Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a Focus on Peace and Security
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a Focus on Peace and Security is a four-year degree programme at Tangaza University that combines philosophical inquiry with peace and security studies. The programme develops critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and conflict analysis skills, preparing graduates for roles in peacebuilding, security, governance, and social justice.
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 219,350 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 1 institution.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 logic, ethics, history of philosophy, African philosophy, political philosophy, peace studies, conflict transformation, security studies, human rights, international relations, and research methods. Students study philosophical foundations alongside practical peace and security frameworks.
Students develop competencies in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, conflict analysis, peacebuilding, security analysis, research, and policy development. The programme combines lectures, seminars, case studies, and community engagement.
Graduates pursue careers as peacebuilding officers, security analysts, human rights advocates, NGO programme officers, and community leaders. They find employment in government, NGOs, international organisations, and religious institutions.
The programme is offered at Tangaza University, a private university, with annual tuition fees of KSH 219,350. The programme is delivered over eight semesters on a full-time basis.
Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with appropriate subject grades.
What you study
10 subjects- Logic
- Ethics
- History of Philosophy
- African Philosophy
- Peace Studies
- Conflict Transformation
- Security Studies
- Human Rights
- Political Philosophy
- Research Methods
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Philosophy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts and branches of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic.
Introduction to Peace and Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of peace, security, and conflict, including definitions, theories, and key debates.
Logic and Critical Thinking
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of logic, argumentation, and analytical reasoning applied to peace and security issues.
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethics and Moral Philosophy: Ethical theories and their application to peace, security, and justice. Encourages critical thinking about moral dilemmas and professional responsibility.
History of Philosophy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of Western philosophy from ancient to contemporary, including key thinkers and movements.
Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and practices of conflict transformation, mediation, and peacebuilding.
African Philosophy and Peace
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
African philosophical traditions and their contributions to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Human Rights and Justice
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of human rights, transitional justice, and restorative justice.
Security Studies and Governance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of security, security governance, and ethical dimensions of security policy.
Political Philosophy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories of justice, political authority, rights, and the relationship between individuals and the state.
International Relations and Conflict
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
International relations theories and their application to conflict, peace, and security.
Research Project in Philosophy, Peace and Security
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a philosophy, peace, and security topic, including field research and written dissertation.
Specialisations
Peace and Conflict Transformation
Focus on philosophical foundations of peace, conflict transformation, and nonviolent approaches to social change.
Security Studies
Focus on human security, security governance, and ethical dimensions of security policy. 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 philosophical foundations of human rights, transitional justice, 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.
Political Philosophy and Governance
Focus on theories of justice, governance, and political authority in the context of peace and security.
African Philosophy and Peace
Focus on African philosophical traditions and their contributions to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
A day as a student
A typical day combines lectures, seminars, and case study discussions. Morning sessions cover philosophy, ethics, or political theory, while afternoons focus on peace studies, conflict analysis, and security studies. Students analyse case studies of conflicts in Africa, participate in mock mediation exercises, and develop peacebuilding project proposals. Group discussions explore ethical dimensions of security policy and human rights.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme uniquely combines philosophical foundations with practical peace and security studies. | Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice. |
| Tangaza University's mission-focused approach emphasises social transformation and community engagement. | Tuition fees are relatively high compared to public university alternatives. |
| Graduates develop analytical and peacebuilding skills valued in NGOs and international organisations. | Job market demand for philosophy-focused peace and security roles is low. |
| Kenya's regional peacekeeping role creates demand for peace and security professionals. | Career advancement may require additional qualifications in security or international relations. |
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 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
KU BA 153K, UoN BA 189K/yr. MKU 105K, Tangaza 219.4K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites
Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available. Tangaza University offers internal bursaries and church-sponsored scholarships 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.
Tangaza University Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Tangaza University.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with appropriate subject grades; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Tangaza University.
Including Tangaza University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, seminar presentations, and case study analyses.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering philosophy, peace, and security topics.
Community Engagement Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of peacebuilding project design and community engagement activities.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on philosophy, peace, and security, including field research and 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 rolesPeacebuilding Officer
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Facilitates peacebuilding initiatives in communities and organisations.
Security Analyst
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Analyses security threats and develops policy recommendations for government and NGOs.
Human Rights Advocate
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000
Advocates for human rights protection in NGOs and international organisations.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages peacebuilding and development programmes in non-governmental organisations.
Community Leader
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Leads community development and peacebuilding initiatives at the grassroots level.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Supports research on peace, security, and conflict in academic and policy institutions.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in peacebuilding, security analysis, and human rights advocacy. Demand is low but specialised skills are valued in NGOs and international organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
Tools you will learn
JSTOR
Research databasePrimary
Digital library for academic journals in philosophy, peace, and security studies.
SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for research projects and survey data.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for research papers, policy briefs, and presentations.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for team projects and document sharing.
Zotero
Reference management
Reference management software for organising research sources.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This is just a standard philosophy degree with a different name.
The programme has a specialised focus on peace and security, combining philosophy with practical conflict analysis and peacebuilding skills.
Graduates can only work as philosophers or teachers.
Graduates work in peacebuilding, security analysis, human rights, NGOs, and international organisations.
Peace and security studies is not relevant in Kenya.
Kenya's role in regional peacebuilding and internal security challenges create demand for trained professionals.
The programme is only for those interested in military careers.
The programme focuses on human security, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation, not military operations.