Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies is a four-year degree programme that examines gender as a socially constructed system of relationships and its impact on society. The curriculum covers introduction to gender studies, feminist theory, gender and culture, gender and development, gender mainstreaming, gender and law, gender and health, gender and education, research methods, gender statistics, and gender policy analysis. Students develop competencies in gender analysis, feminist research methods, policy critique, advocacy, project management, and community engagement.

Graduates pursue careers as gender officers, researchers, policy analysts, advocacy coordinators, social workers, programme managers, and consultants. They find employment in NGOs, government ministries, international organisations, community-based organisations, and academic institutions. The programme is offered at Maseno University as BA Gender Studies with IT, housed in the Institute of Gender Studies.

The programme integrates IT skills to enhance graduates' competitiveness in the modern workplace. Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ or a Grade C plain with a relevant diploma, following standard humanities cluster requirements.

Skills RequiredGender analysisFeminist research methodsPolicy analysisAdvocacyProject managementGender mainstreamingData analysisCommunity engagementKey SubjectsIntroduction to Gender StudiesFeminist TheoryGender and CultureGender and DevelopmentGender MainstreamingGender and LawGender and HealthResearch MethodsGender StatisticsGender Policy AnalysisCertificationsGender Mainstreaming Certification (UN System)Project Management Professional (PMP)SpecializationsGender TheoryStudy of feminist theories, gender frameworks, and evolving concepts of gender identity and roles.

Gender and DevelopmentApplication of gender analysis to development policy, planning, and programme implementation. Gender and LawLegal frameworks for gender equality, women's rights, and gender-based violence prevention.

Gender and HealthGender dimensions of health, including reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and healthcare access.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Job market: High

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 Gender Studies
Feminist Theory
Gender and Culture
Gender and Development
Gender Mainstreaming
Gender and Law
Gender and Health
Research Methods
Gender Statistics
Gender Policy Analysis

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Gender Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts and theories in gender studies, including sex and gender distinctions, gender roles, and social construction of gender.
Feminist Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of feminist theories from liberal, radical, socialist, and postcolonial perspectives, with attention to African feminism.
Gender and Culture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of how cultural practices and beliefs shape gender relations across different societies.
Gender and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theoretical frameworks linking gender and development, including WID and GAD approaches.
Gender Mainstreaming
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategies and tools for integrating gender perspectives into policies, programmes, and institutional practices.
Gender and Law
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Legal frameworks for gender equality, women's rights, and gender-based violence prevention.
Gender Statistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Collection, analysis, and interpretation of sex-disaggregated data for gender-responsive planning.
Gender and Health
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Gender dimensions of health, including reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and healthcare access.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Practical attachment in an NGO, government department, or international organisation working on gender issues.
Gender Policy Analysis
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of gender-responsive policies and legislative frameworks at national and international levels.
Research Methods in Gender Studies
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for gender studies, including feminist research methodologies and ethical considerations.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a gender studies topic, involving field research and a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Gender Theory
Study of feminist theories, gender frameworks, and evolving concepts of gender identity and roles. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Gender and Development
Application of gender analysis to development policy, planning, and programme implementation. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Gender and Law
Legal frameworks for gender equality, women's rights, and gender-based violence prevention. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Gender and Health
Gender dimensions of health, including reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and healthcare access. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Gender and Education
Gender issues in education, including access, curriculum, pedagogy, and outcomes. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theoretical study with practical analysis. Morning sessions cover gender theory, feminist thought, or research methods, while afternoons focus on seminars, group discussions, and case studies. Students analyse policies, conduct community assessments, and design gender-responsive interventions. Guest lectures from practitioners provide real-world insights. The industrial attachment offers hands-on experience in a gender-focused organisation.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's constitutional two-thirds gender rule creates strong policy demand for gender specialists.
Programme integrates IT skills, enhancing graduates' competitiveness in the modern workplace.
Diverse career paths in NGOs, government, international organisations, and academia.
Maseno University's Institute of Gender Studies provides a dedicated, multidisciplinary environment.

Against it

Programme is offered at a limited number of universities, reducing institutional choice.
Many gender-focused roles are in the NGO sector, which can be vulnerable to funding fluctuations.
Some employers may undervalue gender studies qualifications compared to traditional social science degrees.
Fieldwork and community engagement can be challenging, requiring travel and sensitive topic discussions.

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

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 BA 153,000/yr; UoN BA 189,004/yr (KUCCPS). Private unverified. Src: KU website, KUCCPS

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Some international organisations offer internship stipends for gender studies students.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

5 recorded

University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C (Plain) with a Diploma in Gender Studies, Social Work, Community Development, or a related field; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the Maseno University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written assignments, essays, presentations, and class participation during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering gender theory, research methods, and policy analysis.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of attachment performance in a gender-focused organisation, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving field research, data analysis, and 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

Gender Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Designs and implements gender-responsive programmes in NGOs, government, or international organisations.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Conducts research on gender topics for academic institutions, NGOs, or research organisations.
Programme Coordinator
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Coordinates development programmes with gender components, managing implementation and reporting.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Analyses and develops gender-responsive policies for government or advocacy organisations.
Advocacy Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000
Coordinates advocacy campaigns for gender equality and women's rights.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Works with communities to implement gender-responsive development initiatives.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as gender officers, researchers, policy analysts, and advocacy coordinators. Demand is high due to Kenya's constitutional gender requirements and global development agendas.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for gender statistics and social research.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysisPrimary
Spreadsheet software for data management and reporting.
NVivo
Qualitative research
Qualitative data analysis software for interviews and text data.
Google Workspace
Productivity
Cloud-based productivity tools for collaboration and project coordination.
KoboToolbox
Data collection
Open-source data collection tool for field surveys.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Gender studies is only about women's issues.
The programme examines gender as a social system affecting all genders, including masculinity studies and intersectional analysis.
A gender studies degree has limited career prospects.
Kenya's constitution requires two-thirds gender representation, and NGOs, government, and international organisations actively recruit gender specialists.
Gender studies is just common sense.
The programme involves rigorous theoretical frameworks, research methods, statistical analysis, and policy analysis grounded in social science methodologies.
Gender studies is only for women.
The programme is open to all genders, and male graduates are increasingly sought after for gender mainstreaming roles.