Arts & Humanities

PhD in Inter-Religious Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Inter-Religious Studies is an advanced research programme that prepares scholars to understand, analyse, and engage with the diversity of religious traditions and their interactions in pluralistic societies. The programme is offered by the Adventist University of Africa, and related doctoral pathways in interreligious relations are available at other Kenyan institutions.

Students develop expertise in comparative religion, interfaith dialogue, the theology of religions, religion and peacebuilding, and the social and cultural dynamics of religious pluralism. They learn to research the interactions between Christianity, Islam, African traditional religions, and other faiths, and to apply this knowledge to education, conflict resolution, development, and public policy.

Kenya's diverse religious landscape makes inter-religious studies highly relevant for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community development. Government agencies, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, and civil society groups require scholars who can mediate between communities, develop interfaith programmes, and contribute to research on religion and society.

Teaching combines advanced research seminars, supervised reading, and thesis development. The AUA programme is delivered through cohort-based, face-to-face, and online sessions, allowing students from across Africa to participate. Candidates produce a doctoral thesis that makes an original contribution to inter-religious understanding or practice.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, interfaith dialogue specialists, peacebuilding researchers, religious educators, comparative religion scholars, and consultants in faith-based and civil-society organisations. They are employed in universities, seminaries, research institutes, non-governmental organisations, and international bodies working on religion and development.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in theology, religious studies, peace and conflict studies, or a related social-science discipline. Candidates should have a strong interest in religious pluralism, demonstrated research ability, and a clear proposal for doctoral research in inter-religious studies.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 247,600
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: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Comparative Religion
Interfaith Dialogue Theory and Practice
Theology of Religions
Christian-Muslim Relations
African Traditional Religions
Religion, Peace and Conflict
Religion and Development
Research Methods in Religious Studies
Religion and Society in Africa
Thesis Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Comparative Religion
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of the beliefs, practices, and texts of major world religions, covering theological principles, hermeneutical methods, and their application in religious scholarship.
Interfaith Dialogue Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Models and methods for constructive dialogue among religious communities, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in.
Theology of Religions
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Christian and other theological perspectives on religious diversity, covering theological principles, hermeneutical methods, and their application in religious scholarship.
Christian-Muslim Relations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical and contemporary relationships between Christian and Muslim communities
African Traditional Religions
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of indigenous African religious traditions and their interaction with world religions
Religion, Peace and Conflict
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
The role of religion in conflict and peacebuilding in Africa and globally, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and.
Religion and Development
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Contribution of religious communities and organisations to development and social change
Research Methods in Religious Studies
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, field methods, and ethical approaches in religious studies, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to.
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal in inter-religious studies
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent research and writing culminating in a defended doctoral thesis, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation.

Specialisations

Religion and Development
Specialization in Religion and Development, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-educator-theology-teacher.
Christian-Muslim Relations
Specialization in Christian-Muslim Relations, preparing graduates for careers such as interfaith-program-coordinator.
Comparative Religion
Specialization in Comparative Religion, preparing graduates for careers such as comparative-religion-scholar.
Theology of Religions
Specialization in Theology of Religions, preparing graduates for careers such as theologian-academic.
Academic Research and Teaching
Specialization in Academic Research and Teaching, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
African Traditional Religions
Specialization in African Traditional Religions, preparing graduates for careers such as indigenous-knowledge-researcher.
Interfaith Dialogue
Specialization in Interfaith Dialogue, preparing graduates for careers such as interfaith-dialogue-specialist.
Religion and Peacebuilding
Specialization in Religion and Peacebuilding, preparing graduates for careers such as peacebuilding-specialist.

A day as a student

A typical day involves reading comparative and interfaith texts, analysing case studies, meeting supervisors, and writing thesis chapters. Students may also attend interfaith events, conduct interviews or fieldwork, and prepare academic papers or conference presentations.

The trade offs

In its favour

Addresses Kenya's need for interfaith understanding and social cohesion
Prepares graduates for dialogue, peacebuilding, and development roles
Private universities offer flexible and accessible doctoral pathways
Research can contribute to conflict prevention and community development

Against it

Career opportunities outside academia and faith organisations can be limited
No public university in Kenya is confirmed to offer this exact programme
Private fees can be a barrier for some students
Doctoral research in religious studies requires sensitivity and strong field access

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

Public224k to 245k

224k at University of Nairobi245k at Kenyatta University

Private212k to 248k

212k at Africa International University248k at St. Paul's 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

KU 244.8K, UoN 224K (uonbi.ac.ke). AIU 212K, St. Paul's 247.6K (spu.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and CODESRIA research grants. Faith-based and peacebuilding organisations may also offer support for research on religion, conflict, and social cohesion.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
CODESRIA Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
Master's degree in theology, religious studies, peace and conflict studies, or a related field from a recognised university
Minimum grade
Cumulative GPA of 3.33 on a 4-point scale or equivalent, or a strong research track record
Research proposal
A well-developed proposal demonstrating originality and relevance to inter-religious studies

How you are assessed

4 components

Thesis
Coursework100% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Research Papers and Seminars
Coursework40% of the mark
Comprehensive Examinations
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered by private institutions in Kenya. Graduates entering religious leadership or teaching roles may seek endorsement from relevant religious bodies.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Religious Educator
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Develops and teaches religious studies and interfaith education curricula
Peacebuilding Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Works on conflict prevention, mediation, and reconciliation with religious communities
Interfaith Dialogue Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Designs and facilitates dialogue programmes among religious communities
Comparative Religion Scholar
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 160,000
Researches and writes on religious traditions, comparison, and pluralism
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches and researches religion, theology, and interfaith studies in universities

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, interfaith dialogue specialists, peacebuilding researchers, religious educators, and comparative religion scholars in universities, faith-based organisations, and civil society.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Inter-religious studies is about converting others to one religion
It focuses on understanding, dialogue, and cooperation among religious traditions, not conversion.
The degree only leads to work in churches or mosques
Graduates are also employed in universities, NGOs, government peacebuilding units, and international development organisations.
Interfaith dialogue ignores theological differences
Effective dialogue respects differences while seeking shared values, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
There is no demand for inter-religious expertise in Kenya
Kenya's religious diversity makes interfaith skills valuable for conflict prevention, social cohesion, and development.