Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Regional Integration

The Master of Arts in Regional Integration is a postgraduate programme designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in regional integration processes, trade policy, and development within the East African Community and broader African continental frameworks. The programme prepares professionals for roles in regional organisations, government, and the private sector.

Core areas of study include theories of regional integration, international trade law, EAC and COMESA integration frameworks, the African Continental Free Trade Area, cross-border trade, migration and free movement, peace and security in regional blocs, monetary integration, and research methods. Students examine the political, economic, and legal dimensions of regional cooperation.

The programme is offered by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa through its Institute for Regional Integration and Development (IRID) at the Langata Campus in Nairobi. CUEA's IRID is a specialised institute focusing on regional integration research, training, and policy engagement. The programme is available in full-time, part-time, and ODeL modes.

Students develop competencies in policy analysis, trade negotiation, regional project management, cross-border research, and integration programme design. The programme combines coursework, examinations, and a research project or thesis. Students engage with case studies from the EAC, COMESA, SADC, and the African Union.

The programme is delivered over two years with intakes in January, May, and September for regular and ODeL modes, and April, August, and December for part-time modes. CUEA's location in Nairobi, a hub for regional organisations, provides students with access to EAC headquarters, COMESA offices, and numerous international organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as trade policy analysts, regional integration specialists, diplomatic officers, NGO programme managers, researchers, and consultants in government ministries, regional organisations, international agencies, and private sector organisations engaged in cross-border trade and cooperation.

Skills Required

Regional Integration Theory and Practice
International Trade Law and Policy
EAC and COMESA Institutional Frameworks
Trade Policy Analysis
Cross-Border Trade and Investment
Migration and Free Movement Protocols
Research Methods in Regional Studies
Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Negotiation and Diplomacy
African Continental Free Trade Area Framework

Key Subjects

Theories of Regional Integration
International Trade Law and Policy
EAC Integration Framework
COMESA and African Continental Free Trade Area
Cross-Border Trade and Investment
Migration and Free Movement
Peace and Security in Regional Blocs
Monetary and Financial Integration
Research Methods in Regional Studies
Governance and Institutional Development

Certifications

tralac Trade Law Certification
IUCEA Regional Integration Certification

Specializations

Trade and Economic Integration

Focuses on trade liberalisation, customs unions, common markets, monetary unions, and economic integration theory within EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA frameworks.

Peace and Security in Regional Blocs

Examines peace and security cooperation in regional organisations, conflict prevention, early warning systems, and collective security mechanisms.

Migration and Free Movement

Covers free movement of persons, labour migration, refugee protection, and cross-border population dynamics within regional integration frameworks.

Governance and Institutional Development

Explores regional governance institutions, intergovernmental organisations, legal frameworks, and institutional capacity building for regional cooperation.

Cross-Border Trade and Investment

Focuses on cross-border trade facilitation, investment promotion, non-tariff barriers, and private sector engagement in regional integration.

Monetary and Financial Integration

Examines monetary integration, financial sector cooperation, regional payment systems, and macroeconomic convergence criteria in regional blocs.

Development and Regional Cooperation

Explores the nexus between regional integration and development, including infrastructure corridors, regional public goods, and sustainable development.

Environmental and Natural Resource Governance

Covers shared natural resource management, environmental cooperation, climate change adaptation, and transboundary conservation in regional frameworks.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 220,800
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Theories of Regional Integration
International Trade Law and Policy
EAC Integration Framework
COMESA and African Continental Free Trade Area
Cross-Border Trade and Investment
Migration and Free Movement
Peace and Security in Regional Blocs
Monetary and Financial Integration
Research Methods in Regional Studies
Governance and Institutional Development

Modules

10 in the programme

Theories of Regional Integration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major theories of regional integration including functionalism, neo-functionalism, intergovernmentalism, and comparative regionalism, with application to African integration experiences.
International Trade Law and Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers international trade law frameworks, WTO rules, regional trade agreements, trade facilitation, and dispute settlement mechanisms in regional integration contexts.
EAC Integration Framework
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the East African Community integration process, including the customs union, common market protocol, monetary union roadmap, and political federation objectives.
COMESA and African Continental Free Trade Area
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers COMESA integration frameworks and the African Continental Free Trade Area, including trade liberalisation, rules of origin, and continental market integration.
Cross-Border Trade and Investment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines cross-border trade dynamics, investment promotion, non-tariff barriers, informal cross-border trade, and private sector engagement in regional integration.
Migration and Free Movement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers free movement of persons, labour migration protocols, refugee protection, and cross-border population dynamics within regional integration frameworks.
Peace and Security in Regional Blocs
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines peace and security cooperation in regional organisations, conflict prevention mechanisms, early warning systems, and collective security frameworks.
Research Methods in Regional Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in regional integration and development studies.
Governance and Institutional Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores regional governance institutions, intergovernmental organisations, legal frameworks, and institutional capacity building for regional cooperation.
Thesis Research Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research project on a regional integration topic, demonstrating mastery of integration theory and research methods, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Trade and Economic Integration
Focuses on trade liberalisation, customs unions, common markets, monetary unions, and economic integration theory within EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA frameworks.
Peace and Security in Regional Blocs
Examines peace and security cooperation in regional organisations, conflict prevention, early warning systems, and collective security mechanisms.
Migration and Free Movement
Covers free movement of persons, labour migration, refugee protection, and cross-border population dynamics within regional integration frameworks.
Governance and Institutional Development
Explores regional governance institutions, intergovernmental organisations, legal frameworks, and institutional capacity building for regional cooperation.
Cross-Border Trade and Investment
Focuses on cross-border trade facilitation, investment promotion, non-tariff barriers, and private sector engagement in regional integration.
Monetary and Financial Integration
Examines monetary integration, financial sector cooperation, regional payment systems, and macroeconomic convergence criteria in regional blocs.
Development and Regional Cooperation
Explores the nexus between regional integration and development, including infrastructure corridors, regional public goods, and sustainable development.
Environmental and Natural Resource Governance
Covers shared natural resource management, environmental cooperation, climate change adaptation, and transboundary conservation in regional frameworks.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures at CUEA's Institute for Regional Integration and Development on theories of integration, trade policy, or EAC institutional frameworks. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing regional integration case studies from the EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA. Guest lectures from EAC officials, COMESA staff, and diplomats based in Nairobi provide real-world insights. Students analyse trade data, review integration protocols, and debate contemporary integration challenges. The small cohort size allows for interactive discussions and personalised attention. Those in the research phase conduct independent research on regional integration topics, working on their thesis under faculty supervision at IRID.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses the growing importance of regional integration in Africa, particularly with the AfCFTA creating new career opportunities.
CUEA's Institute for Regional Integration and Development is a specialised institute with focused expertise and networks in regional integration.
Nairobi's status as a hub for EAC, COMESA, and numerous international organisations provides excellent networking and internship opportunities.
Programme available in full-time, part-time, and ODeL modes, accommodating working professionals and distance learners.

