Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in English and Linguistics

The Bachelor of Arts in English and Linguistics is a four-year degree programme that provides students with a rigorous understanding of the English language and the scientific study of language structure.

The curriculum covers English grammar, phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, second language acquisition, varieties of English, historical linguistics, field linguistics, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in linguistic analysis, phonetic transcription, grammatical description, research methodology, academic writing, and translation. The programme includes practical courses in field linguistics, language and speech disorders, and text writing. An attachment period provides hands-on experience in a language-related work environment.

Graduates pursue careers as language teachers, linguists, lexicographers, translators, researchers, curriculum developers, speech therapists, and media consultants. They find employment in educational institutions, research organisations, publishing houses, media houses, and government agencies concerned with language policy.

The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, Moi University, Kisii University, Rongo University, and Pwani University.

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 minimum of a B pass in English, reflecting the language-focused and academically rigorous 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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to the Study of Language
Introduction to the Grammar of English
Phonetics and Phonology
Morphology, Syntax and Semantics
Sociolinguistics
Psycholinguistics
Discourse Analysis
Second Language Acquisition
Field Linguistics
Research Methods in Linguistics

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 using IPA, and phonological organisation.
Phonology of English
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Detailed study of English phonological systems, including phonemes, allophones, and phonological processes.
Morphology, Syntax and Semantics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of word formation, sentence structure, and meaning in language, with emphasis on English and cross-linguistic comparison.
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.
Field Linguistics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Methods and techniques for collecting, analysing, and documenting linguistic data from local language communities.
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 topic, often involving analysis of African language data, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

English Grammar and Syntax
Detailed study of English grammatical structure, including contemporary syntactic theory and grammatical analysis.
Phonetics and Phonology
Study of speech sounds, their production, transcription, and phonological organisation across languages.
Sociolinguistics
Study of the relationship between language and society, including language variation, language contact, and language policy in multilingual contexts.
Psycholinguistics
Study of the psychological processes involved in language comprehension, production, and acquisition.
African Linguistics
Study of African language structures and linguistic phenomena, contributing to the documentation and analysis of African languages.
Applied Linguistics
Application of linguistic theory to practical areas including language teaching, translation, lexicography, and speech therapy.

A day as a student

A typical day combines linguistic analysis lectures with English language studies. Morning sessions may cover phonetics, morphology, or syntactic theory, while afternoons focus on sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, or field linguistics. Language laboratory sessions provide practical training in phonetic transcription and analysis. Field linguistics courses may involve data collection from local communities, documenting African language structures. The attachment period in a research institution, publishing house, or educational organisation provides hands-on experience applying linguistic skills.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenyatta University's Department of English and Linguistics is one of the oldest and most established in Kenya, with strong expertise in African linguistics.
Programme emphasises African language data, contributing to the documentation and preservation of African linguistic heritage.
Graduates are equipped for diverse careers including lexicography, translation, speech therapy, and language technology.
Strong analytical and research skills developed through the programme are valued in academic and professional settings.

Against it

The programme is academically demanding, requiring strong analytical skills and extensive study of theoretical frameworks.
Direct career paths such as lexicography and speech therapy may require additional postgraduate qualifications.
Job market for pure linguists in Kenya is relatively niche, with most opportunities in education and research.
The requirement of a B pass in English at KCSE is higher than many other arts programmes, limiting entry.

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

Public139k to 189k

139k at Pwani University189k at University of Nairobi

Private160k to 243k

160k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa243k 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

Pwani 138,720/yr; UoN 189,004/yr; CUEA 160,000/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.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
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.
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.

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, linguistic analysis assignments, transcription exercises, and research reports conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering linguistic theory, English grammar, phonetics, and applied linguistics content.
Field Linguistics Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of field linguistics data collection and analysis, including transcription, grammatical description, and language documentation.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project on a linguistic topic, often involving analysis of African language data, 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

Language Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Teaches English language at secondary or tertiary level, requiring additional teaching qualification for school employment.
Lexicographer
Low demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 90,000
Compiles and edits dictionaries and language reference materials for publishing houses or language research organisations.
Translator
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 80,000
Translates written materials between English and other languages for organisations, publishing houses, or government agencies.
Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Conducts linguistic research in academic institutions, research organisations, or language documentation projects.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 95,000
Develops language curriculum materials for educational publishers, KICD, or educational institutions.
Speech and Language Therapist
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Assesses and treats speech and language disorders, requiring additional clinical qualifications beyond the degree.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as language teachers, linguists, lexicographers, translators, and researchers. Demand is steady in education, research, publishing, and language technology sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Praat
Phonetic analysisPrimary
Software for phonetic analysis of speech sounds, including spectrogram analysis, pitch tracking, and formant measurement.
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for linguistic analysis, research writing, and academic work.
ELAN
Language documentation
Software for annotating and analysing audio and video recordings, used in field linguistics and language documentation.
FLEx
Language documentation
FieldWorks Language Explorer software for linguistic analysis and dictionary compilation, particularly for African languages.
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis software for linguistic research, including data analysis and interpretation.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Linguistics is just about learning many languages.
Linguistics is the scientific study of language structure, including how languages work, rather than learning to speak multiple languages. While linguists may know several languages, the focus is on analysis and theory.
An English and Linguistics degree only leads to teaching.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including lexicography, translation, speech therapy, language technology, curriculum development, research, and media consultancy.
Linguistics is not relevant in Kenya.
Kenya's multilingual context creates significant demand for linguists in language policy, curriculum development, translation, and documentation of African languages.
The programme is only for native English speakers.
The programme is designed for all students with strong English proficiency, and many graduates go on to study and document African languages.