Social Sciences

Diploma in International Studies

The Diploma in International Studies is offered by the University of Nairobi's Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. It trains professionals in international relations, diplomacy, global governance, and foreign policy analysis, providing a foundation for careers in Kenya's foreign service, international organisations, and NGOs.

The curriculum covers international relations theory, diplomatic practice, international law, global political economy, conflict and security studies, African international relations, international organisations, foreign policy analysis, and research methods in international studies.

Kenya plays a significant role in regional and international diplomacy, hosting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN-Habitat, and numerous international organisations in Nairobi. The country's active engagement in regional peace initiatives, continental affairs through the African Union, and global multilateral platforms creates demand for trained international studies professionals.

Training at the University of Nairobi combines classroom lectures with seminars, research projects, and moot diplomatic exercises. The programme is offered on a part-time basis, making it accessible to working professionals. Students engage with contemporary global issues and Kenya's foreign policy priorities.

Graduates work as foreign service officers, international organisation assistants, policy research assistants, NGO programme officers, and diplomatic affairs coordinators with government ministries, international organisations, embassies, and think tanks, with progression routes to degree programmes in international relations or political science.

Skills RequiredInternational Relations AnalysisDiplomatic Practice and ProtocolForeign Policy AnalysisInternational Law ApplicationGlobal Political EconomyConflict and Security AnalysisResearch Methods in International StudiesInternational NegotiationAfrican Regional AffairsMultilateral DiplomacyKey SubjectsInternational Relations TheoryDiplomatic Practice and ProtocolInternational LawGlobal Political EconomyConflict and Security

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 173,000
Private, up to: Ksh 95,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

International Relations Theory
Diplomatic Practice and Protocol
International Law
Global Political Economy
Conflict and Security Studies
African International Relations
International Organisations and Multilateralism
Foreign Policy Analysis
Research Methods in International Studies
Global Governance

Modules

10 in the programme

International Relations Theory and Concepts
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit covering major theories of international relations including realism for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Diplomatic Practice and Protocol
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on diplomatic practice, protocol, diplomatic missions for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
International Law
Year 1Semester 28 creditsCore
Core unit on sources of international law, state sovereignty for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Global Political Economy
Year 1Semester 28 creditsCore
Core unit on international trade, finance, development, and the political for professional practice and competency development in the field.
African International Relations
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on Africa's international relations, pan-Africanism for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Conflict and Security Studies
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on international conflicts, security challenges, terrorism for professional practice and competency development in the field.
International Organisations and Multilateralism
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Unit on the UN system, African Union, EAC, and other international for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Foreign Policy Analysis and Research Project
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on foreign policy analysis, Kenya's foreign policy for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Diplomatic Practice and Protocol
Applying diplomatic protocols, managing international relations, and supporting foreign service operations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
International Organisation Studies
Working with international organisations including the UN, AU, and EAC on multilateral affairs, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Conflict and Security Studies
Analysing international conflicts, security challenges, and peace-building initiatives, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
African Regional Affairs
Focusing on African international relations, regional integration, and continental diplomacy, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures on international relations theory, diplomatic practice, or global political economy with seminar discussions on contemporary global issues. Students analyse case studies of international conflicts, participate in moot diplomatic exercises, and conduct research on Kenya's foreign policy. Guest lectures by diplomats and international relations practitioners supplement classroom learning.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's role as a diplomatic hub with numerous international organisations creates diverse career opportunities.
Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenya's premier university with strong academic reputation.
Part-time study mode makes it accessible to working professionals.

Against it

Relatively high tuition fees compared to TVET diploma programmes.
Foreign service positions are highly competitive with limited openings.

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

Public67k to 173k

67k at TVET institutions (KUCCPS rate)173k at University of Nairobi

Private60k to 96k

60k at The East African University96k at Riara 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

UoN 173K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke), TVET 67K. Riara 95.5K, TAU 60K/yr (teau.ac.ke).

Students are eligible for HELB loans, University of Nairobi scholarships and bursaries, and county government bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Loan
University of Nairobi Scholarships and Bursaries
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

University of Nairobi Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Needy students enrolled at the University of Nairobi.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in recognised diploma programmes at accredited institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: KCSE C- with C in English and a certificate in any field from a recognised post-secondary institution, or KCE Division III with a certificate, or equivalent qualifications.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular tests, essays, and seminar participation assessed throughout the programme.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written theory examinations at the end of each semester covering all units taken.
Research Project
Project20% of the mark
A supervised research project on an international studies topic, submitted for final assessment.

Accreditation

Offered by the University of Nairobi and accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) as a university-level diploma programme.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Accredits university programmes in Kenya including the Diploma in International Studies at the University of Nairobi.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Qualifications recognitionRequired
Recognises the qualification within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Foreign Service Officer
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000
Serves in Kenya's diplomatic missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supporting bilateral and multilateral relations.
International Organisation Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Supports programme operations at international organisations including UN agencies, AU, and EAC.
Policy Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000
Conducts research on international relations, foreign policy, and global affairs for think tanks and policy institutes.
NGO Programme Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manages programme activities for international NGOs working in peace-building, development, or humanitarian assistance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as foreign service officers, international organisation assistants, and policy research assistants with government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Research Methods and Data Analysis
MethodologyPrimary
Qualitative and quantitative research methods for analysing international relations data and policy documents.
International Law Databases
ReferencePrimary
Online databases of international treaties, UN resolutions, and international court rulings for legal research.
Policy Analysis Frameworks
Methodology
Analytical frameworks for evaluating foreign policy decisions and international relations scenarios.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

International studies only leads to a career as a diplomat.
Graduates work in diverse fields including international organisations, NGOs, policy research, journalism, and corporate international affairs, not just foreign service.
You need to speak multiple foreign languages to study international studies.
While additional languages are advantageous, the diploma programme is conducted in English and does not require multilingual proficiency for admission.
International studies has no relevance to Kenya's job market.
Kenya hosts numerous international organisations, plays an active diplomatic role in the region, and has a growing NGO sector, all creating demand for international studies qualifications.
International studies is the same as political science.
While related, international studies focuses specifically on international relations, diplomacy, and global affairs, while political science covers domestic politics, governance, and political theory more broadly.