Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Technology

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Technology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in political science with technology. The programme falls under the Humanities & Social Sciences category and typically spans 4 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Political Theory, Comparative Politics, Public Administration, International Relations, Computer-Based Information Systems, Data Analytics. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Comparative Politics, Data Analytics, Digital Communication, E-governance, IT applications. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Political Science, Computer-Based Information Systems, Politics and Government in Kenya, Introduction to Public Administration, Political Theory. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in E-Governance, Political Data Analytics, Digital Political Communication. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Technology pursue careers as E-Governance Officer, Political Data Analyst, Policy Analyst, Public Administration Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 130,600
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Political Theory
Comparative Politics
Public Administration
International Relations
Computer-Based Information Systems
Data Analytics
E-Governance
Research Methods
Digital Political Communication
Public Policy

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Political Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of political science, including power, authority, state, and governance.
Computer-Based Information Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of computer information systems, including hardware, software, databases, and networks.
Politics and Government in Kenya
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Structure and functioning of Kenya's political system, including government institutions and devolution.
Introduction to Public Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of public administration, including bureaucracy, public management, and service delivery.
Political Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Classical and contemporary political theory, including democracy, justice, and political ideology.
Data Analytics for Political Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Data analysis techniques for political research, including statistical software and data visualisation.
Comparative Politics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Comparison of political systems across countries, including democratic and authoritarian regimes.
E-Governance and Digital Public Services
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital transformation in government, including e-government services, digital public participation, and ICT policy.
International Relations
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and practices of international relations, including diplomacy, conflict, and cooperation.
Digital Political Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital media in political communication, including social media campaigning and online political engagement.
Research Methods in Political Science
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology, including qualitative and quantitative methods for political science research.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year research project combining political science and technology, including field research and dissertation.

Specialisations

E-Governance
Focus on digital transformation in government, including e-government services, digital public participation, and ICT in public administration.
Political Data Analytics
Focus on using data analytics tools for political research, election analysis, and public opinion measurement.
Digital Political Communication
Focus on digital media in political communication, including social media campaigning and online political engagement.
Public Administration and Technology
Focus on technology applications in public administration, including digital service delivery and government information systems.
International Relations and Technology
Focus on the intersection of technology and international relations, including cyber diplomacy and digital governance.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, computer laboratory sessions, and seminars. Morning sessions cover political theory, comparative politics, or public administration, while afternoons focus on IT applications, data analytics, and e-governance practicals. Students use statistical software for political data analysis, create digital governance prototypes, and analyse social media political campaigns. Group projects involve developing e-governance solutions and conducting digital political research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme uniquely combines political science with technology, creating niche career opportunities.
Kenya's digital transformation in governance creates growing demand for tech-savvy governance professionals.
IT skills enhance employability across sectors beyond government.
Programme prepares graduates for emerging fields like e-governance and political data analytics.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Job market demand for this specific combination is still developing.
Balancing two distinct fields may result in less depth in each compared to specialised degrees.
Programme is relatively new with limited alumni network and established career pathways.

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 131k

105k at Mount Kenya University131k at Zetech 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 153K, UoN 189K/yr; Zetech 130.6K, MKU 105K/yr (educationnewshub/Zetech)

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available. Zetech University offers internal bursaries for needy students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Scholarship
Students placed by KUCCPS in recognised universities
Zetech University Bursaries
Bursary
Academically outstanding and financially needy students

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Zetech University Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Zetech University.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.
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 cluster subjects; OR KCSE with C (Plain) and a KNEC Diploma or its equivalent; OR KCSE with C- (Minus) plus a Certificate and a KNEC Diploma; 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, laboratory practicals, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering political theory, IT applications, and governance topics.
Practical IT Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of IT skills through practical exercises in data analysis, e-governance, and digital communication.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project combining political science and technology, including field research and 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

E-Governance Officer
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supports digital transformation in government, including e-government services and digital public participation.
Political Data Analyst
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Analyses political data using statistical tools for research institutions, campaigns, and NGOs.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Analyses and develops public policies, applying technology tools for data-driven policy work.
Public Administration Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages public sector programmes with technology applications for service delivery.
Digital Political Communication Specialist
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Develops digital communication strategies for political campaigns and governance initiatives.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Supports research on governance, technology, and public policy using data analytics tools.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in e-governance, policy analysis, and political data analytics. Demand is low but growing with Kenya's digital transformation.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Data analysisPrimary
Statistical analysis software for political science research and survey data analysis.
Python
ProgrammingPrimary
Programming language for data analysis, web scraping, and political data visualisation.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for research papers, policy briefs, and presentations.
Tableau
Data visualisation
Data visualisation tool for creating interactive political data dashboards.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for group projects and document sharing.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This is just a Political Science degree with a few IT units.
The programme integrates technology throughout the curriculum, with dedicated IT modules in each year alongside political science content.
Technology skills are not relevant in political science.
E-governance, digital political communication, and data analytics are growing fields with career opportunities.
Graduates can only work in government.
Graduates work in NGOs, technology companies, political consultancies, and international organisations.
The programme is too broad to provide useful expertise.
The combination of political science and technology creates unique expertise for the growing e-governance and digital policy fields.