Social Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Security Studies

The Bachelor Of Science In Security Studies is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in security studies. The programme falls under the Social Sciences & Humanities category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Sociology, Psychology, Social Research Methods, Community Development, Counselling, Theology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Social Theory, Clinical Psychology, Community Development, Counseling Theories, Cross-Cultural Counseling. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Sociology, Foundations of Psychology, Research Methods in Social Sciences, Social Statistics, Development Studies. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Sociology & Community Development, Psychology & Counselling, Political Science & Public Administration. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Security Studies pursue careers as Community / Project Officer, Counsellor / Social Worker, Research / M&E Officer, Graduate Trainee. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 153,000
Job market: Moderate

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: 52 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

8 subjects

Sociology
Psychology
Social Research Methods
Community Development
Counselling
Theology
Philosophy
Languages

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Human behaviour, cognition, development, personality and psychological research methods.
Introduction to Sociology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Social structures, institutions, culture, socialisation and sociological theory.
Social Statistics
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Descriptive and inferential statistics, data analysis using SPSS/R for social research.
Research Methods in Social Sciences
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods in Social Sciences: Qualitative and quantitative research, survey design, data analysis and ethics. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and r...
Development Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of development, poverty, inequality, globalisation and development policy.
Political Science & Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Political Science & Governance: Political systems, governance, democracy, public policy and political theory. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Community Development & Social Work
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Community organising, project management, social intervention and needs assessment.
Economics for Social Sciences
Year 2Semester 22 creditsElective
Economics for Social Sciences: Microeconomics, macroeconomics and economic policy applied to social issues. Covers social structures, institutions, and contemporary social issues.
Field Attachment / Community Placement
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Field Attachment / Community Placement: Supervised placement with NGO, government agency or community organisation. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills develo...
Social Policy & Administration
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Policy analysis, social welfare, public administration and social programme evaluation.
Research Project / Dissertation
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research Project / Dissertation: Independent social research project: design, fieldwork, analysis and report. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Ethics & Professional Practice
Year 4Semester 22 creditsCore
Professional ethics, research ethics, social responsibility and ethical decision-making.

Specialisations

Sociology & Community Development
Social research, community organising, project management and social policy. Students learn to analyse social issues and drive community empowerment.
Psychology & Counselling
Human behaviour, mental health, counselling techniques and psychological assessment. Students gain skills for clinical, organisational and community roles.
Political Science & Public Administration
Governance, public policy, political theory and administration. Students learn to navigate government, NGOs and international organisations.
Economics & Development Studies
Microeconomics, macroeconomics, development theory and policy analysis. Students learn to address poverty, inequality and economic growth challenges.
Geography & GIS
Spatial analysis, geographic information systems, remote sensing and environmental planning. Students learn to map and analyse geographic data for decision-making.

A day as a student

A typical day on the Bachelor of Security Studies blends theory with practice. Mornings are spent on Sociology and Psychology lectures, followed by hands-on sessions in the social sciences workshop, laboratory or studio. Afternoons involve project work, group assignments and industrial-attachment preparation.

The trade offs

In its favour

Strong, practical social sciences & humanities skills directly applicable in the Kenyan job market.
Multiple career and self-employment pathways across NGOs & Development and Counselling & Social Work.
Clear progression route to higher Social Sciences & Humanities qualifications.
Industrial attachment builds real workplace experience and networks before graduation.

Against it

Hands-on social sciences & humanities practice requires dedicated workshop, lab or studio time and equipment.
Job-market competition is growing; graduates must build portfolios and practical experience to stand out.
Some specialisations are concentrated in specific counties, which may require relocation.

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 153k

153k at Kenyatta University153k at Kenyatta 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

KU 153K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN/private unverified for this programme.

Funding is available through HELB loans and bursaries, the CDF, county government bursaries, and institutional and corporate scholarships from leading ngos & development employers.

Funding options

HELB
Government bursary
CDF scholarship
Self-sponsored

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
PartialKsh 60,000Kenyan
Resident of county; Financial need
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
FullKsh 6,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Leadership; Community service
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need
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+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least 2 principal passes, or a relevant diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Practical Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Final Examination
Exam40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and Kenya National Qualifications Authority, Commission for University Education, Counsellors and Psychologists Board.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
National
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Community / Project Officer
Steady demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 95,000
Community / Project Officer roles available to Bachelor holders in Social Sciences & Humanities.
Counsellor / Social Worker
Steady demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 90,000
Counsellor / Social Worker roles available to Bachelor holders in Social Sciences & Humanities.
Research / M&E Officer
Steady demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 105,000
Research / M&E Officer roles available to Bachelor holders in Social Sciences & Humanities.
Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.

Graduate outcomes

Bachelor holders in Social Sciences & Humanities find roles in NGOs & Development, Counselling & Social Work, Religious Institutions. Most secure employment or self-employment within months of graduation, while others progress to higher-level study.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
Statistical analysisPrimary
Security threat analysis and research
KoboToolbox
Data collectionPrimary
Field security data collection
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Security data management and analysis
ArcGIS
Gis
Security threat mapping and spatial analysis
Google Scholar
Research
Academic research for security studies
Microsoft Word
Document drafting
Security reports and policy briefs

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Social Sciences & Humanities courses are a fallback for low scorers.
Social Sciences & Humanities offers skilled, well-paid careers and is central to Kenya's economic growth; top performers thrive here too.
You must work in Nairobi to succeed in Social Sciences & Humanities.
Social Sciences & Humanities skills are in demand across all 47 counties and in self-employment, not just in Nairobi.
Bachelor-level study has no career growth.
Bachelor holders can upgrade to higher levels (diploma → degree → postgraduate) and rise into supervisory and professional roles.
This field is being replaced by technology.
Technology is transforming Social Sciences & Humanities, raising demand for practitioners who can use new tools rather than replacing them.