Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in History

The Master of Arts in History is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by several Kenyan universities, with the University of Nairobi hosting the oldest and most established programme through the Department of History and Archaeology. The programme provides advanced training in historical research, analysis, and interpretation, preparing graduates for careers in academia, research, heritage management, and public service.

The programme exposes students to a wide scope of historical knowledge through four clusters: History Generals, Women in History, Islamic Civilisation, and Armed Conflict and Peace Studies. These clusters enable students to specialise in diverse areas of historical inquiry whilst maintaining a broad foundation in historical methodology.

Core areas of study include historiography, research methods in history, African history, economic history, social history, and the history of international relations. Students examine the interplay of political, economic, social, and cultural forces that have shaped African and global societies over time.

The curriculum emphasises the inter-disciplinary approach to learning, bringing together interests and specialities represented by related academic units. Students are expected to analyse, synthesise, and evaluate historical ideas rather than simply memorise facts, developing critical thinking and research skills essential for historical scholarship.

Delivery modes include full-time, part-time, and open distance and e-learning options, accommodating working professionals in education, public service, and heritage sectors. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, fieldwork, and independent research under faculty supervision.

Graduates are prepared for roles as university lecturers, secondary school teachers, researchers, archivists, museum curators, heritage managers, and public historians. The programme's accreditation by the Commission for University Education ensures recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region.

Skills Required

Historical Research and Analysis
Historiography
Archival Research
Critical Source Analysis
Academic Writing and Documentation
Oral History Methodology
African History
Comparative Historical Analysis
Heritage Management
Research Methods in History

Key Subjects

Historiography
Research Methods in History
African History to 1800
African History Since 1800
Economic History of Africa
History of International Relations
Women in African History
Islamic Civilisation in Africa
Armed Conflict and Peace Studies
Historical Source Analysis

Certifications

Kenya National Archives Certification in Records Management
International Council on Museums (ICOM) Membership

Specializations

African History

Focuses on the political, economic, social, and cultural history of Africa from pre-colonial to contemporary periods.

Economic History

Examines the economic development of societies over time, including trade, industry, labour, and economic transformation in African and global contexts.

Women in History

Explores the role of women in historical processes, gender relations in different societies, and feminist historiography.

Islamic Civilisation

Studies the history and development of Islamic civilisation, including its influence on African societies and the Swahili coast.

Armed Conflict and Peace Studies

Examines the causes, dynamics, and resolution of armed conflicts, with emphasis on African conflicts and peace-building processes.

International Relations History

Focuses on the history of diplomatic relations, international systems, and global power dynamics from historical perspectives.

Social and Cultural History

Explores the social structures, cultural practices, and everyday life of communities in historical perspective.

Public History and Heritage Management

Covers the application of historical knowledge in public contexts, including museum curation, heritage preservation, and community history.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Historiography
Research Methods in History
African History to 1800
African History Since 1800
Economic History of Africa
History of International Relations
Women in African History
Islamic Civilisation in Africa
Armed Conflict and Peace Studies
Historical Source Analysis

Modules

10 in the programme

Historiography and Historical Method
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the philosophy of history, historiographical traditions, and the methods historians use to construct and interpret historical narratives.
Research Methods in History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for historical research, including archival research, oral history, and documentary analysis.
African History to 1800
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the political, economic, and social history of Africa from pre-colonial times to 1800, including state formation, trade networks, and cultural developments.
African History Since 1800
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers African history from 1800 to the present, including colonialism, nationalism, independence movements, and post-colonial developments.
Economic History of Africa
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Examines the economic transformation of African societies, including pre-colonial trade, colonial economic systems, and post-independence economic challenges.
History of International Relations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Covers the evolution of international relations from the Congress of Vienna to the present, examining diplomatic systems, power dynamics, and global conflicts.
Women in African History
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Explores the role of women in African historical processes, gender relations, and feminist historiography in the African context.
Islamic Civilisation in Africa
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines the spread and influence of Islamic civilisation in Africa, including the Swahili coast, trans-Saharan trade, and Islamic education systems.
Armed Conflict and Peace Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Analyses the causes, dynamics, and resolution of armed conflicts in Africa, with emphasis on peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction.
Project Paper / Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original research project equivalent to four course units, involving primary source research, data analysis, and scholarly writing on a historical topic.

