Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies is a four-year degree programme that provides students with comprehensive understanding of Islam as a religion, its history, theology, law, and cultural impact.

The curriculum covers Quranic studies, Hadith sciences, Islamic theology (Aqida), Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Islamic history and civilisation, Arabic language, comparative religion, Islamic ethics, contemporary Islamic thought, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in textual analysis, theological reasoning, historical research, Arabic comprehension, comparative religious analysis, ethical reasoning, and community engagement. The programme combines lectures, seminars, research projects, and practical exercises.

Graduates pursue careers as Islamic studies educators, religious affairs officers, community development officers, interfaith dialogue specialists, chaplains, researchers, and university lecturers. They find employment in educational institutions, religious organisations, government departments, NGOs, and community-based organisations.

The programme is offered at Pwani University through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Pwani University is a public university located in Kilifi, at the Kenyan coast. The KUCCPS programme code is 1117630, with annual fees of KSH 138,720 for government-sponsored students and KSH 116,280 for self-sponsored students.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in the relevant subject (CRE, IRE, or HRE) and C in English or Kiswahili, following Pwani University entry requirements. The programme also accepts diploma holders in Theology or Religion from recognised institutions.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 202,800
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Quranic Studies
Hadith Sciences
Islamic Theology (Aqida)
Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)
Islamic History and Civilisation
Arabic Language
Comparative Religion
Islamic Ethics
Contemporary Islamic Thought
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Islamic Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of Islamic studies, including the scope, sources, and methods of studying Islam.
Quranic Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of the Quran, including its structure, themes, interpretation methods, and sciences.
Hadith Sciences
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of Prophetic traditions, their authentication, classification, and role in Islamic thought.
Islamic Theology (Aqida)
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of Islamic belief systems, theological schools, and doctrinal development.
Islamic History and Civilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of Islamic history from early Islam to contemporary times, including cultural and intellectual contributions.
Arabic Language for Islamic Studies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Arabic language skills essential for engaging with primary Islamic texts and classical scholarship.
Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to Islamic legal rulings and their application in worship, transactions, and social relations.
Comparative Religion
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative study of Islam with other world religions, examining theological and ethical perspectives.
Contemporary Islamic Thought
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of modern Islamic movements, reform, and Islam's engagement with modernity and pluralism.
Research Methods in Religious Studies
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods in Religious Studies: Research design and methodology for studying Islam and religious phenomena. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and rep...
Islamic Ethics and Society
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of Islamic ethical frameworks and their application to contemporary social issues.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Final-year research project involving original research on an Islamic studies topic and a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Quranic and Hadith Studies
In-depth study of the Quran and Prophetic traditions, including interpretation methods and sciences.
Islamic Theology (Aqida)
Study of Islamic belief systems, theological schools, and doctrinal development. 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.
Islamic History and Civilisation
Examination of Islamic history from early Islam to contemporary times, including cultural and intellectual contributions.
Comparative Religion
Comparative study of Islam with other world religions, examining areas of convergence and divergence.
Contemporary Islamic Thought
Study of modern Islamic movements, reform, and Islam's engagement with modernity and pluralism. 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 classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary academic study. Morning sessions cover Quranic studies, Islamic theology, or Islamic history, while afternoons focus on Arabic language, comparative religion, and research methods. Students engage in textual analysis of primary Islamic sources, group discussions on contemporary Islamic thought, and research projects. The programme examines Islam's interaction with modernity and pluralism. Guest lectures by visiting scholars and religious leaders complement classroom instruction. Field visits to mosques and Islamic institutions provide practical exposure.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at a public university with affordable fees compared to private alternatives.
Located at the Kenyan coast with significant Muslim population, providing practical engagement opportunities.
Programme combines classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary academic approaches.
Available on both full-time and part-time basis, accommodating working professionals.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Career opportunities are primarily within Muslim communities and religious institutions.
Programme requires proficiency in Arabic for full engagement with primary Islamic texts.
Limited awareness of the programme may affect employer recognition outside religious institutions.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private199k to 203k

199k at Daystar University203k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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). Daystar 199,200/yr, CUEA 202,800/yr (official).

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Pwani University offers bursaries for needy students. Islamic charitable organisations may provide additional scholarships.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Pwani University Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Pwani University.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points for Pwani University.
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: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in IRE/CRE/HRE and C in English/Kiswahili; OR KCSE mean grade C (Plain) with a Diploma in Theology or Religion from a recognised institution; OR KCSE mean grade C- (Minus) with a Certificate and Diploma in Theology or Religion from recognised institutions; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, textual analysis exercises, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering Islamic theology, history, jurisprudence, and Arabic language.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original research on an Islamic studies topic and a written dissertation.
Practical Attachment
Practical100% of the mark
Third-year attachment in a relevant institution such as a religious organisation, school, or NGO.

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

Islamic Studies Educator
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Teaches Islamic studies in schools, madrasas, or Islamic educational institutions.
Religious Affairs Officer
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Manages religious affairs in government departments, NGOs, or community organisations.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Implements community development programmes in Muslim communities using Islamic principles.
Interfaith Dialogue Specialist
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Facilitates interfaith dialogue and peace-building initiatives between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
Research Assistant
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 60,000
Conducts research on Islamic studies topics for universities or research institutions.
Chaplain
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Provides spiritual support and guidance in institutions such as hospitals, prisons, or universities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as Islamic studies educators, religious affairs officers, community development officers, and interfaith dialogue specialists. Demand is low to moderate with opportunities in Muslim-majority regions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for research papers, essays, and project reports.
Arabic Text Software
Language toolsPrimary
Software for processing and analysing Arabic texts and classical Islamic scholarship.
Google Scholar
Research database
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature on Islamic studies.
Al-Maktabah Al-Shamila
Research database
Digital library of classical Islamic texts and scholarly works for research.
EndNote
Reference management
Reference management software for organising sources and citations in research papers.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Islamic studies is only for those intending to become religious leaders.
Graduates work in diverse fields including education, community development, research, interfaith dialogue, and social work.
The programme is only relevant in Muslim-majority areas.
Islamic studies expertise is valuable across Kenya for interfaith engagement, education, and cultural understanding.
Islamic studies has no career prospects in secular Kenya.
Graduates' skills in textual analysis, ethics, and community engagement are applicable in NGOs, government, education, and counselling.
The programme is exclusively for Muslim students.
While rooted in Islamic tradition, the programme is open to all students interested in understanding Islam and its role in society.