Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Population Studies

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.

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.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 269,000
Private, up to: Ksh 297,140
Job market: Moderate

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

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 favour

Kenya's population challenges, youth bulge, urbanisation, reproductive health needs, and development planning create demand for qualified population studies professionals.
Career opportunities in government, KNBS, NGOs, UN agencies, research institutions, and academia.
Programme provides versatile demographic and research skills applicable across development, health, policy, and planning.
UoN's Institute of Population Studies and Research is a specialised institute with experienced faculty and research focus.

Against it

Population studies is a niche field with fewer direct career positions compared to broader social sciences.
UoN total programme cost of KES 538,000 (~KES 269,000/year) is relatively expensive.
Programme requires strong quantitative and statistical skills that some students may find challenging.
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.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
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.

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

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.

Accredited by

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.

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.

Industry links

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.