Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
Arts & Humanities

Mtaala ya Kiswahili

<p>Mtaala wa Kiswahili (Kiswahili Studies) is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in Kiswahili language, literature, linguistics, and cultural studies. The programme provides specialised training in Kiswahili linguistics, oral and written literature, translation, and cultural heritage.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 268,500
Ksh 537,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 233,865
Ksh 467,730 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 537,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 233,865 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, school-based, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Core areas include Kiswahili linguistics, Kiswahili literature, oral tradition, translation studies, comparative African literature, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, seminars, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi as a public institution through the Department of Kiswahili. Chuka University offers MA in Kiswahili as a public institution. Both programmes are available over two years.

Students develop competencies in Kiswahili linguistics, literary analysis, translation, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, seminar presentations, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for Kiswahili studies and language education roles.

UoN charges approximately KES 280,000 per year while Chuka University charges approximately KES 121,000 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Kiswahili, Education (Kiswahili), Linguistics, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as Kiswahili lecturers, language researchers, translators, curriculum developers, cultural officers, and media consultants across universities, schools, government agencies, media houses, and cultural institutions.

Skills Required

  • Kiswahili Linguistics and Phonology
  • Kiswahili Literary Analysis and Criticism
  • Oral Tradition and Folklore Studies
  • Translation and Interpretation
  • Comparative African Literature
  • Kiswahili Curriculum Development
  • Language Policy and Planning
  • Kiswahili Media and Communication
  • Research Methods in Kiswahili Studies
  • Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

  • Kiswahili Linguistics and Phonology
  • Kiswahili Literary Analysis and Criticism
  • Oral Tradition and Folklore Studies
  • Translation and Interpretation
  • Comparative African Literature
  • Kiswahili Curriculum Development
  • Language Policy and Planning
  • Kiswahili Media and Communication
  • Research Methods in Kiswahili Studies
  • Thesis Research

Certifications

  • CHAKITA Professional Membership
  • CHAMA Professional Membership

Specializations

Kiswahili Linguistics

Focuses on Kiswahili linguistics, covering Kiswahili, linguistics, phonology, syntax, and managing Kiswahili linguistics and phonology.

Kiswahili Literature

Examines Kiswahili literature, covering Kiswahili, literature, poetry, prose, and managing Kiswahili literary analysis and criticism.

Oral Tradition and Folklore

Covers oral tradition, covering oral, tradition, folklore, Kiswahili, and managing oral tradition and folklore studies.

Translation Studies

Focuses on translation, covering translation, interpretation, Kiswahili, language, and managing translation and interpretation.

Comparative African Literature

Examines comparative African literature, covering comparative, African, literature, Kiswahili, and managing comparative African literature.

Language Policy and Planning

Covers language policy, covering language, policy, planning, Kiswahili, and managing language policy and planning.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Kiswahili Linguistics and Phonology
  • Kiswahili Literary Analysis and Criticism
  • Oral Tradition and Folklore Studies
  • Translation and Interpretation
  • Comparative African Literature
  • Kiswahili Curriculum Development
  • Language Policy and Planning
  • Kiswahili Media and Communication
  • Research Methods in Kiswahili Studies
  • Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Kiswahili Linguistics and Phonology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines Kiswahili linguistics, covering Kiswahili, linguistics, phonology, syntax, and managing Kiswahili linguistics and phonology.

  • Kiswahili Literary Analysis and Criticism

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers Kiswahili literature, covering Kiswahili, literature, poetry, prose, and managing Kiswahili literary analysis and criticism.

  • Oral Tradition and Folklore Studies

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines oral tradition, covering oral, tradition, folklore, Kiswahili, and managing oral tradition and folklore studies.

  • Translation and Interpretation

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers translation, covering translation, interpretation, Kiswahili, language, and managing translation and interpretation.

  • Comparative African Literature

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines comparative African literature, covering comparative, African, literature, Kiswahili, and managing comparative African literature.

  • Kiswahili Curriculum Development

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers curriculum development, covering curriculum, development, Kiswahili, education, and managing Kiswahili curriculum development.

  • Language Policy and Planning

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines language policy, covering language, policy, planning, Kiswahili, and managing language policy and planning.

  • Research Methods in Kiswahili Studies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research, methods, Kiswahili, studies, and conducting research in Kiswahili studies, preparing students for their thesis.

  • Kiswahili Media and Communication

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines Kiswahili media, covering Kiswahili, media, communication, journalism, and managing Kiswahili media and communication.

  • Kiswahili Poetry and Prose

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers Kiswahili poetry, covering Kiswahili, poetry, prose, creative, and managing Kiswahili poetry and prose.

  • Kiswahili and East African Integration

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines Kiswahili and regional integration, covering Kiswahili, East, African, integration, and managing Kiswahili and East African integration.

  • Research Thesis

    Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore

    Original supervised research thesis on a Kiswahili studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and Kiswahili knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Kiswahili Linguistics

    Focuses on Kiswahili linguistics, covering Kiswahili, linguistics, phonology, syntax, and managing Kiswahili linguistics and phonology.

  • Kiswahili Literature

    Examines Kiswahili literature, covering Kiswahili, literature, poetry, prose, and managing Kiswahili literary analysis and criticism.

  • Oral Tradition and Folklore

    Covers oral tradition, covering oral, tradition, folklore, Kiswahili, and managing oral tradition and folklore studies.

  • Translation Studies

    Focuses on translation, covering translation, interpretation, Kiswahili, language, and managing translation and interpretation.

  • Comparative African Literature

    Examines comparative African literature, covering comparative, African, literature, Kiswahili, and managing comparative African literature.

