Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Social Development
The Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Social Development is a programme that combines religious studies with social development. The programme prepares graduates for careers in faith-based development, community work and social transformation.
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+ 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 3 institutions.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 Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, systematic theology, church history, comparative religion, African traditional religion, religion and society, social development, community development, project management, sociology, economics for development, governance, human rights, gender and development, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both religious and social development skills.
The programme is designed to produce graduates who can apply religious principles to social development challenges. The programme combines faith-based approaches with development theory, preparing graduates for work in faith-based organisations and development agencies.
Graduates are prepared for careers as community development workers, NGO programme officers, faith-based development workers, project coordinators, social workers, church administrators, religious education teachers, counsellors, researchers and policy analysts. They work in churches, faith-based NGOs, development agencies, government, community organisations and international organisations.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in Christian Religious Education or equivalent.
Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.
What you study
10 subjects- Old Testament Studies
- New Testament Studies
- Religion and Society
- Social Development
- Community Development
- Project Management
- Sociology
- Gender and Development
- Human Rights
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeOld Testament Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of the Old Testament. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
New Testament Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of the New Testament. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Religion and Society
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Religion in social context. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Social Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Social development theory. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Community Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Community development practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Project Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Managing development projects. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Sociology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Sociological analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Gender and Development
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Gender in development. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Human Rights
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Human rights principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Research Methods
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Specialisations
Social Work
Focus on social services. 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.
Faith-Based Development
Focus on faith-based development. 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.
Community Development
Focus on community development. 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.
Project Management
Focus on managing projects. 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 involves attending lectures on religion and development, studying biblical texts, researching social development, studying community development, analysing project management, researching religion and society, studying sociology, participating in seminar discussions, researching gender and development, and engaging with current religious and development issues. Students undertake internships and fieldwork.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines faith with development for meaningful careers | Some positions may have modest compensation |
| Faith-based organisations are major development actors | May require postgraduate qualifications for advancement |
| Diverse career options in development sector | Fieldwork may involve challenging environments |
| — | Funding for development programmes can be unpredictable |
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 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 153K, UoN 189K/yr; CUEA 130K, UEAB 161.6K (educationnewshub). USIU unverified.
Government scholarships under the new funding model cover 53-82% of tuition for needy students in public universities. HELB provides loans up to KSh 60,000 per year.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Scholarships you could apply for
8 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 per year
- Moi University Merit Scholarship
Before semester startsPartialMoi University
50% tuition waiver
- 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 C+ in Christian Religious Education or equivalent. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in theology, development or related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Moi University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Gretsa University.
Including Moi University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Gretsa University.
Including Moi University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Gretsa University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsEnd of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written examinations covering all semester content
Internship and Research Project
Practical30% of the mark
Internship and development research project
Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular tests, essays, field reports, presentations and class participation
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in Christian Religious Education or equivalent.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesNGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages NGO programmes
Faith-Based Development Worker
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 220,000
Works in faith-based development
Project Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Coordinates development projects
Social Worker
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides social services
Community Development Worker
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 220,000
Works in community development
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as community development workers, NGO programme officers and faith-based development workers in churches, NGOs and development agencies.
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
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Power BI
Analytics
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Religion and social development is just about charity.
The programme covers development theory, project management, sociology, governance and human rights.
This is only for church workers.
Graduates work in development agencies, government, NGOs and international organisations.
Faith-based development is not professional.
The programme combines academic rigour with practical development skills.
Religion and development are separate fields.
Faith-based organisations are major development actors, requiring professionals who understand both.