Against it

All offering institutions are private universities, making the programme more expensive than public university alternatives.
Niche specialisation may limit career options compared to broader degrees in international relations or economics.
Programme availability and quality may vary between offering universities, with CUEA being the primary confirmed institution.
Limited awareness of the programme among employers may require graduates to actively market their regional integration expertise.

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

Private140k to 221k

140k at KAG East University221k 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/yr. KAG East 140K/yr. Daystar ~220.8K/yr. Maseno unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. The EAC Scholarship Programme through IUCEA offers mobility scholarships for EAC nationals studying in partner states. CUEA offers limited internal financial aid.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
EAC Scholarship Programme
CUEA Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
EAC Scholarship Programme
ScholarshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
EAC nationals studying in a partner state other than their own, funded by IUCEA and member universities. Covers tuition, travel, and health insurance.
CUEA Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000
CUEA students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is available in full-time, part-time, and ODeL modes. Intakes are in January, May, and September for regular and ODeL programmes, and April, August, and December for part-time programmes. Non-English speaking applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL or equivalent.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, policy analysis essays, case study reports, trade data analysis exercises, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering regional integration theory, trade policy, and institutional frameworks, including essay questions and case analysis.
Practical Assignments
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving policy brief writing, trade data analysis, integration protocol review, and regional project design exercises.
Thesis Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research project on a regional integration topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and integration theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). CUEA's Institute for Regional Integration and Development offers this programme at the Langata Campus. CUEA is a CUE-accredited private university. Daystar University, Scott Christian University, and KAG East University are also CUE-accredited private universities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. CUEA's Institute for Regional Integration and Development offers this programme. CUEA is a CUE-accredited private university. Daystar University, Scott Christian University, and KAG East University are also CUE-accredited.
Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
Regional accreditation
IUCEA coordinates higher education in the EAC and provides quality assurance for regional academic programmes. Graduates may engage with IUCEA for regional networking and scholarship opportunities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Trade Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses trade policy issues for government ministries, regional organisations, or research institutions, providing evidence-based recommendations on trade agreements and integration.
Regional Integration Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides expertise on regional integration processes for government agencies, NGOs, or private sector organisations, supporting cross-border cooperation and trade facilitation.
Diplomatic Officer
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 320,000
Serves in diplomatic missions or foreign service, handling regional cooperation portfolios, trade negotiations, and bilateral relations within regional blocs.
NGO Programme Officer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages regional cooperation and cross-border development programmes in NGOs, overseeing project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy.
Research Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts research on regional integration, trade, and development issues for research institutions, think tanks, or international organisations, producing reports and policy briefs.
International Relations Officer
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 280,000
Handles international relations and regional cooperation portfolios in government, private sector, or international organisations, supporting cross-border engagement and partnerships.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as trade policy analysts, regional integration specialists, diplomatic officers, and NGO programme managers in regional organisations, government, and international agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for quantitative research in regional integration, including trade data analysis and policy evaluation.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, policy documents, and case studies in regional integration research.
WITS (World Integrated Trade Solution)
Database
World Bank and UNCTAD trade database providing trade flow data, tariff information, and non-tariff measures for regional integration analysis.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for organising research sources, citations, and bibliographies in regional integration research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Regional integration is just about trade agreements.
The programme covers multiple dimensions of integration including political cooperation, security, migration, monetary union, environmental governance, and social integration, not just trade.
Regional integration graduates can only work at the EAC Secretariat.
Graduates work in government ministries, NGOs, private sector, research institutions, diplomatic missions, and international organisations dealing with cross-border issues.
Regional integration is only relevant to East Africa.
The programme covers integration across Africa including COMESA, SADC, ECOWAS, and the AfCFTA, providing graduates with continental and global career opportunities.
This programme has limited career prospects.
The AfCFTA and deepening EAC integration create growing demand for specialists in trade policy, cross-border investment, and regional cooperation across government and private sectors.
Regional integration is purely a political topic with no practical skills.
The programme develops practical skills in trade policy analysis, negotiation, cross-border research, project management, and policy advocacy applicable in diverse professional settings.
You need an economics background to study regional integration.
The programme accepts graduates from diverse backgrounds including law, political science, international relations, development studies, and business, as integration is multidisciplinary.