Bachelor of Sharia and Law
The Bachelor of Sharia and Law is a programme that provides comprehensive training in Islamic jurisprudence and Kenyan law. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Moi University and other select institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in legal practice with expertise in both Sharia and secular law.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 221,850 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,109,250 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 303,500 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 5 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 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 Sharia law, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Quranic studies, Hadith, comparative law, Kenyan constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, commercial law, family law, Islamic finance and banking, inheritance law, property law, legal ethics, legal research, moot court, research methods and a dissertation. Students develop legal reasoning and analytical skills in both legal systems.
Kenya's legal system, which recognises Kadhi courts for Muslim personal law, creates demand for graduates with dual expertise in Sharia and Kenyan law. The programme is offered through lectures, seminars, moot courts, legal aid clinics and research projects.
Graduates are prepared for careers as advocates, Kadhi court officers, legal advisors, Sharia consultants, Islamic finance lawyers, family law practitioners, legal researchers, judicial officers and legal educators. They work in law firms, Kadhi courts, judiciary, government, Islamic financial institutions, NGOs, universities and as consultants.
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- in English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1.
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- Sharia Law
- Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)
- Comparative Law
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Civil Law
- Commercial Law
- Family Law
- Islamic Finance and Banking
- Inheritance Law
Modules
10 in the programmeSharia Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Islamic law principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Islamic Jurisprudence
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fiqh methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Comparative Law
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Sharia vs secular law. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Constitutional Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenyan constitution. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Criminal Law
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Criminal justice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Commercial Law
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Business law. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Family Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Marriage and family. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Islamic Finance and Banking
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Islamic finance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Inheritance Law
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Succession and inheritance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Dissertation
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year dissertation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Specialisations
Islamic Finance
Islamic banking 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.
Family Law
Marriage and inheritance. 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.
Comparative Law
Sharia and secular 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.
Commercial Law
Business 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 Sharia and law lectures, studying Islamic jurisprudence, analysing case law, participating in moot courts, researching comparative law, studying Kenyan constitutional law, learning Islamic finance principles, visiting Kadhi courts, and working on legal research projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Unique dual expertise in Sharia and Kenyan law | Demanding 5-year programme |
| Growing Islamic finance sector creates opportunities | Limited number of universities offering the programme |
| CLE accreditation enables legal practice | Requires proficiency in Arabic for some modules |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 12 law 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 LLB 183,600 & UoN 221,850 KUCCPS. Umma 159,200/yr. Riara 303,500 KUCCPS.
HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Islamic organisations may offer sponsorships.
Funding options
HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarships
4 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in law
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
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
12 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in English or Kiswahili. Diploma in law, Islamic studies or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 1.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Umma University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.
Including Umma University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.
Including Umma University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Dissertation
Project10% of the mark
Final year dissertation
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Moot Court
Practicum20% of the mark
Moot court and legal clinics
Accreditation
Council of Legal Education
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for regulation of legal education in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE). Offered at UoN, KU, Moi and other select institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1. CLE accreditation and Kenya School of Law training required for admission to the Bar.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesLegal Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Legal research
Kadhi Court Officer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Kadhi court
Islamic Finance Lawyer
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 450,000
Islamic finance law
Advocate
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 500,000
Legal practice
Sharia Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000
Sharia consulting
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as advocates, Kadhi court officers and Sharia consultants in law firms, judiciary and Islamic financial institutions.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cybersecurity Data LawyerLaw9Low exposure
- In-House CounselLaw11Low exposure
- Commercial Mediation SpecialistLaw15Low exposure
- Data Privacy CounselLaw17Low exposure
- Clinical Trial BioethicistLaw18Low exposure
- Commercial Arbitration CounselLaw18Low exposure
- Constitutional Litigation CounselLaw18Low exposure
- Human Rights LawyerLaw18Low exposure
Tools you will learn
LexisNexis
Legal researchPrimary
Legal research database for case law and legislation
Kenya Law Reports
Legal researchPrimary
Kenya's official legal information database
HeinOnline
Legal research
Legal journals and Islamic law materials
Microsoft Word
Document drafting
Legal document drafting
Google Scholar
Research
Academic legal research
JSTOR
Academic research
Academic journal database
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Sharia and Law is only for Muslims.
The programme is open to all students interested in comparative law and Islamic jurisprudence.
Sharia law graduates only work in Kadhi courts.
Graduates practice all areas of Kenyan law plus Islamic finance and family law.
This is not a real law degree.
The programme is CLE-accredited and covers both Sharia and Kenyan law comprehensively.
Sharia and Law has limited career prospects.
Islamic finance, family law and international law create diverse opportunities.