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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 160,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Broad foundation enables diverse career options
Develops strong analytical and research skills
Relevant for government, NGOs and private sector

Against it

Broad programme may require specialisation for specific careers
Competitive job market for generalist positions
May 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
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.

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at multiple universities. Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in English.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

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

Industry links

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.