Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Philosophy and Religion

The Master of Arts in Philosophy and Religion provides advanced training in philosophy, religious studies, philosophical theology, ethics, and comparative religion. Students learn philosophical reasoning, religious thought, philosophical theology, ethics, and the intersection of philosophy and religion. The programme is designed for philosophy and religion graduates, educators, and researchers seeking advanced qualifications in these interrelated fields.

Students develop advanced competencies in philosophical analysis, religious studies, philosophical theology, ethics, comparative religion, and research. The curriculum covers philosophy of religion, philosophical ethics, religious thought, comparative religion, African philosophy and religion, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through seminars and research projects.

Philosophy and religion expertise is valuable for Kenya's education sector, religious institutions, and public discourse. Schools, universities, religious organisations, and civil society require trained individuals for philosophical and religious analysis. Kenya's diverse religious landscape and philosophical traditions create demand for expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced philosophy and religion training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with seminars, discussions, and research. Students study philosophical concepts, analyse religious traditions, examine ethical issues, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group discussions, and research supervision. The programme is offered in full-time and part-time modes.

Graduates find employment as lecturers, researchers, ethics officers, religious education teachers, or civil society leaders in universities, schools, religious organisations, NGOs, and government. The master's degree supports careers in academia, education, religious leadership, and ethical governance.

This programme is ideal for philosophy and religion graduates, educators, and researchers seeking advanced qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for academic research, teaching, and ethical leadership roles.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 190,000
Job market: Low

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: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Philosophy of Religion
Philosophical Ethics
Religious Thought and Theology
Comparative Religion
African Philosophy and Religion
Metaphysics and Epistemology
Research Methods
Social and Political Philosophy
Philosophical Theology
Thesis Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Philosophy of Religion
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophy of religion covering arguments for and against God's existence, the problem of evil, religious experience, faith and reason, and religious language.
Philosophical Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Philosophical ethics covering ethical theories, normative ethics, meta-ethics, applied ethics, and moral reasoning in contemporary issues.
Religious Thought and Theology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Religious thought covering major religious traditions, theological developments, religious philosophy, and the relationship between philosophy and theology.
Research Methods in Humanities
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, philosophical research, and research ethics.
Comparative Religion
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Comparative religion covering major world religions, comparative methodology, religious pluralism, and inter-religious dialogue.
African Philosophy and Religion
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
African philosophy and religion covering African philosophical traditions, African religious thought, African ethics, and the philosophical analysis of African worldviews.
Metaphysics and Social Philosophy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Metaphysics covering being, reality, and existence, and social philosophy covering political philosophy, social justice, and philosophy of society.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research thesis on a philosophy and religion topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to philosophical and religious studies knowledge.

Specialisations

Philosophy of Religion
Focus on philosophical analysis of religious concepts, arguments for God's existence, problem of evil, and faith and reason.
African Philosophy and Religion
Focus on African philosophical traditions, African religious thought, African ethics, and philosophical analysis of African worldviews.
Ethics and Social Philosophy
Focus on ethical theory, applied ethics, political philosophy, and social justice.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on philosophy of religion or ethics with afternoon seminars and research work. Students study philosophical concepts, analyse religious traditions, examine ethical issues, and conduct research. Seminar discussions involve philosophical debates and comparative religion analysis. The programme emphasises critical thinking, analytical skills, and research competence in philosophy and religion.

The trade offs

In its favour

Offered at two universities, providing accessibility in different regions (Kericho and Machakos).
Combines philosophy and religion, providing interdisciplinary training in two complementary fields.
Develops critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical reasoning valuable across multiple sectors.

Against it

Career prospects are primarily in academia and education, which may have limited openings.
Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimates based on comparable programmes.
Philosophy and religion is often perceived as less marketable compared to professional degrees.

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

Public156k to 221k

156k at Machakos University221k at University of Nairobi

Private154k to 190k

154k at Kenya Highlands University190k at Tangaza 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

Machakos 155.9K/yr(intracolleges). KHU 154.3K/yr. UoN 220.5K/yr. Tangaza 190K/yr

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. Both universities may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

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

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Education (Arts) with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Philosophy, Religion, or related field. Lower Division candidates may be considered with grade C and above in relevant units.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Seminars
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, seminar presentations, and examinations evaluating understanding of philosophy and religion concepts.
Research Papers and Essays
Project30% of the mark
Research papers, philosophical essays, and analytical assignments evaluating research and critical thinking skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's thesis demonstrating research competence in philosophy and religion.

Accreditation

Both Kenya Highlands University and Machakos University are chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE at both institutions.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Both KHU and Machakos University are chartered by CUE. MA programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Lecturer (Philosophy/Religion)
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches philosophy or religious studies in universities or colleges, delivering courses in philosophy, ethics, and religious studies.
Researcher
Low demand
Conducts research in philosophy, religion, or ethics in research institutions or think tanks, contributing to scholarly knowledge.
Ethics Officer
Low demand
Works as an ethics officer in government, NGOs, or private sector, applying philosophical ethics to organisational governance and decision-making.
Religious Education Teacher
Low demand
Teaches religious education or philosophy in secondary schools, providing instruction in religious studies and philosophical thinking.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as lecturers, researchers, and ethics officers in universities, schools, religious organisations, and civil society, with opportunities for doctoral studies and academic research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Philosophy and religion is not practical.
Philosophy and religion develops critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and analytical skills valuable in education, governance, leadership, and civil society.
A master's in philosophy and religion has no career prospects.
Graduates find employment in academia, education, religious institutions, ethics offices, NGOs, and public service, with opportunities for doctoral studies.
Philosophy and religion is just about Christianity.
The programme covers comparative religion, African philosophy and religion, multiple religious traditions, and secular philosophical thought.
Philosophy is just abstract thinking with no real-world application.
Philosophy develops critical thinking, logical reasoning, and ethical analysis skills that are valuable in law, governance, education, and public policy.