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.

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.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 288,000
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: 6 students
Award: PhD

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 favour

Directly addresses Kenya and East Africa's pressing conflict and security challenges
Growing demand for peace and conflict expertise in government, UN, and AU
Interdisciplinary programme drawing on political science, sociology, and law
Opportunity to contribute to peacebuilding practice and policy

Against it

Field research in conflict-affected areas may involve security risks
Specialised academic positions are limited to few universities
By-thesis-only delivery offers limited structured coursework
Research 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

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 peace, conflict, political, development, gender studies, history, sociology, international relations, public policy, or related field
Research experience
At least three years postgraduate research or teaching experience for those with closely related Master's
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

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

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

Industry links

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.