Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature

The Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature is a four-year degree programme that combines the study of English language structure with the critical analysis of literary works. The curriculum covers English grammar, phonetics and phonology, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, and the history of English, alongside literary studies including classical and contemporary literature, literary theory, African literature, oral literature, drama, poetry, and prose fiction.

Students develop competencies in critical analysis, literary criticism, academic writing, creative writing, linguistic analysis, research methodology, and oral communication. The programme includes practical courses in text writing, literary criticism, and performance studies.

Graduates pursue careers as English and literature teachers, writers, editors, literary critics, publishers, journalists, broadcasters, and creative writers. They find employment in educational institutions, publishing houses, media organisations, cultural organisations, and government agencies.

The programme is offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University, Pwani University, and Kisii 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 strong pass in English, reflecting the language and literature focus of the programme. Skills RequiredCritical analysisLiterary criticismAcademic writingCreative writingLinguistic analysisResearch methodologyOral communicationTextual analysisKey SubjectsIntroduction to the Study of LanguageIntroduction to LiteratureEnglish Grammar and UsagePhonetics and PhonologyClassical Literary TheoryAfrican LiteratureSociolinguisticsDiscourse AnalysisOral LiteratureResearch Methods in Literary StudiesCertificationsTEFL/TESOL CertificationMedia Council of Kenya AccreditationSpecializationsAfrican LiteratureStudy of literary works by African authors, including oral literature, contemporary African fiction, poetry, and drama.

English Language StudiesStudy of the structure and use of the English language, including grammar, phonetics, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis. Literary Theory and CriticismStudy of theoretical approaches to literature, including classical, modern, and postcolonial literary theory and criticism.

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 Literature
English Grammar and Usage
Phonetics and Phonology
Classical Literary Theory
African Literature
Sociolinguistics
Discourse Analysis
Oral Literature
Research Methods in Literary 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 Literature
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to literary analysis, including key concepts, genres, and critical approaches to literature.
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.
Classical Literary Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of classical and traditional approaches to literary criticism, including Aristotle, Plato, and classical aesthetic theory.
Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of speech sounds, their production, transcription, and phonological organisation in English.
African Literature
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of African literary works across genres, including novels, poetry, drama, and oral literature from various African traditions.
Morphology, Syntax and Semantics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of word formation, sentence structure, and meaning in the English language.
Oral Literature
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of oral literary traditions, including African oral literature, folklore, myths, legends, and performance.
Discourse Analysis
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of spoken and written discourse, including conversation analysis, text linguistics, and pragmatics.
Literary Criticism and Theory
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of modern literary theories including formalism, structuralism, postcolonialism, feminism, and cultural studies.
Attachment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a publishing house, media house, or educational institution, applying language and literary skills.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on a literary or linguistic topic, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

African Literature
Study of literary works by African authors, including oral literature, contemporary African fiction, poetry, and drama.
English Language Studies
Study of the structure and use of the English language, including grammar, phonetics, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis.
Literary Theory and Criticism
Study of theoretical approaches to literature, including classical, modern, and postcolonial literary theory and criticism.
Creative Writing
Development of creative writing skills in prose, poetry, and drama, with emphasis on both craft and critical reflection.
Oral Literature and Performance Studies
Study of oral literary traditions and performance, with focus on African oral literature and its preservation.
Drama and Theatre Studies
Study of dramatic literature and theatre, including play analysis, performance theory, and theatrical traditions.

A day as a student

A typical day combines language analysis lectures with literature seminars. Morning sessions may cover English grammar, phonetics, or sociolinguistics, while afternoons focus on literary analysis, African literature, or literary theory. Literature seminars provide opportunities for critical discussion of texts, dramatic readings, and performance. Creative writing workshops develop students' own literary skills. The attachment period in a publishing house, media house, or educational institution provides hands-on experience applying language and literary skills in professional settings.

The trade offs

In its favour

Dual focus on language and literature aligns perfectly with the Kenyan education system where English and literature are closely linked subjects.
Develops strong critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills valued across multiple industries.
University of Nairobi's Department of Literature is one of the most established in East Africa, with a rich tradition of literary scholarship.
Graduates are well-positioned for creative writing careers, with Kenya's growing literary and publishing scene.

Against it

Teaching English and literature without an education degree may require additional certification such as a PGDE.
Entry-level salaries in publishing and media 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.
Career paths in pure literary criticism and creative writing are competitive with limited full-time positions.

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

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

KU 153,000/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 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.

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, literary analysis assignments, and oral presentations conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering both language analysis and literary studies content.
Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of practical attachment performance in a publishing house, media house, or educational institution.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project on a literary or linguistic 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 and Literature 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.
Writer
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 75,000
Creates written content for publications, digital media, creative projects, or corporate communications.
Editor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Edits and proofreads content for publishing houses, media organisations, or corporate communications departments.
Publisher
Low demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 95,000
Manages publishing processes, including manuscript acquisition, editorial oversight, and publication production.
Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Researches, writes, and reports stories for print, broadcast, or digital media platforms.
Broadcaster
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Presents news, literary programmes, or cultural content on radio or television.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as English and literature teachers, writers, editors, publishers, and journalists. Demand is steady in education, publishing, and media sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for writing, editing, and academic work.
Google Docs
CollaborationPrimary
Collaborative writing and editing platform for producing and sharing documents in real time.
Scrivener
Writing
Writing software for long-form projects, including research organisation and manuscript formatting.
Grammarly
Writing assistant
AI-powered writing assistant for grammar checking, style suggestions, and proofreading.
Zotero
Reference management
Reference management software for organising research sources, citations, and bibliographies.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Studying literature is just about reading stories for pleasure.
Literary study involves rigorous critical analysis, theoretical frameworks, historical context, and scholarly research, developing advanced analytical and writing skills.
An English and Literature degree only leads to a teaching career.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including publishing, journalism, creative writing, public relations, corporate communications, and cultural administration.
African literature is not as valuable as Western literature.
African literature is a rich and important field of study, with Kenyan and African authors making significant contributions to world literature and cultural discourse.
The programme is easy compared to science degrees.
The programme requires extensive reading, critical thinking, analytical writing, and theoretical engagement, making it intellectually demanding.