Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations is a four-year degree programme that equips students with knowledge and analytical tools to understand and address national, regional, and international issues.

The curriculum covers contemporary global systems, world history, international affairs, diplomatic theory, international law, foreign policy analysis, conflict studies, international political economy, regional integration, research methods, and media and international affairs.

Students develop competencies in diplomatic analysis, policy evaluation, research design, cross-cultural communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and international relations theory. The programme combines lectures, seminars, research projects, and a three-month internship in the final year.

Graduates pursue careers as diplomats, foreign service officers, policy analysts, international organisation officers, NGO programme officers, political advisors, researchers, and international business consultants. They find employment in government ministries, embassies, international organisations, NGOs, research institutions, and private sector companies.

The programme is offered at multiple universities including Maseno University, Rongo University, Technical University of Kenya, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Daystar University, Kenya Methodist University, Mount Kenya University, and Zetech University.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili, following KUCCPS cluster subject requirements. The programme emphasises emerging trends in diplomacy and strong training in research design and methodology.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Contemporary Global System
World History
International Affairs
Diplomatic Theory
International Law
Foreign Policy Analysis
Conflict Studies
International Political Economy
Regional Integration
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Contemporary Global System
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to the structure and dynamics of the contemporary international system, including major powers and institutions.
World History and Africa
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
World History and Africa: Survey of world history with emphasis on Africa's place in the global system. Covers historical analysis, source evaluation, and interpretation of past events.
Introduction to International Relations Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundational theories of international relations including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories.
International Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of international law, including treaties, state sovereignty, and international dispute resolution.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of foreign policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in selected countries.
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of diplomatic theory, practices, protocols, and the role of diplomacy in international relations.
International Political Economy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of the interaction between politics and economics in the international system, including trade and finance.
Conflict Studies and Peace-Building
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examination of conflict dynamics, causes, and peace-building strategies in international affairs.
Regional Integration in Africa
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of regional integration processes in Africa, including the EAC, ECOWAS, and the African Union.
Research Methods in International Relations
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for studying international relations, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
Media and International Affairs
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Role of media in shaping international relations, public diplomacy, and global public opinion.
Internship and Research Project
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Three-month internship in a relevant organisation plus a research project on an international relations topic.

Specialisations

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Study of diplomatic practices, foreign policy formulation, and bilateral and multilateral relations.
International Security and Conflict Studies
Examination of security challenges, conflict dynamics, and peace-building strategies in global affairs.
International Political Economy
Study of the interaction between politics and economics in the international system, including trade and development.
Regional Integration
Study of regional organisations and integration processes, particularly in East Africa and the African continent.
Media and International Affairs
Examination of the role of media in shaping international relations and public diplomacy. 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 of global affairs. Morning sessions cover diplomatic theory, international law, or contemporary global systems, while afternoons focus on seminars, policy analysis exercises, and research methods. Students engage in case studies, diplomatic simulations, and group discussions on current international issues. Guest lectures by diplomats, policy analysts, and international organisation professionals complement classroom learning. A three-month internship in the final year provides real-world experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at multiple universities providing institutional choice and competitive fees.
Kenya's role as a regional diplomatic hub with UN headquarters creates demand for graduates.
Diverse career paths in diplomacy, NGOs, international business, research, and government.
Programme includes internship providing practical experience in international organisations.

Against it

Diplomatic careers require passing competitive foreign service examinations.
Private university fees vary significantly, from KSH 105,000 to KSH 242,800 per year.
International organisation positions often require postgraduate qualifications.
Programme requires strong interest in global affairs and continuous awareness of current events.

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

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 189,004/yr, KU 153,000/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 105,000/yr, Daystar 199,200/yr (official).

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities offer internal bursaries for needy students.

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.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at respective universities.
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 and a subsidiary pass; OR a degree from a recognised university; OR KCSE mean grade C- with a Diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the 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 international relations theory, diplomacy, and global affairs.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original research on an international relations topic.
Internship Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of three-month internship performance, including supervisor evaluation and written report.

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 120,000
Serves in Kenyan embassies and consulates, handling diplomatic relations and consular services.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Analyses international policy issues for government, think tanks, or research institutions.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages programmes in international NGOs focusing on development, humanitarian, or advocacy work.
International Organisation Officer
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Works in international organisations such as the UN, AU, or EAC in programme or administrative roles.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Conducts research on international relations topics for universities, think tanks, or research organisations.
Political Affairs Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Supports political analysis and reporting in government, embassies, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as diplomats, policy analysts, international organisation officers, and NGO programme officers. Demand is moderate with Kenya's role as a regional diplomatic hub.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for policy briefs, research papers, and diplomatic correspondence.
SPSS
Statistical analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for quantitative research in international relations.
LexisNexis
Research database
Legal and news research database for international law and policy research.
Google Scholar
Research database
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature on international relations.
EndNote
Reference management
Reference management software for organising sources and citations in research papers.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

International relations only leads to diplomacy careers.
Graduates work in diverse fields including NGOs, international business, research, journalism, and policy analysis.
The programme is just about studying wars and conflicts.
The programme covers diplomacy, trade, development, regional integration, media, and sustainable development alongside security studies.
International relations graduates become politicians.
While some enter politics, most work as analysts, researchers, diplomats, and advisors supporting international engagement.
The programme has limited career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya hosts numerous international organisations, embassies, and NGOs, creating demand for international relations professionals.