Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is a four-year degree programme that explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, logic, and human nature. The programme develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and ethical reasoning skills, preparing graduates for diverse careers in academia, law, public service, and beyond.

The curriculum covers logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, history of philosophy (ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary), African philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science, and research methods. Students study both Western and African philosophical traditions.

Students develop competencies in critical thinking, logical analysis, ethical reasoning, argumentation, research, and academic writing. The programme combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, and independent research. Students engage with philosophical texts through close reading, discussion, and written analysis.

Graduates pursue careers in academia, law, public service, journalism, diplomacy, religious ministry, counselling, and corporate ethics. They find employment in universities, government, NGOs, media, religious institutions, and private sector organisations. Philosophy graduates' analytical skills are valued across diverse fields.

The programme is offered at Chuka University, Maasai Mara University, Pwani University (public), and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (private). Annual tuition fees range from KSH 122,400 at Chuka and Maasai Mara Universities to KSH 138,720 at Pwani University for public institutions, and KSH 130,000 at CUEA for private institutions.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with appropriate subject grades, 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 130,000
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Logic
Epistemology
Metaphysics
Ethics
History of Philosophy
African Philosophy
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of Science
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Philosophy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts and branches of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic.
Logic I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of deductive logic, including syllogisms, propositional logic, and logical fallacies.
History of Ancient Philosophy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Survey of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, including Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
Ethics I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundational ethical theories, including virtue ethics, deontology, utilitarianism, and moral relativism.
Epistemology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of knowledge, including justification, scepticism, rationalism, and empiricism.
History of Modern Philosophy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of modern philosophy from Descartes to Kant, including rationalism and empiricism.
African Philosophy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
African philosophical traditions, thought systems, and debates on ethnophilosophy and philosophical universalism.
Metaphysics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of fundamental nature of reality, including existence, causality, time, and free will.
Political Philosophy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of justice, governance, rights, and the relationship between individuals and the state.
Philosophy of Religion
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Philosophical analysis of religious concepts, including arguments for God's existence, problem of evil, and faith and reason.
Contemporary Philosophy
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of 20th and 21st century philosophical movements, including analytic philosophy, phenomenology, and existentialism.
Research Project in Philosophy
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a philosophical topic, including literature review, argumentation, and written dissertation.

Specialisations

Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Focus on ethical theories, moral reasoning, and applied ethics in professional and public life. 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.
African Philosophy
Focus on African philosophical traditions, thought systems, and their contributions to global philosophy.
Political Philosophy
Focus on theories of justice, governance, rights, and the relationship between individuals and the state.
Logic and Epistemology
Focus on formal logic, theories of knowledge, and the nature of justification and truth. 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.
Philosophy of Religion
Focus on philosophical analysis of religious concepts, arguments for and against religious beliefs, and faith and reason.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, seminars, and independent study. Morning sessions cover logic, epistemology, or history of philosophy, while afternoons focus on small-group tutorials, text analysis, and discussion seminars. Students engage with philosophical texts through close reading, argument analysis, and written essays. Group discussions explore ethical dilemmas, metaphysical questions, and political theories. Independent research and essay writing form a significant part of the learning experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme develops exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills transferable across diverse careers.
Philosophy graduates perform well in law, public service, and graduate-level examinations.
Programme covers both Western and African philosophical traditions, providing broad perspectives.
Small class sizes enable close engagement with texts and personalised instruction.

Against it

Direct career paths for philosophy graduates are limited without additional qualifications.
Job market demand for philosophy-specific roles is low in Kenya.
Programme requires extensive reading and writing, which may be challenging for some students.
Salaries in academia and religious ministry may be modest compared to corporate sectors.

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

Private105k to 130k

105k at Mount Kenya University130k 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

KU BA 153K, UoN BA 189K/yr. MKU 105K, CUEA 130K/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

4 recorded

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.
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 appropriate subject grades; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution with at least a credit pass; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written essays, text analyses, seminar presentations, and class participation during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering philosophical theories, arguments, and historical developments.
Essay Assignments
Coursework100% of the mark
Philosophical essays requiring argumentation, critical analysis, and engagement with primary texts.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on a philosophical topic, including literature review, argumentation, 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

Ethics Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Advises organisations on ethical standards, compliance, and corporate governance.
Policy Analyst
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 140,000
Analyses and develops public policies for government, NGOs, and research institutions.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Supports academic research in universities, think tanks, and research organisations.
CRE Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches Christian Religious Education in secondary schools after obtaining teaching certification.
Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Writes and reports on social, political, and cultural issues for media organisations.
Administrative Officer
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages administrative functions in government, NGOs, and private sector organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in academia, public service, law, journalism, and religious ministry. Demand is low but philosophy graduates' analytical skills are valued across sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

JSTOR
Research databasePrimary
Digital library for academic journals, books, and primary sources in philosophy and humanities.
PhilPapers
Research databasePrimary
Online research hub for philosophy, indexing philosophical journals, books, and discussions.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for essays, research papers, and presentations.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for group projects and document sharing.
Zotero
Reference management
Reference management software for organising research sources and generating citations.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Philosophy is not a practical degree.
Philosophy graduates develop critical thinking and analytical skills valued in law, public service, journalism, and business.
Philosophy graduates cannot find employment.
Graduates work in academia, law, government, media, religious institutions, and corporate ethics roles.
Philosophy is only about abstract ideas with no real-world application.
Philosophy addresses practical questions about ethics, justice, governance, and human rights directly relevant to society.
You need to be religious to study philosophy.
Philosophy is a secular academic discipline that examines all viewpoints, including but not limited to religious perspectives.