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Law

Bachelor of Laws

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a professional programme that provides comprehensive training in legal theory, practice and jurisprudence. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, Moi University, Kabarak University, Africa Nazarene University, Riara University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in law and legal practice.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 238,208
Ksh 952,832 total
Private tuition
Ksh 335,000
Ksh 1,340,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 238,208 a year at a public institution, Ksh 952,832 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 335,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 22 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cybersecurity Data Lawyer, at 9 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, tort law, property law, family law, commercial law, company law, international law, human rights law, administrative law, equity and trusts, jurisprudence, legal methods, legal research, conveyancing, litigation procedure, evidence, land law and a clinical legal education component. Students develop analytical, research and advocacy skills.

Kenya's legal system, the demand for legal services and the expansion of commercial activity create strong demand for law graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, tutorials, moot courts, legal clinics and court visits.

Graduates are prepared for careers as advocates, corporate counsel, magistrates, judges, legal officers, legal consultants, policy analysts, compliance officers, legal researchers and law lecturers. They work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government, judiciary, NGOs, international organisations and academia.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B plain in English. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Advocates Training Programme (ATP) at Kenya School of Law required for admission to the Bar.

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
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Contract Law
  • Tort Law
  • Property Law
  • Family Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Company Law
  • International Law
  • Jurisprudence

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Constitutional Law

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Constitutional principles and structures. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework an...

  • Criminal Law

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Criminal liability and defences. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...

  • Contract Law

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Formation and enforcement of contracts. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and ...

  • Tort Law

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Civil wrongs and remedies. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...

  • Property Law

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Land and property rights. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...

  • Commercial Law

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Business and commercial law. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

  • Company Law

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Corporate law and governance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...

  • International Law

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Public and private international law. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and en...

  • Jurisprudence

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • Legal Research and Writing

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Research methods and legal writing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-...

Specialisations

  • Criminal Law

    Criminal justice. 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.

  • Human Rights Law

    Human rights advocacy. 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.

  • International Law

    International legal practice. 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.

  • Commercial Law

    Business and corporate law. 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 law lectures, analysing case law, participating in moot court sessions, researching legal issues in the library, studying statutes and regulations, preparing legal briefs, and attending court visits or legal clinics.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Prestigious profession with excellent earning potentialRequires ATP at Kenya School of Law after graduation
Diverse career paths in practice, corporate, government and academiaCompetitive admission with high cut-off points
Intellectually stimulating and socially impactfulHigh tuition fees especially at private universities

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 12 law courses
Public184k to 238k
184k at Kenyatta University238k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Private170k to 335k
170k at Mount Kenya University335k at Daystar 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

Pub: KU 183,600 to JKUAT 238,208/yr. Priv: MKU 170,000 to Daystar 335,000/yr. KUCCPS.

HELB loans are available for eligible students. County bursaries and NGAAF provide additional support. Some law firms offer sponsorships.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • County Bursaries

  • NGAAF Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students from participating counties

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    BursaryKenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

  • Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Education Assistance Programme

    BursaryKenyan

    Children of deceased or distressed advocates and law students in need

Scholarships you could apply for

15 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 B plain in English. A-Level with two principal passes and credit in English. Diploma with credit pass and C plain in KCSE with B in English. Any degree from a recognised university. KUCCPS Cluster 1.

Subject requirements
EnglishB

When it next starts

Taught at 22 institutions
January 202722 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Riara University, Kabarak University.

May 202722 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Riara University, Kabarak University.

September 202722 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Riara University, Kabarak University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Clinical Legal Education

    Practicum5% of the mark

    Legal clinic practice

  • Research Project

    Project5% of the mark

    Final year research project

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments and moot courts

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination60% of the mark

    End of semester written exams

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

  • Council of Legal Education

    ProfessionalRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of legal education programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE). Offered at UoN, KU, Strathmore, Moi, Kabarak, ANU, Riara and others. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B plain in English. KUCCPS Cluster 1. ATP at Kenya School of Law required for admission to the Bar.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Legal Officer

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Government or NGO legal services

  • Legal Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Legal consulting

  • Corporate Counsel

    High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 450,000

    In-house legal advisory

  • Magistrate

    Low demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Judicial officer

  • Advocate

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Legal practice in law firms

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as advocates, corporate counsel, magistrates and legal officers in law firms, corporate legal departments, government and the judiciary.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Google Scholar

    Research

    Academic legal research

  • JSTOR

    Academic research

    Academic journal database

  • LexisNexis

    Legal researchPrimary

    Legal research database for case law and legislation

  • HeinOnline

    Legal researchPrimary

    Legal journals and historical legal materials

  • Kenya Law Reports

    Legal research

    Kenya's official legal information database

  • Microsoft Word

    Document drafting

    Legal document drafting

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Law is just about arguing in court.

    The programme covers commercial law, property, international law, human rights and corporate governance.

  • There are too many lawyers in Kenya.

    Demand for legal services continues to grow with economic development.

  • Law graduates automatically become advocates.

    Graduates must complete the ATP at Kenya School of Law and pass the Bar examination.

  • Law is only for those who want to practice in court.

    Graduates work in corporate counsel, compliance, policy, academia and consulting.

Further reading

Read next