Social Sciences

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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full time, Part time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Growing demand for security professionals in Kenya and the East African region
Unique coastal location provides perspective on maritime security challenges

Against it

Limited to one university in Kenya, reducing programme choice
Field 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution, or 2 Principal and 1 Subsidiary pass at A-level.

English or Kiswahili
C

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

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

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) as a programme of 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

Industry links

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.