Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and Security Studies

The Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and Security Studies is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced study of strategic studies, security studies, conflict, peace, and international relations. The programme equips students with analytical skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical tools for understanding and addressing contemporary security challenges.

Core areas include strategic studies, security studies, conflict analysis, peace studies, international relations, diplomacy, intelligence, defence policy, and regional security. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical security and strategic analysis.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science. The programme was established to create a pool of professionals armed with knowledge and skills to tackle conflicts and entrench peace in many parts of the world.

Students develop competencies in strategic analysis, security analysis, conflict analysis, peace-building, diplomacy, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, project paper, and oral defence. Students take twelve taught course units and a project paper equivalent to four units.

UoN (public) charges KES 27,000 per unit with total programme cost of approximately KES 537,000 (~KES 268,500/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant discipline. Duration is 18 months to 3 years.

Graduates pursue careers as security analysts, policy advisors, diplomacy officers, conflict resolution specialists, and defence consultants in government, international organisations, NGOs, and security sector institutions.

Skills Required

Strategic Analysis and Planning
Security Studies and Threat Analysis
Conflict Analysis and Resolution
International Relations and Diplomacy
Peace-Building and Reconciliation
Defence and Security Policy Analysis
Intelligence Analysis
Research Methods in Security Studies
Regional Security Analysis
Crisis Management and Response

Key Subjects

Strategic Studies Theory
Security Studies and National Security
Conflict Analysis and Resolution
International Relations and Diplomacy
Peace Studies and Peace-Building
Defence Policy and Strategy
Intelligence and Security
Research Methods in Security Studies
Regional Security in East Africa
International Law and Armed Conflict

Certifications

ISA International Studies Certification
ACSSS Security Studies Certification

Specializations

Strategic Studies

Focuses on strategic studies, strategy, grand strategy, military strategy, deterrence, and understanding and analysing strategy and strategic decision-making in security contexts.

Security Studies

Examines security studies, security theory, national security, human security, security threats, and understanding and analysing security and security challenges.

Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Covers conflict analysis, conflict resolution, peace-building, mediation, reconciliation, and understanding, analysing, and addressing conflicts.

Diplomacy and International Relations

Focuses on diplomacy, international relations, foreign policy, international law, and understanding and conducting diplomacy and international relations.

Defence Policy

Examines defence policy, defence strategy, military policy, civil-military relations, and developing and analysing defence policy and strategy.

Regional Security

Covers regional security, East African security, African security, regional conflicts, regional cooperation, and understanding and analysing regional security dynamics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
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

Strategic Studies Theory
Security Studies and National Security
Conflict Analysis and Resolution
International Relations and Diplomacy
Peace Studies and Peace-Building
Defence Policy and Strategy
Intelligence and Security
Research Methods in Security Studies
Regional Security in East Africa
International Law and Armed Conflict

Modules

12 in the programme

Research Methods in Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in security and strategic studies, preparing students for their project.
Philosophy of Strategic and Security Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers philosophy of strategic and security studies, strategic thought, security theory, and understanding theoretical foundations of strategy and security.
Revolutions in World History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines revolutions in world history, revolutionary theory, political violence, and understanding and analysing revolutions and their impact on security.
History of Political Ideas
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers history of political ideas, political theory, political philosophy, and understanding political ideas shaping strategy and security.
Diplomacy, War and Warfare Since the 19th Century
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines diplomacy, war, and warfare since the 19th century, military history, diplomacy, and understanding the evolution of war, warfare, and diplomacy.
International Law and Armed Conflict
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers international law, armed conflict, international humanitarian law, war crimes, and understanding and applying international law in armed conflict.
International Arms Race and Disarmament
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines international arms race, arms control, disarmament, weapons proliferation, and understanding and addressing arms race and disarmament challenges.
African Political Processes and Security
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers African political processes, governance, conflict, security, and understanding and analysing African political processes and security dynamics.
Women, Armed Conflict and Security in Africa
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines women, armed conflict, security, gender, and understanding and addressing women's experiences of armed conflict and security in Africa.
Development of Military Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers development of military technology, weapons technology, cyber warfare, and understanding and analysing military technology and its impact on security.
Research Proposal
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation for project paper.
Project Paper
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Original project paper on a strategic studies or security studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Strategic Studies
Focuses on strategic studies, strategy, grand strategy, military strategy, deterrence, and understanding and analysing strategy and strategic decision-making in security contexts.
Security Studies
Examines security studies, security theory, national security, human security, security threats, and understanding and analysing security and security challenges.
Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Covers conflict analysis, conflict resolution, peace-building, mediation, reconciliation, and understanding, analysing, and addressing conflicts.
Diplomacy and International Relations
Focuses on diplomacy, international relations, foreign policy, international law, and understanding and conducting diplomacy and international relations.
Defence Policy
Examines defence policy, defence strategy, military policy, civil-military relations, and developing and analysing defence policy and strategy.
Regional Security
Covers regional security, East African security, African security, regional conflicts, regional cooperation, and understanding and analysing regional security dynamics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Strategic Studies and Security Studies programme at UoN combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, and research. Sessions cover strategic studies, security studies, conflict analysis, and international relations. Strategic studies sessions examine strategy, grand strategy, military strategy, deterrence, and understanding and analysing strategy and strategic decision-making. Security studies sessions cover security theory, national security, human security, security threats, and understanding and analysing security challenges. Conflict analysis sessions examine conflict theory, conflict analysis, conflict resolution, peace-building, mediation, and understanding, analysing, and addressing conflicts. International relations sessions cover IR theory, foreign policy, international law, diplomacy, and understanding and conducting international relations. Defence policy sessions examine defence policy, defence strategy, military policy, civil-military relations, and developing and analysing defence policy. Regional security sessions cover East African security, African security, regional conflicts, regional cooperation, and understanding and analysing regional security dynamics. Intelligence sessions examine intelligence, intelligence analysis, threat assessment, and understanding and using intelligence in security. Research methods sessions prepare students for their project, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. The programme is conducted through lectures, seminars, and tutorials with 45 hours of study per course unit. Guest lectures from diplomats, military officers, security analysts, and policy experts provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a project paper on a strategic studies or security studies topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at UoN, Kenya's premier university, through the established Department of Political Science.
Kenya's security challenges, regional instability, and counterterrorism efforts create moderate demand for qualified strategic and security studies professionals.
Career opportunities across government, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.
Programme covers both strategic studies and security studies, providing broad interdisciplinary knowledge.

