Social Sciences

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.

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.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 227,500
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Programme addresses critical regional and global conflict issues relevant to Kenya's peacebuilding role.
Graduates develop transferable skills in negotiation, mediation, and project management valued across sectors.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical conflict resolution skills.
Kenya's devolved governance system and regional peacekeeping role create demand for conflict resolution professionals.

Against it

Career paths may require additional qualifications or experience for senior positions in international organisations.
Field work in conflict-affected areas can be challenging and risky.
Programme is offered at only three institutions, limiting institutional choice.
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

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 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.

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

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

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

Industry links

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.