Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Divinity

The Bachelor of Divinity is a four-year degree programme offered at St. Paul's University and Eastern Kenya Integrated University through their theology faculties.

The curriculum covers biblical studies, systematic theology, church history, pastoral theology, biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), homiletics, Christian ethics, mission studies, comparative religion, liturgical studies, counselling, church administration, and research methodology.

Students develop skills in biblical exegesis, theological reflection, preaching, pastoral counselling, church administration, interfaith dialogue, community outreach, research methodology, and ethical reasoning.

Graduates pursue careers as pastors, chaplains, theological educators, church administrators, missionaries, counsellors, and religious communications officers. They find employment in churches, theological seminaries, schools, hospitals, military chaplaincies, NGOs, and media organisations.

The programme is offered at St. Paul's University (private, KES 85,700 per semester including all charges, approximately KES 171,400 per year) at the Limuru campus in Kiambu County, and Eastern Kenya Integrated University (private, no published fee data) in Machakos County. SPU's School of Theology traces its roots to 1888 when it began as a divinity school at Frere Town near Mombasa.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. SPU's divinity programme has been CUE-accredited since 2007 when the university received its charter. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or equivalent.

Duration: 4 Years
Private, up to: Ksh 171,400
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Biblical Studies
Systematic Theology
Church History
Pastoral Theology
Biblical Languages
Homiletics
Christian Ethics
Mission Studies
Comparative Religion
Church Administration

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Biblical Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of the Bible, its structure, historical context, and methods of interpretation.
Systematic Theology I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational Christian doctrines including the nature of God, Christology, and pneumatology.
Biblical Hebrew I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to biblical Hebrew grammar, vocabulary, and reading of Old Testament texts.
Church History I: Early and Medieval Church
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Church History I: Early and Medieval Church: History of Christianity from the early church through the medieval period. Covers historical analysis, source evaluation, and interpretation of past eve...
Homiletics and Preaching
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Homiletics and Preaching: Principles of sermon preparation, delivery, and biblical exposition. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Pastoral Theology and Counselling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Pastoral care principles, counselling techniques, and congregational leadership.
New Testament Greek I
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Koine Greek grammar, vocabulary, and reading of New Testament texts.
Christian Ethics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Ethical reasoning from a Christian perspective, addressing contemporary moral issues.
Mission Studies and Cross-Cultural Ministry
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Mission Studies and Cross-Cultural Ministry: Christian missions, evangelism, cross-cultural communication, and missiology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relev...
Church Administration and Leadership
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of church governance, financial management, and congregational leadership.
Comparative Religion and Interfaith Dialogue
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative Religion and Interfaith Dialogue: Study of world religions and principles of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-re...
Supervised Ministry and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised ministry placement at a church or Christian organisation and a final-year research project.

Specialisations

Biblical Studies
Focus on Old and New Testament interpretation, biblical languages, and exegesis. 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.
Systematic Theology
Focus on Christian doctrine, theological systems, and constructive theology. 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.
Church History
Focus on the history of Christianity, African church history, and historical theology. 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.
Pastoral Ministry
Focus on pastoral care, preaching, worship leadership, and congregational management. 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.
Mission Studies
Focus on Christian missions, evangelism, cross-cultural ministry, and missiology. 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.
Christian Ethics
Focus on ethical reasoning, moral theology, and contemporary ethical issues in ministry. 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 at SPU combines lectures, seminars, and practical ministry training. Morning sessions cover biblical studies, systematic theology, and church history, while afternoons focus on biblical languages, homiletics, and pastoral counselling practicum. Students participate in chapel services, supervised ministry placements at local churches, and community outreach programmes. The Limuru campus provides a serene environment for theological reflection and spiritual formation.

The trade offs

In its favour

Offered at SPU, one of the oldest theology schools in Kenya tracing roots to 1888.
Comprehensive curriculum covering biblical languages, theology, history, and practical ministry.
CUE-accredited programme recognised by churches and institutions across Kenya.
Diverse career paths in ministry, education, chaplaincy, counselling, and communications.

Against it

Only offered at two private institutions with limited geographic accessibility.
Tuition at SPU is approximately KES 171,400 per year, which may be expensive for some students.
Requires study of biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), which can be challenging.
Ministry careers may require additional denominational ordination processes.

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

Private171k to 171k

171k at St. Paul's University171k at St. Paul's University

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

St. Paul's 171,400/yr (KUCCPS 2025). No public univ offers Divinity.

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. Church and denominational scholarships may also be available for students preparing for ministry.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Church and Denominational Scholarships

Scholarships

5 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 fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
Church and Denominational Scholarships
Institutional scholarshipKenyan
Students preparing for ministry, sponsored by their denominations or church organisations.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
St. Paul's University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to theology and related programmes at St. Paul's University

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes and one subsidiary pass; OR a pass in St. Paul's Special Entrance Exam (SEE); OR a relevant diploma from an accredited institution; OR any other qualification accepted by the university Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, exegesis papers, theological essays, and assignments throughout the semester.
Practical Ministry and Preaching Assessments
Practical20% of the mark
Sermon delivery, pastoral counselling practicum, and supervised ministry placement evaluation.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Supervised Ministry and Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Supervised ministry placement at a church or Christian organisation plus a final-year research project.

Accreditation

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. SPU's Bachelor of Divinity has been CUE-accredited since 2007.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya. SPU's Bachelor of Divinity has been CUE-accredited since 2007.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pastor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Leads congregational worship, provides pastoral care, preaches, and manages church programmes.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides spiritual care and counselling in hospitals, schools, military, or institutional settings.
Theological Educator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches theology and biblical studies at theological seminaries and universities.
Church Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages church operations, finances, programmes, and administrative functions.
Missionary
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Engages in cross-cultural ministry, evangelism, and community development in mission contexts.
Religious Communications Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages communications, media, and public relations for churches and religious organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as pastors, chaplains, and theological educators in churches, schools, hospitals, and seminaries. Demand is moderate with steady need for trained clergy and chaplains.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Bible Software (Logos or Accordance)
ResearchPrimary
Digital Bible study tools for exegesis, original language analysis, and theological research.
Microsoft Office Suite
ProductivityPrimary
Essential tools for sermon preparation, research papers, and church administration.
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical software for research in theology and religious studies.
Google Scholar
Research
Academic search engine for accessing theological and biblical studies research.
Perseus Digital Library
Reference
Digital library for classical texts including Greek and Hebrew language resources.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A divinity degree only leads to becoming a pastor.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including chaplaincy, teaching, counselling, church administration, missions, and religious communications.
Divinity is the same as theology.
While related, divinity programmes focus more on ministerial training and practical ministry skills, while theology programmes may be more academic and theoretical.
The programme is only for those called to ministry.
The programme provides valuable skills in ethics, counselling, leadership, and critical thinking applicable in many professions.
Divinity graduates cannot work outside the church.
Graduates work in hospitals, schools, military, NGOs, media, and corporate settings as chaplains, counsellors, ethicists, and communications officers.