Against it

Programme is only offered at UoN (public), limiting university choice. KU offers related but different programmes (MSc Strategic Studies, MA Security Management).
UoN per-unit fee structure can be confusing and total cost of KES 537,000 may be challenging for self-sponsored students.
Some career paths may require additional qualifications or security clearance for sensitive positions.
Programme duration of 18 months to 3 years varies significantly depending on study mode and pace.

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 221k

187k at Moi University221k at University of Nairobi

Private156k to 297k

156k 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 ~220.5K/yr. Moi 187.2K/yr. KCA ~155.8K/yr. USIU ~297K/yr (eafinder).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN offers financial aid for qualifying students. ACSSS supports security studies research in Africa. The programme's security and strategic studies focus attracts government, security sector, and research funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Financial Aid
ACSSS Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate strategic and security studies at recognised universities.
UoN Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
UoN offers financial aid for qualifying students based on merit and need.
ACSSS Research Funding
GrantKsh 250,000
ACSSS supports security studies research in Africa, providing grants for postgraduate study and research in security studies.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme covers a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of 15 semesters. Students take twelve taught course units (three core, five specialisations, and four elective) and a project paper equivalent to four course units. Each course unit is covered by 45 hours of study conducted through lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Full-time and part-time modes available. Main intake in September/October.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, research papers, policy briefs, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering strategic studies, security studies, conflict analysis, 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 for project paper.
Project Paper
Research100% of the mark
Original project paper on a strategic studies or security 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 Strategic Studies and Security Studies (course code C516) through its Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate strategic and security studies training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MA in Strategic Studies and Security Studies (course code C516) through its Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate strategic and security studies training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Security Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses security threats and trends, overseeing security analysis, threat assessment, risk analysis, and supporting security decision-making.
Policy Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Advises on security and strategic policy, overseeing policy analysis, development, strategy, and supporting evidence-based policy.
Diplomacy Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Supports diplomatic activities, overseeing diplomatic relations, negotiations, representation, and supporting Kenya's diplomatic engagement.
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Specialises in conflict resolution, overseeing conflict analysis, mediation, reconciliation, and supporting conflict resolution and peace-building.
Defence Consultant
Low demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consults on defence matters, overseeing defence analysis, strategy, policy, and supporting defence decision-making and planning.
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches strategic and security studies in universities, conducting research and training future security and strategic studies professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as security analysts, policy advisors, diplomacy officers, and conflict resolution specialists in government, international organisations, and security sector institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for security research, survey analysis, conflict data analysis, and quantitative data analysis in security studies.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for security research, interviews, document analysis, and qualitative data analysis in strategic studies.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for security data analysis, conflict mapping, trend analysis, and managing security studies data and analysis.
ACLED Conflict Data
Software
Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project providing real-time conflict data for analysis, research, and monitoring conflicts globally.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Strategic studies is just about military strategy.
Strategic studies encompasses grand strategy, deterrence, security policy, conflict resolution, diplomacy, and international relations, far beyond military strategy alone.
Security studies is only for military or police personnel.
Security studies is relevant for diplomats, policy analysts, NGO workers, journalists, and anyone working in or with security sector institutions.
The programme is only for those seeking careers in the military.
Graduates pursue careers across government, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.
Strategic studies and security studies is not a rigorous academic discipline.
The programme involves rigorous research methods, theoretical analysis, policy analysis, and scholarly writing comparable to other social sciences.
There are no career opportunities in this field in Kenya.
Kenya's security challenges, regional instability, counterterrorism efforts, and devolution create demand for qualified strategic and security studies professionals.
The programme is the same as intelligence studies.
While related, strategic studies and security studies is broader, covering strategy, conflict, peace, diplomacy, and defence policy, while intelligence studies focuses specifically on intelligence methodologies.