Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in international relations and security studies. The programme falls under the Humanities & Social Sciences category and typically spans 4 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers International Relations Theory, Diplomatic Practice, International Law, Security Studies, Conflict Analysis, Terrorism and Counterterrorism. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Conflict assessment, Cross-Cultural Communication, Diplomatic negotiation, Intelligence Analysis, International Relations Theory. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Security Studies, Diplomatic Theory and Practice, International Law, Conflict Analysis and Resolution. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, Conflict and Security Studies, Intelligence and Counterterrorism. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies pursue careers as Security Analyst, Diplomatic Service Officer, Policy Researcher, NGO Programme Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

International Relations Theory
Diplomatic Practice
International Law
Security Studies
Conflict Analysis
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Intelligence Studies
Foreign Policy
Regional Security
Peace-Building

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to International Relations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of international relations, including the international system, state sovereignty, and major theories.
Introduction to Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to security studies, covering traditional and non-traditional security threats and frameworks.
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of diplomatic theory, practices, protocols, and the role of diplomacy in international relations.
International Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of international law, including treaties, humanitarian law, and international dispute resolution.
Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and methods for analysing conflicts and designing resolution strategies in international contexts.
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of terrorism dynamics, root causes, and counterterrorism strategies in the international system.
Intelligence Studies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to intelligence analysis, collection methods, and the role of intelligence in national security.
Regional Security in Africa
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examination of security challenges and conflict dynamics in East Africa and the broader African continent.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of foreign policy formulation and implementation, with emphasis on security considerations.
Research Methods in International Relations
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for studying international relations and security issues.
Peace-Building and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of peace-building strategies, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction in international affairs.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Final-year research project involving original research on an international relations and security studies topic.

Specialisations

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Study of diplomatic practices, foreign policy formulation, and bilateral and multilateral relations with security dimensions.
Conflict and Security Studies
Examination of conflict dynamics, security challenges, and peace-building strategies in regional and global contexts.
Intelligence and Counterterrorism
Study of intelligence analysis, terrorism dynamics, and counterterrorism strategies in the international system.
Regional Security in Africa
Examination of security challenges and conflict dynamics in East Africa and the broader African continent.
Peace-Building and Conflict Resolution
Study of peace-building strategies, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction in international affairs.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theoretical study with practical analysis of global security challenges. Morning sessions cover international relations theory, diplomatic practice, or security studies, while afternoons focus on seminars, conflict analysis exercises, and research methods. Students engage in case studies on regional conflicts, terrorism, and peace-building strategies. Group discussions and policy brief exercises develop analytical and communication skills. Guest lectures by security professionals, diplomats, and international organisation staff complement classroom learning.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme uniquely combines international relations with security studies, offering a specialised skill set.
Kenya's regional security challenges and diplomatic role create demand for graduates with combined expertise.
Diverse career paths in government security agencies, diplomacy, NGOs, research, and international organisations.
Programme prepares students for postgraduate studies in diplomacy, international security, or conflict studies.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Private university fees at KSH 242,800 per year are relatively high compared to public university alternatives.
Security-related government positions may require additional security clearance and training.
Programme is not available through KUCCPS as a separate listing, limiting government sponsorship options.

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. Daystar University offers financial aid and flexible payment plans for needy students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Scholarship
Students placed by KUCCPS in recognised universities
Daystar University Financial Aid
Scholarship
Academically outstanding and financially needy students

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Daystar University Financial Aid
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Daystar University.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points for Daystar University.

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+ or equivalent; OR 5 credits in IGCSE with 2 credit passes at A level; OR Division 2 in GCE; OR relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university.

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 IR theory, security studies, and diplomatic practice.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original research on an international relations and security topic.
Practical Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Case study analyses, conflict assessment exercises, and security scenario simulations.

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

Security Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Analyses security threats and trends for government agencies, think tanks, or private security consultancies.
Diplomatic Service Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Serves in Kenyan embassies and consulates, handling diplomatic relations with security dimensions.
Policy Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Conducts research on international relations and security policy for think tanks or research institutions.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages programmes in international NGOs focusing on peace-building, conflict resolution, or security.
Intelligence Research Assistant
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Supports intelligence analysis and reporting in government security agencies.
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Facilitates conflict resolution and peace-building initiatives in community or international settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as security analysts, diplomatic service officers, policy researchers, and NGO programme officers. Demand is moderate with Kenya's security challenges and regional diplomatic role.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

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

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Security studies only leads to military or police careers.
Graduates work in diverse fields including diplomacy, NGOs, research, intelligence analysis, and international organisations.
The programme is only about war and terrorism.
The programme covers diplomacy, conflict resolution, peace-building, international law, and development alongside security studies.
International relations and security studies has limited relevance in Kenya.
Kenya faces regional security challenges and hosts numerous international organisations, creating demand for security-aware IR professionals.
The programme is too specialised for broad career opportunities.
The combination of international relations and security studies opens doors in government, NGOs, international business, research, and journalism.