Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Religious Studies

The Master of Arts in Religious Studies is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced study of religious traditions, theories of religion, and the role of religion in society. The programme equips students with research skills, critical analysis, and academic specialisation in the academic study of religion.

Core areas include theories of religion, comparative religion, African religion, Christianity, Islam, biblical studies, religious ethics, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical religious studies analysis. Specialisations include African Religion, Christianity, Islam, Asian Religions, Judaism, and Religions in the Contemporary World.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. UoN offers MA in Religious Studies through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies with full-time and ODeL modes. KU offers MA in Religious Studies through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies with full-time and institutional-based modes, attracting 40-50 students per year in regular mode and 150 in institutional-based mode.

Students develop competencies in religious research, comparative religion, theological analysis, and religious ethics. The programme includes coursework, examinations, thesis, and oral defence.

UoN tuition is KES 21,000 per unit with total programme cost of approximately KES 441,000 (~KES 220,500/year). KU charges KES 216,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours in a relevant field.

Graduates pursue careers as religious studies educators, researchers, chaplains, interfaith coordinators, and faith-based organisation leaders in education, religious institutions, NGOs, and community organisations.

Skills Required

Theories of Religion and Religious Analysis
Comparative Religion and Interfaith Studies
African Religion and Philosophy
Christian Theology and Biblical Studies
Islamic Studies and Quranic Analysis
Religious Ethics and Moral Reasoning
Research Methods in Religious Studies
Phenomenology of Religion
Religion and Contemporary Society
Hermeneutics and Textual Analysis

Key Subjects

Theories of Religion
Comparative Religion
African Religion and Philosophy
Modern Trends in Christian Theology
Studies in the Quran
Research Methods in Religion
Religious Ethics
History of Christianity in Africa
Phenomenology of Religion
African Anthropology and World View

Certifications

AASR Religion Studies Certification
AAR Religious Studies Certification

Specializations

African Religion

Focuses on African religion, African anthropology, world view, spirituality, rituals, festivals, and understanding and analysing African religion and philosophy.

Christianity

Examines Christianity, Christian theology, New Testament, Old Testament, church history, doctrine, and understanding and analysing Christianity and Christian theology.

Islamic Studies

Covers Islam, Quranic studies, Hadith, Islamic history, Islamic theology, Islamic worship, and understanding and analysing Islam and Islamic studies.

Comparative Religion

Focuses on comparative religion, religious traditions, interfaith dialogue, religious pluralism, and comparing and analysing different religious traditions.

Biblical Studies

Covers biblical studies, Old Testament, New Testament, hermeneutics, exegesis, biblical theology, and understanding and analysing biblical texts and theology.

Religion and Contemporary World

Examines religion in the contemporary world, religion and politics, religion and development, religion and conflict, and understanding religion in modern society.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
Job market: Low

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, School-based, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Theories of Religion
Comparative Religion
African Religion and Philosophy
Modern Trends in Christian Theology
Studies in the Quran
Research Methods in Religion
Religious Ethics
History of Christianity in Africa
Phenomenology of Religion
African Anthropology and World View

Modules

12 in the programme

Theories of Religion
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theories of religion, functionalist, phenomenological, sociological, anthropological theories, and understanding religion through theory.
Comparative Religion
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers comparative religion, religious traditions, comparison, phenomenology, and comparing and analysing different religious traditions.
General Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in religious studies, preparing students for their thesis.
Modern Trends in Christian Theology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers modern trends in Christian theology, contemporary theology, liberation theology, feminist theology, and understanding modern Christian theological trends.
African Anthropology and World View
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines African anthropology, world view, African spirituality, cosmology, and understanding African religion through anthropology and world view.
Studies in the Quran
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Quranic studies, Quran interpretation, themes, historical context, and understanding and analysing the Quran.
Research Methods in Religion
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines research methods in religion, qualitative, quantitative, textual analysis, field research, and conducting research in religious studies.
African Religion and Philosophy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers African religion and philosophy, African religious philosophy, thought, worldview, and understanding African religion through philosophy.
Theology of the New Testament
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines New Testament theology, Pauline theology, Johannine theology, synoptic theology, and understanding and analysing New Testament theology.
History of Christianity in Africa
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers history of Christianity in Africa, early Christianity, colonial era, missions, independent churches, and understanding Christianity's history in Africa.
Research Proposal
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation for thesis.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original thesis on a specialised religious studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

