Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy is a four-year degree programme that equips students with advanced analytical tools and substantive knowledge to understand and address complex global challenges.

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

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

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

The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya, Mount Kenya University, Zetech University, and Riara University. Public university fees range from KSH 135,000 to KSH 153,000 per year, while private university fees range from KSH 105,000 to KSH 174,000 per year.

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 is grounded in strong training in research design and methodology, distinguishing it from traditional international relations programmes.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 223,000
Private, up to: Ksh 194,600
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
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
International Law
Foreign Policy Analysis
International Political Economy
Conflict Studies
Regional Integration
Research Methods
Media and International Affairs
Sustainable International Development

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.
Introduction to Diplomacy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of diplomacy, including diplomatic history, types of diplomacy, and diplomatic protocol.
International Relations Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theoretical frameworks for understanding international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
International Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of international law, including treaties, state sovereignty, and international dispute resolution mechanisms.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of foreign policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in selected countries.
International Political Economy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of the interaction between politics and economics in the international system, including trade and finance.
Conflict Studies and Peace-Building
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of conflict dynamics, causes, and peace-building strategies in international affairs.
Regional Integration in Africa
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of regional integration processes in Africa, including the EAC, ECOWAS, and the African Union.
Research Methods in International Relations
Year 3Semester 13 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.
Kenya's Foreign Policy
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of Kenya's foreign policy, diplomatic history, and role in regional and international affairs.
Internship and Research Project
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Three-month internship in a diplomatic mission, international organisation, or NGO, 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 negotiations.
International Security and Conflict Management
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, finance, and development.
Regional Integration and African Studies
Study of regional organisations and integration processes, with emphasis on East Africa and the African continent.
Media and International Affairs
Examination of the role of media in shaping international relations, public diplomacy, and global public opinion.
Sustainable International Development
Study of sustainable development challenges and strategies in the international context, including the SDGs.

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, diplomatic simulations, and policy analysis exercises. Students engage in case studies on current international issues, group discussions, and research methods workshops. Guest lectures by diplomats, policy analysts, and international organisation professionals complement classroom learning. A three-month internship in the final year provides hands-on experience in diplomatic missions, international organisations, or NGOs.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at multiple universities providing institutional choice and competitive fees.
Strong emphasis on research design and methodology, distinguishing it from traditional IR programmes.
Mandatory three-month internship provides practical experience in diplomatic and international settings.
Kenya's role as a regional diplomatic hub with UN headquarters creates demand for graduates.

Against it

Diplomatic careers require passing competitive foreign service examinations.
Private university fees vary significantly, from KSH 105,000 to KSH 174,000 per year.
International organisation positions often require postgraduate qualifications and experience.
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 223k

153k at Kenyatta University223k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 195k

105k at Mount Kenya University195k at Riara 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, Riara 194,600/yr.

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 Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
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.
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 diplomatic theory, international law, and global affairs.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original research on an international relations and diplomacy 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 Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Coordinates 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 and diplomacy topics for universities or think tanks.
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 coordinators. 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 and diplomacy only leads to careers in embassies.
Graduates work in diverse fields including NGOs, international business, research, journalism, and government policy.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application.
The programme includes diplomatic simulations, a mandatory three-month internship, and policy analysis exercises.
Diplomacy is only about attending formal events and protocol.
Modern diplomacy involves trade negotiation, conflict resolution, development cooperation, and public diplomacy.
The programme has limited job opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya hosts numerous embassies, UN agencies, and international NGOs, creating demand for diplomacy graduates.