Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Diplomacy, Intelligence and Security

The Master of Arts in Diplomacy, Intelligence and Security (MDIS) is a postgraduate programme offered by Strathmore University through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme is designed to inculcate professional knowledge and skills in diplomacy, intelligence, and security, guided by moral and legal principles.

The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, equipping students with expertise in diplomatic practice, intelligence analysis, security management, and the intersections between these fields. Students develop competence in threat assessment, intelligence gathering and analysis, diplomatic protocol, security policy, and crisis management.

Core areas of study include diplomatic theory and practice, intelligence studies, security management, international law, counterterrorism, cyber security policy, geopolitical analysis, and research methods in security studies. The programme emphasises the interconnectedness of diplomacy, intelligence, and security in addressing contemporary global threats.

Strathmore University is a private chartered university in Nairobi known for its high academic standards and values-based education. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers programmes in international relations, diplomacy, and security studies, with strong links to government security agencies and international organisations.

The programme is designed for professionals in diplomacy, intelligence, and security sectors, including DCI officers, military intelligence professionals, diplomats, and security analysts. Admission requires passing a Graduate Entrance Examination comprising a written test and oral interview, ensuring high academic standards.

Graduates are prepared for careers as intelligence analysts, security consultants, diplomatic officers, security policy advisors, risk analysts, and national security professionals in government agencies, international organisations, private security firms, and corporate security departments.

Skills Required

Intelligence Analysis
Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Security Management
Threat Assessment
Counterterrorism Studies
Geopolitical Analysis
International Law
Crisis Management
Cyber Security Policy
Research Methods in Security Studies

Key Subjects

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Intelligence Studies
Security Management
International Law
Counterterrorism
Cyber Security Policy
Geopolitical Analysis
Crisis Management
Threat Assessment
Research Methods in Security Studies

Certifications

International Association for Intelligence Education Membership
Global Counterterrorism Forum Certification

Specializations

Intelligence Analysis

Focuses on intelligence gathering, analysis, and assessment techniques, including open-source intelligence, signals intelligence, and human intelligence methods.

Diplomatic Practice

Examines diplomatic theory, protocol, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and the role of intelligence in supporting diplomatic decision-making.

Security Management

Covers security management principles including risk assessment, security planning, physical security, and personnel security in organisational contexts.

Counterterrorism

Focuses on counterterrorism theory and practice, including threat analysis, prevention strategies, and international cooperation in counterterrorism.

Cyber Security Policy

Examines cyber security threats and policy responses, including cyber warfare, digital espionage, and international cyber norms.

Geopolitical Analysis

Covers geopolitical analysis techniques including regional power dynamics, resource competition, and strategic forecasting in international relations.

Crisis Management

Focuses on crisis management theory and practice, including emergency response, decision-making under pressure, and post-crisis recovery.

African Security Studies

Examines security challenges in African contexts including conflict, terrorism, governance, and regional security cooperation.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 800,000
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: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Intelligence Studies
Security Management
International Law
Counterterrorism
Cyber Security Policy
Geopolitical Analysis
Crisis Management
Threat Assessment
Research Methods in Security Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Diplomatic Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines diplomatic theory, protocol, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and the role of intelligence in supporting diplomatic decision-making.
Intelligence Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers intelligence theory and practice including intelligence cycle, collection methods, analysis techniques, and intelligence reporting.
Security Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines security management principles including risk assessment, security planning, physical security, personnel security, and organisational security frameworks.
International Law and Security
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers international legal frameworks governing security including use of force, humanitarian law, terrorism conventions, and intelligence law.
Counterterrorism Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines counterterrorism theory and practice including terrorist threat analysis, prevention strategies, international cooperation, and post-incident response.
Cyber Security Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers cyber security threats, policy responses, cyber warfare, digital espionage, and international cyber norms in the context of national security.
Geopolitical Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines geopolitical analysis techniques including regional power dynamics, resource competition, strategic forecasting, and geopolitical risk assessment.
Crisis Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers crisis management theory and practice including emergency response, decision-making under pressure, interagency coordination, and post-crisis recovery.
Research Methods in Security Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in diplomacy, intelligence, and security studies.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a topic at the intersection of diplomacy, intelligence, and security, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Intelligence Analysis
Focuses on intelligence gathering, analysis, and assessment techniques, including open-source intelligence, signals intelligence, and human intelligence methods.
Diplomatic Practice
Examines diplomatic theory, protocol, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and the role of intelligence in supporting diplomatic decision-making.
Security Management
Covers security management principles including risk assessment, security planning, physical security, and personnel security in organisational contexts.
Counterterrorism
Focuses on counterterrorism theory and practice, including threat analysis, prevention strategies, and international cooperation in counterterrorism.
Cyber Security Policy
Examines cyber security threats and policy responses, including cyber warfare, digital espionage, and international cyber norms.
Geopolitical Analysis
Covers geopolitical analysis techniques including regional power dynamics, resource competition, and strategic forecasting in international relations.
Crisis Management
Focuses on crisis management theory and practice, including emergency response, decision-making under pressure, and post-crisis recovery.
African Security Studies
Examines security challenges in African contexts including conflict, terrorism, governance, and regional security cooperation.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on intelligence analysis, diplomatic theory, or security management at Strathmore University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students engage in seminar discussions on contemporary security threats, participate in intelligence analysis exercises, and analyse case studies of diplomatic and security crises. The programme includes guest lectures from practising intelligence and security professionals. Students also participate in crisis management simulations and threat assessment exercises. Those in the research phase conduct independent research on topics such as counterterrorism, cyber security, or regional security dynamics.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme combining diplomacy, intelligence, and security, designed specifically for professionals in these sectors.
Offered at Strathmore University, known for high academic standards and strong links to government security agencies and international organisations.
Programme includes moral and legal principles in its curriculum, ensuring ethical grounding in intelligence and security practice.
Available in both full-time and part-time modes, accommodating working professionals in security and diplomatic sectors.

