Social Sciences

Master of Arts in International Relations

The Master of Arts in International Relations is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by several Kenyan universities, with the University of Nairobi hosting the most established programme through the Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Diplomatic Studies. The programme provides advanced training in international relations theory, diplomatic practice, and global affairs.

The programme exposes students to major issues in international relations, including foreign policy analysis, international security, global governance, international political economy, and regional integration. It prepares students for careers in international organisations, diplomatic offices, and national offices handling international affairs.

Core areas of study include theories of international relations, foreign policy analysis, international law, international political economy, conflict and security studies, diplomacy and negotiation, and research methods. Students examine the dynamics of power, cooperation, and conflict in the international system from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

The curriculum offers two options: a coursework plus thesis track requiring eight taught units and a thesis equivalent to eight units, and a coursework plus project paper track requiring twelve taught units and a project paper equivalent to four units. This flexibility allows students to choose between a research-intensive or coursework-intensive pathway.

Delivery modes include full-time and part-time study, with evening blended (virtual and physical) options at UoN accommodating working professionals in government, international organisations, and the private sector. The programme has an annual September intake.

Graduates are prepared for roles as diplomatic service officers, foreign policy analysts, international organisation staff, policy researchers, and international development consultants. Kenya's hosting of the UN Office at Nairobi and numerous international organisations provides unique career opportunities for graduates.

Skills Required

International Relations Theory
Foreign Policy Analysis
Diplomatic Practice and Protocol
International Law
International Political Economy
Conflict and Security Analysis
Negotiation and Mediation
Research Methods in Social Sciences
Global Governance
Regional Integration Studies

Key Subjects

Theories of International Relations
Foreign Policy Analysis
International Law
International Political Economy
International Security and Conflict
Diplomacy and Negotiation
Research Methods in International Relations
Global Governance
African International Relations
International Organisations

Certifications

Foreign Service Academy Certification
International Studies Association Membership

Specializations

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Focuses on diplomatic theory, foreign policy formulation, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and the practice of international negotiation.

International Security and Conflict Studies

Examines security challenges, conflict dynamics, terrorism, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution in the international system.

International Political Economy

Analyses the interaction of politics and economics in the international system, including trade, finance, development, and globalisation.

Global Governance and International Organisations

Studies the role of international organisations, multilateral institutions, and global governance frameworks in managing international affairs.

African Regional Integration

Focuses on regional integration in Africa, including the African Union, East African Community, and continental free trade arrangements.

International Law and Human Rights

Covers international legal frameworks, human rights regimes, humanitarian law, and the role of international courts and tribunals.

Development and International Cooperation

Examines international development cooperation, foreign aid, sustainable development goals, and the role of non-state actors in development.

Strategic Studies

Focuses on strategic analysis, defence policy, geopolitics, and the use of force in international relations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 268,500
Private, up to: Ksh 260,065
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening, Blended
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Theories of International Relations
Foreign Policy Analysis
International Law
International Political Economy
International Security and Conflict
Diplomacy and Negotiation
Research Methods in International Relations
Global Governance
African International Relations
International Organisations

Modules

10 in the programme

Theories of International Relations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major theoretical approaches to international relations including realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Analyses the formulation and implementation of foreign policy, including decision-making processes, domestic and external influences, and comparative foreign policy.
International Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the principles and frameworks of international law, including treaties, state responsibility, international courts, and humanitarian law.
International Political Economy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the interaction of politics and economics in the international system, including trade, finance, development, and globalisation.
International Security and Conflict
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analyses security challenges including interstate conflict, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and emerging security threats in the international system.
Diplomacy and Negotiation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers diplomatic theory and practice, negotiation techniques, mediation, and the role of diplomacy in managing international relations.
Research Methods in International Relations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in international relations and diplomatic studies.
African International Relations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Examines Africa's role in international relations, including pan-Africanism, regional integration, conflict resolution, and Africa's relations with major powers.
Global Governance and International Organisations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsElective
Studies the architecture of global governance, including the UN system, international financial institutions, and emerging multilateral frameworks.
Thesis or Project Paper
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original research thesis equivalent to eight course units, or a project paper equivalent to four units, on an international relations topic.

