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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 238,208
Private, up to: Ksh 335,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 80 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Prestigious profession with excellent earning potential
Diverse career paths in practice, corporate, government and academia
Intellectually stimulating and socially impactful

Against it

Requires ATP at Kenya School of Law after graduation
Competitive admission with high cut-off points
High 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

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 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.

English
B

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

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.

Accredited by

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

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

Industry links

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.