Bachelor of Arts in Literature
The Bachelor of Arts in Literature is a four-year degree programme that equips students with critical and analytical skills for the study of literary works across genres, periods, and cultures.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 189,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 756,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 225,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 14 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers literary studies, literary theory and criticism, creative writing, Kenyan literature, African literature, European literature, American literature, comparative literature, oral literature, drama and theatre, poetry, prose fiction, and research methods.
Students develop competencies in literary analysis, critical writing, creative writing, research methods, public speaking, and performance. The programme combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical criticism workshops, and creative writing sessions.
Graduates pursue careers as teachers, writers, editors, literary critics, journalists, publishers, playwrights, content developers, and arts administrators. They find employment in schools, universities, publishing firms, media houses, theatres, cultural organisations, and communications agencies.
The programme is offered at the University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Kisii University, and Pwani University. Annual tuition fees for government-sponsored students range from KSH 122,400 at Maseno University to KSH 138,720 at Pwani University.
Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ or equivalent, following KUCCPS cluster subject requirements. The programme also accepts A-level holders with two principal passes and diploma holders with relevant qualifications.
What you study
10 subjects- Literary Studies
- Literary Theory and Criticism
- Creative Writing
- Kenyan Literature
- African Literature
- European Literature
- Oral Literature
- Drama and Theatre
- Poetry
- Prose Fiction
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Literary Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of literary study, including genre, form, literary devices, and approaches to textual analysis.
Kenyan Literature
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Survey of Kenyan literary traditions, including oral literature, postcolonial writing, and contemporary Kenyan authors.
Classical Theories of Literature
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Classical and traditional theories of literature, including Aristotle, Plato, and classical aesthetic principles.
African Literature
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of African literary traditions across regions, including oral literature, francophone and anglophone writing, and postcolonial themes.
Literary Theories and Criticism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Modern literary theories including formalism, structuralism, poststructuralism, postcolonialism, and feminist criticism.
Oral Literature
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of oral literary traditions in Africa, including performance, transmission, classification, and preservation of oral literature.
European Literature
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of European literary traditions from classical to modern periods, including major authors, movements, and genres.
Creative Writing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical workshop in creative writing, including fiction, poetry, and drama, with peer review and revision processes.
Drama and Theatre Studies
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of dramatic literature and theatre, including play analysis, performance theory, and practical theatre production.
Comparative Literature
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative study of literary traditions across cultures, languages, and historical periods, identifying themes and influences.
Research Methods in Literature
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for literary studies, including textual analysis, archival research, and literary historiography.
Research Project in Literature
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project involving original literary research or creative work, assessed by supervisor and external examiner.
Specialisations
Creative Writing
Focus on the production of original creative works including fiction, poetry, and drama. 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.
Literary Theory and Criticism
Focus on theoretical frameworks for analysing literature and applying critical methods to literary texts.
African Literature
Focus on the study of African literary traditions, including oral literature, postcolonial literature, and contemporary African writing.
Comparative Literature
Focus on comparing literary traditions across cultures, languages, and historical periods. 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.
Drama and Theatre Studies
Focus on dramatic literature, theatre history, performance theory, and practical theatre production.
A day as a student
A typical day combines lectures, seminars, and practical criticism workshops. Morning sessions cover literary theory, African literature, or comparative literature, while afternoons focus on creative writing workshops, dramatic performance practicals, or research methods. Students engage in close reading of literary texts, analytical essay writing, and group discussions on contemporary literary issues. Creative writing sessions involve producing original poetry, fiction, and drama. Students participate in the university literary club, attend theatre performances, and contribute to campus publications.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme develops critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills valued across multiple industries. | Entry-level salaries for literature graduates are often modest compared to technical and business professions. |
| Programme covers literature from diverse cultures and periods, providing broad cultural and intellectual perspective. | Teaching careers require additional certification from the Teachers Service Commission. |
| Creative writing component allows students to develop original creative works alongside analytical skills. | Pure literary career opportunities may be limited outside major urban centres and academic institutions. |
| Kenya's growing creative economy and publishing industry create diverse career opportunities. | Programme requires extensive reading and writing, which may be demanding for some students. |
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 coursesAnnual 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 144K-189K/yr. KU 153K/yr. Daystar ~226K/yr (official). CUEA unverified.
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 Bursaries
Scholarships
4 recordedCounty 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.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points for participating universities.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at their respective universities.
Scholarships you could apply for
13 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent; OR KACE with two principal passes in relevant subjects; OR a diploma from a recognised institution; OR International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 24 out of 45 points.
When it next starts
Taught at 14 institutionsIncluding Pwani University, University of Nairobi, Machakos University.
Including Pwani University, University of Nairobi, Machakos University.
Including Pwani University, University of Nairobi, Machakos University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular analytical essays, seminar presentations, creative writing portfolios, and practical criticism exercises.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering literary texts, theories, and critical analysis.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project involving original literary research or creative work, assessed by supervisor and external examiner.
Creative Writing Portfolio
Portfolio100% of the mark
Assessment of original creative works including fiction, poetry, and drama produced during the programme.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesTeacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches literature and English in secondary schools, requiring TSC certification.
Writer
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 100,000
Produces original creative or content writing for publications, media, and digital platforms.
Editor
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Edits publications for content, style, and accuracy in publishing houses and media organisations.
Literary Critic
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Reviews and analyses literary works for publications, media, and academic journals.
Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 95,000
Reports and writes on cultural, literary, and arts topics for media organisations.
Publisher
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages publishing processes including manuscript acquisition, editing, and production in publishing firms.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as teachers, writers, editors, journalists, and literary critics. Demand is moderate with opportunities in Kenya's growing creative economy.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for essays, research papers, and creative writing projects.
Scrivener
Writing
Writing software for long-form creative and academic writing projects.
Google Scholar
Research database
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature and literary criticism.
Zotero
Reference management
Reference management software for organising sources and citations in literary research.
Grammarly
Writing assistance
Writing assistance tool for grammar, style, and clarity in academic and creative writing.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Literature is just about reading novels for pleasure.
Literature involves rigorous analytical study of texts using theoretical frameworks, critical methods, and historical contexts to understand literary phenomena.
Literature graduates can only become teachers.
Graduates work as writers, editors, journalists, publishers, literary critics, arts administrators, and content developers across multiple industries.
Studying literature is not practical in the job market.
Literature develops critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that are highly valued in publishing, media, communications, and creative industries.
Literature only covers Western classics.
The programme covers literature from all continents including African, Asian, European, and American traditions, from classical to contemporary periods.