Specialisations

Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Focuses on diplomatic theory, foreign policy formulation, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and the practice of international negotiation.
International Security and Conflict Studies
Examines security challenges, conflict dynamics, terrorism, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution in the international system.
International Political Economy
Analyses the interaction of politics and economics in the international system, including trade, finance, development, and globalisation.
Global Governance and International Organisations
Studies the role of international organisations, multilateral institutions, and global governance frameworks in managing international affairs.
African Regional Integration
Focuses on regional integration in Africa, including the African Union, East African Community, and continental free trade arrangements.
International Law and Human Rights
Covers international legal frameworks, human rights regimes, humanitarian law, and the role of international courts and tribunals.
Development and International Cooperation
Examines international development cooperation, foreign aid, sustainable development goals, and the role of non-state actors in development.
Strategic Studies
Focuses on strategic analysis, defence policy, geopolitics, and the use of force in international relations.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending evening lectures on international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, or diplomatic practice at the Department of Political Science. Students engage in seminar discussions on contemporary global issues, participate in mock negotiations and diplomatic simulations, and present research papers on regional conflicts or international policy challenges. Those in the research phase conduct literature reviews, analyse international relations data, and work on their thesis or project paper under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya hosts the UN Office at Nairobi and numerous international organisations, providing exceptional career opportunities for IR graduates.
Offered at six institutions including public and private universities, providing choice of learning environment and programme focus.
Flexible programme structure with thesis and project paper options, accommodating both research-oriented and coursework-preferred students.
Evening blended delivery at UoN accommodates working professionals in government, diplomacy, and international organisations.

Against it

UoN programme fees of KES 533,000 total are relatively high compared to other MA programmes at public universities.
Diplomatic service positions are highly competitive, with limited annual recruitment through the Foreign Service Academy.
Private university fees (Strathmore, USIU-Africa) are significantly higher and could not be verified from official sources.
The programme requires strong analytical and writing skills, with extensive reading on global affairs and theoretical frameworks.

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 269k

118k at Maseno University269k at University of Nairobi

Private260k to 260k

260k at United States International University Africa260k at United States International University Africa

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 MA IR 268.5K/yr (verified). Maseno proxy. USIU 260.1K/yr (eafinder).

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: Holders of a Bachelor's degree with a pass plus a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field, or a pass degree with at least two years of relevant work experience, may be considered. 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, policy briefs, and analytical essays conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination60% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering all course unit content, including essay questions and policy analysis scenarios.
Thesis or Project Paper
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project paper assessed through written submission and oral defence before a faculty panel.
Seminar Participation and Negotiation Exercises
Coursework20% of the mark
Active participation in seminars, diplomatic simulations, negotiation exercises, and policy debate sessions.

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 Studies Association
Professional membership
Global professional association for international studies scholars. Membership recommended for professional networking and research dissemination.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Diplomatic Service Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Serves in Kenya's foreign missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, managing bilateral and multilateral relations. Senior diplomatic officers earn KES 200,000 to 400,000 per month including foreign service allowances.
Foreign Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses international developments and advises government, think tanks, and international organisations on foreign policy issues.
International Organisation Staff
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Works in UN agencies, African Union, EAC, and other international organisations based in Nairobi and abroad, with competitive international salaries.
Policy Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts research on international relations, security, and development for think tanks, research institutes, and policy organisations.
International Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides consultancy services on international development, governance, and conflict resolution for NGOs and development agencies.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches international relations, political science, and diplomatic studies at universities, contributing to research and scholarship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue roles as diplomatic service officers, foreign policy analysts, international organisation staff, and policy researchers, with strong demand driven by Kenya's role as a diplomatic hub hosting the UN and numerous international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for quantitative analysis in international relations research, including survey data and conflict datasets.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for coding and analysing interview data, policy documents, and diplomatic communications.
Microsoft Word
Software
Primary tool for academic writing, thesis preparation, policy briefs, and diplomatic reporting.
Google Scholar
Platform
Academic search engine for finding scholarly literature on international relations, diplomacy, and global affairs.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

International relations only leads to diplomatic service careers.
Graduates pursue diverse careers in international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, policy research, journalism, international business, and academia.
You need to work in Nairobi to have a career in international relations.
While Nairobi is a major diplomatic hub, graduates work in missions abroad, regional organisations across Africa, and international postings worldwide.
International relations is just about politics between countries.
The field covers economics, law, security, development, environment, human rights, and the role of non-state actors including multinational corporations and civil society.
A master's in international relations has limited job opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya hosts the UN Office at Nairobi, numerous embassies, and international organisations, creating strong demand for IR graduates in diplomatic and international development sectors.
International relations is only for those from privileged backgrounds.
The programme admits students from diverse backgrounds, with HELB loans and bursaries available to support access for qualified candidates.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application.
The curriculum includes negotiation simulations, policy analysis exercises, and a project paper or thesis that applies theoretical knowledge to real-world international issues.