Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
Social Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Management

The Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Management is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, security studies, and governance, contributing to knowledge and practice in conflict management in Kenya, Africa, and beyond.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 244,800
Ksh 734,400 total
Private tuition
Ksh 288,000
Ksh 864,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 288,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3 years, full-time, part-time, 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 Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with theories of conflict, peace, security, and development, applying them to real-world conflicts and peace processes. The programme is delivered by thesis only, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to the field of peace and conflict studies.

Kenya and the broader East African region face complex security challenges including inter-communal conflicts, violent extremism, resource-based conflicts, and political violence. The programme addresses these challenges by training researchers who can inform policy and practice in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction under national and regional frameworks.

Teaching methods include supervised research, seminars, and thesis writing. Candidates work with supervisors to develop proposals, conduct field research in conflict-affected areas, and write their dissertations. The programme is delivered full-time over a minimum of three years at Kenyatta University’s main campus.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, peacebuilding specialists, conflict resolution officers, policy advisors, and researchers in universities, government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations including the UN and African Union. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in peace and security sectors.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master’s degree in peace studies, conflict management, international relations, political science, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge and practice in peacebuilding.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Conflict Theory
  • Peacebuilding Theory
  • Security Studies
  • International Relations
  • Research Methodology
  • Post-Conflict Reconstruction
  • Governance and Development
  • Gender and Conflict
  • Human Security
  • Thesis Research

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Advanced Conflict Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theoretical frameworks for understanding causes, dynamics, and resolution of violent and non-violent conflicts

  • Peacebuilding Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Contemporary peacebuilding approaches, liberal peace, local peacebuilding, and post-conflict peace consolidation

  • Security Studies and Human Security

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Traditional and human security paradigms, security sector reform, and non-traditional security threats

  • Research Methodology in Peace Studies

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Qualitative and quantitative research methods for studying conflict, peace, and security

  • Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Theories and practices of rebuilding societies after conflict including DDR, transitional justice, and state-building

  • Governance, Democracy and Conflict

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Relationship between governance systems, democratic processes, and conflict prevention in Africa

  • Gender, Conflict and Peacebuilding

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Gender dimensions of conflict, women's participation in peace processes, and UNSCR 1325 implementation

  • International Relations and Conflict

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    International dimensions of conflicts, intervention, mediation, and regional conflict management mechanisms

  • Thesis Proposal Development

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a peace and conflict topic

  • Thesis Research and Writing

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

  • Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

    Specialization in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, preparing graduates for careers such as peacebuilding-specialist.

  • Peacebuilding Programme Management

    Specialization in Peacebuilding Programme Management, preparing graduates for careers such as peacebuilding-program-officer-junior.

  • Sociological Research on Conflict

    Specialization in Sociological Research on Conflict, preparing graduates for careers such as sociologist.

  • International Relations and Diplomacy

    Specialization in International Relations and Diplomacy, preparing graduates for careers such as diplomat.

  • Conflict Resolution Practice

    Specialization in Conflict Resolution Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as conflict-resolution-officer-junior.

  • Public Policy and Governance

    Specialization in Public Policy and Governance, preparing graduates for careers such as public-policy-advisor.

A day as a student

A typical day involves independent research, reviewing conflict literature, analysing field data from conflict-affected areas, and writing under supervisor guidance. Students attend research seminars and present findings at departmental colloquia.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Directly addresses Kenya and East Africa's pressing conflict and security challengesField research in conflict-affected areas may involve security risks
Growing demand for peace and conflict expertise in government, UN, and AUSpecialised academic positions are limited to few universities
Interdisciplinary programme drawing on political science, sociology, and lawBy-thesis-only delivery offers limited structured coursework
Opportunity to contribute to peacebuilding practice and policyResearch funding for peace studies is less established than for STEM fields

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
Public192k to 245k
192k at University of Nairobi245k at Kenyatta University
Private200k to 288k
200k at Mount Kenya University288k at Kabarak 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 192K/yr (ku.ac.ke, uonbi.ac.ke). Kabarak 288K, MKU 200K/yr.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UPEACE Africa Programme fellowships.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • UPEACE Africa Fellowship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African peace researchers meeting UPEACE criteria

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

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
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Master's DegreeMaster's degree in peace, conflict, political, development, gender studies, history, sociology, international relations, public policy, or related field
Research experienceAt least three years postgraduate research or teaching experience for those with closely related Master's
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Kisii University, Garissa University, Kenyatta University.

May 20274 institutions

Including Kisii University, Garissa University, Kenyatta University.

September 20274 institutions

Including Kisii University, Garissa University, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Proposal Defence

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • University Lecturer

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches and conducts research on peace, conflict, and security in university departments

  • Peacebuilding Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Designs and implements peacebuilding programmes for international organisations and NGOs

  • Policy Advisor (Peace and Security)

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Advises government and international organisations on peace, security, and conflict policy

  • Conflict Resolution Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Mediates conflicts and supports peace processes in government agencies and community organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, peacebuilding specialists, conflict resolution officers, policy advisors, and researchers in universities, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Peace studies is not a real academic discipline

    Peace and conflict studies is a rigorous interdisciplinary field drawing on political science, sociology, international relations, and law, with established theoretical frameworks and research methods.

  • Graduates can only work in academia

    Graduates work in government peacebuilding agencies, international organisations like the UN and AU, NGOs, and policy think tanks addressing real conflicts.

  • Peace studies has no relevance to Kenya

    Kenya faces multiple conflict challenges including inter-communal violence, electoral conflict, and violent extremism, making peace research directly relevant to national security and development.

  • A PhD in peace studies does not lead to employment

    There is growing demand for peace and conflict experts in government, international organisations, and NGOs, particularly in conflict-affected regions of East Africa.

Further reading

Read next