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Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences is a broad multidisciplinary programme that covers the study of human society and social relationships. Offered at multiple Kenyan universities, the programme prepares graduates for diverse careers in social research, public service and community development.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 189,004
Ksh 756,016 total
Private tuition
Ksh 160,000
Ksh 640,000 total
Job market
Moderate
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 160,000 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 2 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 sociology, psychology, political science, economics, anthropology, geography, history, social research methods, statistics, social theory, development studies, governance, public administration, human rights, gender studies, environmental studies, communication, research methods, and a research project. Students can specialise in specific social science disciplines.

The programme is designed to produce graduates with a broad understanding of social phenomena and analytical skills. The programme provides a comprehensive foundation in social sciences for careers in public service, research and development.

Graduates are prepared for careers as social researchers, public administrators, policy analysts, community development workers, NGO programme officers, human resource officers, project managers, social workers, lecturers, journalists and consultants. They work in government, NGOs, research institutions, international organisations, media houses, corporate sector and academia.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in English.

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
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Anthropology
  • Social Research Methods
  • Social Theory
  • Development Studies
  • Governance
  • Statistics

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Sociology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of society. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...

  • Psychology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of behaviour. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...

  • Political Science

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Study of politics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...

  • Economics

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of economy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...

  • Anthropology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of human cultures. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

  • Social Research Methods

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research in social sciences. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

  • Social Theory

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theories of society. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...

  • Development Studies

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Development theory. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...

  • Governance

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Governance principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...

  • Statistics

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Statistical analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

Specialisations

  • Political Science

    Focus on politics and 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.

  • Economics

    Focus on economic analysis. 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.

  • Sociology

    Focus on sociological analysis. 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.

  • Psychology

    Focus on human behaviour. 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 across social science disciplines, analysing social phenomena, studying research methods, working with statistics, researching social theory, studying governance, analysing case studies, participating in seminar discussions, researching development, and engaging with current social issues. Students undertake internships and research projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Broad foundation enables diverse career optionsBroad programme may require specialisation for specific careers
Develops strong analytical and research skillsCompetitive job market for generalist positions
Relevant for government, NGOs and private sectorMay require postgraduate qualifications for advancement
—Starting salaries may be modest in some sectors

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
Private136k to 160k
136k at International Leadership University160k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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 189,004/yr. ILU 136,350; CUEA 160,000/yr. Src: educationnewshub KUCCPS

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 recorded

  • Higher 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

6 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+minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in social sciences or related field from a recognised institution.

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including Machakos University, Rongo University.

May 20272 institutions

Including Machakos University, Rongo University.

September 20272 institutions

Including Machakos University, Rongo University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Internship and Research Project

    Practical30% of the mark

    Internship and social science research project

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Examination40% of the mark

    Final written examinations covering all semester content

  • Continuous Assessment

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Regular tests, essays, research assignments, 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). Offered at multiple universities. Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in English.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Social Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Conducts social research

  • Human Resource Officer

    High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Manages human resources

  • NGO Programme Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Manages NGO programmes

  • Policy Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Analyses public policy

  • Public Administrator

    Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Manages public administration

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as social researchers, public administrators, policy analysts and community development workers in government, NGOs and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • SPSS

    Data analysis

  • Google Workspace

    Collaboration

  • KOBO Toolbox

    Data collection

  • SPSS/Stata

    Statistical software

    Gender research data analysis.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Social sciences is not a real degree.

    The programme covers rigorous social science theory, research methods and statistical analysis.

  • There are no jobs for social science graduates.

    Social science skills are valued in government, NGOs, research, HR, media and corporate sector.

  • This is just common sense.

    Social sciences use scientific methods to study society, requiring analytical and research skills.

  • Social sciences is too broad.

    The programme allows specialisation in specific disciplines while providing a broad foundation.

Further reading

Read next