Against it

Most expensive programme in this category at KES 1,600,000 total, significantly higher than alternatives at public universities.
Admission requires passing a Graduate Entrance Examination comprising written and oral components, adding complexity to the application process.
Only one institution offers this specific programme, limiting choice and comparison.
The programme requires KCSE C+ minimum, which is unusual for a postgraduate programme and may exclude some applicants.

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

Public118k to 221k

118k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private218k to 800k

218k at International Leadership University800k at Strathmore 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

Strathmore MDIS 800K/yr (official). ILU 218.4K/yr. UoN/Maseno proxy.

Strathmore University offers scholarships and a Work Study programme for postgraduate students demonstrating financial need. HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. The university periodically announces scholarships for masters programmes.

Funding options

Strathmore University Financial Aid
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Strathmore Work Study Programme

Scholarships

3 recorded

Strathmore University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
Postgraduate students demonstrating exceptional academic merit. Scholarships are announced periodically and availability varies.
Strathmore Work Study Programme
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Students demonstrating financial need, with part of fees paid by the university in exchange for work contributions.
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (minimum)
Alternative entry: Applicants must have scored at least C+ in KCSE or equivalent. All applicants must pass a Graduate Entrance Examination (GEE) comprising a written exam (English comprehension, arithmetic, essay) and oral interview. Foreign qualifications require a Letter of Recognition from CUE. Application fee is KES 2,500.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, intelligence analysis exercises, policy briefs, seminar presentations, and research assignments conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering course content, including essay questions, scenario analysis, and security policy application.
Crisis Management Simulation
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment of crisis management and intelligence analysis skills through simulated security scenarios and threat assessment exercises.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a topic at the intersection of diplomacy, intelligence, and security, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by Strathmore University, a chartered private university, through its School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
International Association for Intelligence Education
Professional membership
International association for intelligence education professionals. Membership recommended for networking and professional development.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Intelligence Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Analyses intelligence data and produces threat assessments for government agencies, international organisations, or private security firms.
Security Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Consults on security risks and management strategies for corporate clients, government agencies, or international organisations.
Diplomatic Officer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Serves in diplomatic missions representing Kenya abroad, with expertise in intelligence and security enhancing diplomatic effectiveness.
Security Policy Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Advises government officials or organisations on security policy, threat mitigation, and strategic security planning.
Risk Analyst
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Assesses security and geopolitical risks for businesses, NGOs, or government agencies operating in challenging environments.
National Security Professional
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 350,000
Works in national security agencies managing security threats, developing intelligence products, and supporting national security decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as intelligence analysts, security consultants, diplomatic officers, security policy advisors, and risk analysts in government agencies, international organisations, and private security firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for quantitative analysis in security studies, analysing threat data, crime statistics, and security indicators.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing intelligence reports, policy documents, and interview data in security research.
Maltego
Software
Open-source intelligence and link analysis tool used for gathering and visualising intelligence data from publicly available sources.
Palantir
Software
Data integration and analysis platform used by intelligence and security organisations for threat analysis and operational planning.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme is only for those working in intelligence agencies.
Graduates work in diplomacy, security consulting, risk analysis, corporate security, policy advisory, and academia, applying intelligence and security skills across multiple sectors.
Intelligence studies is about espionage and covert operations.
The programme covers analytical intelligence, threat assessment, policy development, and security management, with emphasis on legal and ethical frameworks.
You need a security background to be admitted.
While the programme is designed for professionals in diplomacy, intelligence, and security, applicants from various academic backgrounds are considered if they meet entry requirements and pass the entrance examination.
The programme focuses only on Kenyan security issues.
The programme covers global security challenges including cyber security, international terrorism, and geopolitical dynamics, with particular emphasis on African security contexts.
Diplomacy and intelligence are unrelated fields.
The programme specifically examines how intelligence supports diplomatic decision-making, and how diplomatic tools can address security threats, reflecting their interconnected nature in practice.
The programme is too expensive for most students.
Strathmore offers financial aid, scholarships, and a Work Study programme to help students manage the programme costs, alongside HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students.