Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Philosophy

The Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Philosophy is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in development studies and philosophy. The programme falls under the Humanities & Social Sciences category and typically spans 4 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Introduction to Development Studies, Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, Development Theory, Research Methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Argumentation and debate, Critical Thinking, Ethical decision-making, Logical reasoning, Policy Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Development Studies, Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, Development Theory. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Ethics and Governance, Development Policy and Planning, Philosophical Foundations of Development. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Philosophy pursue careers as Ethics and Governance Officer, Policy Analyst, Project Coordinator, Research Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 450,000
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Development Studies
Introduction to Philosophy
Logic and Critical Thinking
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Development Theory
Research Methods
Project Planning and Management
Political Philosophy
Governance and Public Administration
Philosophy of Human Person

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Development Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of key concepts, theories, and issues in development studies, including historical perspectives and contemporary debates.
Introduction to Philosophy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic, and their relevance to development.
Logic and Critical Thinking
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of logical reasoning, argumentation, and critical analysis applied to development and governance issues.
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of ethical theories and their application to development practice, governance, and public policy.
Development Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Major theoretical frameworks explaining development and underdevelopment, from modernisation to dependency and post-development theories.
Political Philosophy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of political systems, justice, rights, and the role of the state in development.
Research Methods
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of social research, covering qualitative and quantitative methods, research design, and ethics.
Project Planning and Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Project cycle management including needs assessment, logical framework approach, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Governance and Public Administration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of governance, public administration, and devolution in Kenya, including ethical leadership and accountability.
Philosophy of Human Person
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical anthropology examining human dignity, personhood, and human rights in the context of development.
Industrial Attachment / Fieldwork
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised field placement in a development organisation, government department, or ethics body for practical experience.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent research project on a topic combining development studies and philosophy, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Ethics and Governance
Focuses on the role of ethics, integrity, and good governance in driving sustainable development, with emphasis on Kenya's constitutional values.
Development Policy and Planning
Covers policy formulation, development planning, and project management aligned with national and global development frameworks.
Philosophical Foundations of Development
Explores the philosophical underpinnings of development theory, including questions of justice, human dignity, and the common good.
Research and Analysis
Develops competencies in qualitative and quantitative research methods for evidence-based policy and programme design.
Community Development
Equips students with skills in community mobilisation, participatory planning, and grassroots development project management.
Leadership and Public Service
Focuses on ethical leadership, public administration, and the role of values-driven leaders in promoting development.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with morning lectures in small, interactive classes covering topics such as development theory, ethics, or logic. Afternoons often involve seminar discussions, library research, or preparation for group presentations. The programme emphasises critical reading and argumentation, so students spend significant time engaging with philosophical texts and development case studies. Guest lectures from practitioners in governance and development are a regular feature.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique combination of development studies and philosophy that equips graduates with both practical development skills and ethical reasoning.
Small class sizes and personalised attention at Strathmore University foster deep engagement with course material.
Strong emphasis on ethics, integrity, and governance aligns with Kenya's constitutional values and Vision 2030.
Rigorous entrance examination and interview process ensures a motivated and capable student cohort.

Against it

Offered only at Strathmore University, a private institution with high tuition fees that may limit accessibility.
Not available through KUCCPS placement, requiring direct application and an entrance examination.
The combined nature of the degree may make it harder to position for roles that require specialised expertise in either field alone.
Limited awareness among employers about the specific programme may require graduates to actively explain its value proposition.

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

Private450k to 450k

450k at Strathmore University450k at Strathmore 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 mawese/k47.co.ke: Strathmore ~450K/yr. MKU unverified for this specific course

Strathmore University offers internal scholarships and financial aid for academically outstanding and financially needy students. HELB loans are also available for eligible Kenyan students. Prospective students should contact the university's financial aid office for current scholarship opportunities.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Strathmore University Financial Aid
Scholarship
Academically outstanding and financially needy students
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
County bursaryKenyan
Students from specific counties may apply for bursary support through their county government education funds.
Strathmore University Scholarships
University scholarshipKenyan
Academically outstanding and financially needy students. Application through the Strathmore University financial aid office.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Strathmore Financial Aid Programme
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the university financial aid office.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: A Level with 6 Bs and above at IGCSE, or IB with 24 points (5 in English and 4 in Mathematics). Applicants must also pass an entrance examination comprising an aptitude test in Mathematics and English, plus a personal oral interview.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, assignments, and class presentations throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Research Project and Dissertation
Research10% of the mark
Final-year independent research project culminating in a written dissertation and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. CUE accreditation ensures the programme meets national standards for curriculum, staffing, and facilities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Ethics and Governance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 130,000
Advises organisations on ethical standards, governance compliance, and integrity frameworks in public and private sectors.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyses public policies, conducts research, and provides recommendations to government agencies, think tanks, or NGOs.
Project Coordinator
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Coordinates development projects in NGOs or government, managing budgets, timelines, and stakeholder relationships.
Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Conducts social and policy research for research institutions, universities, or consultancy firms.
Community Development Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Works with communities to identify needs, plan development projects, and facilitate implementation at county level.
Public Administration Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 75,000
Works in county or national government departments supporting policy implementation and public service delivery.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment in governance advisory roles, NGOs, county governments, policy research institutions, and education. The unique combination of ethics and development studies positions them for roles requiring moral reasoning alongside development expertise.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software used for quantitative research and data analysis.
NVivo
Qualitative analysis
Qualitative data analysis software for coding and analysing text-based research data.
Microsoft Excel
Data managementPrimary
Spreadsheet application for data entry, basic analysis, and report preparation.
Google Scholar
Research
Academic search engine for finding peer-reviewed literature and research publications.
Logical Framework Approach
Project planningPrimary
Planning tool used in development project design for defining objectives, indicators, and assumptions.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This is just a philosophy degree with a different name.
The programme combines equal weight in development studies and philosophy, producing graduates equipped for both development practice and ethical analysis.
Graduates can only become teachers or lecturers.
Graduates work in governance, policy analysis, NGO programme management, ethics advisory, and public administration, in addition to education.
The programme is too theoretical and lacks practical skills.
The curriculum includes project planning, research methods, industrial attachment, and a research project, ensuring graduates gain practical development skills alongside philosophical training.
Philosophy is irrelevant to development work.
Development challenges often stem from ethical failures in governance and leadership. Philosophical training in logic and ethics directly addresses these root causes.