  • Language Policy and Planning

    Covers language policy, covering language, policy, planning, Kiswahili, and managing language policy and planning.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, seminars, independent study, and research. Sessions cover Kiswahili linguistics, literature, oral tradition, translation, and comparative African literature. Linguistics sessions examine Kiswahili, linguistics, phonology, syntax, and managing Kiswahili linguistics and phonology. Literature sessions cover Kiswahili, literature, poetry, prose, and managing Kiswahili literary analysis. Oral tradition sessions cover oral, tradition, folklore, Kiswahili, and managing oral tradition and folklore. Translation sessions cover translation, interpretation, Kiswahili, language, and managing translation and interpretation. Seminars provide opportunities for literary analysis presentations and discussing research findings in Kiswahili. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a Kiswahili studies topic.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Programme addresses demand for Kiswahili professionals as Kiswahili is Kenya's national and official language.Significant fee difference between Chuka (KES 121,000/year) and UoN (KES 280,000/year).
Two public universities confirmed offering the programme, providing options for students.No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme covers linguistics, literature, oral tradition, translation, and media communication.Kiswahili teaching roles may require TSC registration in Kenya.
Graduates are eligible for CHAKITA professional membership and CHAMA regional standards.Career paths may be more limited compared to broader linguistics programmes.

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
Public119k to 269k
119k at Chuka University269k at University of Nairobi
Private221k to 234k
221k at Daystar University234k at KCA 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 537K/2yr=268.5K/yr(official). Chuka 119K/yr(official PDF). Daystar 220.8K/yr. KCA ~234K/yr

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. CHAKITA and CHAMA may offer research grants for Kiswahili language research and education.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • University Scholarship

  • CHAKITA Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.

  • University Scholarship

    ScholarshipKsh 280,000Kenyan

    UoN and Chuka University may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate Kiswahili students.

  • CHAKITA Research Grant

    ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan

    CHAKITA and CHAMA may offer research grants for Kiswahili language research and education.

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
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

UoN and Chuka University require at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant field. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant experience. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

May 20274 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

September 20274 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Coursework and Continuous Assessment

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, literary analysis reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.

  • Written Examinations

    Examination70% of the mark

    Written examinations covering Kiswahili linguistics, literature, oral tradition, and translation studies.

  • Seminar Presentation

    Project30% of the mark

    Assessment through seminar presentations on Kiswahili literature, linguistics, or cultural topics.

  • Research Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original supervised research thesis on a Kiswahili studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and Kiswahili knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. UoN (public) offers MA in Kiswahili Studies (CKS 6) through the Department of Kiswahili. Chuka University (public) offers MA in Kiswahili. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in Kiswahili studies. Graduates may interact with CHAKITA for professional membership and CHAMA for regional standards. The programme aligns with CUE, CHAKITA, CHAMA, and UNESCO Kiswahili and cultural heritage frameworks.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN (public) offers MA in Kiswahili Studies (CKS 6) through the Department of Kiswahili. Chuka University (public) offers MA in Kiswahili. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in Kiswahili studies. Graduates may interact with CHAKITA for professional membership and CHAMA for regional standards. The programme aligns with CUE, CHAKITA, CHAMA, and UNESCO Kiswahili and cultural heritage frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Kiswahili Lecturer

    Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Teaches Kiswahili at university or college level, covering Kiswahili, lecturer, teaching, education, and managing Kiswahili instruction.

  • Language Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Conducts Kiswahili research, covering Kiswahili, researcher, research, language, and managing Kiswahili language research.

  • Translator

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Provides translation services, covering translator, translation, Kiswahili, interpretation, and managing translation and interpretation.

  • Curriculum Developer

    Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Develops Kiswahili curriculum, covering curriculum, developer, Kiswahili, education, and managing Kiswahili curriculum development.

  • Cultural Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Manages cultural programmes, covering cultural, officer, Kiswahili, heritage, and managing cultural programmes and heritage.

  • Media Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Provides Kiswahili media consulting, covering media, consultant, Kiswahili, communication, and managing Kiswahili media consulting.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as Kiswahili lecturers, language researchers, translators, curriculum developers, cultural officers, and media consultants across universities, schools, government agencies, media houses, and cultural institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • NVivo

    SoftwarePrimary

    NVivo for qualitative data analysis in Kiswahili research, covering NVivo, qualitative, data, analysis, and managing qualitative data analysis.

  • SPSS

    Software

    SPSS for Kiswahili studies research data analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, Kiswahili, and managing Kiswahili studies statistics.

  • Reference Management Software

    Software

    Reference management for Kiswahili research and thesis writing, covering references, research, thesis, Kiswahili, and managing research references.

  • Microsoft Word

    Software

    Microsoft Word for academic writing and thesis formatting in Kiswahili, covering Word, writing, thesis, academic, and managing academic writing.

Common misconceptions

  • Kiswahili studies is just about speaking the language.

    Kiswahili studies covers linguistics, literature, oral tradition, translation, and cultural heritage beyond just speaking.

  • This programme is only for Kiswahili graduates.

    The programme is for professionals from education, linguistics, literature, and related fields, not just Kiswahili graduates.

  • Kiswahili studies has limited career prospects in Kenya.

    Kiswahili professionals are in demand as Kiswahili is Kenya's national language and an official language.

  • This programme is the same as a general MA in Linguistics.

    MA in Kiswahili Studies focuses specifically on Kiswahili language, literature, and culture, while MA Linguistics covers broader linguistic theory.

  • Kiswahili studies is not relevant in the digital age.

    Kiswahili is growing in digital media, content creation, and East African regional integration, creating new opportunities.

  • You need to be a native Kiswahili speaker to study this programme.

    The programme is accessible to graduates with relevant Kiswahili qualifications, not just native speakers.

Further reading

Read next