Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Forced Migration

The Master of Arts in Forced Migration is a postgraduate programme offered by Moi University through the School of Arts and Social Sciences. The programme provides advanced training in the study of forced migration, displacement, and refugee protection, preparing graduates for careers in humanitarian assistance, refugee protection, migration policy, and displacement research.

The programme takes a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on political science, anthropology, sociology, law, and international relations to develop a systematic understanding of forced migration. Students examine the causes and consequences of forced displacement, the global and domestic processes that underpin migration, and the legal and policy frameworks governing refugee protection.

Core areas of study include forced migration theory, refugee law and protection, displacement and development, humanitarian assistance, migration policy, conflict-induced displacement, climate-induced migration, resettlement and reintegration, and research methods in migration studies. The programme emphasises both theoretical understanding and practical engagement with forced migration challenges.

Moi University is a leading institution in forced migration studies in East Africa, with the programme listed on the Refugee Research Network. The programme is available at both the Main Campus in Eldoret and the Nairobi Campus, providing flexibility for students and access to humanitarian organisations based in Nairobi.

The programme is designed for graduates and professionals working in or seeking careers in humanitarian assistance, refugee protection, migration management, and displacement research. Students complete coursework, research methodology, field research, and a thesis over four semesters.

Graduates are prepared for careers as refugee protection officers, migration policy analysts, humanitarian programme managers, displacement researchers, resettlement officers, and migration consultants in UN agencies, government, NGOs, research institutions, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Forced Migration Theory
Refugee Law and Protection
Humanitarian Assistance
Migration Policy Analysis
Displacement and Development
Conflict-Induced Displacement Analysis
Climate-Induced Migration
Resettlement and Reintegration
Multi-Disciplinary Research
Research Methods in Migration Studies

Key Subjects

Forced Migration Theory
Refugee Law and Protection
Displacement and Development
Humanitarian Assistance
Migration Policy
Conflict-Induced Displacement
Climate-Induced Migration
Resettlement and Reintegration
International Migration Law
Research Methods in Migration Studies

Certifications

UNHCR Protection Certification
IOM Migration Governance Certification

Specializations

Refugee Protection

Focuses on international refugee law, protection frameworks, asylum procedures, and the rights of forcibly displaced persons.

Humanitarian Assistance

Examines humanitarian response to displacement crises including emergency relief, camp management, and humanitarian coordination.

Migration Policy

Covers migration policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation at national, regional, and international levels.

Conflict and Displacement

Examines the relationship between conflict and forced migration, including conflict-induced displacement and post-conflict reintegration.

Climate-Induced Migration

Focuses on environmental displacement, climate change as a driver of migration, and the legal gaps in protecting climate-displaced persons.

Resettlement and Reintegration

Covers resettlement programmes, voluntary repatriation, local integration, and post-conflict reintegration of displaced populations.

Displacement and Development

Examines the development dimensions of displacement including livelihoods, economic impacts, and development-induced displacement.

African Migration Studies

Focuses on forced migration in African contexts, including regional protection frameworks, intra-African migration, and African Union migration policies.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Job market: High

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

Forced Migration Theory
Refugee Law and Protection
Displacement and Development
Humanitarian Assistance
Migration Policy
Conflict-Induced Displacement
Climate-Induced Migration
Resettlement and Reintegration
International Migration Law
Research Methods in Migration Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Forced Migration Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theories of forced migration including causes, typologies, and the global and domestic processes that underpin forced displacement.
Refugee Law and Protection
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers international refugee law including the 1951 Convention, regional instruments, asylum procedures, and protection frameworks for forcibly displaced persons.
Displacement and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the development dimensions of displacement including livelihoods, economic impacts, and development-induced displacement.
Humanitarian Assistance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers humanitarian response to displacement crises including emergency relief, camp management, humanitarian coordination, and humanitarian principles.
Migration Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines migration policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation at national, regional, and international levels, including Kenyan and African migration policies.
Conflict-Induced Displacement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the relationship between conflict and forced migration, including conflict-induced displacement patterns and post-conflict reintegration.
Climate-Induced Migration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Focuses on environmental displacement, climate change as a driver of migration, and emerging legal frameworks for protecting climate-displaced persons.
Resettlement and Reintegration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers resettlement programmes, voluntary repatriation, local integration, and post-conflict reintegration of displaced populations.
Research Methods in Migration Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research on forced migration and displacement.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a forced migration topic, demonstrating mastery of migration analysis and research, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Refugee Protection
Focuses on international refugee law, protection frameworks, asylum procedures, and the rights of forcibly displaced persons.
Humanitarian Assistance
Examines humanitarian response to displacement crises including emergency relief, camp management, and humanitarian coordination.
Migration Policy
Covers migration policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation at national, regional, and international levels.
Conflict and Displacement
Examines the relationship between conflict and forced migration, including conflict-induced displacement and post-conflict reintegration.
Climate-Induced Migration
Focuses on environmental displacement, climate change as a driver of migration, and the legal gaps in protecting climate-displaced persons.
Resettlement and Reintegration
Covers resettlement programmes, voluntary repatriation, local integration, and post-conflict reintegration of displaced populations.
Displacement and Development
Examines the development dimensions of displacement including livelihoods, economic impacts, and development-induced displacement.
African Migration Studies
Focuses on forced migration in African contexts, including regional protection frameworks, intra-African migration, and African Union migration policies.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on forced migration theory, refugee law, or humanitarian assistance at Moi University's School of Arts and Social Sciences. Students engage in seminar discussions on contemporary displacement crises, analysing case studies from the Horn of Africa, Great Lakes region, and global displacement contexts. The programme includes guest lectures from UNHCR, IOM, and NGO practitioners working with displaced populations. Students participate in field visits to refugee camps or settlements in Kenya, gaining practical exposure to displacement contexts. Those in the research phase conduct independent field research on forced migration topics, collecting data in displacement-affected communities and working on their thesis under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme in East Africa focusing on forced migration, listed on the Refugee Research Network and recognised internationally.
Multi-disciplinary approach drawing on political science, anthropology, sociology, law, and international relations.
Available at both Main Campus (Eldoret) and Nairobi Campus, with Nairobi providing access to humanitarian organisation headquarters.
Kenya hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, creating strong demand for forced migration professionals.

