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Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Religion

The Bachelor of Arts in Religion is a four-year degree programme that examines religious traditions, beliefs, and practices from academic perspectives. Students study philosophy, theology, and religious studies, developing critical understanding of religion's role in society and culture.

Duration
4 Years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 189,004
Ksh 756,016 total
Private tuition
Ksh 161,600
Ksh 646,400 total
Job market
Low
Market demand for graduates

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 161,600 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 10 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers religious studies, philosophy, theology, comparative religion, ethics, biblical studies, and research methods. Students explore both Christian and Islamic traditions alongside other world religions, including African traditional religion and contemporary religious movements.

Students develop competencies in critical thinking, textual analysis, research, ethical reasoning, and intercultural understanding. The programme combines lectures, seminars, research projects, and fieldwork. Students analyse religious texts, examine religious phenomena, and conduct independent research on religious topics relevant to Kenyan society.

Graduates pursue careers as chaplains, religious educators, counsellors, NGO programme officers, and community development workers. They find employment in churches, mosques, faith-based organisations, schools, and community organisations across Kenya and the wider East African region.

The programme is offered at Moi University (KSH 122,400 per year, public), Maasai Mara University (KSH 122,400 per year, public), and University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (KSH 161,600 per year, private). All three institutions are accredited by the Commission for University Education.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a minimum grade of C+ in Christian Religious Education or Islamic Religious Education.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Religious Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Theology
  • Comparative Religion
  • Ethics
  • Biblical Studies
  • Research Methods
  • History of Religion
  • Islamic Studies
  • African Traditional Religion

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Religious Studies

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduction to Religious Studies: Foundational concepts and methods in the academic study of religion. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Introduction to Philosophy

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduction to Philosophy: Basic philosophical concepts and their relationship to religious thought. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Old Testament Studies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Old Testament Studies: Study of the Old Testament texts, themes, and historical context. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • New Testament Studies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    New Testament Studies: Study of the New Testament texts, themes, and historical context. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Comparative Religion

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Comparative study of major world religions including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

  • African Traditional Religion

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of African traditional religious beliefs, practices, and their contemporary relevance.

  • Islamic Studies

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of Islamic beliefs, practices, history, and theology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...

  • Research Methods

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research methodology for religious studies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.

  • Ethics and Moral Philosophy

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Ethics and Moral Philosophy: Ethical theories and moral reasoning in religious and secular contexts. Encourages critical thinking about moral dilemmas and professional responsibility.

  • History of Christianity in Africa

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    History of Christianity in Africa: Historical development of Christianity in Africa with focus on Kenya. Covers historical analysis, source evaluation, and interpretation of past events.

  • Research Project

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Final-year research project on a religious studies topic, including dissertation.

  • Industrial Attachment

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Supervised attachment with a religious institution, NGO, or educational organisation.

Specialisations

  • Philosophy

    Focus on philosophical traditions and their relationship to religious thought. 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.

  • Theology

    Focus on systematic study of religious doctrines and theological frameworks. 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.

  • Religious Studies

    Focus on comparative and scientific study of religious phenomena. 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.

  • Biblical Studies

    Focus on biblical texts, interpretation, and historical context. 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.

  • Ethics and Moral Philosophy

    Focus on ethical reasoning and moral decision-making in religious contexts. 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 textual analysis. Morning sessions cover religious studies, philosophy, or theology, while afternoons focus on biblical studies, ethics, and group discussions. Students analyse religious texts, debate ethical issues, and conduct research on religious phenomena. Group projects involve comparative religion studies and community engagement.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Programme develops critical thinking and analytical skills applicable across fields.Job market demand is relatively low compared to business or technology degrees.
Offered at both public and private universities, providing institutional choice.Career advancement may require postgraduate qualifications or additional certifications.
Graduates can pursue diverse careers in NGOs, education, counselling, and ministry.Some employers may not recognise religion as a professional qualification.
Programme provides deep understanding of religion's role in society and culture.Salaries in religious and NGO sectors tend to be lower than in 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 162k
105k at Mount Kenya University162k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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; UEAB 161.6K, MKU 105K (educationnewshub/UEAB)

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available. 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.

  • University Internal Bursaries

    University bursaryKenyan

    Registered students demonstrating financial need.

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Scholarships you could apply for

12 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (Plus)minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in CRE or IRE; OR two principal passes at A-Level; OR a relevant diploma in religious studies or theology from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate.

When it next starts

Taught at 10 institutions
January 202710 institutions

Including Moi University, Maasai Mara University, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.

May 202710 institutions

Including Moi University, Maasai Mara University, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.

September 202710 institutions

Including Moi University, Maasai Mara University, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Regular written tests, essays, textual analyses, and seminar presentations.

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Examination70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations covering religious studies, philosophy, and theology.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Final-year research project on a religious studies topic, including dissertation.

  • Industrial Attachment Assessment

    Practical100% of the mark

    Assessment of supervised attachment performance and report.

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 roles

  • Chaplain

    Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Provides spiritual care and counselling in hospitals, schools, or military institutions.

  • Religious Education Teacher

    Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Teaches religious education in schools and educational institutions.

  • NGO Programme Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Manages development programmes in faith-based NGOs and community organisations.

  • Counsellor

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Provides pastoral and psychological counselling in religious and community settings.

  • Community Development Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Manages community development projects in faith-based organisations.

  • Research Assistant

    Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000

    Supports research on religion, culture, and society at academic institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as chaplains, religious educators, and NGO officers. Demand is low but stable in faith-based organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Office

    ProductivityPrimary

    Productivity suite for essays, research papers, and presentations.

  • Bible Software (Logos)

    ResearchPrimary

    Bible study software for textual analysis and biblical research.

  • SPSS

    Data analysis

    Statistical analysis software for religious studies research.

  • Google Workspace

    Collaboration

    Collaboration tools for document sharing and group work.

  • Zotero

    Reference management

    Reference management tool for academic research and citations.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • A religion degree only leads to becoming a pastor or priest.

    Graduates work in NGOs, counselling, education, community development, and research.

  • Religion is not an academic subject.

    Religious studies involves rigorous textual analysis, historical research, and philosophical inquiry.

  • The programme is only for Christians.

    The programme covers multiple religious traditions including Islam, African traditional religions, and world religions.

  • There are no career opportunities for religion graduates.

    Faith-based organisations, NGOs, and schools employ religion graduates in various roles.

Further reading

Read next