Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in English

The Bachelor of Arts in English is a four-year degree programme that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the English language, its structure, literature, and communication applications.

The curriculum covers English grammar and syntax, phonetics and phonology, morphology, semantics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, English as a second language, varieties of English, and the history and development of the English language.

Students develop competencies in critical analysis, academic writing, oral communication, linguistic analysis, research methodology, and translation. The programme includes practical courses in business English, English for specific purposes, and communication skills. An attachment period provides students with hands-on experience in a language-related work environment such as a media house, publishing firm, or educational institution.

Graduates pursue careers as English teachers, writers, editors, journalists, communications officers, public relations practitioners, content creators, and lexicographers. They find employment in schools, media houses, publishing firms, corporate communications departments, non-governmental organisations, and government agencies.

The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, Moi University, Daystar University, and other institutions with established English and linguistics departments.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a strong pass in English, reflecting the language-focused nature of the programme.

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
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to the Study of Language
Introduction to the Grammar of English
Phonetics and Phonology
English Syntax
Morphology and Semantics
Sociolinguistics
Discourse Analysis
Second Language Acquisition
Varieties of English
Research Methods in Language Studies

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to the Study of Language
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in linguistics, including the nature of language, linguistic levels, and basic terminology.
Introduction to the Grammar of English
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to the grammatical structure of English, including parts of speech, sentence structure, and grammatical rules.
The Use of English for Academic Purposes
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Academic writing skills, including essay structure, argumentation, citation, and academic conventions.
Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of speech sounds, their production, transcription, and organisation in the English language.
Description of Modern English
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive description of contemporary English, including its structure, usage, and variation.
Morphology, Syntax and Semantics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of word formation, sentence structure, and meaning in the English language.
Discourse Analysis
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of spoken and written discourse, including conversation analysis, text linguistics, and pragmatics.
Second Language Acquisition
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and processes of second language learning, including factors affecting acquisition and interlanguage development.
Psycholinguistics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of the psychological processes involved in language comprehension, production, and acquisition.
Attachment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a language-related work environment such as a media house, publishing firm, or educational institution.
Advanced Theoretical Studies in Grammar
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of grammatical theory, including contemporary approaches to syntax and grammatical analysis.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on a linguistic or literary topic, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

English Language and Linguistics
Study of the structure and history of the English language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
Literature in English
Study of literary works in English, including classical and contemporary literature, literary theory, and criticism.
Communication and Media
Application of English language skills in media and communication contexts, including journalism, public relations, and digital media.
English as a Second Language
Study of second language acquisition, English language teaching methodology, and the role of English as a global language.
Sociolinguistics
Study of the relationship between language and society, including language variation, language contact, and language policy.
Professional Communication
Application of English language skills in professional contexts, including business English, diplomatic communication, and public relations.

A day as a student

A typical day combines language analysis lectures with literature and communication courses. Morning sessions may cover phonetics, syntax, or sociolinguistics, while afternoons focus on discourse analysis, academic writing, or communication theory. Literature seminars provide opportunities for critical discussion of texts. Practical courses in business English and professional communication develop workplace-ready skills. The attachment period in a media house, publishing firm, or educational institution provides hands-on experience applying language skills in professional settings.

The trade offs

In its favour

Versatile degree that opens doors to careers in teaching, media, publishing, communications, and corporate sectors.
Develops strong analytical, writing, and communication skills that are valued across industries.
English is the medium of instruction in Kenyan education, creating consistent demand for English language expertise.
Offered at multiple universities with flexible study modes, providing accessibility and choice.

Against it

Some career paths, particularly in media and publishing, are competitive with limited entry-level positions.
Teaching English without an education degree may require additional certification such as a PGDE.
Entry-level salaries in media and publishing can be modest compared to business or technology careers.
The programme requires extensive reading and writing, which may be challenging for students who prefer quantitative subjects.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya 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

KU 153,000/yr; UoN 189,004/yr; MKU 105,000/yr; Daystar 242,800/yr. Src: educationnewshub.co.ke

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities also offer internal bursaries and merit-based scholarships for financially needy and academically outstanding students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the respective university financial aid office.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points and are placed in the programme through the central placement system.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR a Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution; OR a mean grade of C (Plain) at KCSE with a Diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, assignments, and oral presentations conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester covering language analysis, literature, and communication content.
Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of practical attachment performance in a language-related work environment, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project on a linguistic or literary topic, culminating in a written dissertation.

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.

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

English Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Teaches English language and literature at secondary or tertiary level, requiring additional teaching qualification for school employment.
Content Writer
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Creates written content for digital media, marketing, corporate communications, and publishing.
Editor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Edits and proofreads content for publications, media houses, and corporate communications departments.
Communications Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Manages internal and external communications for organisations, including press releases, reports, and digital content.
Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Researches, writes, and reports news stories for print, broadcast, or digital media platforms.
Public Relations Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manages public image and communications for organisations, including media relations and corporate messaging.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as English teachers, writers, editors, journalists, and communications professionals. Demand is steady in media, education, and corporate communications sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for writing, editing, and professional communication.
Google Docs
CollaborationPrimary
Collaborative writing and editing platform for producing and sharing documents in real time.
Grammarly
Writing assistant
AI-powered writing assistant for grammar checking, style suggestions, and proofreading.
Scrivener
Writing
Writing software for long-form projects, including research organisation and manuscript formatting.
WordPress
Content management
Content management system for publishing blogs, articles, and web content.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

An English degree only leads to a teaching career.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including journalism, publishing, corporate communications, public relations, content creation, lexicography, and diplomatic services.
Studying English is just about reading novels and writing essays.
The programme covers rigorous linguistic analysis, including phonetics, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics, requiring analytical and scientific thinking.
English graduates have limited earning potential.
English graduates in corporate communications, publishing, and media can earn competitive salaries, particularly with experience and specialised skills.
The programme is only for native English speakers.
The programme is designed for both native and non-native English speakers, with many graduates going on to teach English as a second language.