Against it

Requires at least 2 years of relevant work experience, which may exclude recent graduates.
Only one institution offers this specific programme, limiting choice and comparison.
Field research in displacement-affected communities may present logistical and ethical challenges.
The programme requires a thesis, which may extend completion time beyond the standard 2 years for some students.

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 187k

118k at Maseno University187k at Moi 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

Moi ~187.2K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Maseno proxy. Private unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, Moi University bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and potential scholarship opportunities through UNHCR and humanitarian organisations for students focusing on refugee protection.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Moi University Bursary
UNHCR Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Moi University Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Moi University students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.
UNHCR Scholarship Opportunities
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Students focusing on refugee protection, administered through UNHCR and partner organisations. Availability varies.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is open to students who satisfy Moi University Senate approved requirements for Master's degrees. Available at both Main Campus (Eldoret) and Nairobi Campus. Application fee is KES 2,000.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, policy analysis papers, case study analyses, seminar presentations, and research assignments conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering forced migration theory, refugee law, and policy analysis, including essay questions and case studies.
Field Research Report
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving field research in displacement-affected communities, demonstrating ability to apply research methods to real migration contexts.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a forced migration topic, demonstrating mastery of migration analysis and research, 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 Moi University's School of Arts and Social Sciences and is listed on the Refugee Research Network.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
Refugee Research Network
Programme recognition
International research network listing the programme, providing recognition and access to global migration research resources.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Refugee Protection Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Works with UNHCR or NGOs to protect refugees and asylum seekers, conducting status determination, protection monitoring, and advocacy.
Migration Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses migration policy issues and provides research and recommendations to government, international organisations, or think tanks.
Humanitarian Programme Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages humanitarian assistance programmes for displaced populations, overseeing design, implementation, and evaluation of relief programmes.
Displacement Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Conducts research on forced migration and displacement for research institutions, universities, or international organisations.
Resettlement Officer
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Manages refugee resettlement programmes, coordinating resettlement processing, integration support, and post-arrival services.
Migration Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Consults on migration policy, displacement responses, and humanitarian programming for governments, NGOs, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as refugee protection officers, migration policy analysts, humanitarian programme managers, and displacement researchers in UN agencies, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for analysing migration data, demographic trends, and survey data in forced migration research.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, policy documents, and field notes in migration research.
GIS Software
Software
Geographic Information Systems software for mapping displacement patterns, refugee camp locations, and migration routes.
UNHCR Population Statistics Database
Software
UNHCR database providing comprehensive statistics on refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced populations globally.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Forced migration is just about refugees.
The programme covers all forms of forced displacement including internally displaced persons, climate-induced migration, development-induced displacement, and trafficking, alongside refugee protection.
This programme only leads to NGO work.
Graduates work in UN agencies, government departments, research institutions, policy think tanks, and academia, applying migration expertise across multiple sectors.
Forced migration studies is a narrow specialisation.
The programme takes a multi-disciplinary approach drawing on political science, anthropology, sociology, law, and international relations, providing broad analytical skills.
There are limited job opportunities in forced migration in Kenya.
Kenya hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa and is a regional hub for humanitarian organisations, creating strong demand for migration professionals.
You need a law degree to study refugee protection.
The programme accepts graduates from various disciplines including political science, international relations, public administration, and sociology, with legal frameworks taught at an accessible level.
Climate-induced migration is a future problem, not a current one.
Climate displacement is already occurring globally and in Africa, with the programme examining current cases and emerging legal frameworks for protecting climate-displaced persons.