Specialisations

African History
Focuses on the political, economic, social, and cultural history of Africa from pre-colonial to contemporary periods.
Economic History
Examines the economic development of societies over time, including trade, industry, labour, and economic transformation in African and global contexts.
Women in History
Explores the role of women in historical processes, gender relations in different societies, and feminist historiography.
Islamic Civilisation
Studies the history and development of Islamic civilisation, including its influence on African societies and the Swahili coast.
Armed Conflict and Peace Studies
Examines the causes, dynamics, and resolution of armed conflicts, with emphasis on African conflicts and peace-building processes.
International Relations History
Focuses on the history of diplomatic relations, international systems, and global power dynamics from historical perspectives.
Social and Cultural History
Explores the social structures, cultural practices, and everyday life of communities in historical perspective.
Public History and Heritage Management
Covers the application of historical knowledge in public contexts, including museum curation, heritage preservation, and community history.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on historiography, African history, or research methods at the Department of History and Archaeology. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing primary sources and historical interpretations, participate in group debates on contested historical narratives, and present research findings on specialised topics. Those in the research phase spend time in the university library and national archives conducting primary source research, collecting oral histories in the field, and working on their thesis or project paper under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Offered at 15 institutions across Kenya, providing wide geographic accessibility and choice of university.
UoN programme offers four distinct specialisation clusters, allowing students to focus on their specific historical interests.
Flexible delivery modes including full-time, part-time, and open distance e-learning accommodate working professionals.
Graduates pursue diverse careers in education, heritage management, archival services, research, and public service.

Against it

Career prospects in pure historical research are limited in Kenya, with most opportunities in education and public service.
Fees vary significantly between institutions, from KES 118,350 per year at Maseno to KES 220,500 at UoN.
Limited funding opportunities specifically for history postgraduate students compared to STEM fields.
Programme requires extensive independent reading and research, which can be challenging for students without access to well-stocked libraries and archives.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private138k to 250k

138k at KCA University250k at Daystar 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 220.5K, Daystar 249.8K verified. Maseno, KCA unverified.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, university-specific postgraduate bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme for academically talented Africans.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Postgraduate Bursary
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Postgraduate students demonstrating financial need at their respective universities.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
ScholarshipKsh 400,000
Academically talented young Africans facing economic, social, or institutional barriers.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants with a Pass Bachelor's degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field may be considered. Each applicant must produce original or certified copies of transcripts, diplomas, and degree certificates. The University Senate recognises equivalent qualifications from accredited institutions.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, seminar presentations, essay assignments, and source analysis exercises conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all course unit content, including essay questions and document analysis.
Project Paper / Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project equivalent to four course units, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Seminar Participation
Coursework20% of the mark
Active participation in seminars including presentations, debates, and critical discussions on historical topics and interpretations.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by multiple universities including the University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and Moi University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
International Council on Museums (ICOM)
Professional membership
Global museum professional body. Membership recommended for graduates pursuing museum and heritage careers.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches history and related subjects at universities, contributing to research and scholarship. Professor-level history positions can earn up to KES 229,000 per month.
Secondary School Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000
Teaches history and government at secondary schools, with salaries ranging from KES 45,000 for entry-level to KES 120,000 for senior teachers.
Museum Curator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 184,000
Manages museum collections, designs exhibitions, and conducts research on cultural artefacts. Average salary approximately KES 116,000 per month.
Archivist
Moderate demandKsh 41,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages archival records, preserves historical documents, and facilitates research access. Average salary approximately KES 107,000 per month.
Public Historian
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Applies historical knowledge in public contexts, including heritage projects, community history, documentary research, and cultural consultancy.
Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts historical research for think tanks, government agencies, international organisations, and academic institutions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue roles as university lecturers, secondary school teachers, researchers, archivists, museum curators, and heritage managers across Kenya's education, cultural, and public service sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Word
SoftwarePrimary
Primary tool for academic writing, thesis preparation, and research documentation.
Zotero
SoftwarePrimary
Reference management software for organising sources, creating bibliographies, and managing research notes.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for quantitative historical analysis, including demographic and economic data analysis.
Google Scholar
Platform
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature on historical topics and related disciplines.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A history degree only leads to teaching careers.
Graduates pursue diverse careers including archival management, museum curation, heritage management, public history, research, diplomacy, journalism, and public policy analysis.
History is just about memorising dates and events.
The programme emphasises critical analysis, source evaluation, historiographical debate, and the interpretation of complex historical processes rather than rote memorisation.
History is irrelevant in the digital age.
Historical research skills are increasingly valuable in the digital era, with growing demand for digital archiving, heritage digitisation, and historical content creation for media and education.
A master's in history has poor employment prospects.
There is steady demand for history graduates in Kenya's education sector, government ministries, cultural institutions, and international heritage organisations.
Historical research is limited to written documents.
The programme covers multiple research methods including oral history, archaeological evidence, material culture analysis, and digital humanities approaches.
All history programmes are the same across universities.
Each university offers different specialisation clusters, with UoN offering History Generals, Women in History, Islamic Civilisation, and Armed Conflict and Peace Studies as distinct tracks.