Law

Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights

This programme prepares students to understand, promote, and protect human rights, combining the study of human rights theory with practical skills in advocacy, research, and policy engagement. Students learn to analyse human rights frameworks, understand international and Kenyan human rights law, conduct human rights research, design advocacy campaigns, monitor and document human rights violations, and engage with human rights institutions.

The programme builds skills in human rights theory, international human rights law, the Kenyan Constitution and Bill of Rights, human rights advocacy, human rights research and documentation, humanitarian law, gender and human rights, transitional justice, human rights and development, conflict and peace studies, and research methods.

Graduates apply these skills to work in human rights organisations, civil society, government, international organisations, legal aid, and research institutions, contributing to the protection and promotion of human rights in Kenya and Africa.

Students examine how legal frameworks, political systems, social structures, cultural practices, conflict, and international dynamics shape human rights across Kenya, from the constitutional reforms of 2010 to contemporary challenges including police accountability, gender-based violence, corruption, and the rights of marginalised communities.

The programme combines classroom lectures, human rights case analysis, moot courts and simulated advocacy exercises, field research, policy analysis, independent research, industrial attachment, and a final year research project.

Graduates pursue careers in human rights advocacy, research, policy analysis, programme management, legal aid, monitoring and documentation, and education across civil society organisations, government departments, international organisations, and research institutions. The programme is ideal for students who are passionate about justice and human dignity, enjoy analytical and advocacy work, and want to build careers defending and promoting human rights in Kenya and beyond.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 105,000
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Human Rights Theory and Philosophy
International Human Rights Law
Kenyan Constitution and Bill of Rights
Human Rights Advocacy
Human Rights Research and Documentation
International Humanitarian Law
Gender and Human Rights
Transitional Justice
Human Rights and Development
Conflict and Peace Studies

Modules

12 in the programme

Human Rights Theory and Philosophy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of human rights, historical development, key concepts, universality and cultural relativism, and human rights theories.
International Human Rights Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
International human rights instruments, UN human rights system, regional human rights systems, and the international legal framework for human rights.
Kenyan Constitution and Bill of Rights
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
The 2010 Constitution of Kenya, the Bill of Rights, constitutional protections, enforcement mechanisms, and human rights under Kenyan law.
Human Rights Advocacy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advocacy strategies, campaign design, lobbying, media engagement, public interest litigation, and effective human rights advocacy techniques.
Human Rights Research and Documentation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods for human rights, documenting violations, fact-finding missions, human rights reporting, and monitoring techniques.
International Humanitarian Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Laws of armed conflict, Geneva Conventions, protection of civilians, humanitarian law in conflict situations, and international criminal justice.
Gender and Human Rights
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Women's rights as human rights, gender-based violence, CEDAW, gender equality frameworks, and the intersection of gender and human rights.
Transitional Justice
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Transitional justice mechanisms, truth commissions, accountability, reconciliation, and addressing past human rights violations.
Human Rights and Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Rights-based approaches to development, economic and social rights, the right to development, and integrating human rights into development practice.
Conflict and Peace Studies
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Conflict analysis, peace building, conflict resolution, human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations, and peace processes.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised attachment at a human rights organisation, civil society organisation, government commission, or international organisation, applying human rights skills.
Final Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on a human rights topic, assessed through written dissertation and oral defence.

Specialisations

Gender and Women's Rights
Concentrates on women's rights, gender equality, and addressing gender-based violence through a human rights framework.
Human Rights Advocacy
Focuses on advocacy strategies, campaign design, and engaging institutions to promote and protect human rights.
Human Rights Research and Documentation
Specialises in researching and documenting human rights violations, producing evidence for advocacy and accountability.
Transitional Justice and Conflict
Focuses on transitional justice, conflict resolution, and human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations.
Human Rights and Development
Concentrates on rights-based approaches to development, economic and social rights, and integrating human rights into development work.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on human rights theory, international law, or the Kenyan Constitution, followed by case study analysis of human rights situations, moot court exercises simulating human rights litigation, or advocacy strategy workshops. Field research involves documenting human rights issues in communities. Students also work on policy analysis, research papers, and advocacy campaign design.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's 2010 Constitution and the resulting constitutional commissions create institutional demand for human rights expertise.
Meaningful work contributing to justice, dignity, and the protection of fundamental rights for all Kenyans.
Provides strong analytical, research, and advocacy skills transferable across civil society, government, and international organisations.

Against it

Direct employment opportunities are limited, with many positions dependent on NGO and donor funding.
Human rights work can be emotionally demanding, dealing with violations, suffering, and injustice.
Human rights advocacy can face political resistance and security risks, particularly when challenging powerful interests.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 12 law courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 105k

105k at Mount Kenya University105k at Mount Kenya 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 189,004/yr, KU 153,000/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 105,000/yr (official). Strathmore unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some human rights organisations and international bodies offer grants for research and study.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders with credit pass in Law, Human Rights, Political Science, Sociology, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

English or Kiswahili
C (plain)
History and Government or CRE or IRE or any Group II, III, IV, or V subject
C (plain)
Any other subject
C (plain)
Any other subject
C (plain)

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Research Project
Research15% of the mark
Independent research project on a human rights topic, assessed through written dissertation and oral defence.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, legal analysis essays, case studies, advocacy project assignments, and seminar presentations throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam50% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering human rights theory, international law, Kenyan Constitution, and specialised human rights topics.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of supervised attachment at a human rights organisation. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). No mandatory professional licensing for human rights graduates, though legal aid work may require legal qualifications.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. This programme must be offered by a CUE-accredited university.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Programme Officer (Human Rights/ Governance)
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages human rights, governance, or democracy programmes at NGOs, UN agencies, or international organisations.
Human Rights Officer
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 160,000
Works in human rights organisations monitoring, documenting, and advocating for human rights protection.
Legal Aid Officer
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides legal aid and human rights support to vulnerable individuals and communities at legal aid organisations or civil society bodies.
Advocacy Coordinator
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs and coordinates advocacy campaigns for human rights organisations, engaging media, government, and the public.
Researcher / Policy Analyst
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 170,000
Conducts human rights research, analyses policies, and provides evidence for advocacy at research institutions or think tanks.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as human rights officers, advocacy coordinators, researchers, programme officers, legal aid workers, and policy analysts in civil society organisations, government, and international organisations. Starting salaries range from KES 40,000 to 65,000 per month, with experienced human rights professionals at international organisations earning KES 120,000 to 250,000.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Word
CreativePrimary
Google Drive
Cloud
Zoom
CloudPrimary
Google Docs
Cloud
Adobe Photoshop
Design

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Human Rights is just about activism and protests.
Human Rights is a rigorous academic discipline involving legal analysis, research, policy development, and institutional engagement. It combines theory with practical advocacy skills.
There are no jobs for human rights graduates in Kenya.
Kenya has a vibrant civil society sector with many human rights organisations. The 2010 Constitution created constitutional commissions like KNCHR that employ human rights professionals.
Human Rights is the same as Law.
While human rights involves legal frameworks, it also includes philosophy, sociology, politics, development, and advocacy. It is broader than a law degree.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.