Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in History and International Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in History and International Studies is a four-year degree programme that combines historical analysis with the study of international relations, diplomacy, and global affairs. The curriculum covers African history, European history, international relations theory, diplomatic history, international organisations, foreign policy analysis, global governance, conflict and security studies, political history, historiography, research methods, and Kenya's foreign policy.

Students develop competencies in historical research, policy analysis, diplomatic communication, critical thinking, comparative analysis, academic writing, and international affairs analysis. The programme combines lectures, seminars, research projects, and independent study.

Graduates pursue careers as diplomatic officers, foreign service officers, policy analysts, researchers, international organisation officers, civil servants, and teachers. They find employment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international organisations, NGOs, research institutions, universities, and media organisations.

The programme is offered at Egerton University (KUCCPS code 1057622) at KSH 179,100 per year. Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in History and Government, following KUCCPS cluster 14 requirements for History, Archaeology and Related programmes. Skills RequiredHistorical researchPolicy analysisDiplomatic communicationCritical thinkingComparative analysisInternational affairs analysisAcademic writingConflict analysisKey SubjectsAfrican HistoryEuropean HistoryInternational Relations TheoryDiplomatic HistoryInternational OrganisationsForeign Policy AnalysisGlobal GovernanceConflict and Security StudiesHistoriographyResearch MethodsCertificationsKenya Foreign Service Academy TrainingPostgraduate Diploma in Education (PDE)SpecializationsDiplomatic HistoryStudy of diplomatic relations, foreign policy decisions, and their historical context from the 19th century to the present.

International Relations TheoryTheoretical frameworks for understanding international relations, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and post-colonial perspectives. African International RelationsStudy of Africa's role in international affairs, including Pan-Africanism, regional integration, and Africa's relations with global powers.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 223,000
Private, up to: Ksh 199,200
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

African History
European History
International Relations Theory
Diplomatic History
International Organisations
Foreign Policy Analysis
Global Governance
Conflict and Security Studies
Historiography
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to African History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of African history from pre-colonial societies to contemporary developments.
Introduction to International Relations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts and theories of international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
Diplomatic History since 1815
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of diplomatic relations and international system developments from the Congress of Vienna to the present.
History of Europe since 1789
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of European political, economic, and social transformations from the French Revolution to the present.
International Organisations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of international organisations including the UN, AU, EAC, and their role in global governance.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories and methods for analysing foreign policy decision-making, with emphasis on African states.
Conflict and Security Studies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of conflicts, security challenges, and peace-building in historical and contemporary contexts.
Africa in International Affairs
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of Africa's role in international relations, including Pan-Africanism, regional integration, and external relations.
Research Methods in History and International Studies
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods for historical and international studies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Kenya's Foreign Policy
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of Kenya's foreign policy from independence to the present, including regional and global engagements.
Historiography
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of historical writing, philosophical approaches to history, and major historiographical debates.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project involving original research on a historical or international studies topic and a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Diplomatic History
Study of diplomatic relations, foreign policy decisions, and their historical context from the 19th century to the present.
International Relations Theory
Theoretical frameworks for understanding international relations, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and post-colonial perspectives.
African International Relations
Study of Africa's role in international affairs, including Pan-Africanism, regional integration, and Africa's relations with global powers.
Conflict and Security Studies
Examination of conflicts, security challenges, and peace-building efforts in historical and contemporary contexts.
Global Governance
Study of international organisations, global governance structures, and their role in managing international affairs.

A day as a student

A typical day combines historical analysis with international affairs study. Morning sessions cover diplomatic history, international relations theory, or African history, while afternoons focus on seminars, policy analysis exercises, and research methods. Students analyse historical documents, debate international issues, and write policy briefs. Model UN simulations, guest lectures by diplomats, and research projects complement classroom learning. Library research and independent study are central to the programme.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines history with international relations, providing versatile career skills for diplomacy and public service.
Egerton University has established departments in history, peace, and security studies.
Kenya's active role in regional and international affairs creates career opportunities in foreign service.
Programme develops analytical and communication skills transferable to diverse professional fields.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Higher fees compared to plain BA History at other universities.
Entering the foreign service requires competitive selection beyond academic qualifications.
Research-intensive programme requires significant reading and writing commitment.

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 223k

153k at Kenyatta University223k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 199k

105k at Mount Kenya University199k 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

UoN BA Intl Studies 223,000/yr, KU 153,000/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 105,000/yr, Daystar 199,200/yr.

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Egerton University offers internal bursaries and an Endowment Scholarship Fund.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Egerton University Endowment Scholarship Fund
University scholarshipKenyan
Registered students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need at Egerton University.
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

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; OR Diploma in History, International Relations, or related field from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the Egerton University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, policy briefs, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering historical content, international relations theory, and analysis.
Research Essays
Coursework100% of the mark
Extended research essays requiring independent research, source analysis, and academic writing.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original research on a historical or international studies topic 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

Foreign Service Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Serves in Kenya's diplomatic missions and foreign service, requiring competitive selection by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Analyses policy issues for government, think tanks, or research institutions, applying historical and international perspectives.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Conducts historical and international relations research for universities, think tanks, or research organisations.
International Organisation Officer
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Works in international organisations such as the UN, AU, or EAC in programme or administrative roles.
Civil Servant
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Works in government ministries applying analytical and research skills in administration and policy support.
History Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Teaches history at secondary schools, requiring a Postgraduate Diploma in Education or BEd qualification.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as diplomatic officers, policy analysts, researchers, and international organisation officers. Demand is moderate with opportunities in foreign service and international affairs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

EndNote
Reference managementPrimary
Reference management software for organising sources and citations in historical and international research.
Zotero
Reference managementPrimary
Open-source reference management tool for collecting, organising, and citing research sources.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for research papers, policy briefs, and presentations.
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis software for quantitative research in international studies.
Google Scholar
Research database
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature on historical and international topics.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

History and International Studies only leads to teaching.
Graduates pursue careers in diplomacy, foreign service, policy analysis, international organisations, and research.
The programme is just history with a different name.
The programme integrates international relations theory, diplomatic history, and global governance with historical analysis.
International studies graduates automatically become diplomats.
While the programme provides relevant knowledge, entering the foreign service requires competitive selection processes and additional training.
The programme is not practical.
Students develop analytical, research, and communication skills through policy briefs, model UN simulations, and research projects.