Social Sciences

Master of Science in Conflict Resolution & Humanitarian Assistance

The Master of Science in Conflict Resolution & Humanitarian Assistance is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in social sciences.

Duration: 1-2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 268,500
Private, up to: Ksh 331,200
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: 12 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Research Methods
Statistical Analysis
Laboratory Techniques
Experimental Design
Data Analysis
Scientific Communication
Literature Review
Thesis Research
Computational Methods
Field Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Conflict Analysis and Resolution Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Conflict theory, conflict analysis frameworks, causes of conflict, conflict dynamics, conflict resolution approaches, mediation, negotiation, and peace processes
Humanitarian Principles and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Humanitarian principles, humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence, humanitarian standards, Sphere, CHS, humanitarian system, and humanitarian practice
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Peacebuilding theory, conflict transformation, reconciliation, transitional justice, peace agreements, DDR, local peacebuilding, and peacebuilding in Kenya and the region
Refugee and Displacement Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Refugee protection, 1951 Convention, displacement causes, refugee camp management, durable solutions, Dadaab and Kakuma, IDPs, and refugee policy in Kenya
Disaster Risk Management and Response
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Disaster risk reduction, disaster response, emergency management, drought response, flood response, Kenya Red Cross, NDOC, and disaster management in Kenya
Humanitarian Programme Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Humanitarian programme design, needs assessment, project cycle management, M&E, humanitarian financing, proposal writing, and managing humanitarian programmes
International Humanitarian Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
IHL, Geneva Conventions, international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, war crimes, humanitarian access, and IHL in African conflicts
Humanitarian Logistics and Coordination
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Humanitarian logistics, supply chain management, procurement, warehousing, humanitarian coordination, cluster approach, and humanitarian operations management
Conflict-Sensitive Development and Post-Conflict Recovery
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Conflict-sensitive development, do-no-harm, peace and conflict impact assessment, post-conflict recovery, state-building, and linking humanitarian and development work
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on a conflict resolution or humanitarian assistance topic such as refugee protection, peacebuilding, humanitarian effectiveness, or disaster response in Kenya

Specialisations

Refugee and Displacement Studies
Focus on refugee protection, displacement, refugee camp management, durable solutions, IDPs, and refugee policy in Kenya and the region
Disaster Risk Management
Specialisation in disaster risk reduction, emergency response, drought and flood management, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian disaster response
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
Focus on conflict analysis, mediation, peacebuilding, reconciliation, transitional justice, and supporting peace processes in Kenya and the region
Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy
Focus on humanitarian policy, advocacy, humanitarian diplomacy, IHL, humanitarian access, and influencing humanitarian policy and practice
Humanitarian Programme Management
Specialisation in humanitarian programme design, needs assessment, project management, M&E, humanitarian financing, and managing humanitarian operations

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting laboratory experiments, analysing data using specialised software, attending research seminars, reviewing scientific literature, and meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results and thesis progress.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya is a major humanitarian hub — hosting UNHCR, OCHA, IRC, NRC, and dozens of international NGOs serving the East Africa and Horn of Africa region creates significant career opportunities
The programme combines conflict resolution and humanitarian assistance — a unique interdisciplinary qualification that addresses the full spectrum of crisis and conflict challenges

Against it

Humanitarian and conflict resolution careers often involve working in difficult, insecure, and emotionally challenging environments — field work in conflict-affected or disaster-affected areas can be demanding
Many humanitarian positions depend on donor funding cycles — employment stability can be uncertain, particularly in project-based NGO roles

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

Private130k to 331k

130k at Mount Kenya University331k 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 MA Armed Conflict 537K/2yr~268K/yr. Moi ~187K. MKU 130K. Daystar 331K. Src: uonbi.ac.ke

NACOSTI, NRF, and DAAD offer research grants. ICIPE and KEMRI provide research affiliation. HELB offers postgraduate loans.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
National Research Fund
Grant
Postgraduate researchers in Kenyan institutions
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Postgraduate researchers in STEM fields

Scholarships

5 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
Open Society Foundation Grant
PartialKsh 400,000
African; Human rights or conflict resolution focus; Academic merit
DAAD Conflict and Peace Studies Scholarship
FullKsh 3,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Conflict, peace, or humanitarian programme
UNHCR Fellowship Programme
PartialKsh 500,000
African; Refugee studies or humanitarian focus; Research proposal

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Second Upper Division (2.1) or equivalent
Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree with Second Class Lower Division in a relevant field plus at least 2 years of relevant work experience in humanitarian, development, or conflict-related work.

Bachelor's in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, Law, or related field
2.1 or higher
Experience in humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, or refugee work
preferred
Field experience in conflict-affected or disaster-affected areas is advantageous
preferred
English proficiency (international applicants)
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+

How you are assessed

4 components

Humanitarian and Conflict Projects
Project20% of the mark
Humanitarian programme design, conflict analysis reports, peacebuilding programme proposals, refugee protection plans, and disaster response simulations
End of Semester Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering conflict analysis, humanitarian principles, peacebuilding, refugee studies, disaster management, IHL, and humanitarian management
Case Study Analysis
Cat15% of the mark
Humanitarian crisis case studies, conflict analysis scenarios, refugee situation analysis, and humanitarian policy evaluation exercises
Thesis
Research35% of the mark
Original research on a conflict resolution or humanitarian assistance topic examined by oral defence

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Scientific research programmes are regulated under NACOSTI guidelines.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Conflict Resolution Specialist
Medium demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses conflicts, designs peacebuilding programmes, facilitates dialogue, implements reconciliation, and supports conflict transformation for NGOs or peace organisations
Peacebuilding Officer
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Implements peacebuilding programmes, facilitates community dialogue, supports reconciliation, manages conflict prevention, and works with peacebuilding NGOs
Humanitarian Programme Manager
Medium demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages humanitarian programmes, oversees needs assessment, designs interventions, manages budgets and teams, and coordinates humanitarian response for NGOs or UN agencies
Refugee Programme Officer
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages refugee programmes, oversees protection, coordinates services, supports durable solutions, and works with UNHCR or refugee-serving NGOs in Kenya
Humanitarian Consultant
Medium demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Consults on humanitarian strategy, programme evaluation, conflict analysis, humanitarian policy, and crisis response for consulting firms or international organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as research scientists, laboratory managers, data analysts, quality assurance officers, and science educators in Kenya's scientific and industrial sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Related courses

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