Ksh 971,200 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 189,004 a year at a public institution, Ksh 756,016 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 242,800 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full time, part time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students study conflict theory, security studies, international relations, peace research, terrorism studies and human security. The programme covers both domestic and international dimensions of conflict, including ethnic violence, resource conflicts, terrorism, maritime security and transnational crime. Particular attention is given to the Horn of Africa and East African region, where security challenges are complex and evolving.

The programme equips graduates with analytical skills to assess conflict situations, design intervention strategies and contribute to peacebuilding efforts. Students learn qualitative and quantitative research methods, conflict mapping techniques and negotiation skills. The coastal location of the university provides unique perspectives on maritime security, a growing concern for Kenya and the region.

Graduates find employment in government security agencies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, research institutions and private security firms. The programme's emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills makes graduates suitable for roles in policy analysis, conflict resolution facilitation, security consultancy and community peacebuilding.

Entry requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a C (Plain) in English or Kiswahili. The programme is offered on both full-time and part-time basis, with intakes in September. Tuition for government-sponsored students is subsidised under the Kenyan higher education funding model.

The programme benefits from the Technical University of Mombasa's location in a region with significant security dynamics, including maritime security challenges, cross-border conflicts and counter-terrorism efforts. This contextual advantage enriches the learning experience with real-world case studies and practitioner engagement.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Conflict Theory
  • Security Studies
  • International Relations
  • Peace Research
  • Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
  • Maritime Security
  • Negotiation and Mediation
  • Human Security
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Research Methods

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Introduction to Conflict Studies

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Foundational concepts in conflict theory, types of conflict and approaches to conflict analysis.

  • Introduction to Security Studies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Overview of security concepts, national and human security, and contemporary security threats.

  • International Relations Theory

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Major theories of international relations and their application to conflict and security.

  • Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Analysis of terrorism as a security threat, radicalisation processes and counter-terrorism strategies.

  • Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Methods and approaches to conflict resolution, mediation, reconciliation and post-conflict peacebuilding.

  • Maritime Security

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Security challenges in maritime domains including piracy, illegal fishing and coastal security.

  • Research Project

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Independent research project on a conflict or security topic, culminating in a dissertation.

  • Negotiation and Mediation Practice

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Practical skills in negotiation, mediation and facilitation applied to conflict scenarios.

Specialisations

  • Maritime Security

    Focus on security challenges in coastal and maritime environments, relevant to Kenya's Indian Ocean coastline.

  • Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

    Specialisation in mediation, reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction processes.

  • Counter-Terrorism Studies

    In-depth study of terrorism dynamics, radicalisation and counter-terrorism strategies.

  • Human Security

    Focus on individual and community security, including humanitarian protection and human rights.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures on conflict theory, security dynamics and research methods, participate in seminar discussions on contemporary security issues, and engage in case study analysis of conflicts in the Horn of Africa region.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Growing demand for security professionals in Kenya and the East African regionLimited to one university in Kenya, reducing programme choice
Unique coastal location provides perspective on maritime security challengesField work in conflict-affected areas may pose safety risks

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 Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi
Private159k to 243k
159k at St. Paul's University243k at Daystar 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

Verified educationnewshub KUCCPS 2026/27: KU 153K, UoN 189K, St Paul's 159K, Daystar 243K/yr

HELB loans and university bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Government-sponsored students receive subsidised tuition through the Kenyan higher education funding model.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • TUM Bursaries

Scholarships

1 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes

Scholarships you could apply for

7 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or 2 Principal and 1 Subsidiary pass at A-level.

Subject requirements
English or KiswahiliC

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Mombasa.

May 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Mombasa.

September 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Mombasa.

How you are assessed

2 components

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination60% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations on theoretical and conceptual foundations.

  • Research Project

    Coursework40% of the mark

    Final-year dissertation on a conflict or security topic.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) as a programme of the Technical University of Mombasa.

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at the Technical University of Mombasa.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Security Analyst

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Analysing security threats and providing intelligence assessments for government agencies and private firms.

  • Conflict Resolution Officer

    Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Facilitating dialogue and mediation in conflict-affected communities for NGOs and peacebuilding organisations.

  • Policy Researcher

    Medium demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Conducting research on conflict and security issues for think tanks, research institutions and government bodies.

  • Humanitarian Affairs Officer

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Working with humanitarian organisations to assess conflict impacts and coordinate response in affected areas.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in government security agencies, international organisations, NGOs, research institutions and private security firms, working in conflict analysis, peacebuilding and security consultancy.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • ACLED Conflict Data

    DataPrimary

  • Humanitarian Response Information System

    Reference

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • This programme only leads to military or police careers

    Graduates work in diverse fields including diplomacy, humanitarian organisations, research, policy analysis and community peacebuilding.

  • Conflict studies is purely theoretical

    The programme includes practical skills in negotiation, mediation, conflict mapping and field research, preparing graduates for real-world intervention.

  • Security studies is only about physical security

    The programme covers human security, cybersecurity, economic security and environmental security, reflecting the multidimensional nature of modern security challenges.

  • Graduates can only work in conflict zones

    Many graduates work in policy analysis, research, corporate security, border management and international development in non-conflict settings.

Further reading

Read next