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Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Resolution

The Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Resolution is a four-year degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills for understanding, managing, and resolving conflicts at personal, community, national, and international levels.

Duration
4 Years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 189,004
Ksh 756,016 total
Private tuition
Ksh 227,500
Ksh 910,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 189,004 a year at a public institution, Ksh 756,016 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 227,500 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 9 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The curriculum covers peace theories, conflict analysis, negotiation and mediation, international relations, human rights, peace education, gender and conflict, refugee studies, terrorism, post-conflict development, political economy of African states, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in conflict analysis, negotiation, mediation, peace education, project management, research, and intercultural dialogue. The programme combines lectures, seminars, case studies, field research, and project work.

Graduates pursue careers as conflict resolution officers, peacebuilding specialists, diplomats, human rights advocates, NGO programme officers, community development workers, and policy analysts. They find employment in government, NGOs, international organisations, and community-based organisations.

The programme is offered at Turkana University College (public), Mount Kenya University, and Africa Nazarene University (private). Annual tuition fees range from KSH 105,000 at Mount Kenya University to KSH 227,500 at Africa Nazarene University.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C in Mathematics, following KUCCPS cluster 20 subject requirements. The programme also accepts diploma holders and A-level holders with appropriate qualifications.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Theories of Peace
  • Conflict Analysis
  • Negotiation and Mediation
  • International Relations
  • Human Rights
  • Peace Education
  • Gender Conflict and Peace
  • Refugee Studies
  • Terrorism and Security
  • Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Theories about Peace

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Foundational theories of peace, including positive and negative peace, structural violence, and peace paradigms.

  • Violence and Conflict

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Analysis of causes and types of violence and conflict, including interpersonal, communal, and international conflicts.

  • Principles of Negotiation Skills

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Principles and techniques of negotiation, including interest-based negotiation and bargaining strategies.

  • Foundations of International Relations

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Foundational concepts of international relations, including state sovereignty, diplomacy, and international systems.

  • Peace Education

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Principles and practices of peace education, including curriculum development and pedagogical approaches for peace.

  • Gender, Conflict and Peace

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Gender dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding, including women's roles in peace processes and gender-based violence.

  • Human Rights: Concepts and Issues

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Human rights principles and frameworks, including international humanitarian law and human rights advocacy.

  • Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Dialogue

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Approaches to transforming conflicts through intercultural dialogue, reconciliation, and restorative justice.

  • Refugee Studies

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Causes and consequences of forced migration, refugee protection frameworks, and humanitarian assistance.

  • Peace-Building and Post-Conflict Development

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Strategies for post-conflict reconstruction, including transitional justice, disarmament, and economic recovery.

  • Terrorism: Threat and Response

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Analysis of terrorism as a security threat, including counter-terrorism strategies and international cooperation.

  • Research Project in Peace and Conflict

    Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore

    Final-year research project on a peace and conflict topic, including field research, data analysis, and written dissertation.

Specialisations

  • Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Development

    Focus on rebuilding societies after conflict, including transitional justice, reconciliation, and development.

  • International Relations and Diplomacy

    Focus on international cooperation, diplomacy, and global conflict management. 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.

  • Human Rights and Justice

    Focus on human rights advocacy, international humanitarian law, and restorative justice. 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.

  • Community Conflict Resolution

    Focus on resolving conflicts at community level through mediation, dialogue, and local peacebuilding.

  • Refugee and Migration Studies

    Focus on refugee protection, forced migration, and humanitarian assistance. 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 lectures, seminars, and case study discussions. Morning sessions cover peace theories, conflict analysis, or international relations, while afternoons focus on negotiation workshops, mediation practicals, or research methods. Students analyse case studies of conflicts in Africa and beyond, participate in mock negotiations and mediation exercises, and develop project proposals for peacebuilding initiatives. Group projects involve designing community dialogue programmes, conducting conflict assessments, and preparing policy briefs on peace and security issues.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Programme addresses critical regional and global conflict issues relevant to Kenya's peacebuilding role.Career paths may require additional qualifications or experience for senior positions in international organisations.
Graduates develop transferable skills in negotiation, mediation, and project management valued across sectors.Field work in conflict-affected areas can be challenging and risky.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical conflict resolution skills.Programme is offered at only three institutions, limiting institutional choice.
Kenya's devolved governance system and regional peacekeeping role create demand for conflict resolution professionals.Entry-level salaries in NGOs and community organisations may be modest.

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 228k
105k at Mount Kenya University228k at Africa Nazarene 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

KU BA 153K, UoN BA 189K/yr. MKU 105K, ANU 227.5K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites

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

5 recorded

  • 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.

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

  • Huawei Seeds for the Future Kenya

    Scholarship

    Talented ICT/STEM university students with a GPA of 3.0+

  • Generation Google Scholarship

    Scholarship

    Women in computer science and related technical fields

Scholarships you could apply for

12 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (Plus)minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade C+ with C in Mathematics; OR KACE with two principal passes and a subsidiary; OR a relevant diploma from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.3; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

When it next starts

Taught at 9 institutions
January 20279 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, University of Nairobi.

May 20279 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, University of Nairobi.

September 20279 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, University of Nairobi.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Regular written tests, case study analyses, seminar presentations, and group projects during the semester.

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Examination70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations covering peace theories, conflict analysis, international relations, and human rights.

  • Practical Negotiation and Mediation Assessment

    Practical100% of the mark

    Assessment of negotiation and mediation skills through simulated conflict scenarios and role-play exercises.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Final-year research project on a peace and conflict topic, including field research, data analysis, and written dissertation.

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 roles

  • Conflict Resolution Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Facilitates conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives in communities and organisations.

  • Peacebuilding Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Designs and implements peacebuilding programmes in post-conflict and conflict-prone areas.

  • Human Rights Advocate

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Advocates for human rights protection in NGOs, government, and international organisations.

  • NGO Programme Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Manages peacebuilding and development programmes in non-governmental organisations.

  • Community Development Worker

    High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000

    Works with communities to promote social cohesion, resolve disputes, and support development.

  • Policy Analyst

    Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Analyses and develops policies on peace, security, and governance for government and research institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as conflict resolution officers, peacebuilding specialists, and NGO programme officers. Demand is moderate with opportunities in government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • SPSS

    Data analysisPrimary

    Statistical analysis software for research projects and conflict data analysis.

  • NVivo

    Qualitative researchPrimary

    Qualitative data analysis software for coding and analysing interview and field research data.

  • Microsoft Office

    Productivity

    Productivity suite for research papers, project proposals, and policy briefs.

  • Google Workspace

    Collaboration

    Collaboration tools for team projects, programme coordination, and document sharing.

  • ArcGIS

    Mapping

    GIS software for mapping conflict zones and analysing spatial patterns of violence.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Peace and Conflict Resolution is not a practical degree.

    The programme includes negotiation workshops, mediation practicals, and field placements providing hands-on conflict resolution experience.

  • Graduates can only work in conflict zones.

    Graduates work in government, NGOs, schools, corporate settings, and community organisations managing disputes and promoting social cohesion.

  • There are no jobs for peace graduates in Kenya.

    Kenya's role in regional peacebuilding and the devolved governance system create demand for conflict resolution professionals.

  • The programme is only about war and violence.

    The programme covers peace education, human rights, development, gender, and post-conflict reconstruction alongside conflict analysis.

Further reading

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