African Religion
Focuses on African religion, African anthropology, world view, spirituality, rituals, festivals, and understanding and analysing African religion and philosophy.
Christianity
Examines Christianity, Christian theology, New Testament, Old Testament, church history, doctrine, and understanding and analysing Christianity and Christian theology.
Islamic Studies
Covers Islam, Quranic studies, Hadith, Islamic history, Islamic theology, Islamic worship, and understanding and analysing Islam and Islamic studies.
Comparative Religion
Focuses on comparative religion, religious traditions, interfaith dialogue, religious pluralism, and comparing and analysing different religious traditions.
Biblical Studies
Covers biblical studies, Old Testament, New Testament, hermeneutics, exegesis, biblical theology, and understanding and analysing biblical texts and theology.
Religion and Contemporary World
Examines religion in the contemporary world, religion and politics, religion and development, religion and conflict, and understanding religion in modern society.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Religious Studies programme begins with morning lectures on theories of religion, comparative religion, or a specialised tract (Christianity, African Religion, or Islam). Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical religious studies analysis. Theories of religion sessions examine functionalist, phenomenological, sociological, anthropological theories, and understanding religion through theory. Comparative religion sessions cover religious traditions, comparison, phenomenology, and comparing and analysing different religions. African religion sessions cover African anthropology, world view, spirituality, rituals, festivals, and understanding and analysing African religion. Christianity sessions examine Christian theology, New Testament, Old Testament, church history, doctrine, and understanding and analysing Christianity. Islam sessions cover Quranic studies, Hadith, Islamic history, Islamic theology, worship, and understanding and analysing Islam. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research methods in religion, design, and data analysis. Ethics sessions examine Christian ethics, African ethics, Islamic ethics, moral reasoning, and understanding and applying religious ethics. Biblical studies sessions cover hermeneutics, exegesis, biblical theology, and understanding and analysing biblical texts. KU's large cohort (40-50 regular, 150 institutional-based) provides diverse perspectives and discussions. Guest lectures from religious scholars, faith leaders, and international religion scholars provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a thesis on a specialised religious studies topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offers specialisations in African Religion, Christianity, and Islam, reflecting Kenya's religious diversity.
UoN total programme cost of KES 441,000 (~KES 220,500/year) is relatively affordable for a postgraduate degree.
KU attracts 40-50 regular and 150 institutional-based students per year, providing diverse perspectives and networking.
Career opportunities in education, religious institutions, NGOs, interfaith work, and community development.

Against it

Job market demand is relatively low compared to professional degrees like business or technology.
Career paths are primarily in education and religious sectors, which may have limited positions.
Programme may require additional teaching qualifications for education sector careers.
Religious studies is a niche field with fewer direct career positions compared to broader humanities disciplines.

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

Public216k to 221k

216k at Kenyatta University221k at University of Nairobi

Private138k to 250k

138k at KCA University250k 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, KU 216K/yr. Daystar ~249.8K/yr. KCA unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. AASR supports religion research in Africa. AAR supports the academic study of religion globally. The programme's religious studies focus attracts AASR, AAR, and faith-based funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AASR Research Funding
AAR Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate religious studies at recognised universities.
AASR Research Funding
GrantKsh 250,000
AASR supports religion research in Africa, providing grants for postgraduate study and research in religion.
AAR Research Grants
GrantKsh 300,000
AAR supports the academic study of religion globally, providing grants for postgraduate study and research in religion.

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 Religion, Theology, Philosophy, and related fields. UoN offers full-time and ODeL modes (minimum 7 semesters, maximum 15 semesters for ODeL). KU offers full-time and institutional-based modes. Two-year programme with coursework, examinations, and thesis. Intake is once every year in September at UoN.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, research papers, seminar presentations, textual analysis, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering theories of religion, comparative religion, specialisation topics, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
Research Proposal Defence
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original thesis on a specialised religious 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 Religious Studies through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Kenyatta University offers MA in Religious Studies through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate religious studies training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MA in Religious Studies through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. KU offers MA in Religious Studies through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate religious studies training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Religious Studies Educator
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches religious studies in schools and universities, conducting research and training future religious studies professionals.
Researcher
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts religious research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, and supporting evidence generation in religion.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides spiritual care and chaplaincy in institutions, overseeing religious services, counselling, and supporting spiritual wellbeing.
Interfaith Coordinator
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Coordinates interfaith activities, overseeing dialogue, collaboration, peace-building, and supporting interfaith understanding and cooperation.
Faith-Based Organisation Leader
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Leads faith-based organisations, overseeing programmes, administration, fundraising, and supporting faith-based development and community work.
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches religious studies in universities, conducting research and training future religious studies scholars and professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as religious studies educators, researchers, chaplains, and interfaith coordinators in education, religious institutions, NGOs, and community organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Logos Bible Software
SoftwarePrimary
Bible study software for biblical research, exegesis, hermeneutics, original languages, and biblical text analysis.
BibleWorks
Software
Bible analysis software for biblical research, exegesis, original languages, and biblical text analysis and translation.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for religious research, survey analysis, and quantitative data analysis.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for religious research, interviews, textual analysis, and qualitative data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Religious studies is just about learning your own faith.
Religious studies involves rigorous comparative, analytical, and critical study of all religious traditions, not just one's own faith.
Religious studies is only for those pursuing religious careers.
The programme develops research, analytical, and critical thinking skills applicable in education, NGOs, interfaith work, and community development.
There is no demand for religious studies graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's religious diversity, interfaith challenges, faith-based organisations, and education sector create demand for qualified religious studies professionals.
Religious studies is not a rigorous discipline.
Religious studies involves rigorous research methods, textual analysis, comparative analysis, and scholarly writing comparable to other humanities disciplines.
A master's in religious studies is redundant after a BA.
The master's provides advanced research capability, specialisation, and career progression to senior education, research, and faith-based positions.
Religious studies is the same as theology.
While related, religious studies takes an academic, comparative approach to all religions, while theology focuses on specific faith traditions from a believer's perspective.