Bachelor of Arts (Developmental and Policy Studies)
The Bachelor of Arts in Developmental and Policy Studies is a four-year programme that examines the theories, policies and practices of development. Students study development economics, social policy, governance, project planning and research methods, gaining the analytical skills needed to understand and address development challenges. The programme prepares graduates for careers in government, NGOs, international organisations and research institutions focused on development.
Students develop competencies in policy analysis, development planning, project management, social research, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy. They learn to analyse development problems, design policy interventions, manage development projects and evaluate their impact. The programme covers rural and urban development, poverty reduction, governance, gender and development, and sustainable development in the Kenyan and African context.
In Kenya, development studies is a critical field as the country pursues Vision 2030, the SDGs and devolved governance. Graduates are in demand in county governments, national planning agencies, NGOs, international development organisations and research institutions. The growing focus on evidence-based policy making and results-based management has increased demand for professionals with policy analysis and development planning skills.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, case studies, research projects, policy analysis exercises and industrial attachment. Students engage with development policy documents, conduct field research in communities and undertake internships in development organisations. The programme includes a final-year research project or policy brief.
Graduates pursue careers as development officers, policy analysts, project coordinators, programme officers, researchers and advocacy officers. Some work in county governments, NGOs or UN agencies. Others join research institutions, think tanks or government planning departments.
This programme is ideal for individuals passionate about social change, strong analytical skills and interest in governance and public policy. Students who want to contribute to Kenya's development will find this programme particularly meaningful.
- Duration
- 4 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 207,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 175,050
- Job market
- High
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 45 students
- Award
- Bachelor
What you study
10 subjects- Development Theory and Practice
- Public Policy Analysis
- Development Economics
- Project Planning and Management
- Social Research Methods
- Governance and Public Administration
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Gender and Development
- Rural and Urban Development
- Sustainable Development and SDGs
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Development Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and concepts of development, including modernisation, dependency and human development approaches
Development Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to development, including growth, poverty, inequality and structural transformation
Social Research Methods
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for development research and policy analysis
Public Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods for analysing public policy formulation, implementation and evaluation in development contexts
Governance and Public Administration
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Governance and Public Administration: Principles of governance, public administration and devolution in Kenya Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Project Planning and Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Planning, designing and managing development projects, including logical frameworks and budgeting
Gender and Development
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Gender analysis in development, including women's empowerment and gender mainstreaming
Monitoring and Evaluation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Monitoring and Evaluation: Methods for monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Rural and Urban Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Analysis of rural and urban development challenges, strategies and policies in Kenya
Sustainable Development and SDGs
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals framework
Research Project/Policy Brief
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research producing either a scholarly dissertation or a policy brief on a development issue
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised placement at a development NGO, government department, UN agency or research institution
Specialisations
Governance
Specialization in Governance, preparing graduates for careers such as public-administration-officer-junior.
Rural Development
Specialization in Rural Development, preparing graduates for careers such as community-development-officer.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Specialization in Monitoring and Evaluation, preparing graduates for careers such as social-policy-researcher.
Project Management
Specialization in Project Management, preparing graduates for careers such as community-development-officer.
Gender and Development
Specialization in Gender and Development, preparing graduates for careers such as advocacy-officer. 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.
Policy Analysis
Specialization in Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as policy-analyst-junior. 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 morning lectures on development theory or policy analysis with afternoon seminars on project management or research methods. Students may analyse policy documents, conduct community field research or work on project proposals for development interventions.
The trade offs
In its favour
- High demand in Kenya's growing development sector with devolution and SDG focus
- Diverse employers including government, NGOs, UN agencies and research institutions
- Directly contributes to addressing poverty and inequality
- Strong foundation for postgraduate study in development, policy or governance
Against it
- Some entry-level NGO roles have modest salaries
- Development work can involve fieldwork in remote areas
- Development projects can face implementation challenges and political interference
- Career progression may require additional certifications in M&E or project management
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 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 207K/yr (KUCCPS). AIU 175,050, MKU 105K (eduhub).
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some international development organisations offer internship stipends during attachment periods.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C+
- Alternative entry
- Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
English/Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any natural science
C+
History/Government/Geography/CRE/IRE
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+
How you are assessed
4 componentsFinal Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Policy Briefs and Project Proposals
Coursework30% of the mark
Research Project
Coursework100% of the mark
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Accredited by
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesPolicy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 140,000
Researches and analyses public policy for government agencies, think tanks and development partners
Programme Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages development programmes for NGOs, UN agencies and international organisations
Development Officer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Plans and implements development programmes in government, NGOs and international organisations
Project Coordinator
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 130,000
Coordinates development projects including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting
Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Conducts development research for academic institutions, think tanks and policy organisations
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as development officers, policy analysts, project coordinators and programme officers in government, NGOs, UN agencies and research institutions.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Geographer (Human & Physical)Social Sciences18Low exposure
- Climatologist / MeteorologistSocial Sciences19Low exposure
- Restorative Justice PractitionerSocial Sciences21Low exposure
- Human Rights AnalystSocial Sciences26Low exposure
- Industrial-Organizational PsychologistSocial Sciences26Low exposure
- Diplomat / Foreign Service OfficerSocial Sciences27Low exposure
- Public Administration & Civil ServiceSocial Sciences27Low exposure
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
Development studies is just about charity work
Development studies involves rigorous policy analysis, economics, research methods and project management for professional development practice.
Development graduates only work in NGOs
Graduates work in government, county assemblies, UN agencies, research institutions, private consulting firms and political advisory roles.
There is no money in development work
International organisations and UN agencies offer competitive salaries for qualified development professionals.
Development studies is not rigorous
The programme involves economics, statistics, policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and research methodology.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Arts (Developmental and Policy Studies) are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.