Master of Arts in Counter-Terrorism and Strategic Studies
The Master of Arts in Counter-Terrorism and Strategic Studies provides advanced training in counter-terrorism, terrorism analysis, strategic studies, intelligence, and security policy. Students learn terrorism dynamics, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence analysis, security policy, and strategic studies. The programme is designed for intelligence officers, security professionals, military personnel, and policy analysts seeking advanced counter-terrorism expertise.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 220,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 441,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Bachelor's Degree (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop advanced competencies in terrorism analysis, counter-terrorism strategy, intelligence analysis, strategic studies, security policy, and threat assessment. The curriculum covers terrorism theories and dynamics, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence analysis, strategic studies, security policy and governance, radicalisation and violent extremism, research methods, and a research dissertation. Practical skills are developed through case studies and scenario exercises.
Counter-terrorism expertise is critical for Kenya's national security, given the threat from al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups. Intelligence agencies, security forces, military, government, and international organisations require trained personnel for counter-terrorism. Kenya's security environment creates sustained demand for counter-terrorism expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced counter-terrorism and strategic studies training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, scenario exercises, and research. Students study terrorism dynamics, analyse counter-terrorism strategies, examine intelligence, and conduct security research. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, scenario-based exercises, and research supervision. The programme emphasises analytical and strategic skills for counter-terrorism and security.
Graduates find employment in intelligence agencies, security forces, military, government security departments, and international organisations. The master's degree supports careers in counter-terrorism analysis, intelligence, security policy, and strategic studies.
This programme is ideal for intelligence officers, security professionals, military personnel, and policy analysts seeking advanced counter-terrorism and strategic studies expertise. The programme provides specialised skills for national security and counter-terrorism roles.
What you study
10 subjects- Terrorism Theories and Dynamics
- Counter-Terrorism Strategies
- Intelligence Analysis
- Strategic Studies
- Security Policy and Governance
- Radicalisation and Violent Extremism
- Asymmetric Warfare
- International Security
- Research Methods in Security Studies
- Dissertation Research
Modules
8 in the programmeTerrorism Theories and Dynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Terrorism theories covering definitions of terrorism, terrorism typologies, terrorist ideologies, terrorist organisations, and the dynamics of terrorism globally and in Africa.
Counter-Terrorism Strategies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Counter-terrorism strategies covering military, intelligence, law enforcement, diplomatic, and countering violent extremism approaches to counter-terrorism.
Intelligence Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Intelligence analysis covering intelligence cycle, collection methods, analysis techniques, intelligence products, and intelligence for counter-terrorism.
Strategic Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic studies covering strategic theory, grand strategy, deterrence, asymmetric warfare, and strategic approaches to security challenges.
Radicalisation and Violent Extremism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Radicalisation covering radicalisation theories, pathways to violent extremism, countering violent extremism (CVE), and deradicalisation programmes.
Security Policy and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Security policy covering national security policy, counter-terrorism legislation, security governance, and international counter-terrorism cooperation.
Research Methods in Security Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, security research ethics, and intelligence research methods.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research dissertation on a counter-terrorism or strategic studies topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to security studies knowledge.
Specialisations
Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Operations
Focus on intelligence analysis for counter-terrorism, operational planning, and intelligence-driven counter-terrorism operations.
Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)
Focus on radicalisation, countering violent extremism, community engagement, deradicalisation, and prevention programmes.
Security Policy and Strategy
Focus on counter-terrorism policy, security strategy, international cooperation, and security governance.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on terrorism dynamics or counter-terrorism strategy with afternoon case studies and scenario exercises. Students study terrorism theories, analyse counter-terrorism operations, examine intelligence, and conduct security research. Scenario exercises involve terrorist threat simulations and counter-terrorism response planning. The programme emphasises analytical skills, strategic thinking, and practical counter-terrorism competence in national security contexts.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Counter-terrorism expertise is critical for Kenya's national security given threats from al-Shabaab and other groups. | The programme is offered at a specialised security institution with restricted access. |
| Offered at NIRU, a specialised intelligence university with direct links to national security institutions. | The programme was noted as seeking accreditation at the time of verification. |
| Provides advanced qualifications for senior intelligence, security, and policy roles. | Career opportunities are primarily within government security and intelligence sectors, which may have restricted entry. |
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 proxy 441K/2yr(uonbi.ac.ke). NIRU fees not public. Private unverified.
As a specialised government security institution, NIRU may provide government sponsorship for security personnel. HELB loans may be available for eligible Kenyan students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Lower Division) in Security Studies, Intelligence Studies, Political Science, International Relations, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Security clearance may be required. Contact NIRU for specific requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding National Intelligence Research University.
Including National Intelligence Research University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Case Studies
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, case study analyses, and scenario exercises evaluating understanding of counter-terrorism and strategic studies concepts.
Scenario Exercises and Intelligence Analysis
Project30% of the mark
Terrorism threat scenario exercises, intelligence analysis assignments, and counter-terrorism strategy projects.
Dissertation Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's dissertation demonstrating research competence in counter-terrorism and strategic studies.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
NIRU is chartered by CUE. Programme was seeking accreditation at time of verification.
NIRU is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme was noted as seeking accreditation at the time of verification. NIRU operates under the National Intelligence Service.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesCounter-Terrorism Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses terrorism threats and counter-terrorism strategies in intelligence agencies or government, providing assessments and recommendations for counter-terrorism policy.
Intelligence Officer
Moderate demand
Serves as an intelligence officer focusing on terrorism threats, gathering and analysing intelligence to support counter-terrorism operations.
Security Policy Advisor
Moderate demand
Advises government on counter-terrorism policy, security strategy, and CVE programmes, developing policy frameworks and strategies.
Strategic Studies Researcher
Low demand
Conducts research on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and strategic studies in research institutions or think tanks, contributing to security scholarship.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment in intelligence agencies, security forces, military, and government security departments, with specialised expertise in counter-terrorism analysis, intelligence, and security policy.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Counter-terrorism is only about military operations.
Counter-terrorism involves intelligence, policy, law enforcement, diplomacy, countering violent extremism, and community engagement, not just military action.
Terrorism studies is not a serious academic discipline.
Terrorism and counter-terrorism studies is a well-established field with dedicated research institutes, journals, and academic programmes worldwide.
Counter-terrorism is only for military and police.
Counter-terrorism requires expertise from intelligence, policy, diplomacy, law, sociology, and psychology, involving diverse professionals.
Terrorism is only a foreign problem.
Kenya faces real terrorism threats from al-Shabaab and other groups, making counter-terrorism expertise critical for national security.