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Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Population Studies

<p>The Master of Arts in Population Studies is a postgraduate programme that prepares demographers and social scientists for careers in government, academia, and the private sector. The programme provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the causes of population change at individual, family, community, national, and international levels.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 269,000
Ksh 538,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 297,140
Ksh 594,280 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 269,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 538,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 297,140 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Core areas include demographic theory, population data analysis, fertility, mortality, migration, population and development, population and environment, and research methods. Students develop skills for conducting high-quality population research aimed at furthering national development goals.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through its Institute of Population Studies and Research. KU offers a related MA in Population and Settlement Geography through its School of Humanities.

Students develop competencies in demographic analysis, population research, data analysis, population policy, and population and development. The programme includes coursework, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

UoN tuition is KES 21,600 per unit with total programme cost of approximately KES 538,000 (~KES 269,000/year). KU charges KES 216,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as demographers, population researchers, policy analysts, M&E officers, and development planners in government, NGOs, UN agencies, and research institutions.

Skills Required

  • Demographic Analysis and Methods
  • Population Data Analysis
  • Fertility, Mortality and Migration Analysis
  • Population and Development
  • Population Policy Analysis
  • Research Methods in Population Studies
  • Statistical Analysis and Demography
  • Population Projections and Modelling
  • Population and Environment Analysis
  • GIS for Population Analysis

Key Subjects

  • Demographic Theory
  • Population Data Analysis
  • Fertility, Mortality and Migration
  • Population and Development
  • Population and Environment
  • Research Methods in Population Studies
  • Population Projections
  • Population Policy
  • Statistical Methods in Demography
  • Settlement Geography

Certifications

  • IUSSP Demography Certification
  • UAPS Population Studies Certification

Specializations

Demographic Analysis

Focuses on demographic analysis, demographic methods, rates, life tables, population projections, and analysing population data and trends.

Fertility and Reproductive Health

Examines fertility, reproductive health, family planning, maternal health, and understanding and analysing fertility and reproductive health.

Migration and Urbanisation

Covers migration, internal migration, international migration, urbanisation, displacement, and understanding and analysing migration and urbanisation.

Population and Development

Focuses on population and development, economic demography, population growth, labour force, and understanding population-development linkages.

Population and Environment

Examines population and environment, carrying capacity, resource use, climate change, and understanding population-environment interactions.

Population Policy

Covers population policy, policy analysis, family planning policy, population programmes, and understanding and analysing population policy.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Demographic Theory
  • Population Data Analysis
  • Fertility, Mortality and Migration
  • Population and Development
  • Population and Environment
  • Research Methods in Population Studies
  • Population Projections
  • Population Policy
  • Statistical Methods in Demography
  • Settlement Geography

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Demographic Theory and Methods

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines demographic theory, demographic transition, Malthusian theory, demographic methods, rates, ratios, and understanding population through theory and methods.

  • Population Data Analysis

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers population data sources, census, vital statistics, surveys, DHS, data quality, and collecting, evaluating, and analysing population data.

  • Fertility Analysis

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines fertility analysis, fertility measures, fertility determinants, reproductive health, family planning, and understanding and analysing fertility.

  • Mortality and Morbidity Analysis

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers mortality analysis, mortality measures, life tables, child mortality, maternal mortality, morbidity, and understanding and analysing mortality and morbidity.

  • Migration and Urbanisation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines migration, internal migration, international migration, forced migration, urbanisation, displacement, and understanding and analysing migration and urbanisation.

  • Research Methods in Population Studies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in population studies, preparing students for their thesis.

  • Population and Development

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines population and development, economic demography, population growth, labour force, poverty, and understanding population-development linkages.

  • Statistical Methods in Demography

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers demographic statistics, population projections, life table construction, cohort analysis, and statistical methods for demographic analysis.

  • Population and Environment

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines population and environment, carrying capacity, resource use, climate change, environmental degradation, and understanding population-environment interactions.

  • Population Policy and Programmes

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers population policy, policy analysis, family planning policy, population programmes, RH programmes, and understanding and analysing population policy.

  • Population and Health

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines population and health, public health, epidemiology, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and understanding population-health linkages.

  • Research Project or Thesis

    Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore

    Original research project or thesis on a population studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Demographic Analysis

    Focuses on demographic analysis, demographic methods, rates, life tables, population projections, and analysing population data and trends.

  • Fertility and Reproductive Health

    Examines fertility, reproductive health, family planning, maternal health, and understanding and analysing fertility and reproductive health.

  • Migration and Urbanisation

    Covers migration, internal migration, international migration, urbanisation, displacement, and understanding and analysing migration and urbanisation.

  • Population and Development

    Focuses on population and development, economic demography, population growth, labour force, and understanding population-development linkages.

  • Population and Environment

    Examines population and environment, carrying capacity, resource use, climate change, and understanding population-environment interactions.

