Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Leadership Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Leadership Studies is a four-year degree programme that combines philosophical inquiry with leadership theory and practice. The programme develops critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and leadership competencies, preparing graduates for leadership roles in public service, civil society, religious institutions, and private sector organisations.

The curriculum covers logic, ethics, history of philosophy, African philosophy, political philosophy, leadership theory, organisational behaviour, governance, public administration, conflict management, strategic planning, and research methods. Students study both philosophical foundations and practical leadership approaches.

Students develop competencies in critical thinking, ethical decision-making, leadership, organisational management, conflict resolution, research, and strategic planning. The programme combines lectures, seminars, case studies, leadership simulations, and community engagement. Students participate in group projects, leadership exercises, and field placements.

Graduates pursue careers as public administrators, NGO leaders, religious leaders, corporate managers, policy analysts, and community leaders. They find employment in government, NGOs, religious institutions, private sector organisations, and community-based organisations. Kenya's devolved governance system creates demand for trained philosophical and ethical leaders.

The programme is offered at Pwani University, a public university, with annual tuition fees of KSH 138,720. The programme is delivered over eight semesters on a full-time and part-time basis at the Main Campus in Kilifi.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in cluster subjects, 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 242,800
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Logic
Ethics
History of Philosophy
African Philosophy
Leadership Theory
Organisational Behaviour
Governance
Public Administration
Conflict Management
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.
Introduction to Leadership Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of leadership, including leadership theories, styles, and their application in organisations.
Logic and Critical Thinking
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of logic and critical thinking, including argumentation, logical fallacies, and analytical reasoning.
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical theories and their application to leadership, including virtue ethics, deontology, and utilitarianism.
History of Philosophy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of Western philosophy from ancient to contemporary, including key thinkers and movements.
Organisational Behaviour and Leadership
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Behavioural dynamics in organisations, including motivation, team dynamics, and leadership in practice.
African Philosophy and Leadership
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
African philosophical traditions and their relevance to leadership, governance, and community development.
Governance and Public Administration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of governance and public administration, including devolution, public policy, and service delivery.
Political Philosophy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of justice, political authority, rights, and the relationship between individuals and the state.
Conflict Management and Resolution
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Approaches to managing and resolving conflicts in organisational and community settings.
Strategic Leadership and Planning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic planning and leadership in organisations, including vision development, goal setting, and implementation.
Research Project in Philosophy and Leadership
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a philosophy and leadership topic, including field research, data analysis, and written dissertation.

Specialisations

Ethical Leadership
Focus on ethical decision-making in leadership roles, including corporate ethics, public sector ethics, and moral leadership.
Public Sector Leadership
Focus on leadership in government and public administration, including governance, policy implementation, and public management.
Political Philosophy and Governance
Focus on philosophical foundations of governance, justice, and political authority. 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.
Organisational Leadership
Focus on leading and managing organisations, including change management, team leadership, and organisational development.
Community Leadership
Focus on grassroots leadership, community mobilisation, and participatory governance. 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 leadership exercises. Morning sessions cover philosophy, ethics, or leadership theory, while afternoons focus on case studies, group discussions, and leadership simulations. Students analyse philosophical texts, debate ethical dilemmas, and participate in leadership role-play exercises. Group projects involve designing community leadership programmes, conducting organisational assessments, and developing strategic plans. Field visits to government offices and NGOs provide practical exposure to leadership contexts.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme uniquely combines philosophical foundations with practical leadership skills.
Graduates develop ethical reasoning and leadership competencies valued in public service and NGOs.
Kenya's devolved governance system creates demand for trained ethical leaders.
Programme includes practical leadership exercises and field placements for real-world experience.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Direct career paths may require additional qualifications or experience for senior leadership roles.
Job market demand for philosophy-specific leadership roles is relatively low.
Entry-level salaries in public service and NGOs 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 188 arts & humanities courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private130k to 243k

130k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa243k at Daystar 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. CUEA 130K, Daystar 242.8K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Pwani University offers 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.
Pwani University Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at 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 cluster subjects; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, seminar presentations, and leadership exercise participation during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering philosophy, leadership theory, governance, and ethics.
Leadership Practicum Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of leadership skills through simulated exercises, community projects, and organisational case studies.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on a philosophy and leadership 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

Public Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages public sector programmes and services in county and national government offices.
NGO Programme Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Coordinates development and advocacy programmes in non-governmental organisations.
Corporate Manager
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages teams and operations in private sector organisations, applying ethical leadership principles.
Policy Analyst
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 140,000
Analyses and develops public policies for government, NGOs, and research institutions.
Community Leader
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Leads community development initiatives and represents community interests in local governance.
Ethics Officer
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Advises organisations on ethical standards, compliance, and corporate governance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in public administration, NGO leadership, and corporate management. Demand is low but leadership 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 leadership studies.
SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for research projects and leadership survey data analysis.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for research papers, strategic plans, and leadership presentations.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for team projects, programme coordination, and document sharing.
Zotero
Reference management
Reference management software for organising research sources and generating citations.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Philosophy and Leadership Studies is not a practical degree.
The programme combines philosophical foundations with practical leadership skills valued in public service, NGOs, and corporate sectors.
Graduates can only work as teachers or religious leaders.
Graduates work in government, NGOs, corporate management, policy analysis, and community leadership roles.
Leadership cannot be taught in a university.
The programme teaches leadership theory, ethical decision-making, and organisational management alongside philosophical foundations.
The programme is only for those interested in politics.
Graduates pursue diverse careers in public administration, NGO leadership, corporate management, and community development.