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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 173,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 346,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 95,500 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 31 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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
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 programmeInternational 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's role as a diplomatic hub with numerous international organisations creates diverse career opportunities. | Relatively high tuition fees compared to TVET diploma programmes. |
| Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenya's premier university with strong academic reputation. | Foreign service positions are highly competitive with limited openings. |
| Part-time study mode makes it accessible to working professionals. | — |
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 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
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 recordedUniversity 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.
Scholarships you could apply for
10 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
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- 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
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 31 institutionsIncluding Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Africa Nazarene University, Chuka University.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Africa Nazarene University, Chuka University.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Africa Nazarene University, Chuka University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous 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
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.
Offered by the University of Nairobi and accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) as a university-level diploma programme.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesForeign 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- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
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.