  • Population Policy

    Covers population policy, policy analysis, family planning policy, population programmes, and understanding and analysing population policy.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Population Studies programme begins with morning lectures on demographic theory, population data analysis, or fertility and mortality. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical demographic analysis. Demographic theory sessions cover demographic transition, Malthusian theory, demographic theories, and understanding population through theory. Population data sessions examine census data, vital statistics, surveys, DHS, and collecting and analysing population data. Fertility sessions cover fertility analysis, fertility determinants, fertility measures, reproductive health, and understanding and analysing fertility. Mortality sessions examine mortality analysis, mortality measures, life tables, child mortality, maternal mortality, and understanding and analysing mortality. Migration sessions cover migration analysis, internal migration, international migration, forced migration, and understanding and analysing migration. Population and development sessions examine population growth, economic development, labour force, poverty, and understanding population-development linkages. Population and environment sessions cover carrying capacity, resource use, climate change, environmental degradation, and understanding population-environment interactions. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering demographic research methods, design, and data analysis. Statistical methods sessions cover demographic statistics, population projections, life table construction, and statistical analysis. Guest lectures from KNBS officials, UNFPA experts, demographers, and international population scholars provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a research project or thesis.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's population challenges, youth bulge, urbanisation, reproductive health needs, and development planning create demand for qualified population studies professionals.Population studies is a niche field with fewer direct career positions compared to broader social sciences.
Career opportunities in government, KNBS, NGOs, UN agencies, research institutions, and academia.UoN total programme cost of KES 538,000 (~KES 269,000/year) is relatively expensive.
Programme provides versatile demographic and research skills applicable across development, health, policy, and planning.Programme requires strong quantitative and statistical skills that some students may find challenging.
UoN's Institute of Population Studies and Research is a specialised institute with experienced faculty and research focus.Research and academic positions are competitive and may require doctoral qualifications.

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
Public187k to 269k
187k at Moi University269k at University of Nairobi
Private138k to 297k
138k at KCA University297k 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 269K/yr, Moi 187.2K verified. USIU ~297K/yr. KCA unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNFPA supports population and reproductive health in Kenya. IUSSP supports population research globally. The programme's population studies and demography focus attracts UNFPA, IUSSP, and population research funding.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • UNFPA Population Funding

  • IUSSP Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate population studies at recognised universities.

  • UNFPA Population Funding

    FellowshipKsh 350,000

    UNFPA supports population and reproductive health in Kenya, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in population studies.

  • IUSSP Research Funding

    GrantKsh 300,000

    IUSSP supports population research globally, providing grants for postgraduate study and research in demography.

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

The programme accepts graduates from diverse fields including social sciences, sciences, statistics, health, and related disciplines. UoN offers full-time mode at Main and Mombasa campuses. KU offers full-time, school-based, and digital modes. Two-year programme with coursework and research project or thesis.

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Multimedia University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

May 20273 institutions

Including Multimedia University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

September 20273 institutions

Including Multimedia University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Coursework and Continuous Assessment

    Coursework40% of the mark

    Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, demographic analysis papers, seminar presentations, data analysis exercises, and class participation.

  • Written Examinations

    Examination30% of the mark

    Written examinations covering demographic theory, methods, fertility, mortality, migration, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.

  • Practical Data Analysis Project

    Practical30% of the mark

    Assessment of practical demographic data analysis project, including data analysis, population projections, demographic estimation, and report writing.

  • Research Project or Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original research project or thesis on a population studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MA in Population Studies through its Institute of Population Studies and Research. KU offers MA in Population and Settlement Geography. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate population studies training.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi offers MA in Population Studies through its Institute of Population Studies and Research. Kenyatta University offers MA in Population and Settlement Geography. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate population studies training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Demographer

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Conducts demographic research and analysis, overseeing population data, projections, trends, and supporting population-informed policy and planning.

  • Population Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Conducts population research, overseeing study design, data collection, analysis, and supporting evidence generation on population issues.

  • Policy Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Analyses population policy, overseeing policy research, analysis, development, and supporting evidence-based population and development policy.

  • M&E Officer

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Monitors and evaluates population and development programmes, overseeing M&E systems, data, reporting, and supporting programme performance.

  • Development Planner

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Plans development programmes, overseeing population-informed planning, needs assessment, resource allocation, and supporting development planning.

  • University Lecturer

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaches population studies in universities, conducting research and training future demographers and population professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as demographers, population researchers, policy analysts, and M&E officers in government, NGOs, UN agencies, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • SPSS

    SoftwarePrimary

    Statistical software for demographic research, survey analysis, population data analysis, and quantitative data analysis.

  • Stata

    Software

    Statistical software for demographic research, demographic analysis, econometric analysis, and quantitative data analysis.

  • Spectrum

    Software

    Demographic software for population projections, demographic modelling, family planning, and population projection and estimation.

  • ArcGIS

    Software

    GIS software for spatial demography, population mapping, census mapping, and spatial analysis of population data.

Common misconceptions

  • Population studies is just about counting people.

    Population studies involves rigorous demographic analysis, theory, research, policy, and statistical methods, far beyond counting people.

  • Population studies is only for census workers.

    The programme opens careers in research, policy, development, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, and government planning.

  • There is no demand for demographers in Kenya.

    Kenya's population challenges, youth bulge, urbanisation, reproductive health needs, and development planning create demand for qualified population studies professionals.

  • Population studies is not a rigorous discipline.

    Population studies involves rigorous statistical methods, demographic analysis, research methods, and scholarly writing comparable to other social sciences.

  • A master's in population studies is redundant after a BA.

    The master's provides advanced demographic methods, research capability, specialisation, and career progression to senior research and policy positions.

  • Population studies is the same as statistics.

    While related, population studies focuses specifically on population dynamics, demography, and population-development linkages, while statistics covers broader statistical methods.

Further reading

Read next