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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
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 268,500
Ksh 268,500 to Ksh 537,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 331,200
Ksh 331,200 to Ksh 662,400 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 268,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 268,500 to Ksh 537,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 331,200 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of Second Upper Division (2.1) or equivalent or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 1-2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

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 favourAgainst it
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 opportunitiesHumanitarian 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
The programme combines conflict resolution and humanitarian assistance — a unique interdisciplinary qualification that addresses the full spectrum of crisis and conflict challengesMany 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

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Second Upper Division (2.1) or equivalentminimum entry
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.

Subject requirements
Bachelor's in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, Law, or related field2.1 or higher
Experience in humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, or refugee workpreferred
Field experience in conflict-affected or disaster-affected areas is advantageouspreferred
English proficiency (international applicants)IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

May 20271 institution

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

September 20271 institution

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

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

  • Commission for University Education

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.

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

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

Common misconceptions

  • A Masters in pure science leads only to teaching.

    Science graduates work at KEMRI, ICIPE, KALRO, KEBS, pharmaceutical companies, and data analytics firms.

  • Pure science is less marketable than applied science.

    Analytical and research skills from pure science are valued in data science, finance, and technology industries.

  • Science Masters require expensive lab equipment.

    Many projects involve computational modelling, theoretical work, or field-based research.

  • All science Masters take two years.

    Full-time programmes typically take 1.5-2 years, while part-time can take up to 3 years.

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